The first day of the XXV International Exhibition and Conference “White City Ashgabat – 2026” (WCA 2026) concluded with a strategic plenary session titled “Shaping a Sustainable, Smart, and Globally Integrated Capital.” The event took place at the Olympia hotel complex and was dedicated to the long-term development directions of Ashgabat. This was reported by the publication “Turkmenistan: Golden Age”.
The session was attended by Deputy Chairpersons of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, representatives of municipal authorities, international organizations, investment institutions, as well as architects and experts in urban planning and technology. Participants discussed issues related to the comprehensive development of urban infrastructure, the introduction of digital governance, clean energy solutions, industrial zones, and measures to reduce environmental impact within the long-term development plan.
Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, Baymyrat Annamammedov, noted that Ashgabat is a symbol of the country’s development and prosperity, and its transformation reflects the state’s sustainable growth. The session continued a UN-backed roundtable held earlier within the forum. Participants emphasized the need for an integrated approach to urban development, including infrastructure modernization, the development of low-emission transport, and the creation of industrial clusters.
Mayor of Ashgabat, Rahym Gandymov, stated that the development of the capital requires expanded international cooperation and investment attraction. He noted that the “Ashgabat – 2045” strategy envisions the introduction of modern technologies and builds on experience gained from projects implemented in the city of Arkadag.
Foreign participants in the session focused on issues of energy, transport systems, waste processing, and water management. They also discussed the potential use of renewable energy sources and digital systems for managing urban infrastructure.
At the conclusion of the session, it was noted that the “White City Ashgabat – 2026” forum is becoming a key platform for aligning long-term urban strategies and international investment initiatives. The second day of the event will be dedicated to technical issues of infrastructure financing, energy, and digital development.