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An international conference in Ashgabat was dedicated to national heritage
06.10.2026On 5 October 2026, the Institute of International Relations of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan hosted an international conference entitled ‘Our National Heritage – A Solid Foundation for Our Independence’. This was reported by the press office of the Institute of International Relations of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The event was dedicated to the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence, the motto for 2026 – ‘Independent Neutral Turkmenistan − the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses’ – and the International Day for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Participants discussed the preservation and promotion of the historical and cultural heritage of the Turkmen people, its significance for statehood, and the development of international cultural cooperation under the auspices of UNESCO. Representatives of UNESCO departments and clubs, as well as national commissions from foreign countries, took part in the conference via a digital platform. Presentations were given by representatives from Belarus, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Turkey. Representatives from the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan and the Central Council of the Magtymguly Youth Organisation of Turkmenistan also took part in the discussion. In conclusion, the participants adopted an Appeal to the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
A new restaurant serving Slavic cuisine has opened in Ashgabat
06.10.2026A restaurant serving Slavic cuisine, decorated in a traditional Russian style, has opened in Ashgabat. The menu features national dishes, according to IIC of Turkmenistan. The idea for the restaurant came to its owner whilst he was living in Russia. After returning to Turkmenistan in April, he began work on the establishment in May. Renovation work was carried out and the menu prepared over the course of several months. The interior is decorated with traditional patterns and hand-embroidery. The waiters wear Russian costumes, whilst elements of the heating system are styled to resemble Russian stoves with samovars. Decorative salt cellars were crafted by local artists. The menu includes borscht, pelmeni and tea from a samovar. At the opening, guests were welcomed in traditional costumes with a loaf of bread and a performance by skomorokhi.
Digital monitoring of climate finance was discussed in Ashgabat
06.10.2026An inter-ministerial training session on modern technologies for adapting to climate change and protecting the environment was held at the ‘Arçabil’ Hotel. The event was organised by the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the Green Climate Fund, according to the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The main focus of the meeting was the presentation and testing of a new digital tool for monitoring climate finance. Representatives from ministries and departments familiarised themselves with the platform’s capabilities, methods for collecting departmental statistics and the classification of expenditure. The digital system is designed to systematise data on environmental protection expenditure, improve the quality of reporting on greenhouse gas emissions and enhance government planning. The platform also enables the analysis of data relating to agriculture and forestry, and allows for the assessment of Turkmenistan’s contribution to fulfilling its obligations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. Following the training, experts highlighted the significant volume of domestic climate finance in Turkmenistan and the implementation of long-term national programmes in the field of sustainable development.
An Italian jazz singer is set to perform on stage at the Ashgabat Theatre
04.10.2026On 20 November 2026, the Magtymguly National Music and Drama Theatre in the capital will host a concert by the Italian jazz singer Simona De Rosa. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The musical evening will begin at 7.00 pm and will form part of the programme of events for the European Culture Days in Turkmenistan. The cultural event is organised by the country’s Ministry of Culture and the Delegation of the European Union.
Turkmenistan is taking part in the ‘Central Asian Gas Ring’ project
04.10.2026Turkmenistan will take part in discussions on the ‘Central Asian Gas Ring’ project, which aims to integrate the gas transmission systems of the five countries in the region. The project will be discussed at the Second Central Asian Oil and Gas Forum in Tashkent on 15–16 October, according to Turkmenportal. The project involves the creation of a single gas transmission network linking Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. To this end, there are plans to construct new sections and modernise existing gas pipelines with a total length of over 3,000 kilometres. According to the project’s architects, integrating the gas transmission systems will enable seasonal supplies to be balanced more effectively and improve the reliability of gas supplies to countries in the region. The project’s cost was initially estimated at 4–5 billion dollars. According to the forum organisers, the preliminary investment volume, taking into account associated social initiatives, is now estimated at 10 billion dollars. The idea of the ‘Gas Ring’ was presented at the first Central Asian Oil and Gas Forum in Tashkent in October 2025. The second forum will take place at the Hyatt Regency Tashkent. Participants will discuss the region’s oil and gas resources, cross-border trade routes and logistics, oil refining, investment, risk management and public-private partnerships.
Turkmen customs officers have undergone training in China
03.10.2026A delegation from the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan undertook a two-week training course in Urumqi (PRC) aimed at improving the efficiency of customs clearance at seaports. This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. The delegation comprised specialists from land and sea customs posts in Ashgabat and the Balkan velayat. The participants studied China’s experience in the areas of contactless inspection, automated document processing, intelligent risk management and the application of ‘Smart Railway Port’ technology. It is planned to apply the knowledge gained and the technologies studied at the customs posts of the Turkmenbashi International Seaport.
International standards for reducing methane emissions were discussed in Ashgabat
02.10.2026On 1 October, a consultation meeting on international standards and regulations for reducing methane emissions took place in Ashgabat. The event was held at the Natural Gas Research Institute, according to the press office of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. Representatives of the Mejlis, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, as well as the State Concern ‘Türkmengaz’ and the State Concern ‘Türkmennebit’ took part in the discussion. The meeting was organised with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan as part of the project ‘EU for a green Turkmenistan: Policy Dialogue and Climate Action 2024–2029’. The project is co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Foreign Office. The project is being implemented by GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit). Participants reviewed Turkmenistan’s current regulatory framework and approaches to its improvement, taking into account international best practice. In particular, they discussed the provisions of the EU Regulation on reducing methane emissions in the energy sector. Following the meeting, methodological approaches were identified for adapting international practices to Turkmenistan’s national conditions and development priorities.
Turkmenistan shared its experience in the field of migration at a forum in Samarkand
01.10.2026From 28 to 29 September 2026, the 5th Samarkand Human Rights Forum took place in Samarkand. The event was attended by international experts and representatives of the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the agency’s press office. The main topics of the forum were the factors contributing to human trafficking, international experience in combating this phenomenon, and the use of information technology to identify victims of human trafficking. Participants discussed the identification of victims of human trafficking, the provision of assistance to them, and cooperation between state institutions, civil society and international organisations. The Turkmen delegation presented information on the country’s work in the field of migration, humanitarian policy and cooperation with international organisations. Following the forum, the parties expressed their willingness to continue their mutual cooperation.
A Turkmen student on a Persian language course has won a prize in an essay competition
01.10.2026Selim Annaberdiyev, a student on the Persian language course at the Cultural Centre of the Iranian Embassy in Turkmenistan, came third in the ‘Great Civilisation’ international essay competition. The awards ceremony took place on 25 September at the Cultural Centre of the Iranian Embassy, according to IIC Turkmenistan. Annaberdiyev submitted an essay on the history and culture of Iran. For his third place, he received a cash prize of 500 US dollars and a certificate. The award was presented to him by Ali Mojtaba Rouzbahani, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Turkmenistan, and Abdolreza Abbasi, Cultural Counsellor. The competition was organised by the Islamic Culture and Relations Organisation of Iran. The ceremony took place as part of an event marking Persian Poetry Day and commemorating the poet Shahriyar.
Turkmenistan is taking part in the C5+1 conference on AI
01.10.2026Turkmenistan took part in the C5+1 SI Conference, dedicated to the development of artificial intelligence and digital cooperation between the countries of Central Asia and the United States. The forum took place on 29–30 September in Astana, according to Turkmenportal. Representatives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and the United States are taking part in the conference. On the first day, discussions focused on national strategies in the field of AI, digital infrastructure, cyber security and the application of technology across various sectors. On 30 September, participants examined issues relating to workforce development for the digital economy, the growth of AI start-ups, venture capital investment and collaboration between universities and research centres. The agenda also included cross-border data exchange and digital trade. A separate session organised by the Silkroad Innovation Hub and MIT is dedicated to Central Asia’s readiness for the implementation of AI. The conference was concluded with a discussion of priorities and future areas of cooperation between the countries of the region and the US in the field of artificial intelligence and new technologies. The areas of technological cooperation are set out in the Declaration of Intent between the ‘C5+1’ countries on economic cooperation. The document provides for support for IT start-ups, the development of cooperation in AI research and education, as well as digital infrastructure, data centres and cyber security. The ‘C5+1’ format has been in operation since 2015 and brings together Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and the US. The platform is used to discuss issues relating to the economy, security and regional cooperation.
Turkmenistan has launched digital immigration services
01.10.2026Two digital services have been launched in Turkmenistan to simplify entry and stay for foreign nationals — an e-visa system and an online registration portal. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The services were presented at the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan. The event was attended by Heads of foreign diplomatic missions, whilst Turkmenistan’s ambassadors abroad joined via video link. The e-visa system on the migration.gov.tm portal allows users to submit applications for entry permits online. The rgstr.migration.gov.tm portal has digitised the process of registering foreign nationals with the migration authorities. The new services enable tourists, businesspeople and diplomats to submit the necessary documents online from any device, reducing processing times and minimising the use of paper documents.
Armenia will host the CIS Games in 2029
01.10.2026The 2029 CIS Games will be held in Armenia. Yerevan will be designated the Commonwealth’s Sports Capital, according to IIC of Turkmenistan. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Council on Physical Culture and Sport of the CIS Member States in Almaty. The meeting on 27 September was attended by representatives from nine countries, including Turkmenistan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The participants reviewed progress in the field of physical culture and sport, exchanged experiences and discussed further cooperation within the framework of joint programmes. Armenia has previously hosted meetings of the Council. In 2024, Gyumri was awarded the status of Sports Capital of the Commonwealth and served as the venue for the Council’s meeting. The next meeting of the CIS Council on Physical Culture and Sport is scheduled to take place in Armenia as part of the preparations for the 2029 Games.
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