The Creative Central Asia 2026 regional forum was held in Tashkent from February 28 to March 2. The event brought together experts from Central Asian countries and the United Kingdom. The main topic was the development of creative industries as a tool for urban growth and human capital, according to the online newspaper “Turkmenistan: Golden Age.”
Participants discussed the role of artificial intelligence, mechanisms for attracting investment, and the development of urban infrastructure. Separate sessions were devoted to education, the value economy, and the skills of the future. The program included panel discussions, a presentation of the results of the “City Rating” hackathon, and professional networking events.
Turkmenistan was represented at the forum by a delegation of young professionals working in technology and creative projects. This delegation included Vasily Andronov, founder of the children’s science theater “Jam Creative.” He previously won a prize in the twelfth cohort of the StartUp Academy business incubation program, implemented jointly with the International Technological Park of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan.
According to Andronov, participation in the forum allowed him to study the experiences of neighboring countries and discuss prospects for regional cooperation.
Last spring, Ashgabat hosted the International Forum “Creative and Innovative Economy of Turkmenistan.” This event focused on the development of creative and technological sectors, including IT, design, art, and architecture.
The British Council has implemented the Creative Central Asia initiative since 2017. The platform brings together representatives of the region’s creative industries and international experts, promoting professional dialogue.
