Azerbaijan hosted the 5th Forum of Parliamentarians of the member states of the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG). The main focus was placed on strengthening interagency cooperation and improving the effectiveness of control mechanisms, according to the publication “Turkmenistan: Golden Age”.
The Chairman of the Committee of the Mejlis on Legislation and its Norms, Batyr Baylyev, delivered a report at the forum. He highlighted the role of cooperation with the EAG in strengthening the national financial system amid the development of digital technologies.
According to him, Turkmenistan continues to implement FATF standards into national legislation and studies international experience in combating money laundering, financing of terrorism, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Special attention is given to the digital agenda. In particular, the Law of Turkmenistan “On Virtual Assets” has been adopted. It regulates the procedure for the creation and circulation of virtual assets and forms the legal framework for this sector.
Batyr Baylyev noted that the document represents a step forward in the development of the digital economy. According to him, the regulation of virtual assets is gaining strategic importance in the context of the transition to digital finance. The Law of Turkmenistan “On Cybersecurity” is also in force. It is aimed at protecting national interests in cyberspace and developing international cooperation in combating cyber threats.
The country has approved the Concept for the Development of the Digital Economy for 2026–2028. It provides for the introduction of artificial intelligence technologies, cloud solutions, financial technologies, and the development of an e-government system. The forum confirmed Turkmenistan’s commitment to participation in the international financial monitoring system and the development of a digital economy with an emphasis on security and technology.