BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. Turkmenistan’s
Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Director General for Central and West Asia Leah Gutierrez have
discussed prospects for expanding cooperation between the country
and the bank.


This was reflected in a press release published by the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan following the meeting held in
Ashgabat yesterday.


According to the publication, the sides reviewed the current
state of cooperation and exchanged views on relevant issues
concerning the partnership between Turkmenistan and the ADB.


Particular attention was paid to promising areas of cooperation,
the exchange of experience on regional issues, and opportunities to
implement joint initiatives of mutual interest.


“The parties also discussed ways to further strengthen their
partnership, taking into account current economic trends and newly
emerging opportunities for expanding multilateral cooperation,” the
report says.







At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their
interest in continuing constructive dialogue and further
strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation between Turkmenistan
and the ADB.


For reference, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been
cooperating with Turkmenistan since 2000 and has committed about
$636 million in sovereign loans, grants, and technical assistance
projects. The bank's support has focused on transport, energy,
economic diversification, and regional connectivity. One of its
largest ongoing initiatives in the country is the $500 million
National Power Grid Strengthening Project, aimed at modernizing
transmission infrastructure and improving the reliability of
electricity supply.


Turkmenistan is also an active participant in the Central Asia
Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program, ADB's flagship
regional platform for transport and trade connectivity. Under its
2024-2028 Country Partnership Strategy, the bank plans to expand
cooperation with Turkmenistan in green energy, climate resilience,
transport infrastructure, private-sector development, and economic
reforms, making ADB one of the country's most important
multilateral development partners.