In Ashgabat Park, a ceremonial opening of a large-scale celebration took place on International Children’s Day, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan together with UN agencies and a number of government bodies, including the city administration of Ashgabat, the Ministries of Education, Health, and Sports, as well as the Makhtumkuli Youth Organization. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Guests were offered a rich entertainment program featuring interactive zones, workshops, creative and sports activities. Children and adults were treated to fruits, pastries, and beverages. As part of the festivities, a puppet show “Aladdin” was staged, along with performances by musical, dance, and circus groups, as well as street animations featuring fairy-tale characters. Young participants also had the opportunity to play chess and take part in plein air drawing sessions. The celebration brought together children, parents, and representatives of various organizations, becoming one of the key events marking International Children’s Day in the capital of Turkmenistan.
From June 4 to 6, 2026, an international textile industry exhibition will be held in Ashgabat. The event will bring together domestic and foreign companies and will be organized in an expanded format. This was reported on the website of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan. The exhibition is organized by the Ministry of Textile Industry and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan in cooperation with Turkmen Expo. The organizers have announced an expansion of international participation. An increase in the number of foreign exhibitors and the involvement of major buyers is expected. The main focus is on developing business contacts in a B2B format. The exhibition will showcase key areas of the industry, including textile equipment, clothing production, footwear and leather goods, natural fiber processing, home and eco-textiles, as well as chemical materials and dyes. The program also includes sections on accessories and sewing supplies, fashion and design, the beauty industry, and jewelry.
On May 31, an exhibition of carpets and carpet products, as well as the 26th meeting of the World Association of Turkmen Carpet Connoisseurs, was held in the capital of Turkmenistan. The events took place as part of Turkmen Carpet Day, which is celebrated annually on the last Sunday of May. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The main venue for the celebrations was the National Museum of Turkmen Carpets. Traditional and contemporary examples of carpet art were showcased there. On the museum grounds, visitors were able to observe the various stages of handmade carpet production. Musical performances dedicated to national art were also held. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the Mejlis, ministries and government agencies, the diplomatic corps, and international organizations. Participants listened to a welcoming address from President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who emphasized the importance of the Turkmen carpet as part of the country’s cultural heritage and a symbol of national identity. The exhibition featured carpets and products from the State Association “Türkmenhaly” as well as private workshops. The display included traditional carpets with göls, decorative items, souvenirs, and works inspired by ancient designs. A separate section presented household items such as chuvals, khorjuns, kilims, horse trappings, and prayer rugs. As part of the celebrations, a ceremony was held to honor women working in the carpet industry. Under a decree of the President of Turkmenistan, they were awarded the honorary title “Türkmenistanyň at gazanan halyçysy” for their contribution to the development of carpet weaving and the preservation of traditional craftsmanship. The State Association “Türkmenhaly” also received a special diploma from the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY). Certificates of appreciation were presented to the best craftswomen. TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev highlighted the significance of the Turkmen carpet as part of the shared cultural heritage of the Turkic world and praised the country’s contribution to the development of the craft. Later in the day, the 26th meeting of the World Association of Turkmen Carpet Connoisseurs took place at the headquarters of the State Association “Türkmenhaly.” Participants discussed issues related to preserving and promoting carpet-weaving traditions and expanding international cooperation. Foreign participants noted the high level of Turkmen carpet craftsmanship and its importance to world culture. It was emphasized that the products are distinguished by the use of natural materials and traditional production techniques. Following the events, participants adopted a message of gratitude addressed to the President of Turkmenistan. As part of the holiday celebrations, exhibitions, conferences, competitions, and cultural events were held throughout the country.
Women in Turkmenistan are actively involved in public life, entrepreneurship, education, and the implementation of social initiatives, contributing to the country's development. This was stated by Aykhan Rejepova, Chairwoman of the Mary Regional Branch of the Business Women Center under the Women's Union of Turkmenistan, AsmanNews reports. According to her, special attention is being paid to supporting women's entrepreneurship. Female business representatives operate in various sectors of the economy, including handicraft production, the textile industry, services, and modern technologies. Their activities contribute to job creation and the promotion of domestic products. An important area remains women's participation in youth education and the preservation of national cultural heritage. They are involved in educational and public projects aimed at strengthening traditional values and improving the knowledge level of the younger generation. Women also take an active part in charitable activities, providing assistance to those in need, children, and the elderly, as well as supporting social and humanitarian projects. As Aykhan Rejepova noted, by combining professional careers, social engagement, and family responsibilities, Turkmen women continue to play an important role in the development of society.
Every year on May 31, World No Tobacco Day is observed. Established by the World Health Organization (WHO), the day aims to raise awareness of the risks associated with smoking and to promote effective tobacco-control policies. One of the key international instruments in this field remains the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), the first global public health treaty, which has been widely ratified by countries around the world, according to the news website Infoabad. In Turkmenistan, tobacco control is an integral part of the state health policy. The country ratified the WHO convention in 2011 and has consistently implemented national programs aimed at reducing tobacco consumption, preventing harmful habits, and promoting healthy lifestyles. Restrictions on tobacco advertising and smoking in public places have been introduced, alongside comprehensive interagency measures. According to Turkmenistan’s national programs, this work is being carried out in stages with the participation of government agencies, healthcare institutions, and international partners, including the WHO. At the same time, initiatives promoting sports and physical activity are being expanded, including mass sporting events and public awareness campaigns. WHO representatives and national experts emphasize that tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemical substances, many of which are highly toxic and carcinogenic. This underscores the importance of prevention and smoking cessation as key factors in protecting public health.
A Belarusian manufacturer of flour-based confectionery products has begun direct deliveries to the Turkmen market, marking a practical step in implementing agreements aimed at expanding trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. This was reported by the Orient news agency. On May 29, the first shipment of products from the confectionery factory Slodych was dispatched to Turkmenistan. The export batch included popular and premium varieties of cookies and candies that have already proven successful in foreign markets. Experts view this move as the beginning of a systematic expansion of Belarusian brands across Central Asia. For Slodych, entering a new market serves as confirmation of the competitiveness of its products. The company’s portfolio includes more than 100 product lines, including various types of cookies, gingerbread, cakes, and candies. The parties describe the cooperation as long-term in nature: the focus is not on one-off deliveries, but on developing distribution networks, regularly updating product assortments, and increasing trade turnover between Belarus and Turkmenistan.
The creative work of Turkmen poet, translator, and journalist Chemen Annaberdieva has been featured in the Russian literary magazine “Severo-Muyskiye Ogni.” Issue No. 113 of the publication, released by the National Library of the Republic of Buryatia, includes a biographical article and a selection of the author’s works, AsmanNews reports. The magazine presents poems by Chemen Annaberdieva in the Turkmen language, along with their Russian translations made by Andrey Novikov. The publication allows Russian-speaking readers and Turkmen students studying in Russia to become familiar with the poet’s work and compare the translations with the original texts. Chemen Annaberdieva works as the head of a department at the newspaper “Watan” and is the author of numerous poetic works devoted to themes of love, motherhood, human relationships, and the nature of Turkmenistan. The poet was born on December 28, 1966, in the village of Geokdepe (now Chachdepe), Murgab district, Mary velayat. In 1989, she graduated from the Ashgabat Pedagogical Institute of Russian Language and Literature. Over the years, she worked at Turkmen Radio as a journalist, program host, and head of various departments. Since 2017, she has continued her work in journalism. She currently heads one of the editorial departments of the “Watan” newspaper. Chemen Annaberdieva is the author of the book “Daughter of the Poet,” which includes poems, narrative poems, and translations of works by foreign authors. She has also been a winner of the President of Turkmenistan’s competition “Türkmeniň Altyn asyry.” The publication of the Turkmen poet’s works in a Russian edition reflects the development of cultural and literary ties between Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation.
The first stage of a two-phase course on digital hygiene and countering cyber threats aimed at strengthening Turkmenistan’s cyber resilience has been completed in Ashgabat with the support of the OSCE Center. This was reported by the news agency Orient. The training is being conducted for students and lecturers of the Institute of Telecommunications and Informatics and builds on the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence previously established at the institution. During practical sessions, participants studied methods for detecting cyberattacks, recognizing phishing, malware, and social engineering techniques. They also practiced skills in device protection, verifying suspicious websites, and creating strong passwords. The second stage of the course will begin in early June and will focus on corporate information security, risk analysis, and response to network attacks, with the aim of protecting critical data in state and private systems.
Scientists in Turkmenistan have developed a method for biochemical assessment of the shine of Akhal-Teke horse hair. The study was conducted by specialists from the Biotechnology Laboratory of the International Scientific and Technological Park of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, according to the publication “Turkmenistan: Golden Age”. Researchers found that the characteristic metallic sheen of Akhal-Teke horses is linked to a combination of keratin structure, lipid complex, and the balance of trace elements in the hair. According to the scientists, these components create the light-reflecting effect. The methodology is based on a comprehensive hair analysis, including lipid extraction, protein hydrolysis, and mineral spectrometry. The study showed that keratin levels, amino acid concentration, as well as zinc and copper content influence hair structure density, pigmentation, and reflective properties. The authors of the development are Altyn Rakhmanova, Durdymyrat Gadamyov, and Tore Garlyyev. Copyright has been obtained and a patent application has been registered for the method titled “systematic comprehensive biochemical assessment of phenotypic determinants of hair shine in Akhal-Teke horses”. During the research, specialists formed digital biochemical profiles for five main coat colors of Akhal-Teke horses: black, gray, bay, dun, and isabella. This allows laboratory assessment of exterior traits without subjective visual evaluation. According to researchers, the development can be applied not only in breeding but also in veterinary medicine. Biochemical indicators help assess feeding quality and animal housing conditions, as well as adjust diets to improve exterior traits. Experts believe that the implementation of the system will allow Akhal-Teke horse selection and certification to reach a new level.
Leading agricultural universities of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan continue an academic exchange program aimed at strengthening scientific and educational cooperation between the two countries, according to the Orient news agency. Twenty students from the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers have arrived in Ashgabat for a two-week internship at the Saparmurat Niyazov Turkmen Agricultural University. During the internship, under the guidance of Turkmen professors, the students take part in practical and academic training in water management and agriculture, as well as become familiar with the university’s infrastructure, research and technology centers, and botanical garden. A reciprocal visit by Turkmen students to Tashkent is scheduled for June–July. The exchange program is viewed as a contribution to the development of agricultural education and the strengthening of strategic partnership between the two countries.
The 25th International Multi-Industry Exhibition and Conference “White City Ashgabat – 2026” was held in Ashgabat. The forum was dedicated to architecture, innovation, and sustainable development, according to the publication “Turkmenistan: The Golden Age”. On the sidelines of the forum, Erfan Ali, Director of the Regional Office of UN-Habitat for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, spoke about prospects for cooperation with Turkmenistan. According to him, the parties are working on a comprehensive partnership programme in the field of sustainable urban development. Key areas of the programme were discussed during the conference. Priorities include urban planning development, support for climate initiatives, improvement of energy efficiency, modernization of public utilities, and the introduction of Smart City digital solutions. Erfan Ali said that UN-Habitat representatives held meetings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Construction and Architecture, as well as at the Ashgabat city administration to discuss future projects. The UN representative noted that the forum served as a platform for exchanging experience in sustainable development and discussing issues related to the modern urban environment.
From May 24 to 26, representatives of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan participated in a forum in Dushanbe held within the framework of the GIZ “Green Central Asia II” program. This was reported by the press service of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan. The event was dedicated to the role of women parliamentarians in Central Asia in promoting the water agenda as a key element of sustainable development and climate change mitigation. Participants discussed strengthening regional cooperation, exchanging legislative and institutional experience, as well as developing coordinated approaches to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Representatives of Turkmenistan emphasized the importance of the forum for expanding women’s participation in shaping water policy and sharing best practices. They also highlighted the country’s work in the areas of food security, rational resource use, environmental protection, and the development of women’s leadership in public and legislative spheres.