At the International Conference "White City of Ashgabat", held in the Turkmen capital, important statements were made about the role of innovation and a human-centered approach in urban development.
Zou Qiyong, Deputy Director General and Managing Director of the Directorate for Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), spoke at the plenary session "The White City of Ashgabat – the City of the future and opportunities" dedicated to the sustainable development of the capital.
The UNIDO representative shared his impressions of Ashgabat, noting its rapid development since his visit in 2023. He emphasized that the “Smart city” project in Ashgabat is one of the most illustrative examples in Central Asia. According to him, it demonstrates how innovation, active digitalization and a people-centered approach to urban planning can shape a sustainable future.
Zou Qiyong also emphasized that the development of transport and energy infrastructure, as well as waste management systems in the city, are fully consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular, SDG 11 "Sustainable cities and human settlements."
Special importance is attached to the international events held in Ashgabat within the framework of the International Year of Peace and Trust, an initiative offering to look at the world not only as a conflict-free, but also as a creative force full of opportunities for productive international cooperation.
The representative of UNIDO confirmed that his organization has consistently supported Turkmenistan's efforts to attract investment in industrial development. This includes contributing to the formation of an effective regulatory framework that helps attract reliable private sector partners to implement key urban and industrial initiatives.
- UNIDO is ready to further expand its bilateral partnership with Turkmenistan, striving to create a model of cooperation that could be successfully replicated throughout the region,– Zou Qiyong stressed. This will strengthen Turkmenistan's strategic role in intellectual and innovative industrialization, as well as in progressive urban development.
Concluding his speech, Zou Qiyong noted that Ashgabat City Day is not only a tribute to the past, but also a look into a promising future. He expressed confidence that, based on a solid foundation and a clearly defined strategic course, Ashgabat has all the prerequisites to become a dynamic center of "green" growth, the introduction of "smart" solutions and sustainable industrialization.
