Ashgabat, 16 April 2026 — The Deputy Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Ambassador Silapberdi Nurberdiyev, participated in the Scientific Practical Conference on “Tourism – a Bridge of Cultures: Sustainable Development and International Cooperation in the Field of Tourism”, held in the margins of the International Tourism Exhibition and Conference TurkmenTravel 2026 at the Turkmen State Institute of Culture.
In his address, Ambassador Nurberdiyev expressed appreciation to the organizers for convening researchers, experts, and policymakers, emphasizing the importance of such platforms in fostering knowledge exchange and identifying practical solutions for sustainable tourism development.
He commended Turkmenistan for successfully hosting the event and highlighted the country’s active and constructive role within ECO, particularly in promoting regional cooperation in tourism, connectivity, and cultural exchange.
Underscoring the broader significance of tourism, the Deputy Secretary General noted that tourism serves not only as an economic driver but also as a vital tool for strengthening mutual understanding, enhancing people-to-people connections, and promoting peace and stability across the ECO region.
He also congratulated Turkmenistan on the designation of Mary as the ECO Tourism Capital for 2028, highlighting the city’s rich cultural heritage and its historic significance along the Silk Road. He further noted that Shusha, Azerbaijan, has been designated as the ECO Tourism Capital for 2026, with preparations underway for the 7th ECO Ministerial Meeting on Tourism to be held there in the coming weeks.
Highlighting the ECO region’s vast tourism potential, Ambassador Nurberdiyev emphasized the importance of strategic planning, reliable data, and strengthened regional collaboration. He referred to the development of the ECO Tourism Roadmap for 2026–2030 as a key initiative aimed at enhancing service quality and increasing the region’s attractiveness to international visitors.
The Deputy Secretary General also underlined the importance of research, education, and capacity-building, particularly for young professionals, as well as the growing role of digital technologies in transforming the tourism sector. He stressed that innovation must go hand in hand with sustainability, ensuring the protection of natural and cultural heritage.
In this context, he praised Turkmenistan’s efforts in advancing tourism through infrastructure development, international engagement, and the promotion of its cultural assets, noting that such initiatives contribute significantly to regional dialogue and cooperation.
Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Nurberdiyev reaffirmed ECO’s commitment to promoting intra-regional tourism and strengthening collaboration among member states. He expressed confidence that the conference would generate valuable insights and practical recommendations for the future development of tourism in the region.
