Speech by the President of Turkmenistan at the Informal Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan

(August 31, 2026)

Dear Sadyr Nurgozhoevich!
Dear Heads of State!

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Japarov, for his traditional hospitality, cordiality, and the excellent organization of our meeting.

I would like to take this opportunity to convey to you the warmest greetings and best wishes for successful and fruitful work from Hero Arkadag.

I would like to congratulate the Kyrgyz side on the opening of these wonderful new facilities here on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. I am confident that this modern infrastructure will not only beautify the lakeshore but will also provide a powerful impetus for the development of the tourism potential of our entire region.

I am sincerely pleased to welcome the esteemed President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, to this meeting. As is well known, at last year's Tashkent Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, a unanimous decision was made on the full participation of the Republic of Azerbaijan in our format. Allow me once again to congratulate you, esteemed Ilham Aliyev, and through you, the people of Azerbaijan on this occasion.

I am confident that the new six-party mechanism for interstate cooperation will contribute to further rapprochement between our peoples and countries, strengthen fraternal ties, and inject additional momentum and perspective into cooperation by leveraging our increased joint potential.

Dear Heads of State!

As you know, a Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan is scheduled to take place on October 8, 2026, in Turkmenistan, in the Avaza National Tourist Zone.

Our country approaches this significant event with the utmost responsibility and is doing everything necessary to ensure that the upcoming Summit is as productive as possible, with a high level of content and organization. In this regard, we have prepared and distributed to the participating states a draft agenda, which includes five main areas. These are:

– exchange of views on pressing regional and international issues of peace, stability, and security;

– further strengthening of political and diplomatic cooperation between the countries of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan;

– deepening trade and economic cooperation, expanding energy cooperation, and developing sustainable transport and logistics corridors;

– joint measures to protect the environment and adapt to climate change, rationally use the water resources of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, and coordinate efforts to restore the Aral Sea;

– developing cultural, educational, and scientific ties, and expanding student and youth exchanges.

We believe that all the proposed topics are highly relevant and significant for our countries.

It should also be emphasized that a number of international forums and cultural events will be held in Avaza during the preparations for and holding of the Summit. I am confident that, as before, our countries will approach the organization and holding of such international meetings with interest and responsibility.

In conclusion, I would like to once again express my gratitude to all heads of state for their constructive commitment to cooperation.