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Human rights and gender equality were discussed in Ashgabat
18.07.2026A meeting of development partners focusing on human rights and gender equality took place in Ashgabat. The event was organised by the Delegation of the European Union to Turkmenistan and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), according to the IIC of Turkmenistan. Participants discussed current initiatives and the outcomes of the latest round of the ‘EU–Turkmenistan’ Dialogue on Human Rights. The main focus was on the National Action Plan on Gender Equality for 2026–2030. Representatives of the European Union noted that ensuring equal opportunities is one of the priorities of its work.
A delegation from Turkmenistan is taking part in WAIC 2026
18.07.2026The World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC 2026) and a high-level meeting on global technology governance are taking place in Shanghai from 17 to 20 July. Turkmenistan is represented by a delegation led by the country’s Minister of Communications, Hajymyrat Hudayguliyev, according to the IIC of Turkmenistan. The forum, held under the motto ‘AI Partnership for a Brighter Future’, has brought together more than 1,100 technology companies and around 1,400 experts, scientists and representatives of government departments. The exhibition area exceeded 100,000 square metres. Chinese President Xi Jinping took part in the opening ceremony. Turkmenistan’s participation reflects the country’s priority focus on digitalisation and the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies in the development of its national infrastructure.
Ashgabat and Seoul discussed cooperation between their parliaments
17.07.2026On 16 July 2026, a meeting of the Turkmen-Korean Interparliamentary Friendship Groups took place at the Mejlis of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the press office of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan. The participants discussed ways to improve the work of the interparliamentary friendship groups and to develop cooperation between the relevant committees. During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on issues relating to political and diplomatic, legislative and inter-regional cooperation. It was noted that relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea are developing in the political and economic, cultural and humanitarian, and inter-parliamentary spheres, as well as within the framework of international organisations. The participants highlighted the achievements of the Turkmen-Korean Business Council and the inter-governmental working group on trade, economic, scientific and technological cooperation.Particular attention was paid to cooperation in the trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian, fuel and energy, logistics, digital and transport sectors, as well as in shipbuilding and the study of the Korean language. It was also noted at the meeting that Turkmen youth are receiving education at higher education institutions in the Republic of Korea. The Korean language is taught in general education schools in Turkmenistan and at the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages. The parties expressed their confidence in the further strengthening of friendly relations between the two countries through inter-parliamentary cooperation.
A meeting with a delegation from the Republic of Korea took place at the Mejlis of Turkmenistan
17.07.2026On 16 July, D. Gulmanova, Chairwoman of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, met with a delegation from the Republic of Korea led by Choi Hyung Du, Chair of the Korea–Turkmenistan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group. This was reported by the press office of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan. The South Korean parliamentarians were briefed on the main thrusts of Turkmenistan’s domestic and foreign policy, which is based on the principles of positive neutrality, peacefulness, humanity and trust, as well as on the activities of the Mejlis. The parties noted the role of inter-parliamentary cooperation in the development of relations between the two countries. Particular attention was paid to the significance of the ‘Central Asia – Republic of Korea’ inter-parliamentary forum, initiated by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, during his visit to the Republic of Korea in 2022. It was noted that the working visit of the President of the Republic of Korea to Turkmenistan had contributed to the further development of political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties between the two countries. The Turkmen side also expressed its gratitude to the Republic of Korea for its support for Turkmenistan’s peace-loving policy and international initiatives, including the proposal to declare 2028 the ‘Year of International Law’. During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on the further development of inter-parliamentary cooperation, the promotion of Peace and Trust between states and peoples, and the expansion of cooperation within the framework of parliamentary diplomacy.
Turkmenistan paid tribute to the father of the Emir of Qatar
17.07.2026Nokerguly Atagulyev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, visited the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Ashgabat to offer his condolences on the death of the father of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. At the diplomatic mission, the Deputy Prime Minister was received by the Qatari Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Nasser Ahmed Mohammed Al-Taher. A book of condolences was opened at the Qatari Embassy. Nokerguly Atagulyev, representatives of the Turkmen authorities, heads of diplomatic missions and members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Turkmenistan all left messages in the book. Representatives of the Arab community living in the country also paid their respects.
Turkmenistan was represented at the ‘Connect for Peace 2026’ media festival in Almaty
17.07.2026Representatives of the media and the media community in Turkmenistan took part in the international ‘Connect for Peace Festival 2026’, dedicated to the development of media literacy, which took place in Almaty. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The event brought together more than 100 journalists, media experts and representatives of civil society organisations from Central Asian countries. The festival marked the conclusion of the two-year regional project ‘CARAVAN’, implemented by ‘Internews’ with the support of the European Union. As part of the project, around 1,500 pieces of content were produced, aimed at enhancing the resilience of the information environment to disinformation. The programme included panel discussions, expert sessions and practical workshops on media literacy, digital security, the use of artificial intelligence in journalism, combating disinformation and the financial sustainability of the media. Participants also discussed effective business models for independent newsrooms and exchanged experiences on implementing successful media projects. The organisers screened documentaries on the culture, environment and history of Central Asia, and a tour of the Almaty State Art Museum was arranged for the guests. The Turkmen delegation’s participation marked a continuation of cooperation under the ‘CARAVAN’ project. Earlier, in May, training sessions on media literacy, digital technologies and the use of artificial intelligence were held in Ashgabat with EU support for students, lecturers, representatives of relevant government departments and the media.
The first ‘Tourism Malaysia’ seminar took place in Ashgabat
17.07.2026The first specialised ‘Tourism Malaysia’ seminar for representatives of Turkmenistan’s tourism industry took place in Ashgabat. The event, supported by the Malaysian Embassy and the Turkmen Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was dedicated to developing cooperation and promoting the ‘Visit Malaysia 2026’ (VM2026) campaign, reports AsmanNews. The seminar was attended by representatives of government bodies, airlines, travel agencies and the media. The meeting followed on from agreements reached during the recent visit to Turkmenistan by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim. According to ‘Tourism Malaysia’, 10,751 tourists from Turkmenistan visited Malaysia in 2025 — 42.5 per cent more than the previous year. Participants were introduced to the country’s tourism opportunities and resort offerings, and the prospects for joint projects were discussed. ‘Tourism Malaysia’ intends to continue its marketing and information campaigns to promote Malaysia within the Turkmenistan tourism market.
The Pakistani Ambassador spoke about her experiences of working in Turkmenistan
17.07.2026Dr Faryal Leghari, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Turkmenistan, spoke in an interview with Diplo TV about her diplomatic career, her work in Ashgabat and her impressions of Turkmenistan, according to the online news site AsmanNews. Faryal Leghari took up her post on 13 June 2025. Shortly after arriving in Ashgabat, she helped organise the evacuation of Pakistani nationals from Iran following the outbreak of military conflict. Before entering the diplomatic service, the Ambassador graduated from the University of Oxford, where she obtained a PhD in political geography. She has also worked for leading media organisations in the region, held senior editorial positions and conducted research in the fields of security and international relations. According to the diplomat, her actual impressions of Turkmenistan proved to be better than her previous expectations of the country. The Ambassador highlighted Turkmenistan’s stability, its policy of permanent neutrality and its hospitality. Faryal Leghari also emphasised women’s active participation in public and political life, access to education and the focus on the development of culture, the arts and the preservation of national heritage. The Ambassador made a special mention of the shared love of horse riding. Joint initiatives in the field of equestrian sports are currently being considered, including possible visits by Pakistani female athletes.
The Ambassador of Turkmenistan took part in discussions with the EU on the development of the Trans-Caspian route
16.07.2026Sapar Palvanov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Belgium, took part in a meeting between the ambassadors of Central Asian countries and the leadership of EU institutions, dedicated to the implementation of the agreements reached at the joint summit. This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. During the event, which took place in Brussels, participants discussed the development of the Trans-Caspian route, the promotion of the European ‘Global Gateway’ initiative, attracting investment, security issues and the schedule for upcoming meetings. During the discussion, Sapar Palvanov emphasised the importance of systematic dialogue in achieving concrete results, whilst EU representatives commended Ashgabat’s proactive approach and reaffirmed their readiness to strengthen the bilateral partnership.
A formal reception was held in Ashgabat to mark France’s National Day
16.07.2026A formal reception was held at the ‘Ýyldyz’ Hotel in Ashgabat to mark France’s national holiday, Bastille Day. The event was attended by Nazar Agahanov, Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan, as well as representatives of European and other foreign diplomatic missions, according to the news website Turkmenportal. In his welcoming address, Philippe Merlin, the French Ambassador to Turkmenistan, referred to the recent G7 summit in Evian and elaborated on key aspects of the bilateral partnership. The diplomat emphasised that the visit to Paris in 2025 by the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, had given a powerful boost to economic ties. The diplomat thanked leading French companies operating successfully in the Turkmen market in the fields of construction, space, energy and agriculture. Particular attention was paid in the speech to humanitarian cooperation. The Ambassador noted that, due to the support of the country’s Ministry of Education, around 20,000 Turkmen citizens are studying French. Furthermore, the two sides are successfully continuing joint archaeological excavations at the Ulug-Depe site, speleological research in Koytendag and cultural projects organised by the French Institute. To conclude his speech, Philippe Merlin quoted Charles de Gaulle and called for the further active development of bilateral relations.
Ashgabat marked the 10th anniversary of Turkey’s Democracy and National Unity Day
16.07.2026A ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of Democracy and National Unity Day was held at the Cultural Centre attached to the Turkish Embassy in Ashgabat. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Addressing those gathered, Turkish Ambassador Ahmet Demirok recalled the events of 15 July 2016, when the solidarity of the Turkish people helped to prevent a coup d’état. The diplomat expressed his deep gratitude to the leadership of Turkmenistan for their long-standing friendship and fraternal support, and paid tribute to the memory of those who lost their lives, in honour of whom the mufti recited memorial prayers. To conclude the commemorative event, guests were able to view a themed photo exhibition.
A delegation from Turkmenistan took part in the general debate organised under the auspices of ECOSOC
16.07.2026On 15 July, a delegation from Turkmenistan took part in the general debate of the high-level segment organised under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at the UN headquarters in New York. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. This key event took place as part of the Political Forum on Sustainable Development and was dedicated to accelerating urgent action to achieve the SDGs by 2030. Speaking during the debate, the Head of the Turkmen delegation, Perhat Yagshiyev, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy, emphasised that cooperation with the UN remains a priority of the country’s foreign policy, and that ensuring peace and security is a key prerequisite for sustainable development. At the national level, Turkmenistan has already integrated 85 per cent of the SDG targets into its state programmes, having adopted 131 targets and 175 indicators. During their address, the delegates paid particular attention to the environmental agenda, the rational use of water resources and the fight against desertification. Turkmenistan is promoting an initiative to establish a Regional Centre for Combating Desertification in Central Asia and is actively developing a ‘green’ economy by introducing clean technologies and fulfilling its commitments to reduce methane emissions. The city of Arkadag – the region’s first ‘smart’ city – was presented as a successful example of environmental and technological progress. Furthermore, the forum highlighted Turkmenistan’s leading role in developing international transport connectivity through major East–West and North–South projects, including the Trans-Caspian route, which is of vital importance to landlocked countries. Alongside its participation in the debates, the Turkmen delegation is studying best international practices in the preparation of Voluntary National Reviews, which will be utilised to ensure the successful submission of Turkmenistan’s third national review in 2027.
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