ECONOMY | ORIENT. At a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, a plan for preparations for SPECA Week—a large-scale UN marathon to be held in Ashgabat at the end of January was presented. We reviewed the program of events, prepared jointly with the UNECE and ESCAP, to understand which decisions will be decisive for the region.

Week Calendar:

The program promises to be extremely busy. Ashgabat will become a "think tank" for the economies of Central Asia for four days:

• January 20: Kick-off events and thematic meetings of the relevant working groups.

• January 21–22: SPECA 2026 Economic Forum. This year, it will focus on regional connectivity.

• January 23: The week culminates with the 20th session of the SPECA Governing Council. This is where final documents will be signed and recommendations adopted.

What will the experts discuss?

The focus is not just on numbers, but on "digital connectivity."

Trans-Caspian Corridor: A roadmap for its digitalization using UN standards will be discussed. This will transform the route from a simple "path" into a high-tech trade hub.

Energy Sovereignty: How to manage risks in energy supplies and implement "green" technologies without harming the economy.

Harmonization of Laws: Simplifying customs and trade procedures to ensure goods move faster and more affordably between SPECA countries.

For Turkmenistan, as the SPECA Chair, this is an opportunity to consolidate its role as the main logistics operator in the heart of Eurasia. At a government meeting on Friday, January 16, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized that working with UN institutions is an absolute priority, and the upcoming Week must meet international standards.