On May 24, the White City of Ashgabat conference kicked off in the capital of Turkmenistan with a plenary session entitled “White City of Ashgabat – City of the Future and Opportunities,” dedicated to the role of the capital as a symbol of sustainable development, innovation, and international dialogue within the framework of the International Year of Peace and Trust. The event was organized with the participation of high-ranking officials, representatives of international organizations, and large companies.

The session is attended by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Baymyrat Annamammedov, Mayor of Ashgabat Rahym Gandymov, and the Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat John S. MacGregor. The Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Anaclaudia Marineiro Centeno Rossbach and UNIDO Deputy Director-General Qiyong Zou will address the participants with video messages.

The participants will discuss the strategic development of Ashgabat as a smart and inclusive metropolis of the future. Particular attention is 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 will present the concept of "White City Ashgabat", which is a synthesis of architectural traditions and innovative technologies. The issues of "smart city" development are considered, including digital infrastructure, smart homes, transport and public services.

The business program of the event is complemented by speeches by representatives of large businesses, including the President of Daewoo Engineering & Construction Kim Bo-hyun, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Çalık Holding Ahmet Çalık and the head of Rönesans Holding Erman Ilıcak. Participants discuss promising investment projects in construction, infrastructure and housing and communal services.

We also note that on May 25, on the second day of the conference, three thematic sessions will be held: "Modern Construction and Industry: Quality, Technology and Financing", "The Role of Public-Private Partnership in the Development of Construction, Industry and Construction of New Highways" and "Technological Innovations in the Modernization of the Construction, Industrial and Energy Sectors of the Economy of Turkmenistan".