The leaders of the five Central Asian states and Azerbaijan, meeting on the shores of Lake Issyk Kul in Kyrgyzstan on July 31, signaled an intent to deepen trans-Caspian connections. The meeting formalized Azerbaijan’s status as a full participant in Central Asian councils, expanding a format known as the C5 to C6. Central Asian leaders also used the occasion to sign a variety of bilateral agreements. It is a multi-phase connectivity plan to strengthen the sovereignty of regional states. The S7+ envisions the establishment of a trade crescent connecting the Caspian Basin to the Arabian Sea, unlocking Greater Central Asia’s full trade potential.