At a meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Dushanbe, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Hojamyrat Geldimyradov announced Ashgabat's readiness to facilitate practical cooperation with SCO member and observer states, Turkmenportal.com reported.
In his speech, the Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the importance of trade and economic cooperation, investment, energy diversification, and the development of international transport corridors within the framework of the UN Decade on Sustainable Transport (2026–2035), proclaimed at Ashgabat's initiative.
Turkmenistan's participation in the SCO as a permanent guest of honor reflects Ashgabat's flexible foreign policy strategy. Permanent neutrality, enshrined at the UN level, allows the country to maintain a non-aligned status without joining the organization, while still actively participating in key regional projects.
The political significance of this step lies in Turkmenistan's desire to secure its status as a key multimodal transit, logistics, and energy hub in Eurasia. The development of the North-South and East-West corridors through Turkmen territory strengthens the economic interconnectedness of the SCO countries while simultaneously strengthening Ashgabat's international autonomy and strategic role in the region.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
October 20, 2026