On the margins of the 82nd session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), a meeting was held between the Turkmen delegation, headed by Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan Perhat Yagshiyev, and ESCAP Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana. About this reports MFA of Turkmenistan.
During the meeting, the sides discussed key issues of cooperation between Turkmenistan and ESCAP, aimed at promoting coordinated actions to strengthen sustainable, efficient and environmentally safe transport and logistics connectivity.
The sides noted the constructive nature of their multifaceted cooperation, paying special attention to the successful preparation of the Voluntary National Reviews on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, presented by Turkmenistan in 2019 and 2023. It was emphasized that ESCAP would continue to provide advisory and analytical support in the preparation of Turkmenistan’s third Voluntary National Review, planned for 2027.
It was noted that cooperation between Turkmenistan and ESCAP covers such key areas as sustainable transport, energy, digitalization and trade. In this context, projects are being actively implemented within the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the development of transport corridors, energy transition and the exchange of regional experience.
Special attention was paid to the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects aimed at expanding the transit potential of Turkmenistan and the ESCAP region as a whole. In this regard, the importance of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor was highlighted, as it contributes to strengthening links between Central Asia, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, as well as Turkmenistan’s role as an important transport hub along the East-West and North-South routes.
The parties also emphasized Turkmenistan’s active position in advancing the climate and environmental agenda. Particular attention was paid to the initiative of the President of Turkmenistan to establish a Regional Centre for Combating Desertification in Ashgabat as a specialized ESCAP institution for Central Asian countries.
Ms.Alisjahbana highly appreciated Turkmenistan’s active role in the international arena, including the successful holding of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in Avaza. It was noted that the visit of the ESCAP Executive Secretary to Ashgabat in December 2025 to participate in the celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Neutrality gave additional impetus to cooperation between Turkmenistan and ESCAP.
