Society
In Bucharest, Turkmenistan’s Achievements and the Importance of Neutrality Were Discussed
28.03.2026On March 26, a roundtable was held at the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in Bucharest to mark the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Independence and the year’s motto: “Independent, Permanently Neutral Turkmenistan – Homeland of Purposeful Winged Steeds,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan reports. The event was attended by representatives of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Romania, the university’s administration and faculty, as well as student youth from Turkmenistan and other Central Asian countries. In their speeches, participants highly praised the transformations carried out in Turkmenistan over the years of sovereign development in political, economic, and socio-humanitarian spheres. Special attention was given to the significance of the country’s policy of permanent neutrality. As part of the forum, a new book by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedow, “Turkmenistan’s Neutrality – A Bright Path of Peace and Trust,” was presented. Delegates noted the relevance of the publication for strengthening a culture of peace and mutual respect on the international stage. The importance of promoting Turkmenistan’s national values was also highlighted: Akhal-Teke horses are regarded not only as a symbol of statehood but also as a unique contribution of the country to the world’s cultural heritage.
The Russian Film Festival will be held in Ashgabat from March 27 to 29
27.03.2026From March 27 to 29, the Russian Film Festival will take place in Ashgabat. The event is organized by ROSKINO with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, reports IIC. The program features new Russian films for family audiences, including both live-action and animated projects. The festival will open with a screen adaptation of Alexei Tolstoy’s fairy tale Buratino, directed by Igor Voloshin. Audiences will also be presented with the films Treasures of the Dwarfs, The Frog Princess, and the animated feature Doctor Dinosaurs. ROSKINO’s General Director, Elza Antonova, noted that the program is aimed at family viewing and combines traditional storylines with contemporary approaches. Alexander Zharov, General Director of Gazprom-Media Holding, emphasized that the projects share universal themes understandable to a wide audience. Svetlana Balanova, head of the National Media Group, highlighted the festival’s significance for fostering cultural dialogue between Russia and Turkmenistan. The festival is intended to strengthen humanitarian ties and expand cultural exchange.
Turkmen trade unions are strengthening their cooperation with the International Labour Organisation
26.03.2026A delegation from the National Trade Union Centre of Turkmenistan visited the headquarters of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva. The purpose of the visit was to align national labour mechanisms with international standards and to prepare joint projects, according to the news agency Orient. The Roadmap for 2026 was the focus of discussions. Turkmenistan reaffirmed its intention to strengthen cooperation with the ILO, including the modernisation of legislation in line with ratified conventions, the monitoring of working conditions and the creation of digital databases to analyse compliance with labour rights. Particular attention was paid to the principles of ‘Decent work’, expanding employment and social protection. The delegates examined the work of the ILO Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV) and discussed reporting issues to align national practices with the organisation’s technical requirements. The visit also served as preparation for the International Labour Conference in Geneva in June 2026, where Turkmenistan will be able to exchange experiences and present its achievements in the protection of workers’ rights.
The Ambassador of Turkmenistan took part in a children’s creativity festival in Japan
25.03.2026Atadurdy Bayramov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Japan, took part in the children’s festival ‘Beautiful Land and Spirit of Harmony for Children’, organised by the Japanese non-profit organisation ‘FUJISAN Chidama Festa WA’. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. At the event, the organisation’s Chairman, Masao Watanabe, congratulated the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship on its fifth anniversary and spoke highly of its humanitarian work, including aid to children in Iran, noting the principles of peace and humanism on which it is based. With a view to strengthening Turkmen-Japanese ties, A. Bayramov invited representatives of ‘FUJISAN Chidama Festa WA’ and Japanese children to visit Turkmenistan and learn about the Foundation’s work. ‘FUJISAN Chidama Festa WA’ is a Japanese organisation that promotes peace through children’s creativity, nature conservation and the promotion of Japanese culture, including through rice fields and origami paper cranes bearing messages of peace.
The website of the ‘Young Naturalist’ organisation has gone live in Turkmenistan
24.03.2026The non-governmental organisation ‘Young Naturalist’ (‘Ýaş tebigatçy’) has launched its official website. The platform aims to broaden access to information about environmental initiatives and projects, according to the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The organisation focuses on environmental well-being, fostering an environmental culture among young people and promoting ‘green’ habits. Its work also includes participation in national environmental programmes and the development of volunteering. As noted by the organisation’s Chairperson Leyli Shyhmedova, the website will serve as a tool for open communication and interaction, as well as a platform for developing international cooperation in the field of ecology. The website features news and materials about the organisation’s activities in Turkmen, Russian and English. Users can apply for membership or join the volunteer movement. It is expected that the launch of the website will strengthen engagement with the public and international partners and support the implementation of the state’s environmental policy.
The ‘Döwletliler köşgi’ Palace celebrated the spring festival with gifts for the children
23.03.2026Turkmenistan celebrated the National Spring Festival – International Nowruz Day – on a grand scale. The festive programme placed particular emphasis on children, according to the press office of the country’s Ministry of Education. Students at the ‘Döwletliler köşgi’ Palace received gifts on behalf of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The gift sets included fruit, sweets and other treats. The children’s joy was genuine: they responded to the festive initiative with songs, dances and poems. The presentation of gifts on Nowruz is a long-standing tradition that remains an important element of the holiday. The event took place in a warm and festive atmosphere. The children had the opportunity to experience the significance of the holiday and the joy of celebrating together.
Turkmen journalists visited the first capital of the Ottoman Empire
22.03.2026As part of the international ‘Ramadan Press Trip’, Turkmen journalists visited Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. The trip was organised by the Cultural Council of the Turkish Embassy in Turkmenistan, with the support of ‘Turkish Airlines’. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. In Bursa, the delegation visited Grand Mosque – one of Turkey’s main historic mosques – as well as the Grand Bazaar and Koza Han, known as a centre for the silk trade. The tour participants learnt about the city’s history, its architectural heritage and Ramadan traditions. The programme concluded with a festive iftar, where guests were treated to the famous ‘İskender kebab’ – a gastronomic symbol of Bursa. According to the participants, the trip helped them gain a deeper appreciation of the city’s historical significance and its role in the formation of the Ottoman Empire. The organisers noted that such press tours help to strengthen cultural ties between Turkmenistan and Turkey.
Ashgabat will serve as a forum for discussing reforms in the field of gender equality
20.03.2026On 26–27 March 2026, Ashgabat will host a meeting of parliamentarians from Eastern Europe and Central Asia dedicated to strengthening the legislative framework on gender equality and the eradication of violence against women, reports IIC. The event is organised by the Mejlis of Turkmenistan in conjunction with the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD), with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Japan Trust Fund (JTF). During the discussions, parliamentarians will discuss practical legal reforms to eliminate structural inequality and discriminatory norms. The promotion of the rights of women and girls is seen as a key element of sustainable and inclusive development in Central Asia. Parliamentarians play a vital role in bringing national laws into line with international standards, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. They also oversee the allocation of budgetary resources and monitor compliance with gender equality principles at all levels of government. The programme for the two-day event includes interactive sessions with parliamentarians, experts and activists, as well as field visits to government bodies, civil society organisations and healthcare facilities. The event will be conducted in English, Turkmen and Russian with simultaneous interpretation.
The British Ambassador and a UNICEF representative praised inclusive education in Ashgabat
20.03.2026The British Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Stephen Conlon, and UNICEF representative Jalpa Ratna visited Pilot Inclusive School No. 74 in Ashgabat to learn about inclusive education practices and the adaptation of the school environment for children with disabilities. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. During the visit, they met with the school administration, representatives of the Ministry of Education and specialists, discussed progress and challenges, and visited classrooms where teachers demonstrated the pupils’ learning and social development outcomes. The guests were invited to lessons featuring interactive tasks, exercises and dancing, where the children actively involved them in the process. The visit took place as part of the ‘Accessible and Inclusive Schools for Children with Disabilities in Turkmenistan’ project, funded by the UK Department for International Development, and highlighted the importance of collaboration between teachers, families and partners in creating schools adapted to each child’s needs. UNICEF and international partners continue to support inclusive education in the country.
An event was held in Turkmenistan to mark Turkey’s National Anthem Day
19.03.2026On 18 March, an event was held in Ashgabat to mark the Day of the Adoption of the Turkish National Anthem and the Day of Remembrance for Mehmet Akif Ersoy. This was reported by the Orient news agency. The ceremony took place at the Turkish Cultural Centre at the country’s Embassy. Participants honoured the memory of the fallen with a minute’s silence, after which the national anthems were played. Ahmet Demirok, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkey to Turkmenistan, delivered a welcoming speech. During the programme, the military attaché, Colonel Sedat Kirmizi, presented a report on the events of the Battle of Gallipoli. A video about the life and creative legacy of Mehmet Akif Ersoy, prepared by Bekir Shirin, a representative of the Turkish Ministry of National Education, was also shown. A key element of the event was the performance of the oratorio ‘Çanakkale Zaferi’ (‘Victory at Çanakkale’). The programme concluded with an awards ceremony.
Turkmenistan was represented at the Nowruz celebrations in Tbilisi
19.03.2026On 17 March, large-scale celebrations were held in Tbilisi to mark International Nowruz Day, with the support of the city council. The festivities were attended by diplomatic missions from Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkey, as well as representatives of diaspora communities and cultural organisations, according to the news website Asmannews. The exhibition by the Embassy of Turkmenistan attracted particular interest: guests viewed works by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, as well as traditional costumes, jewellery, carpets and souvenirs, as well as sampling national cuisine and exploring the themed stand. Nowruz, symbolising the renewal of nature and the beginning of new life, unites different cultures and strengthens mutual understanding. The celebrations concluded with a concert featuring national music and dance.
Participants in the UN training course strengthened professional ties in Central Asia
17.03.2026Young staff members from the foreign ministries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan took part in the Second UN Regional Training Course on Sustainable Development, Human Rights Protection and International Law. The training lasted five days, according to IIC. The programme was aimed at enhancing professional skills and fostering regional dialogue. Participants studied the workings of the UN system, issues of sustainable development, human rights protection and international law, as well as modern diplomatic tools. The training process included theory, practical exercises and discussions. The forum served as a platform for establishing contacts between young diplomats from neighbouring countries. It is believed that strengthening professional ties at an early stage of one’s career contributes to closer cooperation in Central Asia. Following the training, the region’s states reaffirmed their commitment to forming a cohesive diplomatic corps to promote Central Asia’s interests on the international stage.
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