Ashgabat, November 12 | ORIENT. At the plenary session of the Joint International Forum on Transport and Communications, Narine Sahakyan, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Turkmenistan, emphasized that Turkmenistan's unique geographic location now places it at the center of a new "digital and transport reality," where connectivity is defined not only by roads but also by data and innovation flows.

Narine Sahakyan noted that for a country located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, the opportunities are enormous. Investments in the digital and transport sectors lay the foundation for "smart connectivity" – the seamless integration of people, goods, services, and data across borders.

“This approach is perfectly aligned with the global vision enshrined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the outcomes of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3),” the UNDP representative said.

She praised Turkmenistan's significant progress in laying the foundations of a digital society, including e-government platforms, broadband networks, and large-scale infrastructure projects (ports, railways, logistics centers), which have improved the region's physical connectivity.

UNDP positions digital transformation not just as a tool, but as the very foundation of sustainable development, focusing on three key priorities:

Building a Digital Government Infrastructure (DGI). Providing interoperable systems (such as the X-Road platform, successfully deployed with UNDP support) for secure data exchange between government agencies.

Strengthening digital ecosystems. Supporting entrepreneurship, start-ups, and the green economy to create jobs.

Fostering inclusive digital transformation. Ensuring that all citizens have access to new opportunities and are not left behind.

In anticipation of the future of Turkmenistan's digital economy, UNDP highlights several critical areas where joint work is already underway within the framework of the new State Program for the Digital Economy for 2026–2028:

Digital Foundations. UNDP supports Turkmenistan in creating reliable digital identification and electronic signature systems, which are essential components of any modern digital state, ensuring greater transparency and simplifying processes.

AI and Competencies. With the rapid development of AI, UNDP strives to help Turkmenistan participate in the creation of AI, not just be its consumer. UNDP's role as a development partner is to support countries in formulating digital strategies that are inclusive and aligned with national development priorities.

Sustainability and Environmental Friendliness: Digital technologies must contribute to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. "Smart logistics can optimize transport routes and reduce fuel consumption; data analytics can improve energy efficiency," emphasized Sahakyan, noting the enormous potential in combining digital innovations with climate strategies.

The UNDP Resident Representative emphasized that the vision of Turkmenistan's digital transformation—deeply integrated into global transport networks and driven by digital innovation—is achievable and strategically important. "With the right strategies, infrastructure, and partnerships, we can build a digital Turkmenistan that is inclusive, transparent, and future-ready," Narine Sahakyan said.