BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. Ashgabat is
hosting the fifth meeting of the High-Level Group of the DARYA
regional programme, focusing on vocational skills development for
the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor.
This was reflected in a press release published by the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.
The meeting opened in Ashgabat on October 13, bringing together
participants to discuss workforce training for the transport and
logistics sector, vocational education and regional cooperation in
Central Asia.
Speaking at the meeting, Turkmen Deputy Foreign Minister Myahri
Byashimova highlighted the importance of transport connectivity in
expanding international and regional cooperation.
“Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Turkmenistan M. Bäşimowa highlighted the importance of developing
transport connectivity for expanding international and regional
cooperation. She noted that the effective operation of transport
corridors requires not only modern infrastructure but also
qualified specialists equipped with the necessary professional
competencies,” the report said, citing Byashimova.
The meeting also focused on exchanging experience between
Central Asian countries and the European Union, strengthening
cooperation among government bodies, educational institutions and
the private sector, and identifying further areas for regional
cooperation in vocational skills development.
For reference, DARYA (Dialogue and Action for Resourceful Youth
in Central Asia) is a five-year programme funded by the European
Union with a budget of €10 million, running from 2022 to 2027.
Implemented by the European Training Foundation (ETF), it aims to
improve the quality and inclusiveness of education, vocational
training and labor markets, while promoting regional cooperation
among Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and
Uzbekistan.
The programme supports the development of workforce skills
aligned with labor market needs, the improvement of vocational
education and the exchange of experience among Central Asian
countries. Its activities have included developing six prototype
occupational profiles for professions such as truck drivers and
logistics warehouse specialists, providing voluntary references for
national training standards and programmes. In Turkmenistan, DARYA
has supported the introduction of national qualification
standards.
DARYA is also linked to the EU’s Global Gateway Investment
Agenda for Central Asia, which includes transport connectivity as
one of its regional priorities. The Trans-Caspian Transport
Corridor is a key component of this agenda, with European and
international financial institutions having committed to mobilize
€10 billion for the route. The programme seeks to help ensure that
investments in transport infrastructure are supported by qualified
personnel capable of operating and maintaining ports, railways and
border crossings.
The European Training Foundation plans to map skills needs and
existing training provision in transport and logistics across
Central Asia from November 2026 through 2027, intending to develop
policy recommendations for the sector.
