BISHKEK, June 13 | ORIENT. Within the framework of the II Forum of Analytical Centers of the Republic of Korea and Central Asia, which concluded its work in Bishkek, special attention was paid to the key challenges of our time and sustainable development strategies. Among the extensive agenda covering energy stability, climate change and logistics, one of the most dynamic and, without exaggeration, future-defining sessions was the session on digital transformation and artificial intelligence. This topic today sets the vector of global development, changing economic models, creating new markets and transforming our approaches to labor, resource management and decision-making.

The atmosphere in the hall was electrified with lively ideas, open questions and bold forecasts. The moderator, Vyacheslav Pak from the National Institute for Strategic Initiatives under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, brilliantly managed the flow of thoughts, creating space for productive exchange and demonstration of regional ambitions.

Speakers included influential figures in the digital world and public administration, from Won Sang-ho, Vice President of the National Agency for Promotion of the IT Industry of Korea, to local experts such as Chingiz Jumagulov from the Center for Digital Technologies of the Bishkek City Hall and Gulzhigit Toktoshov from the Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Innovation of the Kyrgyz Republic. The academic weight of the speech by Pavel Pankov, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, whose reflections on computational mathematics set a deep scientific tone, only enhanced the significance of the discussion. Experts from the International Institute of Central Asia, representatives of virtual asset associations, as well as Kim Chang-woo from the Bureau of Digital Platforms of the Korean government, each contributed to this vibrant, multifaceted picture of the future that is starting right now.

In these rapidly changing conditions, Central Asia, including Turkmenistan, has a historic chance to make a qualitative leap forward, relying on partnership with technologically advanced countries. And, of course, one of these indispensable partners is the Republic of Korea — a recognized world leader in digital technologies, artificial intelligence and industrial automation. The potential of our joint cooperation in this area is truly difficult to overestimate, because we are on the threshold of a new digital era.

Digital transformation and artificial intelligence technologies today are not just fashionable terms. They are literally reshaping the global landscape, changing economic paradigms, creating new markets and radically transforming our approach to work, logistics, resource management and decision-making.

The countries of our region are already actively implementing national digitalization strategies, covering everything from public administration and e-commerce to fintech, the introduction of IT solutions in healthcare, education, agriculture and, of course, the formation of approaches to regulating and implementing artificial intelligence. In Turkmenistan, the course towards a digital economy has been approved at the highest level. We are actively working on creating our own national software, expanding the Internet infrastructure, introducing electronic document management and developing IT parks, and building modern data centers. All these systematic steps lay a solid foundation for fruitful technological cooperation.

South Korea, with its outstanding example of digital progress within the framework of the "Smart Korea" strategy, is a beacon for us. Their experience in creating smart cities, large-scale development of 5G and AI infrastructure, support for startup ecosystems and implementation of digital solutions in industry, logistics, education and public administration is not just a set of cases, it is a ready-made methodology that can be adapted to the conditions of Central Asia, taking into account its socio-economic, climatic and demographic features. Today, the Republic of Korea is actively interacting with our region through educational and technical programs of such organizations as KOICA and KOTRA, and this valuable experience serves as a solid foundation for further expansion of our partnership.

Speaking about the vectors of practical cooperation, I would like to note the huge prospects for creating joint research centers and AI hubs. This will allow us not only to develop local AI solutions, but also, which is extremely important, to train highly qualified specialists in the fields of AI, big data, IoT and cybersecurity. No less important is the digitalization of industry, especially in the oil and gas industry, where the introduction of AI can improve efficiency from forecasting to ensuring security. "Smart energy" with digital metering and energy-efficient algorithms is not the distant future, it is a necessity of today. Digital agriculture occupies a special place. The use of drones, sensors and AI analytics to increase crop yields and sustainable water use, as well as the development of "smart" agricultural platforms capable of adapting to dry conditions, open up enormous opportunities for the region.

And, of course, education and healthcare. Online education, telemedicine, medical databases – all of these require reliable digital solutions, and the Republic of Korea has advanced technologies and methodologies in these areas that we are ready to adopt.

Digitalization is not just a set of technologies; it is the basis for sustainable economic growth, increased competitiveness and flexibility. For the countries of Central Asia, it is becoming not only the key to integration into the global economy, but also an opportunity to take leading positions in it. Turkmenistan, aimed at developing intellectual production and IT infrastructure, is ready to comprehensively increase cooperation with the Republic of Korea in the digital industry, the development of AI solutions, telecommunications and, most importantly, in personnel training.

The partnership with the Republic of Korea is a truly strategic alliance that can become a powerful driver of the new digital economy of the region. Joint projects, institutional support and technological interaction can provide Central Asia with an integral place in the future of the digital world.

The future requires bold decisions, and the dialogue between Central Asia and South Korea can become the very catalyst for progress that we all strive for.

Bekdurdy AMANSARYEV,

Center for Strategic Studies of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan