President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov spoke at the First ‘Central Asia – Japan’ Dialogue Summit, which took place in Tokyo. This was reported by the state news agency TDH.

The Head of State said that the summit is seen as a starting point for renewing and deepening relations between Central Asian countries and Japan, taking into account current geo-economic and political realities and Asia's growing role in the world.

It was noted that the format of the high-level dialogue confirms the parties' readiness for long-term and sustainable partnership. Turkmenistan advocated holding the summit on a regular basis and expressed its readiness to work actively within the framework of the dialogue.

Particular attention was paid to economic and investment cooperation. Turkmenistan's interest in expanding the participation of Japanese business in the development of the region was emphasised. The experience of joint work with ‘Itochu’, ‘Mitsubishi’, ‘Kawasaki’, ‘Sumitomo’, ‘Toyo’, ‘Sojitz’, ‘Komatsu’, ‘Toyota’ and other companies in the gas, chemical, energy, transport and water management sectors was noted.

‘Green’ transformation was named among the priority areas. Turkmenistan confirmed its commitment to energy conservation, methane emission reduction and the development of renewable energy sources, including hydrogen energy.

The importance of cooperation on the climate agenda, including the initiative to establish a Regional Centre for Climate Technologies in Central Asia, as well as the development of ‘green diplomacy,’ was highlighted separately.

The Head of State emphasised the priority of transport and transit connectivity. He noted the implementation, using Turkmenistan's own funds, of projects such as the Turkmenbashi International Sea Port, the construction of airports, railways and motorways connecting Turkmenistan with neighbouring countries.

The humanitarian agenda was also touched upon. Turkmenistan proposed establishing a ‘Central Asia – Japan’ youth forum and creating a permanent platform for dialogue between women in Central Asia and Japan.

The President reaffirmed Turkmenistan's commitment to the principles of neutrality, peaceful settlement and the UN Charter, and put forward an initiative to declare 2028 the Year of International Law.

In conclusion, it was emphasised that the ‘Central Asia – Japan’ dialogue is seen as a long-term and practice-oriented mechanism for cooperation that meets the interests of the participating countries.