The International Startup Forum 2025, held in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Communications of Turkmenistan, was launched at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, the venue of the International Exhibition and Scientific Conference “Türkmentel – 2025”.
The forum brought together inspiring entrepreneurs, government officials, and innovators to exchange ideas, establish partnerships, and advance the innovation agenda.
In his welcoming speech, H. Hudaygulyev, Minister of Communications of Turkmenistan, identified innovation as a key factor for sustainable development and digital transformation. The Minister mentioned the successful implementation of joint projects that have already led to a number of significant results, including the development of a new Concept and the State Program for the Development of the Digital Economy for 2026–2028, as well as the upskilling of civil servants and the expansion of international cooperation. The Minister highlighted the modernization of the national IT park “Sanly Çözgüt” as an important initiative for developing the startup ecosystem.
Narine Sahakyan, UNDP Resident Representative in Turkmenistan, emphasized the transformational power of technology for national development, noting that digital transformation is the foundation of sustainable growth. Ms. Sahakyan stressed that advanced technologies can create economic opportunities and improve people’s lives—but only if robust systems are built, competencies are strengthened, and a culture is fostered that ensures inclusive and equitable access to benefits for all, including women and youth.
In his presentation, Bagrat Yengibaryan, UNDP international expert, introduced the Roadmap for the modernization of the IT park. He noted that this comprehensive framework program is symbolically based on five elements of an innovation ecosystem, inspired by the national ornaments of the Turkmen carpet.
One of the significant elements of this system is talents—the people who drive progress. The Roadmap reflects the most promising sectors of digital transformation and is designed to become a catalyst for job creation and for integrating Turkmenistan into the global innovation ecosystem.
The expert emphasized that the world is changing rapidly. Fifteen years ago, the main players were energy companies, whereas today they are technology companies. For successful development, it is critically important to improve the population’s literacy in the use of innovations such as artificial intelligence.
The expert concluded his speech with a powerful metaphor: the IT park must become a home for all innovators of Turkmenistan, a critical space where ideas can be refined and transformed into real projects.
UNDP continues to support Turkmenistan in advancing digital transformation, stimulating innovation, and ensuring inclusive, people-centered progress. Investments and technologies are not just words but concrete steps leading the country toward a digital future.
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