President Serdar Berdimuhamedov Attends First Central Asia–Japan Dialogue Summit in Tokyo

Tokyo, The Gulf Observer: President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov on December 20, 2025, participated in the first Summit of the Central Asia–Japan Dialogue during his working visit to Japan, marking a significant milestone in strengthening cooperation between Japan and the countries of Central Asia.

At the summit venue, President Berdimuhamedov was warmly welcomed by Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae. The two leaders posed for a joint photograph before the commencement of the high-level meeting, which was held against the backdrop of the national flags.

Opening the summit, Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae thanked the participants for accepting Japan’s invitation and underscored Japan’s recognition of Central Asia as a stable and dynamically developing region. She emphasized that the Central Asian states are key partners of Japan.

Addressing the summit, President Berdimuhamedov expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan for its hospitality, describing the meeting as an important step toward the qualitative advancement of relations between Central Asia and Japan in light of current global geo-economic and political realities and the growing role of Asia in world development. He voiced hope that the Central Asia–Japan Dialogue summits would be held on a regular basis.

The Turkmen president noted that this format of cooperation holds particular importance for Turkmenistan and forms an integral part of its foreign policy and economic strategy. Highlighting Japan’s status as a leading global economy and a reliable member of the international community, he reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s support for expanding ties between Central Asia and Japan, with special emphasis on economic and investment cooperation and the active participation of Japanese businesses in regional development.

President Berdimuhamedov recalled Turkmenistan’s long-standing cooperation with leading Japanese companies in the gas, chemical, electric power, transport and water management sectors, adding that Central Asian countries possess significant potential for mutually beneficial cooperation with Japan.

Focusing on the “green transition,” he said Turkmenistan closely follows Japanese initiatives in green energy and sustainable development. He outlined Turkmenistan’s policies on energy conservation, methane emission reduction, and the introduction of alternative and renewable energy sources, with particular attention to hydrogen energy. In this context, he proposed developing common approaches to green transition within the framework of the Dialogue.

The president also stressed the importance of cooperation on climate change, including support for establishing specialized centers such as the Regional Center for Climate Technologies in Central Asia, noting that partnership with Japan in this area is of particular significance.

Addressing regional connectivity, President Berdimuhamedov emphasized Turkmenistan’s strong interest in developing transport and transit links. He further highlighted human capacity development as a key area of cooperation, noting Turkmenistan’s focus on educational collaboration with Japan, including the study of the Japanese language by thousands of students and pupils across the country.

In this regard, he announced Turkmenistan’s initiative to establish a Central Asia–Japan Youth Forum to enhance cooperation among young people, students and academic communities, and proposed the creation of a permanent platform titled “Dialogue between Women of Central Asia and Japan.”

The Turkmen leader also drew attention to the importance of open and constructive international cooperation, referencing the International Forum held on December 12 in Ashgabat dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust, the International Day of Neutrality and the anniversary of Turkmenistan’s neutral status. He invited summit participants to support Turkmenistan’s initiative to declare 2028 as the Year of International Law, emphasizing adherence to international law and the effective implementation of UN conventions and agreements.

President Berdimuhamedov reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s commitment to strengthening cooperation in nuclear non-proliferation, the prohibition of nuclear testing and global disarmament.

Concluding his address, he expressed confidence that the Central Asia–Japan Dialogue serves the long-term interests of peoples and has the potential to become an important mechanism for sustainable and effective international cooperation.

Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae thanked President Berdimuhamedov for his substantive speech and constructive proposals.

During the summit, participants also exchanged views on strengthening sustainable energy supply systems, developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, introducing artificial intelligence technologies across industries, attracting investment in hydrogen energy in Central Asia, and 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.