President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov opens the pavilion of Turkmenistan at EXPO-2017

10.06.2017

The first Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Askar Mamin, met the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the Expo-2017 exhibition complex where ministries and departments, scientific institutions and production enterprises of our country launched their large-scale exposition.

It should be noted that the turkmen pavilion was first opened at an international specialized exhibition, becoming the object of increased attention of numerous journalists from different countries, ambassadors and diplomats, numerous guests and visitors.

The President of Turkmenistan addressed the audience with a welcoming speech. Congratulating on the opening of the International Specialized Exhibition "Astana Expo-2017", as well as with the opening of the exhibition center of Turkmenistan. Wishing successful work to the organizers and participants of this global event, the Head of State expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the invitation. The participation of Turkmenistan in this International Exhibition opens wide opportunities for building mutually beneficial cooperation, the Head of State noted.

The motto of the exhibition - "Energy for the Future" - reflects the international community's concerns about energy consumption, energy security and energy conservation. Solving these issues directly affects the stability of the geopolitical situation on the continent, the nature and content of macroeconomic processes, the President stressed.

The main goal of the Exhibition is to call for accountability and knowledge creation in order to learn how to plan and monitor energy consumption on the planet, minimizing damage to nature.

This motto is fully consonant with the motto of the national exposition of Turkmenistan: "Nature is an inexhaustible source of energy." Under this motto, we bring to the general consideration our experience and concrete proposals on the theme of "EXPO-2017", said the President of Turkmenistan. In the spectrum of this multidirectional activity, the country demonstrates the active development of natural resources, their rational use, concern for the protection of the environment, the implementation of important international initiatives on energy security issues, such as resolutions "Reliable and stable energy transit and its role in ensuring sustainable development and international cooperation", adopted by the UN General Assembly twice.

For Turkmenistan, located at the crossroads of intercontinental trade and transport routes, the issue of energy security and stability of energy transit is a strategic and deeply important principle, the leader of the nation underlined, noting the creation of a modern, diversified, multivariate energy infrastructure. The stability and balance of interregional and continental ties largely depend on the effectiveness of its functioning.

The energy policy of Turkmenistan is aimed at the comprehensive development of the domestic fuel and energy complex and its dynamic integration into the international energy system. The Head of State noted in this regard the significant role of large infrastructure projects initiated by our country. Among them is the existing transnational highway, through which Turkmen "blue fuel" is supplied to China through the territory of neighboring countries.

In this same way - the gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to Iran, as well as the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, which entered into practical stage, are designed to give a powerful impetus to the economic development of the region, to the solution of vital social issues, to promote peace and stability.

The electricity and energy industry of Turkmenistan, along with the fuel and energy sector, demonstrates consistently high rates of development and expansion of electricity exports, in demand on world markets. Thanks to the powerful gas-turbine power stations and new transmission lines built in a short period of time in different regions of the country, the industry's high potential allows not only to fully provide domestic consumers, but also to supply electricity abroad.

This is facilitated by innovative technologies introduced in the industry, as well as huge reserves of natural gas of our country, which is one of the most effective and environmentally safe types of fuel for power plants.

In general, increasing the potential of the electric power industry will contribute to a further increase in the volume of supplies of Turkmen electricity for export, primarily to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, where the formation of the corresponding infrastructure will open new jobs, promote peaceful construction and stabilize the situation in this country, said President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

More and more concrete outlines are also acquired by other promising routes for electricity exports. In particular, a powerful transmission line is planned to be built along the route of the transnational gas pipeline TAPI. In addition to providing electricity to all infrastructure facilities of this highway, it will enable its exports to Pakistan and other countries of Southeast Asia through transit through Afghanistan.

"The implementation of these projects is the most important factor of geopolitics, which can have a stabilizing effect on the nature and direction of regional development, the overall situation in Central Asia and adjacent regions", the Turkmen leader underscored.

At the core of Turkmenistan's energy policy lies a comprehensive approach, including the production of energy carriers, their transportation and final consumption. In this context, the opening of the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway, which is an important part of the North-South transport corridor, was noted. In the future, this transport corridor will be connected to another East-West transport corridor, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov specified.

The emergence of a new transport corridor is positive news for all countries of the Euro-Asian continent, which are striving for multilateral development of trade and economic relations.

During the 27th session of the Energy Charter Conference held last November in Tokyo, our country was elected to be the Chairman of this major international organization for 2017. Ashgabat hosted the International Energy Charter forum in Ashgabat in late May. As the President of Turkmenistan noted in his speech, this meeting was the continuation of a constructive dialogue of all interested parties in such strategic direction as the formation of a new architecture of global energy security, which is an integral factor in achieving the goals of sustainable development.

The Head of State noted that the comprehensive concept developed by Turkmenistan in preparation for its chairmanship is consistent with other international initiatives of the country. Great importance is attached to improving the investment climate in the member states of the Energy Charter, attracting new countries to its membership.

During the chairmanship of Turkmenistan at the Energy Charter Conference, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Kenya and Mali became the new members of this organization, the leader of the nation said.

The May Forum is the first official event organized in Ashgabat. A number of other events will be held during the year, and the culmination of Turkmenistan's chairmanship will be the 28th session of the Energy Charter Conference to be held in Ashgabat in November 2017.

The dynamics of the development of global processes poses great and difficult challenges for us, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said. The world is changing rapidly, new, different-level macroeconomic regions are being formed, united not only geographically but also conceptually, with their worldview, priority scale, principles and criteria for interaction.

According to the leader of the nation, a new configuration of the global economic space is being created and new large markets, transport and transit hubs and corridors are emerging brfore our eyes. This opens great prospects for development, but at the same time it requires a comprehension, a correct and adequate response to modern challenges arising in the world financial and economic system.

Speaking about the national exposition, which represents the achievements of our country, illustrating its sustainable development, the Head of State noted that it clearly demonstrates the connection between the times and the process of formation of Turkmenistan as one of the leading energy powers of the world.

We clearly see the prospects for cooperation, we clearly understand the importance of a forward-looking and mutually respectful dialogue with our partners, the leader of the nation emphasized, and called for the withdrawal of energy security cooperation to a new level, for politicizing energy supply issues and for establishing fair, equitable and transparent partnership for the progress and well-being of the people.

In a solemn atmosphere, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov cut a symbolic ribbon at the entrance to the exhibition center of Turkmenistan and went inside to examine an extensive exposition where the leading sectors of the national economy are represented.