Oriented on making people closer

Registration is now open for the third International Conference and Exhibition, "International Transport and Transit Corridors: Interconnection and Development - 2024" (ITTC 2024), held on November 26-27, 2024, in Ashgabat. The event is organized by the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan.

In December 2018, Turkmenistan adopted an important UN resolution on sustainable transport. This event marked a significant step towards developing environmentally friendly and economically efficient transport systems in the region. The resolution calls for closer interaction between countries to develop and implement sustainable transport solutions, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, modernize and expand transport networks, and ensure transport accessibility for all population groups.

ITTC 2024 coincides with World Sustainable Transport Day, which is also celebrated in Turkmenistan. This emphasizes the country's commitment to sustainable development principles and its active participation in global initiatives to improve transport systems' environmental and economic efficiency.

The conference will address relevant topics concerning the development of international transport and transit corridors. Key issues include the role of multimodality in simplifying transport and logistics processes, the development of the "North-South" corridor, and cooperation with international organizations to achieve sustainable development. Modern challenges and opportunities in transport logistics, trends and prospects of e-commerce, and the role of postal services will also be discussed.

The conference program includes various sessions dedicated to international transport corridors, multimodality, public-private partnerships in transport infrastructure, innovative technologies, and digital transformation in logistics. Participants will discuss cooperation and investment issues and exchange experiences in implementing large infrastructure projects.

Turkmenistan has made significant achievements in the transport and logistics sector, making it an important participant in international transit corridors. In recent years, new railway lines have been implemented, including the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran line, significantly reducing the time for transporting goods between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf. The Ashgabat-Turkmenabad line has also been modernized and expanded, increasing its capacity. In the road network, a new highway from Ashgabat to Turkmenabad has been built, reducing travel time between these cities, and the Ashgabat-Turkmenbashy highway project has provided quick access to the Caspian Sea.

The international seaport of Turkmenbashy, which became operational in 2018, has become a key hub for transporting goods across the Caspian Sea. Developing ferry connections between Turkmenbashy and neighboring countries has increased trade turnover. In air transport, the modernization of Ashgabat International Airport and the development of domestic air routes have improved the connectivity of remote regions of the country. These achievements have strengthened Turkmenistan's position as an important transport hub in Central Asia, promoting the development of regional and international trade routes and enhancing economic integration in the region.

Turkmenistan actively develops cooperation with neighboring countries and international organizations in transport corridors. One of the key projects is the development of the international transport corridor "North-South," which connects Russia, Iran, and India through the territory of Turkmenistan. This corridor significantly reduces the time and cost of transporting goods between Europe and South Asia.

On September 11, a 177-meter railway bridge of the Serhetabat-Turgund steel main line was inaugurated on the Turkmen-Afghan border. This bridge will become an important link in the region's transportation infrastructure, contributing to the strengthening of economic ties between the two countries.

In addition, Turkmenistan actively participates in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) projects, which connect Central Asian countries with Europe through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. This route promotes trade and economic ties between the regions.

Turkmenistan also cooperates with China under the "One Belt, One Road" initiative, which aims to create a network of transport and logistics routes connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa. This cooperation develops new transport corridors and modernizes existing infrastructure.

An international specialized exhibition, "Transport and Logistics," will be organized as part of the conference. The exhibition will feature transport and logistics centers, manufacturers and dealers of automotive equipment, equipment suppliers for equipping logistics centers, insurance companies, administrations of seaports, airports, and railway management from the CIS, near and far abroad. In addition to individual company stands, the structure of the exposition includes national stands, collective stands of ports and port companies, and collective stands of railways.

A record number of participants is expected, representing government agencies, national transport agencies, associations and unions, scientific and design organizations, international transport and logistics companies, and leading world educational institutions. The impressive list of delegates includes representatives from well-known international companies such as Airbus, Boeing, Cargo Lux, Fly Dubai, Vitol, Dragon Oil, and international transport organizations such as IATA (International Air Transport Association), ICS (International Chamber of Shipping), IRU (International Road Transport Union), the UN, and many others. Representatives of numerous international organizations and financial institutions, including the UN, OSCE, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and diplomatic missions accredited in Turkmenistan, will participate in the conference sessions and panel discussions.

For more information, please visit the official website of the event https://ittc-turkmenistan.com/

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Photo: ittc-turkmenistan.com