Society
Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia met with the Head of ‘DUX Middle East’
14.08.2026On 13 August, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Saudi Arabia, Muhammetgeldi Ayazov, who is also accredited to Oman, held a meeting with Rasul Guliaev, Chairman and Executive Director of ‘DUX Middle East (FZC) LLC’. This was reported by the press office of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Saudi Arabia. R. Guliaev spoke about the activities of his company, which is registered in the Sultanate of Oman, and expressed an interest in purchasing petroleum products manufactured at the Turkmenbashi Oil Refinery Complex. Ambassador M. Ayazov, in turn, invited the businessman to take part in the 31st International Conference and Exhibition ‘Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan – OGT 2026’, which will be held in Ashgabat from 21 to 23 October 2026.
The Ministry of Health of Turkmenistan and the WHO are stepping up emergency preparedness at the borders
14.08.2026A meeting between representatives of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan and the WHO country office took place at the UN building in Ashgabat. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The meeting was attended by representatives of the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Service, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, and the State Customs, Migration and Border Services. The participants finalised the draft National Action Plan for Public Health Emergencies at Points of Entry and discussed measures to improve response mechanisms. The development of standard operating procedures for coordinating actions at the border was also considered. The meeting aimed to provide the Ministry of Health with advisory and technical support in accordance with the requirements of the International Health Regulations (IHR). WHO experts at global and regional levels presented the key provisions of the IHR, shared experience of operations at points of entry in the European Region, and provided materials for conducting simulation exercises. WHO confirmed its readiness to continue providing technical support to Turkmenistan in the implementation of the IHR.
A book fair for children and families is to be held in Ashgabat
14.08.2026The International Book Fair will be one of the highlights of the KIDS EXPO 2026 exhibition — books, literary discoveries and interactive activities await children and adults alike. This is reported by the news agency Orient. From 19 to 22 August 2026 in Ashgabat, visitors can look forward to a large book area for children and adults, where they will be able to discover new publications, choose books for the whole family and take part in literary events. The fair will feature a wide selection of books in various languages — fiction, educational, informative and developmental literature, books on child-rearing and child development, as well as publications for family reading and self-education. Libraries, bookshops and international cultural organisations – the French Institute in Turkmenistan and the Iranian Cultural Centre in Turkmenistan – will be taking part. Their involvement will enable visitors to experience a variety of literary traditions, languages and cultures, as well as introducing the audience to new publications and works from different countries. The book zone will appeal not only to book lovers: visitors will be able to buy books, discover new releases and take part in an interactive programme for children. Literary readings, quizzes, educational games and other activities are planned for young guests. Particular attention will be paid to family reading and fostering an interest in literature among children and teenagers. Parents will be able to choose books for their children, explore literature on child-rearing and child development, and find books for their own reading and self-education. The International Book Fair will form part of the KIDS EXPO 2026 cultural and educational programme, which brings together books, education, creativity and family leisure. The international exhibition and fair ‘KIDS EXPO: Everything for Children’ will take place from 19 to 22 August at the Exhibition Centre of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat. The exhibition is organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and TurkmenExpo.
Ashgabat is set to host its first international children’s chess tournament
14.08.2026On 19–20 August, Ashgabat will host the first-ever ‘Kids Expo Chess Cup 2026’ international chess tournament — a rapid and blitz competition for young chess players in the U8, U10 and U12 categories from more than 15 countries. The tournament will form part of the business and sports programme of the international exhibition and trade fair ‘KIDS EXPO: Everything for Children’, which will take place in the Turkmen capital from 19 to 22 August, according to the news website Turkmenportal. Young players from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Iran and other countries will compete at the chessboards. The competitions will be held in accordance with the rules of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). In addition to the young participants, representatives of international and national chess federations, grandmasters and champions from Turkey, Jordan, Cambodia, Nepal, Pakistan, Japan, Sri Lanka, Syria and Libya will be travelling to Ashgabat. The organisers hope to bring together young chess players, professional players and representatives of the international chess community in one venue to exchange experiences and foster connections within the field of children’s chess. A supporting programme has been organised for participants and visitors to the exhibition: a free-play area, masterclasses, educational events, presentations and a chess quiz. A separate programme of events has been arranged for teachers, coaches and organisers of chess programmes. The tournament is organised and supported by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, the International School Chess Federation (ISCF), the Turkic Chess Association (TCA), the Freedom Asian Chess Initiatives (FACI) programme of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, the Chess Federation of Turkmenistan and TurkmenExpo. The tournament will take place at the Exhibition Centre of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and will be the first official international chess competition organised in the country.
The ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone celebrated Caspian Sea Day
14.08.2026On 12 August, events marking Caspian Sea Day were held in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone. The main event was a scientific and practical conference entitled ‘Preserving the Ecosystem of the Caspian Sea: Regional Cooperation and Sustainable Development’, according to the TDH news agency. The forum was attended by members of the national government, representatives of ministries and departments, scientific institutions, diplomatic missions, and international and regional organisations. Participants discussed issues relating to the conservation of the Caspian Sea ecosystem, the protection of biodiversity, the rational use of natural resources and the development of regional cooperation. Particular attention was paid to Turkmenistan’s ‘Caspian Environmental Initiative’ and the proposal to hold the Caspian Environmental Forum in 2026. An address by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, was read out at the opening of the conference. The Head of State noted the priority of preserving the Caspian’s unique ecosystem and emphasised the need for the Caspian states and international organisations to join forces. During the forum, participants reviewed the implementation of the Framework Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea, which entered into force on 12 August 2006. This year marks the 20th anniversary of its entry into force. The document serves as the legal basis for cooperation among the Caspian littoral states in the field of environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources. Particular attention was paid to the falling water level of the Caspian Sea, climate change, the monitoring of the marine environment and biological resources, the development of scientific research, and the introduction of modern technologies. Participants called for an expansion of information exchange and the establishment of a Caspian scientific partnership. Turkmenistan’s international environmental initiatives were also discussed, including the establishment of a Regional Centre for Climate Change Technologies in Central Asia and a Regional Centre for Combating Desertification. As part of the event, an exhibition was held dedicated to the nature of the Caspian Sea and the country’s achievements in the field of environmental protection. Following the conference, the participants adopted an Appeal to the President of Turkmenistan. The document emphasised the importance of further developing cooperation among the Caspian states with a view to preserving the Caspian ecosystem and strengthening regional collaboration. On the same day, the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Affairs Minister, R. Meredov, held meetings with Serhan Aktoprak, the International Organisation for Migration’s Regional Coordinator for Central Asia; Beata Peksa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the European Union to Turkmenistan; Xiaojun Grace Wang, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan; and William Leaf, Head of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Centre in Ashgabat. The parties discussed the sustainable development of the Caspian region, environmental protection, environmental diplomacy, the transition to a ‘green’ economy and energy security. Opportunities for implementing joint projects to preserve the Caspian ecosystem were considered separately. Representatives of international and regional organisations reaffirmed their readiness to support Turkmenistan’s environmental initiatives and projects aimed at achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As part of the events marking Caspian Sea Day, sporting competitions were also held among forum delegates, with the participation of representatives from foreign diplomatic missions and international organisations in Turkmenistan.
Iran has praised Ashgabat’s initiatives to protect the Caspian Sea
14.08.2026The ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone hosted a scientific and practical conference entitled ‘Preserving the Ecosystem of the Caspian Sea: Regional Cooperation and Sustainable Development’, held to mark Caspian Sea Day. Ali Mojtaba Rouzbahani, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Turkmenistan, took part in the forum, according to the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The diplomat stated Iran’s readiness to support initiatives by the Caspian littoral states aimed at addressing the problem of falling water levels and mitigating its impact on the region’s population and infrastructure. The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran emphasised the need for practical measures, the exchange of data between countries and the establishment of an early warning system. Ali Mojtaba Rouzbahani also spoke highly of the initiative by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, to hold a Special Summit on the Environment of the Caspian Sea. The diplomat emphasised the importance of five-party cooperation and the principle of the indivisibility of security in the region. According to him, cooperation between the Caspian states is based on the provisions of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea. Caspian Sea Day is celebrated in Turkmenistan every year on 12 August to mark the entry into force of the Framework Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea.
Turkmen specialists are studying AI and ‘green’ energy in Germany
14.08.2026An international research internship on the application of artificial intelligence, the reduction of methane emissions and the development of renewable energy is taking place at Clausthal University of Technology (Germany). The programme, organised by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), will run until 16 August 2026, according to the news website Turkmenportal. Participants include staff from the country’s Ministry of Energy, lecturers and researchers from the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan and the Yagshygeldi Kakayev International University of Oil and Gas, as well as representatives from the Natural Gas Research Institute and the State Concern ‘Türkmengaz’. Participants are studying the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in industry and the energy sector, as well as methods for working with neural networks and detecting anomalies. The sessions are being held jointly with German professors and researchers. The internship programme also includes research into well integrity, deep drilling and the modelling of photovoltaic systems, as well as visits to solar and wind power facilities and a sulphur dioxide gas processing plant. The programme aims to facilitate the exchange of expertise in the fields of digital technologies, the ‘green economy’ and alternative energy, as well as to strengthen international scientific cooperation.
The Ambassador of Turkmenistan addressed a conference marking Caspian Sea Day in Iran
13.08.2026On 11 August 2026, the Department of Environment of Iran hosted a conference to mark Caspian Sea Day. The Ambassador of Turkmenistan attended the event, according to the press office of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The conference addressed issues relating to environmental protection and the preservation of the ecological condition of the Caspian Sea. The event was also attended by the Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Head of Iran's Department of Environment, Shina Ansari, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of the Majlis, ambassadors from the Caspian states, and the governors of Golestan and Gilan provinces. The Ambassador of Turkmenistan noted the importance of the Caspian Sea in the country’s foreign policy agenda and emphasised the need for further international cooperation in its protection, including within the framework of the United Nations. Particular attention was paid to the forthcoming meeting of Heads of State on environmental issues relating to the Caspian Sea, which is to take place on 9 October 2026 at the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone. The participants expressed their gratitude to the Government of Turkmenistan for its initiative in organising the meeting.
Russia has called for closer environmental cooperation in the Caspian Sea
13.08.2026The ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone hosted a scientific and practical conference entitled ‘Preserving the Ecosystem of the Caspian Sea: Regional Cooperation and Sustainable Development’, held to mark Caspian Sea Day. The event was attended by Pyotr Shchukin, Minister-Counsellor at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Turkmenistan, according to the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. In his speech, the Russian diplomat emphasised the need to pool the scientific and technical capabilities of the five Caspian states. He called for more active use of the five-party working groups and regional bodies, including the Caspian Sea Hydrometeorological Committee, to mitigate the effects of climate change. Pyotr Shchukin also highlighted the significance of the in-depth thematic environmental summit initiated by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov. According to him, the decisions of the upcoming Caspian Environmental Summit, to be held in ‘Awaza’ in October, could give further impetus to joint efforts. “Active joint efforts by the ‘five’ and close cooperation between our experts, including within the framework of the relevant five-party groups, are essential,” the diplomat stated. The representative of the Russian diplomatic mission emphasised that Russia advocates preserving the Caspian region as an area of peace, stability and good-neighbourliness, and is ready to support constructive initiatives by the Caspian states.
The Tajik Ambassador outlined the prospects for the development of the Caspian region
13.08.2026The Ambassador of Tajikistan to Turkmenistan stated at an event marking Caspian Sea Day that, in the medium term, major contracts and staff training could become key factors in the region’s sustainable development. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. According to him, the implementation of such initiatives will help to strengthen economic ties, expand trade, enhance investment attractiveness and create new production facilities. The diplomat also noted the traditionally friendly nature of relations between the states of the region, based on mutual respect, trust and constructive cooperation on issues of common interest.
A joint film by Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan will be screened at the LEFF festival
13.08.2026The joint film by filmmakers from Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, ‘Magtymguly Pyragy’, has been included in the official programme of the 7th Lendoc Film Festival (LEFF), which will take place in St Petersburg from 20 to 22 August. This was reported by the Orient news agency. The film was produced by the Oguzhan ‘Türkmenfilm’ Association and the Cinematography Agency of Uzbekistan under the direction of director Muzaffarkhon Erkinov. This historical biopic explores the poet’s formative years, his studies at the madrasahs of Bukhara and Khiva, and his ideas on the unity of peoples. The lead role is played by the Turkmen actor Ahmet Amandurdyev. The film was made to mark the 300th anniversary of Magtymguly Pyragy’s birth. Previously, the film won the top prize in the ‘Best Feature Film’ category at the 4th ‘Gorkut-Ata’ International Film Festival in Ashgabat and first prize at the ‘Turan’ Film Festival in Turkey. It also won the Audience Award at the ECG Film Festival in London and was selected for the competition programmes of the ‘Eurasia’ Festival in Almaty and the ‘Altyn Minbar’ Festival in Kazan. LEFF 2026 will feature 40 feature films and documentaries from 13 countries, including Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Russia, China, India, Iran and Belarus. One of the festival’s objectives is to foster international co-productions and joint film projects.
The Turkish Ambassador to Turkmenistan called for closer cooperation in the region
13.08.2026Speaking at a scientific and practical conference at the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone, the Turkish Ambassador to Turkmenistan emphasised the need for joint efforts to create a clean, safe and sustainable Caspian region, according to IIC of Turkmenistan. The diplomat highlighted the importance of expanding multilateral dialogue and practical cooperation between the countries of Central Asia, the Caspian states, and the states to the north and south. The focus is on the development of transport and communication corridors between Europe and Asia and the environmental agenda. According to the Ambassador, Turkey is ready to share its experience in the field of environmental protection with its regional partners.
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