The preparation for the XXVI International Conference "Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan - 2021", scheduled to be held in Ashgabat on October 27-28, was reported by Vice-Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Shakhim Abdrakhmanov at a government meeting, which the President of Turkmenistan held last Friday online.

 In particular, it was reported that at present, representatives of about 100 companies, international organizations and major banks from 32 states expressed their desire to take part in the forum through video conferencing.

 Within the framework of the conference, an exchange of views will take place on topical issues of developing cooperation in the oil and gas sector and the implementation of joint investment projects.  One of its sessions, dedicated to the topic of low-carbon energy, is planned to be organized with the help of a teleconference from the EXPO-2020 World Exhibition in Dubai (UAE).

 In this regard, the draft Program of the International Conference was presented to the head of state for consideration.

 Summing up the report, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that this annual specialized forum is designed to further strengthen and increase productive interaction with foreign partners in the strategic oil and gas sector, where Turkmenistan has a huge resource and economic potential.

 In this context, constructive initiatives of our country aimed at ensuring regional and global energy security, which is one of the integral factors in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, are of particular importance, the head of state said.

 Actively promoting energy diplomacy, neutral Turkmenistan stands for the optimization and diversification of mutually beneficial cooperation in the fuel and energy complex, where there are ample opportunities for the implementation of large infrastructure projects using innovative technologies and advanced developments.

 Having approved the presented Program, the leader of the nation instructed the Vice-Chairman to ensure a high organizational level of the International Forum, which should become an open platform for discussing promising vectors of partnership, establishing new business contacts that meet common interests.