The first 'Central Asia – Italy' summit held in Astana saw President Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan expressing a keen interest in collaborating with Italy in the field of hydrogen energy. He highlighted natural gas as the primary source for hydrogen production and reiterated Turkmenistan's intent to actively engage in partnership projects in this domain. The summit also emphasized priority areas for economic partnership, including energy, transport, industry, finance, and emerging sectors like digitalization and green technologies. Turkmenistan's focus on diversifying export routes to European markets was underlined, showcasing its significant natural gas reserves. Additionally, Turkmenistan showcased readiness to cooperate on environmental and climate issues, with a specific emphasis on energy efficiency, sustainable water resource management, and the adoption of resource-saving technologies. The President also acknowledged Italian archaeological research in Turkmenistan and announced plans for an exhibition in Rome to celebrate the cultural heritage of the region. Overall, the summit highlighted Turkmenistan's commitment to bolstering ties with Italy and fostering cooperation in various sectors.