On May 3-4, 2023, the 2nd Conference and Exhibition “International Transport and Transit Corridors: Interconnection and Development” started in Ashgabat (Turkmenistan)

The main purpose of the conference is to discuss the issues of adaptation to new realities in international transportation, development of efficient international transport and transit corridors, as well as the strengthening of international cooperation between Turkmen state organizations, large logistics companies, and international organizations, focused on transport-logistics systems.

Global challenges and opportunities: prospects for increasing trade through logistics, transport and logistics interconnectedness in the global economy, latest trends in digitalization in trade and logistics, trade and industry: development and cooperation, role of public-private partnership in developing the connectivity of transport and logistics infrastructure, innovative technologies, science and education in the transport and logistics sector were the key topics of discussions of the speakers.
 
Heads of the transport sector of Turkmenistan, international, non-governmental organizations and companies in the field of transport, including representatives of IATA (International Air Transport Association), ICS (International Chamber of Shipping), IRU (International Road Transport Union), UN, TRACECA and many others took part in the Conference.
   
During the Plenary Session, TRACECA Secretary General, Mr. Assavbayev A.A. made a welcoming speech and informed the Conference participants about the current work, role of Turkmenistan in the development of the TRACECA programme and the importance of international cooperation between the countries of the region as a fundamental condition for the international corridors’ formation and development.

"Turkmenistan, which stood at the origins of the programme, in 2022 expressed its intention to accede to the Basic Multilateral Agreement on Development of the International Transport Corridor TRACECA. Currently, all TRACECA countries have supported this initiative, and we hope that Turkmenistan will join the ranks of TRACECA countries in the near future," - Mr. Assavbayev A.A. highlighted.

During the session, a video dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the existence and activity of the TRACECA programme was shown to the participants and guests of the Conference.

In addition, during the visit to Ashgabat, an exchange of views on further directions of cooperation was held between the Secretary General of the PS IGC TRACECA and the Director General of the Transport and Communications Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, Mr. Mammethan Chakiyev. Mr. Assavbayev A. expressed his gratitude to M. Chakiyev and his team for the Agency's efforts in the issue of Turkmenistan's accession to TRACECA.