The Turkmenistan Investment Forum – TIF 2025 – Opens in Avaza

On September 18, 2025, the Turkmenistan Investment Forum (TIF 2025) officially opened in the National Tourist Zone “Avaza.”

This large-scale event, aimed at attracting foreign investment, brought together over 800 delegates from 45 countries. Participants included high-ranking government officials, leaders of major international corporations, heads of investment banks, and leading experts.

The forum was inaugurated with an address from the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedow, which was delivered by the Minister of Finance and Economy. The highlight of the first day was the plenary session titled “Turkmenistan’s Investment Attractiveness as a Factor of Strategic Efficiency.”

The session was moderated by the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, D. Shlapachenko. Influential global experts delivered reports, including Beatriz Luz Mazer Mallor, Executive Director of the World Bank, and Rabab Fatima, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Rabab Fatima highly praised Turkmenistan’s leadership in promoting the interests of landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and presented new UN initiatives aimed at attracting investments. She expressed deep gratitude to the Government of Turkmenistan for organizing the forum, noting that the event was a logical continuation of the Third UN Conference on LLDCs, which was successfully held in Avaza last month.

In her speech, Rabab Fatima emphasized the vast investment opportunities in LLDCs. She pointed out that these countries, with their young demographics and abundant renewable resources, have the potential to become hubs of sustainable development and innovation.

To harness this potential, the Deputy Secretary-General’s office has launched several initiatives: the establishment of an Infrastructure Investment Financing Mechanism, the launch of a Global Business Network, and the development of a Digital Investment Guide.

It was also noted that the UN, together with partners, has prepared a comprehensive roadmap comprising 319 projects, programs, and activities for the implementation of the Avaza Action Program for the decade 2024–2034.

In conclusion, she stressed that the partnerships formed at forums like TIF 2025 are of great importance for transforming LLDCs into dynamic and self-reliant economies. She expressed hope for close cooperation and stated that solidarity and determination would unlock the full potential of these countries.

Professor Steven Frederick Starr, speaking at the forum, urged investors to look beyond traditional oil and gas projects. He particularly highlighted two sectors: transport and agriculture. He referenced the longstanding TAPI gas pipeline project, which he believes should finally be realized, and called attention to the highly developed agricultural regions, especially in the northern part of the country, where there are enormous opportunities for expansion.

Over the course of two days, forum participants will be presented with ready-to-implement projects in key sectors of the Turkmen economy, including energy, logistics, construction, finance, and innovation. Special focus will be given to public-private partnerships, green and digital transformation, as well as climate-resilient agriculture.

The high profile of the event is underscored by broad international support: the forum is sponsored and backed by more than 50 official partners and organizations. These include the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the United Nations, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, as well as major companies such as Daewoo E&C and John Deere.