Ashgabat, November 13 | ORIENT. Within the framework of the International Forum on Digitalization and Logistics, a separate session was held today — the International Startup Forum of Turkmenistan 2025, organized in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The key speech was delivered by Minister of Communications of Turkmenistan, Khadzhimurat Khudaikuliev, who identified innovation as a key factor in the country's sustainable development and digital transformation.

The Minister stressed that holding such a significant forum is an important step towards strengthening international cooperation and combining the efforts of the state, international organizations and the private sector to create a sustainable innovation ecosystem.

Khadzhimurat Khudaikuliev linked national digital priorities with the foreign policy agenda, recalling that the President of Turkmenistan took part in the recent Central Asia + USA summit in Washington, where a clear position was expressed in support of startups, technological entrepreneurship and innovative platforms, confirming the country's intention to actively integrate into global digital processes.

Among the key strategic directions implemented by the country, the minister named the development of telecommunications and digital infrastructure, including participation in international projects to create digital transit corridors, the launch of digital platforms in the fields of education, healthcare and public administration, ensuring digital inclusion, reducing the digital and gender gap, as well as training qualified personnel in the field of ICT and artificial intelligence. through educational programs and international internships.

Special attention is being paid to the active use of the TurkmenAlem52E national communications satellite to expand access to high-speed Internet, especially in rural and remote areas.

Minister Khudaikuliev highlighted the strategic partnership between the Ministry of Communications and the UNDP as an example of effective cooperation in the field of technology. He mentioned the successful implementation of a joint project to introduce an interagency interaction system that ensures more efficient information exchange between government agencies, increases transparency of processes and speeds up decision-making.

Cooperation with the UNDP has achieved a number of key results, including the development of a new Concept and State Program for the Development of the Digital Economy for 2026-2028, advanced training of civil servants through training and international internships, and the development of international cooperation with leading educational and technology centers such as EGA Academy and Innopolis University.

As a key initiative for the development of the startup ecosystem, the Minister announced the modernization of the Sanly Çözgüt national IT park. The Minister stressed that the IT park will become a dynamic hub of innovation, a space for startups, entrepreneurs, researchers and investors. It aims to become a catalyst for job creation, digital skills development and Turkmenistan's integration into the global innovation ecosystem.

At the end of his speech, Khadzhimurat Khudaikuliev expressed confidence that joint efforts in the field of digitalization and innovation will open up new opportunities for sustainable economic growth, diversification and increased competitiveness, allowing young entrepreneurs to realize their potential.