Serdar Berdimuhamedov Proposes Initiatives on Urban Planning, Science, and Sports at the Central Asia–Republic of Korea Summit
On September 16, the inaugural summit of heads of state in the "Central Asia – Republic of Korea" format took place in Seoul, marking a historic milestone in establishing a long-term strategic partnership within the Eurasian region. The forum, chaired by President Lee Jae-myung, was attended by the presidents of Turkmenistan (Serdar Berdimuhamedov), Kazakhstan (Kassym-Jomart Tokayev), Kyrgyzstan (Sadyr Japarov), Tajikistan (Emomali Rahmon), and Uzbekistan (Shavkat Mirziyoyev).
This high-level meeting underscored the growing geopolitical and geoeconomic significance of the Central Asian region.
Participants discussed a wide range of issues, including the diversification of transport and logistics corridors, ensuring energy stability, industrial cooperation, high-tech transfer, and joint measures for climate change adaptation. Turkmenistan plays a pivotal role in this dialogue as the region's economic and energy hub, with a foreign policy grounded in the principles of permanent neutrality, openness, and trust.
In his address, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed gratitude to the South Korean side for the warm welcome and noted that the Summit lays the foundation for a new stage of cooperation. The Head of the Turkmen State emphasized the importance of safe and sustainable development and presented a number of practical initiatives.
Specifically, regarding urban development, the President of Turkmenistan highlighted the new "Smart City Diplomacy" concept, aimed at pooling expertise, jointly implementing scientific and technological advances, and creating integrated urban planning models.
In the humanitarian sphere, the Head of State proposed developing dual-degree programs, holding digital Olympiads for youth, establishing an institute to support the development and implementation of innovative ideas by young scientists, and adopting a roadmap for intercultural exchanges alongside a "Young Talents" program. To promote healthy lifestyles, a proposal was made to explore the possibility of hosting "Central Asia–Korea" International Youth Sports Games.
The outcomes of the summit are enshrined in the adopted Seoul Declaration. Also approved during the meeting were the Joint Statement of the first meeting of the Consultative Mechanism of Ministers of Industry, the Initiative on Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence and Future Science and Technology, the Initiative on Climate and Energy Transition, and the Memorandum of Understanding on Industrial and Logistics Cooperation.
Following the visit, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov received congratulations on the success of the Seoul talks, the conferral of the title of Honorary Doctor of Political Science, and the presentation of the honorary badge of the Korea International Trade Association.
