On April 18, Ashgabat hosted the second Financial Services Festival, FinFest Turkmenistan 2026 — a large-scale educational and discussion platform that brought together banks, insurance companies, the IT sector, international organizations, entrepreneurs, and the general public around a shared goal: making financial literacy an integral part of everyday life in Turkmenistan.

The event was organized by the Sustainable Finance Center and Açyk ýürek with the support of the Union of Economists of Turkmenistan. This year, the festival reached a new level, with its program designed as a dynamic ecosystem of interaction, where panel discussions alternated with “Open Microphone” sessions, practical presentations, and one-on-one expert consultations. The financial fair became a point of direct engagement between companies and visitors, allowing participants to explore modern financial products and solutions in practice.

Key attention was given to pressing issues in financial market development, including the digitalization of banking services, expanding access to business financing, the development of the securities market, insurance, and risk management. A separate segment focused on sustainable development and ESG, reflecting global trends in the transformation of financial systems.

The festival’s expert value was enhanced by contributions from international and regional specialists. Panel discussions featured practical approaches to developing financial systems and institutional environments. In particular, international expert Maksat Keshiev shared insights on building sustainable financial ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of systemic reforms and international cooperation.

An online presentation by Ruslan Sadgalin (EY) focused on green finance and ESG transformation, which remains a relatively new yet strategically important area for the region. He highlighted that adopting ESG approaches opens access to international financing and increases a country’s investment attractiveness.

Gulzhanat Sarenova presented the practical perspective of the investment market, outlining modern capital-raising instruments, including alternative financial solutions, and emphasizing the importance of developing new financing mechanisms for businesses.

One of the most engaging elements of the festival was the children’s financial literacy zone. In an interactive format, children learned the basics of personal finance management, banking products, and financial responsibility, demonstrating the organizers’ long-term vision.

The wide audience — from schoolchildren and students to entrepreneurs, financial professionals, and international organizations — confirmed FinFest’s status as an open national platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and practical solutions.

FinFest Turkmenistan 2026 demonstrated that financial market development is impossible without improving financial literacy, adopting modern technologies, and fostering sustainable professional communities. The festival continues to evolve as a key platform uniting market participants and shaping its long-term development trajectory.