Turkmenistan has intensified its efforts to join the World Trade Organization (WTO), establishing an institutional framework for negotiations and preparing a key document on its foreign trade regime. This was announced by Atageldy Khaldzhanov, Head of the International Economic Relations Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, at a briefing on the country's priorities at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Turkmenportal.com reported.
According to him, Turkmenistan has completed the observer status, established a negotiating structure, and prepared a "Memorandum on Turkmenistan's Foreign Trade Rules." A specialized department and working group have also been established within the Ministry of Finance and Economy.
Turkmenistan received WTO observer status in July 2020 and submitted its application for accession in November 2021. In June 2026, IMF representatives commended Ashgabat's efforts to harmonize legislation and improve its statistical system.
The current stage marks the transition from preliminary preparations to substantive negotiations. However, WTO accession requires the harmonization of trade legislation, access to markets for goods and services, and the fulfillment of a number of other conditions.
If the current pace continues, 2027 could be a period of active negotiations. Under a favorable scenario, Turkmenistan could complete the bulk of the process in 2028–2029 and gain membership around 2029–2030. If progress is slower, accession could be delayed until the early 2030s.
Thus, Turkmenistan's WTO membership by 2030 appears possible, but the final timing will depend on the pace of reforms and the agreement of terms with member states.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
September 18, 2026