The Directorate of the CIS Railway Transport Council sent a letter to the Ministry of Railway Transport of Turkmenistan proposing to hold the 84th Council meeting in Ashgabat in May-June 2026.

Ashgabat has approved this proposal and is ready to host the next meeting of the heads of the Commonwealth railway administrations. The Ministry of Railway Transport of Turkmenistan is beginning preparations for this major international forum.

This decision will further demonstrate the country's high international standing and its growing role in the international transport system. Ashgabat last hosted the Council meeting (the 57th) in October 2012.

Developing Transport Diplomacy

The hosting of such a major international forum reflects the consistently implemented goals under the leadership of Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, aimed at developing the country's transport and communications infrastructure and increasing its transit potential.

Thanks to its advantageous geographic location, Turkmenistan is actively integrating its domestic transport system into the international infrastructure by creating major logistics hubs. These measures are closely aligned with the course proclaimed by National Leader of the Turkmen People Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to revive the Great Silk Road and China's Belt and Road Initiative. All these efforts are aimed at ensuring stable and secure cargo transit along the North-South and East-West international transport corridors.

The Importance of the CIS Railway Transport Council

The activities of the Railway Transport Council (in which the Ministry of Railway Transport of Turkmenistan has participated since 1992) are particularly important for coordinating cooperation between railway agencies of the Commonwealth. This organization facilitates the implementation of coordinated transport policies at the regional level and coordinates the implementation of coordinated international transportation.

The venue and date of the 84th meeting will be officially announced during the upcoming 83rd meeting of the Council, scheduled for Baku, Azerbaijan, on November 25–26, 2025.

The meeting will focus on the implementation of previously adopted decisions, performance indicators for railway administrations, as well as plans for developing train schedules, pricing policies, and settlements.

The material was prepared based on information provided by the Department of International Relations and Contracts of the Ministry of Railway Transport of Turkmenistan