Today, in the capital hotel "Ýyldyz" on the margins of the Week of the UN Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) the Economic forum started its work.

The high representative composition of participants of the present event has clearly attested to the steadily growing international authority of peace-loving Turkmenistan, which stands for promotion of effective regional cooperation under the aegis of the United Nations Organization. Its delegates included heads and representatives of profile ministries and sectoral departments of countries of Central Asia, Azerbaijan, India, international organisations, including specialised agencies of the United Nations, European Union, World Bank and others. The goal of the Forum - all-round consideration of possibilities of formation of new architecture of economic cooperation in the Eurasian space.

As known, the UN Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA), which was founded in 1998, is the mechanism aimed at assistance of development of economy of countries of the region and their integration into the system of world economic relations. This platform, which operates under the aegis of two large commissions of the United Nations - Economic Commission for Europe and Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, unites seven countries, including Azerbaijan, Afghanistan and five states of Central Asia.

From first years of the launch of the Program, Turkmenistan has displayed an active participation in its work, acting as the supporter of close interrelation of sustainable development of transport and energy systems as well as trade in the region.

A special role in the activity of SPECA is given to the transport sphere. In this connection, our Fatherland brings out the concept of creation of the multimodal transport corridor, which will unite the region of Caspian sea with Southern Europe, the Persian Gulf and China and is urged to become a key logistic bridge of Central Asia.

The establishment of World Sustainable Transport Day at the initiative of Turkmenistan became a natural continuation of efforts of our country in this area. This event displayed the importance of national transport diplomacy on the sidelines of SPECA as a tool of maintenance of general stability under the conditions of changing world economy. Turkmenistan’s chairmanship of SPECA in 2025 became an important stage of interaction. Our country put forward the new initiatives aimed at institutional strengthening of potential of the Program and expansion of its activity.

The energy sector also acts among priority areas on the sidelines of the Program agenda. Our country consistently supports formation of reliable mechanisms of delivery of energy resources that, along with the strengthening of economy of the region, promotes maintenance of energy security of all states-participants of SPECA.

At the same time, on the margins of regional cooperation, Turkmenistan pays much attention to issues of facilitation of trading procedures. Introduction of electronic customs and transport systems promotes reduction of time and expenses of transport services between the SPECA states and increase in competitiveness.

One of the important points of the agenda of the Program is also ecology. In implementation of regional projects, Turkmenistan actively introduces principles of "green" economy. One should point out that rational use of water resources in the region of Aral Sea acts among the basic issues discussed on the sidelines of SPECA.

In the opening ceremony of the Economic forum on the margins of the SPECA Week, the congratulatory message of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to its participants was read out. In the message, it is marked that the Economic forum held in the year of celebration of the glorious 35^th anniversary of sacred independence of neutral Turkmenistan, will promote successful realisation of consecutive efforts of our country together with other member states of SPECA for achievement of the goals aimed at maintenance of further development of the region.

In his message, the head of the state also underlined: «The given Forum aimed at achievement of concrete results, provides ample opportunities for advancement of the dialogue, association of efforts, development of the strategy and action plans for their realisation. Besides it, the Forum meets overall goals of Turkmenistan, such, as the review of fulfilment of strategic documents adopted within the framework of SPECA and their realisation in wider scale, in particular, discussion of the SPECA Concept of Development until 2030».

The congratulatory message of the President of Turkmenistan was heard with great attention.

Further, the plenary session of the Forum was held.

Speakers at the session, which was held in the hybrid format, stated a strategic significance of initiatives of Turkmenistan aimed at development of cooperation within the framework of SPECA. As was marked, under the modern conditions the Program, which promotes transformation of the region of Central Asia into one of the rapidly developing transport-logistic and energy centres in the Eurasian continent, acts as a key factor of sustainable development.

They also underlined a great importance of transport diplomacy realised by Turkmenistan. According to speakers, formation of multimodal transport corridors and simplification of transit operations answer not only to interests of the regional states, but also the entire world community. Participants of the Forum noted that the establishment of World Sustainable Transport Day at the initiative of Turkmenistan became a recognition of the efforts undertaken by our country in this area at global level.

In reports of representatives of the Turkmen party, it was stated that under modern conditions of global geopolitical and geoeconomic transformations, the strengthening of regional coherence, especially in such key spheres, as energy, transport, and trade has a special significance. As was underlined, Turkmenistan highly appreciates the reached level of relations with partners in the region. At that, an emphasis was made on main principles, which our country follows, in particular, neutrality, firm and invariable adherence to equality, mutual respect, cooperation and good neighbourhood.

At the same time, it was pointed out that Turkmenistan attaches a great importance to trade and economic partnership with the SPECA countries. With every passing year, fruitful relations grow stronger, the transport routes promoting the economic growth of our states expand. The increase in mutual goods turnover of Turkmenistan with the SPECA countries in recent years also clearly attests to the fact.

Consolidation of joint efforts in the SPECA region and active cooperation in development of new forms of interaction for attraction of investments and stimulation of innovative activity will allow to strengthen economic relations and to expand possibilities for implementation of joint projects.

On the sidelines of discussions, a special emphasis was made on issues of digital transformation and innovative development. Participants of the session marked the necessity of introduction of modern standards of the United Nations into customs and trading procedures. In the given context, it was underlined that digitalization of data exchange acts as one of the key factors of increase in efficiency of cargo transportation.

During discussion of issues of investment, speakers stated the significance of creation of a Multilateral Partnership trust fund. As was underlined, the given mechanism proposed by the Turkmen party, is urged to become an important tool for financial support of transboundary initiatives. This fund will promote maintenance of projects with funds in such spheres, as "green" economy, energy and adaptation to climate change.

Delegates also drew the attention to issues of ecological stability and effective utilisation of natural resources. Representatives of international organisations marked that economic integration in the SPECA format should be combined with measures on protection of environment and introduction of non-polluting technologies.

Further, the necessity of the inclusive character of economic growth was underlined. In particular, joint realisation of large infrastructural projects, such as construction of gas pipelines and electric transmission lines, is the guarantor of long-term peace, good neighbourhood and prosperity in the SPECA region.

At the end of the plenary session, foreign participants expressed their gratitude to the Turkmen side for a high organizational level of the Forum and created conditions for the productive dialogue. At the same time, they expressed confidence that the decisions made in Ashgabat will promote the further strengthening of cooperation in the SPECA format.

Further, the Forum proceeded in the format of thematic session «Energy interconnectivity in the Transcaspian region and beyond its limits». Speakers drew the attention to the role of the region of Central Asia as an important link in maintenance of global energy security.

During discussion, the necessity of diversification of export routes and creation of multivector infrastructure was marked. As was underlined, regional energy connectivity is the guarantor of stability not only for countries-exporters of energy, but also for the transit countries and countries-consumers. In the given context, an emphasis was made on the significance of initiatives of Turkmenistan on formation of reliable international energy infrastructure.

In reports of representatives of the Turkmen party, it was noted that energy - one of the leading branches of national economy. At present, our country has attained advanced positions in construction of new energy stations and electric power development, its export to neighbouring countries. In the given context, it was underlined that Turkmenistan considers energy as a key factor of integration of economy of states of the region in the global system, aspiring to transform the SPECA space into a sustainable and secure energy hub. This strategy is based on such principles, as the strengthening of regional connectivity and consecutive diversification of routes of delivery of electric power.

Along with development of profile infrastructure, our country actively supports international efforts on decrease in volumes of emissions of hotbed gases into the atmosphere and digitalization. Introduction of "smart" networks and modern systems of calculation within the framework of the SPECA Road map allows raising reliability of regional energy supply systems. According to experts, one should harmonize the standard-legal basis of states-participants for simplification of transboundary exchange of energy carriers. Creation of uniform standards and cooperation mechanisms will allow involving additional investments for modernisation of national energy systems and construction of new electric transmission lines.

At the same time, the importance of digitalization of management of energy streams was underlined. As was marked, introduction of "smart" systems is urged to promote increase of reliability of energy supply and strengthening of mutual trust between partners.

On the margins of the thematic session «Transport interrelation for increase of efficiency of the Eurasian transport connectivity», the attention of participants was drawn to the necessity of assistance to development of multimodal transport corridors. According to participants of the Forum, combining of national transport networks into the SPECA uniform system will allow to increase volumes of transit goods traffics considerably.

As was marked in speeches of the Turkmen party, as a land-locked state, Turkmenistan under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov pursues the far-sighted policy in the field of transport diplomacy. Throughout many years, our country actively participates in decision-making process on transport connectivity, setting forward initiatives in various international organisations, including in the United Nations.

As a result of efforts of Turkmenistan together with partners the multimodal corridor of "China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkiye-Europe" the and the international railway "Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran" were created and successfully function.

It was also pointed out that our country not only constructs roads, but also actively introduces innovative technologies. Today, Turkmenistan carries out an effective work to digitalize its railway sector, introduce the intellectual control systems of transportation, infrastructure diagnostics.

During the session, the attention was also drawn to issues of simplification of procedures of crossing of border and conformity of customs legislation to realities of the time. As was underlined, introduction of uniform standards of cargo transportation will allow transforming Central Asia into a reliable transit link of world level.

Then, the Forum continued its work with the thematic session «A Strategic Vision of Sustainable Development», in which discussion of integrated approaches to realisation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development took place.

It was noted that the trade sphere, being a driving force of economic development and integration processes, acts as one of the key factors of achievement of goals of sustainable development. Realisation of principles of sustainable trade promotes economic diversification, expansion of regional cooperation, development of transport-logistic services and increase of stability of national economies.

Turkmenistan located on the crossing of routes of the Great Silk road, actively advances initiatives on realisation of large-scale national and regional projects aimed at creation of versatile international transport-logistic infrastructure. In the given context, mutually beneficial trade-investment partnership, creation of favourable possibilities for further development of foreign trade relations, promotion of integration ties and diversification of export routes were outlined among the major areas of economic development of our country.

In speeches, a special emphasis was made on the importance of transition to long-term strategic programs. As was marked, practical realisation of initiatives to strengthen the SPECA institutional potential will allow raising attractiveness of the region for investment. Participants of the session supported consolidation of efforts on the basis of mutual respect and general interests that are urged to promote transformation of Central Asia and the Caucasus into the prospering region, which bring a considerable contribution to global sustainable development.

Tomorrow, on January 22, the Forum will continue its work in the format of thematic sessions.