On the 13th to 14th of March, Ashgabat hosted the International Forum «Creative and Innovative Economy of Turkmenistan».
The event, organised by the Government of Turkmenistan in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the British Embassy, the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan and the National Commission for UNESCO, brought together young creators and specialists from various fields.
Today, the creative economy is becoming one of the main drivers of growth in various countries. In Turkmenistan, thanks to state support, such areas as information technology, art, photography, videography, fashion and craft professions are actively developing.
On the eve of the forum, a meeting of our country's creators and international experts in the field of creative economy was held in the capital's coworking centre. It was attended by the Ambassador of Creative Industries in the office of the Mayor of London and Chairman of the Council for the Global Creative Economy John Newbigin; Head of the Arts and Creative Economy Department of Central Asia Galina Koretskaya (Kazakhstan); international expert, executive director of the Association of Creative Industries Nazgul Kubakayeva (Kyrgyzstan); co-founder and master of the creative hub group «Ololo» Daniyar Amanaliyev (Kyrgyzstan); researcher and trainer of creative entrepreneurship programs Anastasiya Goncharova (Kazakhstan).
The participants shared their achievements and discussed the importance of the creative sector based on the sale of goods and services arising from intellectual activity. The experts shared their experience, observations on global trends in creative industries and prospects for Turkmenistan.
The central event of the forum was the opening of the event at the «Yyldyz» Hotel. The participants were addressed with welcoming remarks by the British Ambassador to Turkmenistan Stephen Conlon, UNDP Resident Representative in Turkmenistan Narine Saakyan and Hero of Turkmenistan, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for UNESCO Chinar Rustamova.
During the panel sessions, strategies for developing a dynamic and sustainable creative and innovative economy, modernization of cultural heritage industries, the use of digital technologies for the growth of the creative sector, and mechanisms for attracting investment in entrepreneurship were discussed.
One of the sessions was devoted to the role of women and youth in the development of the creative economy. Representative of the Centre for Business Women of Turkmenistan, operating on the basis of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of the country, Guljemal Gurbanova, spoke about the growing number of women in business and their increasing influence. Representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Economy shared information about opportunities for young people.
An exhibition of decorative and applied products created by craftsmen from all over the country was organised as part of the forum. The Ashgabat Fashion House of the Ministry of Textile Industry of Turkmenistan held a fashion show of a unique collection of women's outfits inspired by traditional embroideries.
The International Forum «Creative and Innovative Economy of Turkmenistan», held within the framework of the International Year of Peace and Trust, promoted dialogue and exchange of international experience, laying the foundation for the creation of effective support systems, increasing the involvement of the private sector and the formation of an economy focused on innovation.
