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2025  N11-12(249-250)
ECONOMY
THE RESERVES OF NATIONAL WEALTH
Three major international high technology forums held in succession concluded the annual calendar of key industry events for the leading sectors of the national economy. The Thirtieth International Conference and Exhibition “Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan – 2025,” the Eighteenth International Exhibition and Scientific Conference “Turkmentel – 2025,” and the International Conference and Exhibition “International Transport and Transit Corridors: Connectivity and Development – 2025” brought together specialists and experts to address highly relevant themes for modern Turkmenistan – the introduction of advanced technologies and the expansion of international cooperation in the key sectors of the national economy.
The industry specific forum was organized by the State Concerns Turkmengas and Turkmennebit. It sought to strengthen international energy cooperation to support sustainable development of Turkmenistan’s fuel and energy complex, promote strategic interaction between public and private sectors, advance prospective oil and gas projects, and explore Turkmenistan’s potential as a regional energy hub.
The large scale event brought together representatives from dozens of countries, leading international organizations, diplomatic missions, specialists from major oil and gas and financial companies, experts, civil society organizations and members of the media.
The presentations at the forum revealed a multifaceted picture of the rapid development of Turkmenistan’s fuel and energy complex. Systematic efforts are underway to expand the country’s export potential by enhancing the reliability of existing pipelines, developing and supporting liquefied natural gas projects and establishing new energy routes as part of regional initiatives. Turkmenistan places particular emphasis on developing high value added industries. Major investments are directed into the production of ammonia, mineral fertilizers, polymers and other petrochemical products, which create new jobs, stimulate related industries and facilitate the adoption of foreign technologies.
The ongoing efforts to implement major infrastructure projects, develop the petrochemical industry and digitize and modernize the sector demonstrate the country’s commitment to sustainable economic growth. This consistent strategy places energy resources at the foundation of future economic progress and opens new opportunities for international cooperation.
These opportunities were presented most vividly at the stands and pavilions of the large scale exhibition, which featured ministries, agencies and enterprises of the host country, alongside products and proposals from leading international companies.
The stands of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) presented integrated solutions for natural gas extraction and transportation, technologies related to compressor stations and joint regional infrastructure projects. The pavilion of the Italian company ENI introduced visitors to innovations in associated petroleum gas extraction, liquefied natural gas production projects and energy efficiency solutions for processing facilities.
Sumitomo Corporation of Japan showcased gas processing equipment, technologies for the petrochemical industry and solutions for optimizing industrial processes at processing plants. The pavilion of Dragon Oil displayed technologies used at offshore fields. PETRONAS presented active projects aimed at reducing carbon footprints and advancing digital transformation in the energy sector. The pavilion of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) featured investment platforms and petrochemical initiatives.
Moving from the exhibition stands to the conference hall, participants continued discussions within the international conference held under the motto “Energy. Innovation. Development.” The plenary session “The Growing Role of Turkmen Natural Gas: Expanding Exports and Supporting the Energy Transition” explored export and logistical opportunities. The thematic session “Raw Materials as the Basis of the Energy Transition: New Horizons for Investment” addressed the modernization of Turkmenistan’s energy and petrochemical sectors through innovation and investment.
Given its enormous natural gas reserves, speakers emphasized Turkmenistan’s role in ensuring energy security and diversifying energy export routes. They noted that the country’s substantial natural resources provide a strong foundation for strategic planning and international cooperation.
Speakers noted that natural gas is becoming an essential low emission energy source in the transition toward cleaner fuels. Turkmenistan is capable of meeting both current and growing demand in new markets.
In this context, participants exchanged views on expanding export routes for Turkmen natural gas, including the implementation of the Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India (TAPI) gas pipeline and other infrastructure projects, as well as potential exports to South Asia, the Middle East and Europe. They also discussed strategies for diversifying Turkmenistan’s natural gas exports through the development of pipeline infrastructure, liquefied natural gas production and the petrochemical industry.
The attraction of investment and innovation was one of the central topics of discussion. Representatives of leading companies and experts exchanged views on opportunities to modernize Turkmenistan’s energy and petrochemical industries. The importance of projects related to the production of mineral fertilizers, polymers and other chemical products was emphasized.
Participants also reviewed new geological data and promising investment projects that are expected to open additional opportunities to attract investment and establish technological partnerships that will strengthen Turkmenistan’s economic potential. Informal discussions were also held, enabling leaders of major international oil and gas companies operating in Turkmenistan to share views on business opportunities in one of the world’s strategically important energy markets and to exchange experience with Turkmen companies in building long term cooperation and implementing projects.
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No less significant areas of national economic development were addressed during the Eighteenth International Exhibition and Scientific Conference “Turkmentel – 2025” and the International Conference and Exhibition “International Transport and Transit Corridors: Connectivity and Development – 2025.” These two forums were held jointly on a single platform for the first time, opening new prospects for regional and international cooperation and business development in key strategic sectors.
These events brought together a wide spectrum of international participants: delegations from approximately eighty specialized companies and organizations from Turkmenistan and abroad, including the United States, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Germany, Finland, France, Russia, China, Switzerland and Japan. Many of them are active participants in major projects that help position Turkmenistan among technologically advanced nations grounded in digital and cutting edge solutions and further reinforce the country’s role as a key transport and logistics hub both regionally and globally.
The exhibition featured prominent global technology companies, including Huawei of China and Nokia of Finland, both actively involved in deploying modern cellular and internet communication systems throughout Turkmenistan. The stands of SSI (Monaco) and Thales (France) presented their achievements in satellite communications and the prospects associated with the launch of Turkmenistan’s second communications satellite “TurkmenAlem 52°E.” It is worth noting that the country’s first artificial satellite was launched in 2015 in cooperation with these companies.
Several globally renowned companies in the transport sector also took an active part in the exhibition. Overall, the event served as an important business platform that brought together leaders of the transport and communications market. It enabled Turkmen and foreign companies to engage in active dialogue in search of new cooperation opportunities and knowledge exchange. Turkmenistan’s advantageous geographic location further encourages national companies to actively participate in transport and logistics development. They have already accumulated substantial experience in this area and continue to steadily expand the range of logistics services.
During the discussions at the “Turkmentel – 2025” scientific conference and the “International Transport and Transit Corridors” forum, representatives of Turkmenistan, as well as leaders of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Coordinating Council on International Transport, the Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications of the CIS member states and the UNDP Office in Turkmenistan delivered presentations.
Speakers expressed confidence that the forum would contribute to further expanding international cooperation in sustainable transport and would clearly demonstrate Turkmenistan’s importance within international transit and transportation systems.
Business meetings were an important part of the forum, during which participants explored opportunities to gain comprehensive insight into promising areas of information technology and transport logistics system development. Overall, the first joint forum was distinguished by an extensive program and the establishment of promising new partnerships.

Alexey TIKHORETSKIY


©Turkmenistan Analytic magazine, 2005