The President of Turkmenistan participated to the first Summit of Central Asia-Japan Dialogue

On December 20, 2025, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov participated in the first Summit of the Central Asia-Japan Dialogue as part of his working visit to Japan.

At the Summit venue, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was warmly welcomed by the Prime Minister of Japan Takaichi Sanae. The President and the head of the government of Japan took a joint photo.

Then, against the backdrop of the national flags, the first Summit of the Central Asia-Japan Dialogue took place.

Opening the high-level meeting, the Prime Minister of Japan Takaichi Sanae thanked the participants for accepting the invitation, emphasizing that Japan recognizes the important role of Central Asia as a stable and dynamically developing region. It was also noted that the countries of Central Asia are key partners of Japan.

The floor was then given to the summit participants.

At the beginning of his speech, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed his gratitude to the Government of Japan for the hospitality shown, noting that Turkmenistan considers present meeting to be an important step in the qualitative and essential advancement of relations between the countries of Central Asia and Japan, taking into consideration the current global geo-economic and political setting, as well as the growing role of Asia as the center of world development.

In this context, the hope was expressed that the Central Asia-Japan Dialogue Summits would be held on a regular basis.  

It was noted that for Turkmenistan this format of collaboration is of particular importance and is an integral part of the country’s foreign policy and economic strategy. Japan occupies a notable place as one of the world economy leaders and a respected, reliable member of the international community.

“We stand for further expanding of ties between Central Asia and Japan”, said the head of state, underlining that particular importance is attached to economic and investment partnership, while the active participation of Japanese business in the development of the region is an absolute priority of joint cooperation.

In this context, it was noted that for many years Turkmenistan has been effectively cooperating with well-known Japanese companies in the gas, chemical, electric power, transport, and water management industries.

The countries of Central Asia have significant resources for cooperation with Japan, and the common task is to maximize the advantages for all participants of the Dialogue.

One such vector as “green transition.” Turkmenistan pays close attention to Japanese initiatives in the field of green energy and sustainable development. Turkmenistan is consistently implementing a policy of energy conservation, methane emission reduction, as well as the introduction of alternative and renewable energy sources, said President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, emphasizing the issue of hydrogen energy.

In this context, the President of Turkmenistan underlined the feasibility of developing common approaches within the framework of the Dialogue to the green transition in Central Asia as part of global efforts to ensure sustainable development.

The President of Turkmenistan said, “We consider it important to develop cooperation on climate change issues, including support for initiatives to establish specialized centers in the region, in particular, the Regional Center for Climate Technologies in Central Asia. In this regard, cooperation with Japan is of particular importance”.

Speaking about interconnectedness, the President emphasized that Turkmenistan attaches great importance to the development of transport and transit connectivity.

It was emphasized that human capacity development is an important vector too. Turkmenistan attaches particular importance to educational cooperation with Japan, including the study of the Japanese language, which is presently received by thousands of students and pupils in the country.

In this regard, the head of state announced the initiative of Turkmenistan to establish a Central Asia-Japan Youth Forum with the aim of developing cooperation between young people, students, and academic circles.

In addition, it was proposed to establish a permanent platform called “Dialogue between Women of Central Asia and Japan”.

Noting the special role of open and constructive international cooperation in the current setting, the head of state emphasized the significance of the major International Forum held on December 12 of current year in Ashgabat, dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust, the International Day of Neutrality, and the anniversary of Turkmenistan’s neutral status.

The head of state invited the participants of the Summit to support the initiative of Turkmenistan to declare 2028 as the Year of International Law, emphasizing the pivotal factor of compliance with the principles of the supremacy of international law, as well as improvement of the effectiveness of practical implementation of conventions, treaties, agreements, and other multilateral documents of the UN.

Turkmenistan also attaches great importance to strengthening cooperation in such important areas as nuclear non-proliferation, the prohibition of all kinds of nuclear testing, and ensuring disarmament.

In conclusion, the head of state expressed confidence that the Central Asia-Japan Dialogue serves the long-term interests of peoples and has the potential to become an important factor in the formation of sustainable and effective mechanisms for international cooperation.

The Prime Minister of Japan expressed her gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan for his deeply meaningful speech and constructive proposals.

During the Summit, the participants also exchanged views on issues related to strengthening sustainable energy supply systems, developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, introducing artificial intelligence technologies in the industry and other sectors, attracting investment to hydrogen energy technologies in Central Asia, as well as expanding cultural and academic exchanges.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Tokyo Declaration of the Central Asia-Japan Dialogue Summit and a Joint Statement at the ministerial level on economic and energy issues.

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On the same day, the heads of delegations participating in the Summit took part in a plenary session of the Central Asia-Japan Dialogue Business Council.

This was followed by a ceremony of signing bilateral documents during the plenary session.

The Business Council also had thematic sessions on “Green Energy and Sustainability”, “Digital Transformation and Connectivity” and “The Role of Finance, Human Capital, and Social Sphere for Business Development”.

From the side of Turkmenistan, the Forum was attended by the leadership of relevant state structures, as well as a representative delegation of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan.

After completing his working visit to Japan, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov arrived at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo, from where he departed for to his Homeland.

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As part of the working visit of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to Japan, bilateral meetings were held between members of the Turkmen delegation and representatives of Japan.