Seoul, September 17, 2026 – The Europe Today: President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov participated in the first “Central Asia–Republic of Korea” Summit during his state visit to the Republic of Korea.
The summit brought together President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae Myung.
Welcoming the Central Asian leaders, President Lee Jae Myung said the meeting marked the first summit of heads of state in this format and represented an important step toward strengthening multifaceted cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the Central Asian countries.
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed gratitude to President Lee Jae Myung for the warm hospitality and high level of organization of the inaugural summit.
Addressing the meeting, the Turkmen President outlined a number of priority areas for cooperation within the “Central Asia–Republic of Korea” framework. These included urban development and infrastructure, the creation of modern urban environments, industry, agriculture, environmental protection, water resources, healthcare, services and tourism.
Particular attention was given to Turkmenistan’s “Smart Cities Diplomacy” initiative, which envisages cooperation in urban planning and architecture, exchange of experience and information, and joint application of scientific and technological achievements.
In education, President Berdimuhamedov proposed developing new forms of cooperation between educational institutions of Central Asia and the Republic of Korea, including dual-degree programmes. He also called for enhanced joint research and innovation projects involving young scientists and proposed establishing an Institute for Supporting the Development and Implementation of Youth Innovative Ideas.
In the cultural sphere, Turkmenistan proposed a Roadmap for Intercultural Youth Exchanges between Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea, as well as a “Young Talents” programme. The Turkmen side also proposed expanding sports cooperation through exchanges of specialists, promotion of healthy lifestyles and consideration of the possibility of holding International Youth Sports Games of Central Asia and the Republic of Korea.
The summit participants discussed cooperation in processing raw materials using Korean technologies, joint development of mineral deposits, establishment of industrial enterprises, development of transport corridors and logistics routes, and expanding regional access to global markets.
The leaders also considered joint projects in artificial intelligence, digitalization of public services, green technologies and climate-change adaptation.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Seoul Declaration of the First “Central Asia–Republic of Korea” Summit.
Following the leaders’ summit, President Berdimuhamedov participated in a special session of the “Central Asia–Republic of Korea” Business Summit.
Addressing the business gathering, he said the dialogue could serve as an important starting point for establishing comprehensive and long-term economic, trade, investment and business partnerships between the participating countries, with business communities playing a key role.
President Berdimuhamedov reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s readiness to facilitate direct contacts and exchanges between business communities and support business initiatives and cooperation.
He identified transport and logistics as a strategic priority for Turkmenistan and expressed confidence that the agreements reached would strengthen mutual trust, expand business ties and increase trade between Central Asian states and the Republic of Korea.
Business representatives subsequently discussed geology and mineral-resource processing, joint energy projects including green energy, the introduction of advanced Korean technologies, multimodal transport corridors and the expansion of the region’s transit potential.
The programme of the state visit concluded with an official dinner hosted by President Lee Jae Myung in honour of the participating heads of state. President Berdimuhamedov then departed Seoul for Turkmenistan.
As part of the first “Central Asia–Republic of Korea” Summit, several documents were adopted and signed, including the Joint Statement of the First Meeting of the Ministers of Industry Consultative Mechanism; the “Central Asia–Republic of Korea” Initiative on Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence, Science and Future Technologies; and the Initiative on Climate, Energy Transition and Air Quality.
The participating sides also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Industrial and Logistics Cooperation and the Joint Statement of the First “Central Asia–Republic of Korea” Business Summit.
During the visit, the Turkmen delegation additionally participated in the first meeting of the Ministers of Industry Consultative Mechanism, a ministerial meeting on artificial intelligence, science and future technologies, and a ministerial forum on forestry and countering climate change. The meetings focused on areas of mutual interest and identified prospects for further cooperation.
