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Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan are strengthening their customs cooperation
08.07.2026On 7 July 2026, a meeting took place at the administrative building of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan between the Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan and Natig Shirinov, Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan. This was reported by the press office of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan. The negotiations took place as part of the Azerbaijani delegation’s visit to Turkmenistan to participate in the 9th meeting of the Turkmen-Azerbaijani Inter-governmental Commission on Economic Cooperation. The parties noted the development of cooperation in the customs sphere, including the exchange of advance information and customs statistics. They also discussed the implementation of the ‘Smart Customs’ concept, the development of a joint roadmap for the synchronisation of digital systems, the introduction of automated risk analysis and the development of the ‘Single Window’ system. Particular attention was paid to integration into the international e-TIR project, which will improve the efficiency of cargo clearance, including at the ports of Turkmenbashi and Baku. Following the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their interest in further strengthening cooperation and expanding the region’s transit capabilities.
The Turkmenistan Customs Service is strengthening its partnership with the UNODC
08.07.2026On 7 July 2026, specialists from the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan held a meeting with international expert Jim Newkirk, who had been engaged by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as part of an Evaluation Field Mission. This was reported by the press office of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan. The parties reviewed the results of their joint work, including the activities of Port Control Groups, the organisation of training courses, educational events and high-level meetings, the exchange of experience, border exercises and language training programmes for specialists. They also discussed prospects for cooperation with UNODC over the next five years and new areas for strengthening the institutional capacity of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan.
A delegation from Turkmenistan is taking part in a session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission
08.07.2026A delegation from Turkmenistan is taking part in the 49th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which is being held from 6 to 10 July in Geneva. This was reported by the IIC. The delegation comprises Arslan Soltanmyradov, a representative of the State Veterinary Service, and Maya Annanepesova, a representative of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. The Codex Alimentarius Commission is an inter-governmental body of the joint programme of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), which develops international standards in the field of food safety and promotes fair trade in food. During the session, participants are discussing the improvement of international food safety standards, the harmonisation of national quality control systems, the scientific basis for sanitary requirements and the development of international cooperation. Representatives from Turkmenistan will take part in plenary sessions and technical discussions focusing on quality control, biosafety and inter-agency cooperation.
Turkmenistan is developing its oil and gas sector and international cooperation
08.07.2026Turkmenistan continues to implement its strategy for the development of the oil and gas sector, with a particular focus on modernising the industry, developing new fields and expanding international cooperation. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. One of the key projects remains the further development of the ‘Galkynyş’ gas field. The fourth phase of development is aimed at increasing production capacity, developing infrastructure and introducing modern technologies. Work is also continuing on the TAPI gas pipeline project, which is designed to strengthen energy cooperation between the countries of Central and South Asia. Geological exploration work is underway in Turkmenistan’s sector of the Caspian Sea, utilising modern seismic technologies. Offshore projects are being developed in cooperation with international partners. The country’s authorities are also focusing on expanding cooperation with foreign companies in the fields of natural gas production, oil and gas chemistry, engineering solutions and technological innovations. The next stage in this international dialogue will be the 31st International Conference and Exhibition ‘Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan – OGT 2026’, which will take place in Ashgabat from 21 to 23 October. The forum will bring together representatives of government bodies, energy companies, investors and technology suppliers to discuss the industry’s development prospects.
The Japanese Ambassador presented the chess club in Ashgabat with sets for playing ‘Go’
08.07.2026Hiroshi Sasaki, the Japanese Ambassador to Turkmenistan, visited the chess club at the French Institute of Turkmenistan, where he met with Vepa Malikgulyev, President of the Chess Federation of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. During the visit, the diplomat presented the club with two sets for playing ‘Go’ and introduced the participants to its basic rules, as well as talking about the history and cultural significance of this ancient strategic game. The chess club, organised jointly by the Chess Federation of Turkmenistan and the French Institute, holds meetings on Saturdays. Its members will now be able to play not only chess but also Go, thereby developing their strategic thinking and planning skills.
Armenia intends to expand its cooperation with Turkmenistan in the gas sector
08.07.2026Armenia is keen to expand energy cooperation with Turkmenistan, including in the gas sector. This was stated by Arsen Avagyan, Armenia’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan, in an interview with the news website Turkmenportal. According to him, Yerevan is pursuing a policy of diversifying its energy supply sources and regards Turkmenistan, which possesses large reserves of natural gas, as an important partner in ensuring energy security. The diplomat noted that energy issues are regularly discussed within the framework of the inter-governmental commission and through contacts between the relevant ministries. He recalled that in the 1990s, Turkmenistan was one of Armenia’s main gas suppliers, and the experience gained at that time provides a foundation for the further development of cooperation. A. Avagyan also emphasised that cooperation between the two countries is not limited to gas supplies and may include the exchange of expertise, the introduction of modern energy technologies and the implementation of joint projects.
Turkmenistan outlined initiatives to protect the Caspian Sea in Seoul
07.07.2026Turkmenistan presented environmental initiatives aimed at preserving the Caspian Sea at the fifth session of the Global Dialogue on Sustainable Ocean Initiative, held from 30 June to 3 July in Seoul. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The delegation was led by Myrat Atajanov, Director of the Caspian Institute of Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan’s representative on Caspian Sea issues and the country’s representative on the Inter-governmental Commission on the Conservation and Rational Use of Aquatic Biological Resources and the Management of Shared Stocks in the Caspian Sea. During the forum, Turkmenistan highlighted its efforts to protect the Caspian ecosystem, develop regional cooperation, ensure the rational use of biological resources and fulfil its international environmental obligations. Separately, the delegation held a series of meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea, the Global Green Growth Institute and the Korea Maritime and Ocean University. Discussions centred on issues such as capacity building, maritime policy, the ‘blue economy’, the sustainable use of coastal resources and the exchange of expertise in the field of maritime governance and research.
Turkmenistan continues to develop its oil and gas fields at a rapid pace
06.07.2026The ‘Nebitdag’ Drilling Operations Department of the ‘Nebitgazburawlaýyş” Trust, part of the “Türkmennebit” State Concern, has been exceeding its production targets since the start of 2026. In the first five months, 7,387 metres were drilled against a target of 7,191 metres, representing 102.7 per cent of the planned volume. Four new wells have also been commissioned, according to the online newspaper ‘Nebit-Gaz’. Work is currently underway at the ‘Nebitdag’, ‘Goturdepe’, ‘Barsagelmez’, ‘Demirgazyk Goturdepe’, ‘Günbatar Goturdepe’, ‘Gündogar Çeleken’ and ‘Mydar’ fields, using 12 Chinese-made drilling rigs. At the same time, the construction and equipping of new wells is continuing, as is the drilling of a further seven sites. The Department, founded in 1971 and having recently celebrated its 55th anniversary, remains one of the key divisions of the ‘Türkmennebit’ State Concern, ensuring the fulfilment of production targets.
The prospects for Turkmen-Korean partnership were discussed at the offices of ‘Nebit-Gaz’
06.07.2026In the run-up to the first ‘Central Asia–Republic of Korea’ summit, which is due to take place on 16–17 September 2026 in Seoul, information cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea is intensifying. This was reported by the news website Asmannews. In this context, Song Do-hyun, a correspondent for the South Korean news agency ‘Yonhap’, visited Turkmenistan to prepare reports on the development of the bilateral partnership. At the offices of the newspaper ‘Nebit-Gaz’, Editor-in-Chief Ussa Ussayev gave an interview to ‘Yonhap’, discussing the development of the country’s oil and gas sector. A meeting was also held with the editorial team, during which the results and prospects of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea were discussed. Among the most significant joint projects highlighted were ‘Hyundai Engineering’s involvement in the development of the ‘Galkynyş’ field, the modernisation of the Turkmenbashi Oil Refinery Complex with the participation of ‘LG International Corporation’, and the construction of the gas chemical complex in Gyyanly. Particular attention was paid to cooperation in the field of personnel training. As part of a joint project between the ‘Türkmengaz’ Group and ‘KOICA’, a modern training block for the oil and gas college, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, has been built in Mary. The meeting participants expressed their confidence that the forthcoming summit in Seoul would give new impetus to the development of Turkmen-Korean cooperation in industry, energy, education and other sectors.
The American public will be introduced to the work of a Turkmen composer
06.07.2026On 17 July, the ‘Vocal Poetry’ concert will take place in the US state of Pennsylvania, at which 22-year-old baritone Xavier Bates will perform a song cycle by the outstanding Turkmen composer Nury Halmamedov. This was reported by the news agency Orient. Pianist Bahar Annadurdyeva — a laureate of the ‘Sounds of the Dutar’ Festival named after Nury Halmamedov — will accompany him on the piano. The concert is organised by the Keystone Music Academy with the support of its director, Andrei Lyubimtsev. The programme also includes romances by Sergei Rachmaninoff. According to Xavier Bates, discovering Halmamedov’s work was a real revelation for him, and Bahar Annadurdyeva helped him prepare for the performance. The pianist is actively promoting Turkmen classical music in the USA. She is currently working on organ arrangements of works by Nury Halmamedov, and previously presented the world premiere in Pennsylvania of Mamed Huseynov’s composition ‘Paraphrase’ based on themes from the opera ‘Solomon’.
Turkmenistan implements a project to utilise solar energy in the healthcare sector
06.07.2026UNDP, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan, has completed a pilot project to install two solar photovoltaic systems at the etrap hospital in the city of Yoloten, Mary velayat. This was reported by the Orient news agency. The project aims to ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply to the medical facility and will serve as a model for the introduction of renewable energy sources at other healthcare facilities across the country. The use of solar energy will improve the reliability of hospital operations and contribute to the development of environmentally friendly social infrastructure.
The UN Secretary-General has appointed a new Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan
06.07.2026UN Secretary-General António Guterres, with the consent of the Government of Turkmenistan, has appointed the Chinese representative Xiaojun Grace Wang as the new UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news agency Orient. She took up her post on 1 July 2026, succeeding Dmitry Shlapachenko, who had led the mission since 2021 and has now been appointed UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan. Xiaojun Grace Wang has 28 years’ experience in the field of international development. Prior to her appointment in Ashgabat, she managed a Trust Fund at the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), and previously held senior positions at UNDP, overseeing programmes on poverty reduction, gender equality and sustainable development. The new coordinator has experience of working with landlocked developing countries and has also previously worked in international media, academia and foundations. She holds a PhD from the University of London in education and international development.
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