Ashgabat launches quality dialogue: first QACIS conference opens
ASHGABAT, April 29, 2025 (ORIENT). Today, the International Conference "Quality Assurance in Accordance with International Standards in Turkmenistan" (QACIS-2025) was ceremonially opened in Ashgabat, in the building of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan. This landmark event is an important step for the development of the national economy and strengthening its position in the world market, so it is no coincidence that the event is being held in parallel with the International Trade and Services Exhibition and Fair, which also opened today.
The QACIS-2025 Conference is of exceptional relevance for Turkmenistan, since it is being held for the first time in our country on such a scale, fully focused on the most important issues of quality and standardization. The forum is designed to demonstrate the importance of international standards and certification systems as key factors for stimulating exports, attracting foreign investment, increasing the competitiveness of Turkmen products and services, as well as ensuring consumer confidence both domestically and abroad.
The event brought together high-ranking representatives of the government bodies of Turkmenistan, heads and experts of authoritative international organizations and financial institutions, leading experts in the field of standardization and certification from around the world, domestic and foreign businessmen, delegates from academia and the media.
The program of the first day of the forum is rich and covers key aspects of quality assurance and standardization mechanisms for the region, the main challenges and opportunities in this area.
The conference began with a Plenary Session, which was attended by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Nokerguly Atagulyev, delegates from international organizations: President of the Stirling Foundation Miles Hansen, Head of the EBRD Representative Office in Turkmenistan Eric Livny, representatives of the US National Accreditation Committee, QazTrade, etc.
Further on, the first day of the program will feature two panel discussions. The first will focus on the role of international standards in stimulating trade and attracting investment. Experts and practitioners will discuss such important topics as electronic export, the importance of standards for free economic zones, specific practical steps and tools for Turkmen businesses, as well as the role of standards in the global "creative economy". The panel speakers will include representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan, Goldsmiths, University of London, experts from Switzerland, the USA, the EU Ambassador to Turkmenistan, and the head of the regional office of the World Free Zones Organization.
The second panel discussion of the first day will be devoted to industry standards in agriculture. Participants will consider in detail the relevance of Global G.A.P. standards for Turkmenistan and Central Asia, various types of organic certification (IFOAM), environmental and social aspects in agriculture, experience in implementing ESG principles, market requirements in Europe and the Middle East, as well as successful national examples of implementing standards.
The program of the day also provides opportunities for networking and informal communication of participants during a coffee break and on the sidelines of the forum.
The first day of the conference will end with a summary of the day, where the moderators will briefly summarize the main conclusions and achievements of the discussions, and also announce the program of the second day.
The QACIS-2025 International Conference in Ashgabat has already set a high pace from the start, bringing together leading experts and practitioners on its platform to discuss issues of quality assurance and the application of international standards, which are vital for the economic development of Turkmenistan.
