Turkmenistan Assumes 2025 Chairmanship of SPECA, Outlines Key Initiatives

Ashgabat, The Gulf Observer: Turkmenistan officially assumed the chairmanship of the Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) for 2025 on January 29, as announced by the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Switzerland.

The handover event was attended by leadership representatives from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)—the two regional UN bodies coordinating SPECA. Additionally, accredited Permanent Representatives of SPECA member states in Geneva, along with national coordinating authorities, participated in the discussions.

During the meeting, Turkmenistan presented its chairmanship concept, detailing key initiatives and planned activities for the year. The agenda aims to advance regional economic cooperation, particularly in trade, transport, and sustainable development.

An open discussion followed, where participating states reviewed progress on agreements from previous chairmanships and exchanged views on upcoming collaborative efforts.

Established in 1998, SPECA serves as a strategic platform for economic cooperation among Central Asian nations—Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—with a focus on fostering regional integration and sustainable economic growth.