Turkmen Delegation Participates in the International Exhibition and Conference «Global Rail 2025»

From September 30 to October 4, 2025, a Turkmen delegation led by Minister of Railway Transport Mammet Akmammedov paid a working visit to the United Arab Emirates, where it took part in the international exhibition and conference «Global Rail 2025» held in Abu Dhabi.

At the International Projects Pavilion of the exhibition, the Ministry of Railway Transport of Turkmenistan presented its international projects and demonstrated design concepts in the field of transport.

On the first day of the event, a ceremonial signing took place of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Railway Transport of Turkmenistan and Etihad Rail Company PJSC. This document provides for the implementation of railway projects outside the country, as well as cooperation between the parties, exchange of experience between the railway authorities of the two states, and the study of opportunities for mutually beneficial partnership. The implementation of the Memorandum lays the foundation for the further development of cooperation between the railway structures of both countries and creates opportunities for attracting investment necessary for the realization of international infrastructure projects.

A bilateral meeting was then held with Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail Company. During the meeting, the parties discussed promising railway projects planned for implementation abroad and emphasized their strategic importance. Mr. Malak noted that a working visit of the Etihad Rail Company leadership to Turkmenistan is planned for the first half of October, and emphasized the high level of interaction and the significant achievements reached in Turkmen-Emirati cooperation in the railway sector.

As part of the Global Rail 2025 exhibition and conference, a meeting took place between the Minister of Railway Transport of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister of Public Works for Railway Transport, Mohammed Ishaq Sahibzade. The sides discussed increasing the volume of freight turnover between the two countries and addressing issues related to the operation of cross-border sections.

The Afghan side noted that construction work on the warehouse complex at the Turgundy station is progressing actively and expressed gratitude to the Turkmen side for its support. The meeting also addressed the Turgundy-Herat railway project, which has both humanitarian and strategic significance, as its implementation will enable millions of residents of Herat Province to gain access to food products and essential goods. It was emphasized that this project is important not only for the development of the transport systems of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, but also for strengthening regional connectivity across Central Asia.

In addition, a bilateral meeting was held with Rashed Mohammed Al Kaabi, Deputy Director General of the Abu Dhabi Development Fund. During the discussions, the parties considered opportunities for financing railway projects as well as ways to expand investment cooperation. Mr. Al Kaabi expressed interest in supporting Turkmenistan’s promising infrastructure initiatives and gave a positive assessment of the country’s potential in the transport and logistics sector.