Active preparations are underway in Turkmenistan for the 25th International Exhibition and Conference “White City Ashgabat 2026”, which will take place on 24–25 May in the capital. Marking its anniversary edition and held in celebration of Ashgabat City Day, the event is set to become a major international platform bringing together discussions on architecture, urban development, industrial growth, and the sustainable future.
The upcoming event will traditionally bring together representatives of government institutions, international organisations, the business community, as well as leading architectural, engineering, and construction companies. It consistently demonstrates its strong practical orientation, serving as an effective platform for the development of concrete projects and the promotion of investment initiatives. A comprehensive business programme will form the core of the event. Key activities will be held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and the Olympia Hotel. The programme includes the official opening of the exhibition, thematic sessions, a high-level roundtable with international organisations, and a plenary session, which will serve as the central highlight.
One of the defining international dimensions of the upcoming event is the active participation of entities of the United Nations. In recent years, the global agenda on sustainable urbanisation has been actively advanced through authoritative international platforms such as the World Urban Forum, convened under the auspices of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). In the lead-up to White City Ashgabat 2026, the next session of the World Urban Forum will take place in Baku from 17 to 22 May 2026, underscoring the high level of international attention to sustainable urban development. In this context, the Ashgabat platform represents a natural continuation of global dialogue, enabling the transition from conceptual discussions to the practical implementation of modern urban development solutions.
The high international standing of the event is further reflected in the composition of participants at the key high-level roundtable. Expected speakers include Tatiana Molcean – Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe; Erfan Ali – Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, UN Habitat; Narine Sahakyan – UNDP Resident Representative in Turkmenistan; as well as Dmitry Shlapachenko, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan.
The roundtable will also bring together representatives of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), international development institutions, leading experts, private sector stakeholders, as well as representatives of academia and youth organisations. This distinguished participation further reinforces the role of the event as an effective platform for advancing practical solutions in sustainable development.
The plenary session, following the high-level roundtable, will serve as the central element of the programme, bringing together key representatives of international business and industry.
Among the expected speakers are Ahmet Çalık, Chairman of Çalık Holding; Erman Ilıcak, Chairman of Rönesans Holding; Vladimir Petruk, Managing Director of Interbudmontazh; and Kim Bo Hyun, President and CEO of Daewoo Engineering & Construction, alongside other senior executives from leading international companies actively engaged in infrastructure and industrial projects. In addition, a special address by Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, is planned.
The participation of international business leaders and United Nations entities highlights the high level of engagement and further strengthens the event’s status as a global platform that brings together governmental, institutional, and business initiatives in the field of sustainable development and urban transformation.
Over the years, White City Ashgabat has established itself as a respected international platform fostering professional dialogue in architecture, construction, and industrial development. The previous edition brought together over 550 delegates from more than 30 countries, demonstrating sustained international interest in projects implemented in Turkmenistan.
This year, the geography of participation continues to expand. More than 100 delegates from 25 countries have already registered, clearly reflecting strong global interest in the upcoming anniversary edition. The event serves not only as a forum for discussion, but also as an effective mechanism for promoting investment initiatives, sharing best practices, and strengthening mutually beneficial international partnerships.
The second day will focus on key topics including financing urban transformation, advancing industrial and construction sectors, enhancing energy systems, developing human capital, and implementing innovative solutions. Bilateral meetings will form an important part of the programme, supporting the development of concrete projects and the expansion of investment cooperation.
The substantive agenda will be centred around the strategic vision “Ashgabat 2045”, aimed at shaping a sustainable, modern, and technologically advanced capital city. Discussions will focus on digital solutions for urban infrastructure management, energy-efficient construction, advanced design technologies, and the integration of industrial and energy potential into a unified urban development framework.
It is expected that in 2026 the event will bring together a significant number of participants, including representatives of government institutions, international organisations, and the business community, reaffirming its status as a major international exhibition and conference platform with broad investment and informational reach.
Thus, the 25th International Exhibition and Conference “White City Ashgabat 2026” enters a new stage of development. The combination of strong international interest, participation of leading global institutions, a substantive agenda, and a practical orientation creates a solid foundation for further strengthening Ashgabat’s position as a modern hub of architecture, innovation, and sustainable development.
The upcoming event is expected to represent an important step in the development of Turkmenistan’s capital, contributing to enhanced international cooperation and opening new opportunities for the implementation of forward-looking projects aimed at sustainable socio-economic growth.
Registration for in-person participation remains open until 10 May 2026. Further details are available on the official event website WCA 2026.
