Ashgabat has entered the international spotlight in the field of sustainable urban development following remarks made during the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, where the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) announced that it is considering opening a project office in the Turkmen capital in the near future. This development further reinforces Ashgabat’s growing profile as an emerging regional platform for international dialogue, sustainable urban transformation and infrastructure cooperation.
The announcement was made by Erfan Ali, Regional Director of UN-Habitat for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, who noted that UN-Habitat currently coordinates programmes across 25 countries in the region and already operates country programmes in Kyiv, Moscow, Kosovo and Baku, while expressing hope that a project office will also begin operating in Ashgabat in the near future.
“Countries across our region are demonstrating strong urbanisation trends, and Ashgabat is increasingly becoming part of this broader international conversation on sustainable cities and urban development,”
— Erfan Ali, Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, UN-Habitat
This announcement gives additional significance to the upcoming High-Level United Nations Roundtable, which will take place on 24 May within the framework of the XXV International Exhibition and Conference “White City Ashgabat 2026” (WCA 2026) under the title:
“From Global Dialogue to Local Action: Advancing Sustainable, Inclusive and Smart Cities.”
The roundtable will focus on how international urban development priorities can be translated into practical municipal projects, investment mechanisms and sustainable infrastructure solutions.
White City Ashgabat 2026 is expected to welcome more than 650 delegates from 55 countries, including representatives of international organisations, development institutions, diplomatic missions, investors, urban planners, architects, engineering firms and technology providers, highlighting the forum’s growing international significance.
According to Katja Schaefer, Inter-Regional Advisor at UN-Habitat, global urban development goals increasingly require practical implementation at the city level:
“Translating the global commitments of the New Urban Agenda into concrete municipal projects requires a precise alignment of technology, capital allocation and master planning. By integrating advanced construction solutions and digital modelling tools into Ashgabat’s urban fabric, we are establishing the foundation for resilient, climate-neutral cities that can serve as a benchmark for the wider Central Asian region.”
— Katja Schaefer, Inter-Regional Advisor, UN-Habitat
The roundtable will address a broad range of issues related to modern urban development, including sustainable infrastructure, digital governance, energy-efficient engineering systems, smart-city technologies, resilient construction, public services and investment-ready urban projects.
Special attention will also be given to the role of international cooperation in advancing practical urban transformation and improving the quality of life in cities.
As noted by Dmitry Shlapachenko, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan:
“The United Nations highly appreciates Turkmenistan’s consistent commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11. Our collective objective on this platform is to ensure that smart technologies, digitalisation and modern construction standards directly yield enhanced quality of life for citizens, foster urban inclusivity and unlock new opportunities for youth leadership in managing the cities of the future.”
— Dmitry Shlapachenko, UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan
The possible opening of UN-Habitat project office in Ashgabat reflects the growing importance of Turkmenistan in international discussions on sustainable urbanisation, smart governance, climate-resilient infrastructure and modern city planning.
By placing sustainable and inclusive urban development at the centre of its programme, White City Ashgabat 2026 reinforces its role not only as an international exhibition and conference, but also as a practical platform for strategic dialogue, project implementation and long-term international cooperation in shaping the cities of the future.
More detailed information about the event, agenda updates and participation opportunities is available on the official website of White City Ashgabat 2026.
