The Avaza Investment Forum, which brought together 800 delegates from 45 countries, went far beyond a traditional business event. It became an effective tool for economic diplomacy, clearly demonstrating how Turkmenistan is using its foreign policy strategy to strengthen its international standing.

The scale and dynamism of the forum, which effectively began even before its official opening, confirmed that the country is emerging as a key hub for establishing business contacts. However, the true significance of the event lies not in the number of bilateral meetings or signed agreements, but in the new role Turkmenistan is beginning to play on the global stage.

This is best illustrated by the assessments of the participants themselves. Their comments offer an objective, outside perspective on how Turkmenistan is perceived by the international community.

The opinions of experts participating in the Avaza-2025 investment forum reveal three key aspects: the country's role as a regional player, Turkmenistan's practical approach to partnership, and its ability to keep pace with global trends.

The Forum as a Growth Point for Central Asia

Forum participants noted that Avaza has become an important platform for regional integration and joint initiatives. Erbol Bukharbayev, Regional Director of the World Free Zones Organization (WFZO), emphasized this in his commentary, which goes far beyond an economic assessment:

"The forum in Turkmenistan is effectively becoming an important preparatory point for a qualitatively new stage in the development of Central Asia. Here we discuss priorities, form partnerships, and create a foundation for Central Asia to make a strong presence on the global stage.

One of the upcoming global platforms and opportunities for Central Asia to jointly assert itself is the 11th World Congress of Free Trade Zones on Hainan Island, China, on October 10-12, to which we have invited ministers from all Central Asian countries, including the Minister of Finance and Economic Development of Turkmenistan. The memorandum we signed with him confirms that we are moving in the right direction, uniting the voices of the five Central Asian countries at the political, business, and investment levels."

This assessment by a foreign expert demonstrates that Turkmenistan is actively positioning itself not simply as an individual player, but as a strategic hub capable of uniting the efforts of the entire region and becoming a catalyst for its economic and political development on the global stage.

Practical Focus and Trust

Another important conclusion that can be drawn from the participants' comments is the transition from declarations to concrete actions. Forum participants praised not only Turkmen hospitality but also the opportunity to achieve concrete, tangible results. Christopher Durkin, President of the West London Chamber of Commerce, shared his opinion:

"The Avaza Investment Forum transformed the previous dialogue into a concrete action plan, and did so with exemplary organization and hospitality. We signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the West London Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, formalizing a corridor for bilateral trade, exchange of experience, and investment. From now on, we will begin overseeing B2B matchmaking, providing support for establishing operations in West London, and opening invitations to our 30 annual international trade events as part of a program of over 100 events."

With over 2,300 member companies representing over 100,000 employees and 8,500 subscribers, and being the second largest and fastest-growing Chamber of Commerce in London, we can accelerate market entry and turn ambition into tangible growth for companies on both sides."

This commentary confirms that the forum successfully achieved its primary objective: convincing potential partners of Turkmenistan's serious intentions and the government's readiness to take practical steps. The signing of the memorandum was a symbol of trust, which is the cornerstone of long-term investment projects.

Commitment to Innovation and Green Technologies

In their analysis, foreign experts emphasized that Turkmenistan has demonstrated interest in new solutions that go beyond traditional investment criteria. Dimitrij Oyler, Head of Impact Analysis at the WifOR Institute, and Bakyt Omurzakov, Country Advisor for the Team Europe Initiative, offered a comprehensive assessment:

"TIF2025 provided substantive, not merely descriptive, information. Public and private stakeholders held concrete discussions on using a standardized system for measuring the impact of investment projects as a common language, so that investments can be assessed not only by profitability but also by their impact on public health, employment, and economic stability.

Following Awaza, we have a clear vision for concrete next steps: joint working groups to promote sustainable investments, pilot projects to integrate key impact performance indicators into due diligence, and the development of a roadmap to ensure transparent impact reporting for all projects. This clarity will help decision-makers confidently scale up expensive investments."

"The Turkmenistan Investment Forum, bringing together participants from over 40 countries, clearly confirmed the government's commitment to cooperation for peace, security, and development. We saw strong investor interest in logistics, transport connectivity, as well as green and digital transformations. Meanwhile, major companies such as Huawei and Petronas are already supporting talent through scholarships and programs in ICT and green skills—laying the foundation for scalable PPPs. Importantly, Turkmenistan's leadership is interested not only in large capital but also in innovative partners in the high-tech, green, and digital sectors."

These statements demonstrate that Turkmenistan strives not only to attract investment but also to become part of the global knowledge economy, focusing on sustainable development, digitalization, and innovation. This signals the country's readiness for qualitative transformation and the search for partners who share these values.

Interactive Dialogue and Hospitality

Ultimately, the success of the Avaza forum is more than just the sum of the presentations, meetings, and signed documents. It is the result of Turkmenistan's ability to create a platform where business interests intertwine with diplomatic dialogue. The hospitality, friendliness, and openness expressed by Askar Baimuldin, the leading figure in the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), have become the "soft power" that transforms potential investors into reliable partners.

"First and foremost, the forum's topics were highly relevant and informative, allowing for an in-depth exploration of the current investment climate and opportunities in Turkmenistan. The presentations were well structured and covered a wide range of topics, from macroeconomic prospects to opportunities in specific sectors. It was clear that significant effort had been invested by the forum's participants and organizers in curating the content to ensure it was informative and engaging.

The panel discussions deserved special attention. The caliber of the speakers and their experience contributed greatly to the fruitful dialogue. The interactive nature of these sessions facilitated a dynamic exchange of ideas and perspectives, which was highly appreciated by all participants. It was clear that the forum successfully brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including investors, policymakers, and industry experts, to discuss and explore potential collaboration.

Moreover, the case studies and success stories presented during the sessions provided practical insights and highlighted the tangible benefits of investing in Turkmenistan. These real-life examples were incredibly effective in illustrating the potential for growth and development in the region.

The Turkmenistan Investment Forum 2025 provided an excellent platform for networking and knowledge sharing. The forum's content was exceptional, and it undoubtedly paved the way for future investment opportunities for ICD. We are grateful for the invitation to participate in the Forum and look forward to participating in similar events in Turkmenistan in the future."

The Avaza forum was an important milestone, cementing Turkmenistan's status as a modern negotiating platform, ready for serious dialogue and capable of translating business activity into concrete results.

Bekdurdy AMANSARYEV,

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