Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov congratulated participants of the Economic Forum, organized within the framework of the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) Week in Ashgabat. This was reported by the State News Agency of Turkmenistan.

"I cordially congratulate you on the opening of the Economic Forum, organized in our white-marble capital, Ashgabat, within the framework of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia Week," the head of state said in his address.

Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that the forum, held in the year of Turkmenistan's 35th anniversary of independence, will contribute to the successful implementation of joint efforts by SPECA member countries to ensure the further development of the region.

The President emphasized that member states support expanding SPECA's scope of activities, including projects on e-commerce, digitalization, green growth, energy connectivity in the Caspian region, and transport integration in the Eurasian region. Turkmenistan, as the 2025 SPECA Chair, has put forward proposals to create an effective regional market for goods, services, investment, and innovation.

The Turkmen leader recalled that over the past decade, at Turkmenistan's initiative, the UN General Assembly adopted six resolutions on sustainable transport and three resolutions on sustainable energy.

Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence that the forum will demonstrate Turkmenistan's active support for member states' efforts to transform SPECA into a broad platform for peace, trust, and cooperation. He noted that the event provides opportunities to advance dialogue, consolidate efforts, and develop strategies for implementing the SPECA Development Concept for the period up to 2030.