The regular twenty-fourth international multidisciplinary exhibition “White City Ashgabat”, timed to coincide with the Day of Ashgabat, brought together about two hundred Turkmen and foreign companies in the capital’s exhibition center of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan that presented their achievements in the fields of construction, architecture, design and urban planning.
The exhibition was attended by government agencies, private enterprises and business structures, presenting innovations in the field of “green” technologies and other areas that shape the modern appearance of Ashgabat. Members of the government, heads of ministries and departments, diplomatic corps, representatives of the public and mass media, as well as residents and guests of Ashgabat were the honored guests at the opening ceremony of the exhibition.
The forum clearly illustrated the results of the state urban development policy, covering a wide range of activities – from construction and architecture to industry, transport, communications, finance, education, health care, culture, tourism and sports. In addition to industrial goods and applied arts, the exhibition presented investment projects for the creation of environmentally friendly urban systems, energy-saving technologies and construction projects aimed at preserving a favorable urban environment. Automated control systems for engineering communications occupied a significant place in the exhibition.
The international conference «White City Ashgabat» was held in parallel with the exhibition. The plenary session discussed the role of the Turkmen capital as an indispensable condition for sustainable development, innovation and international dialogue within the framework of the International Year of Peace and Trust. The conference was attended by representatives of international organizations and large companies. The Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Anaclaudia Marineiro Centeno Rossbach and UNIDO Deputy Director-General Qiyong Zou addressed the conference participants via a video link.
The participants discussed the strategic development of Ashgabat as a metropolis of the future. Particular attention in the discussions was paid to the implementation of digital solutions, the development of «green» infrastructure, the transport ecosystem and improving the quality of the urban environment. The session reviewed the concept of White City Ashgabat, which is a synthesis of architectural traditions and innovative technologies. Aspects of «smart city» development were considered, including digital infrastructure, smart homes, transport and public services.
Speaking at the conference, the head of the Ashgabat city administration noted that in 2024, within the framework of the country’s industrialization program, industrial products worth a total of 10 billion 321.9 million manats were produced in the capital, taking into account all business entities. In the public sector of the economy, the industrial output amounted to 4 billion 285.2 million manats, including electricity production worth 1 billion 253.5 million manats. In 2024, the major capital investments in the public sector of the city’s economy amounted to 5 billion 452.8 million manats. 160 residential buildings with a total area of 184.26 thousand square meters were built and commissioned. 511.3 million manats were allocated for housing construction, including the population’s own funds.
The Turkmen capital invites international investors to participate in the implementation of the large-scale project “Ashgabat City” with a total area of 744 hectares, which is planned to be built in the northern part of the city. The master plan of development of Ashgabat until 2045 provides for construction of hundreds of residential buildings, trade, cultural and household buildings, schools and kindergartens. As part of the National Forestry Program of Turkmenistan for 2021–2025, more than 1.5 million tree seedlings were planted within Ashgabat in 2024 alone.
The conference business program also included statements by representatives of large businesses, including the President of Daewoo Engineering & Construction, the Chairman of the board of directors of Calik Holding and the Head of Ronesans Holding. Participants discussed promising investment projects in construction, infrastructure and housing and utilities.
The conference comprised three thematic sessions – “Modern construction and industry: quality, technology and financing”, “The role of public-private partnership in the development of construction, industry and construction of new roads” and “Technological innovations in the modernization of the construction, industrial and energy sectors of the economy of Turkmenistan”.