An international conference entitled "Caspian Sea: In the Interests of Developing International Economic Cooperation" kicked off on Monday at the Congress Center of the Avaza National Tourism Zone, where the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov took part in the solemn meeting with an opening speech.
The conference, which is part of a two-day Caspian Economic Forum, brought together the political and business leaders of the Caspian littoral states and other countries, as well as journalists from major media outlets.
The agenda of the Forum, initiated by the Turkmen leader, includes the creation of conditions for large-scale projects, discussion on the role of the economy of the Caspian region in a global context, investment opportunities in the oil and gas, transport, trade, agro-industrial, tourism and other sectors of the economies of the Caspian countries.
Welcoming the guests, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov thanked everyone for the response to the invitation to participate in the First Caspian Economic Forum.
The Turkmen President noted that the meeting gathers heads of the governments of the Caspian and other states, envoys from dozens of countries, representing a variety of areas of activity - politicians, diplomats, businessmen, environmentalists, scholars and journalists.
"We are all like-minded people, united by the understanding of the importance of a multifaceted and systemic dialogue on the development of the Caspian region, determining the prospects for international cooperation in the Caspian sea," Turkmen leader said. "The new meaning of such a partnership, based on modern views and criteria, is aimed at laying a solid foundation for the future joint creative work".
Turkmen President highlighted the special role of science in maintaining the ecological balance and unique biodiversity of the Caspian Sea.
"We advocate the creation of a new Caspian environmental program as a set of environmental measures aimed at the conservation and rational use of the rich natural resources of the Caspian Sea," the Turkmen leader said.
As the Turkmen leader noted in his speech, the international cooperation on innovation and technology is necessary for successful economic development of the Caspian region. For this purpose, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov proposed the creation of International innovation and technology center for the Caspian region.
President of Turkmenistan noted that the First Caspian Economic forum is the beginning of a long journey and expressed gratitude to all the Caspian countries for supporting the initiative of the Turkmen side to convene the First Caspian Economic Forum, as well as for their active participation in its preparation.
