“Trade Corridors’ Security and Türkiye“
9th Türkiye - Gulf Defence and Security Forum; Held as a side event to the 11th Istanbul Security Conference organized by the TASAM National Defence and Security Institute on November 28, 2025, at the Wish More Hotel Istanbul, with the main theme of "Trade Corridor Security and Türkiye."
Speakers and protocol participants from various countries and regions, as well as different fields and sectors, attended the Forum. Diplomatic representatives and delegations from different countries were also present. Speeches and presentations were made at the Forum by local/foreign experts, academics, and diplomats. Relevant authorities from Türkiye, Asia, Europe, America, and African countries were also represented at the Forum, and all sessions were followed institutionally.
The following important topics were addressed at the Forum: " Safe Fertile Crescent and Balance Partnership", " Impact of the New Syria on Regional and Global Security Balances", " New Threats and Cooperation Opportunities in the Ecosystem", " Cooperation in the Security and Defence Ecosystem of the Future", "Defence Industry: Land, Sea, Air, Space, Police, Gendarmerie, Intelligence, Strategic Sectors."
It was decided that the following findings and recommendations presented at the Forum should be brought to the attention of all relevant authorities and the public with a vision to enhance existing achievements/institutions:
1. Throughout history, control of land and sea trade routes has been one of the fundamental elements of power for great civilizations, empires, and states. In the 21st century, global power competition is being reshaped through trade corridors and transportation infrastructure.
2. New trade corridors established under the leadership of different dominant powers are changing all the dynamics of regional and global security. With their multidimensional strategic potential, the Gulf Countries, which are the coveted region in this competition, are constantly changing their preferences and alliances. The fact that Türkiye is the balancing power in this atmosphere, which exacerbates countless turbulences, particularly in Palestine, will confirm these dynamics.
3. Launched by China in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative is designed as a long-term global strategy aimed at reviving the Silk Road by 2049. The Belt and Road Initiative reflects China's goal of achieving a central position in global trade networks and expanding its economic influence. China supports transportation and infrastructure projects by allocating large-scale funds to countries along the Belt and Road Initiative route.
4. Türkiye is among the countries of particular importance to China within the scope of the Middle Belt. Türkiye's strategic geographical position in the Europe-Mediterranean-Middle East-Asia quadrangle makes it one of the bridgehead countries of the Belt and Road Initiative.
5. The financing gap in infrastructure investments by Western actors has been filled by China, which has increased China's regional and global influence. The financing provided through the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank demonstrates that China has placed the Belt and Road Initiative on an institutional and sustainable footing.
6. Following the Second Karabakh War in 2020, the geopolitical balance in the South Caucasus has been reshaped. After the war, the US played an active role in initiatives aimed at signing a permanent peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The US involvement in the process of normalizing Azerbaijan-Armenia relations aims to counterbalance China's Belt and Road Initiative. In this context, the US supports the Zangezur Corridor Project, which aims to connect Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Türkiye.
Speakers and protocol participants from various countries and regions, as well as different fields and sectors, attended the Forum. Diplomatic representatives and delegations from different countries were also present. Speeches and presentations were made at the Forum by local/foreign experts, academics, and diplomats. Relevant authorities from Türkiye, Asia, Europe, America, and African countries were also represented at the Forum, and all sessions were followed institutionally.
The following important topics were addressed at the Forum: " Safe Fertile Crescent and Balance Partnership", " Impact of the New Syria on Regional and Global Security Balances", " New Threats and Cooperation Opportunities in the Ecosystem", " Cooperation in the Security and Defence Ecosystem of the Future", "Defence Industry: Land, Sea, Air, Space, Police, Gendarmerie, Intelligence, Strategic Sectors."
It was decided that the following findings and recommendations presented at the Forum should be brought to the attention of all relevant authorities and the public with a vision to enhance existing achievements/institutions:
1. Throughout history, control of land and sea trade routes has been one of the fundamental elements of power for great civilizations, empires, and states. In the 21st century, global power competition is being reshaped through trade corridors and transportation infrastructure.
2. New trade corridors established under the leadership of different dominant powers are changing all the dynamics of regional and global security. With their multidimensional strategic potential, the Gulf Countries, which are the coveted region in this competition, are constantly changing their preferences and alliances. The fact that Türkiye is the balancing power in this atmosphere, which exacerbates countless turbulences, particularly in Palestine, will confirm these dynamics.
3. Launched by China in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative is designed as a long-term global strategy aimed at reviving the Silk Road by 2049. The Belt and Road Initiative reflects China's goal of achieving a central position in global trade networks and expanding its economic influence. China supports transportation and infrastructure projects by allocating large-scale funds to countries along the Belt and Road Initiative route.
4. Türkiye is among the countries of particular importance to China within the scope of the Middle Belt. Türkiye's strategic geographical position in the Europe-Mediterranean-Middle East-Asia quadrangle makes it one of the bridgehead countries of the Belt and Road Initiative.
5. The financing gap in infrastructure investments by Western actors has been filled by China, which has increased China's regional and global influence. The financing provided through the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank demonstrates that China has placed the Belt and Road Initiative on an institutional and sustainable footing.
6. Following the Second Karabakh War in 2020, the geopolitical balance in the South Caucasus has been reshaped. After the war, the US played an active role in initiatives aimed at signing a permanent peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The US involvement in the process of normalizing Azerbaijan-Armenia relations aims to counterbalance China's Belt and Road Initiative. In this context, the US supports the Zangezur Corridor Project, which aims to connect Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Türkiye.
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