Society
Turkmenistan and Iraq discussed cooperation in the field of migration
29.10.2026On October 27, 2026, a working meeting was held at the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan with Jassim Mohammed Al-Attar, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Turkmenistan. This was reported by the press service of the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed prospects for cooperation between Turkmenistan and Iraq in the field of migration, its priority areas and opportunities for further interaction. The participants noted the development of interstate relations and expressed confidence in the further strengthening of cooperation.
The Turkmen Puppet Theater received an award at a festival in Dushanbe
29.10.2026The Turkmen State Puppet Theatre received a Diploma and a Cup at the 8th International Puppet Theatre Festival “Chodari Khayol”, held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, from 21 to 26 October 2026. This was reported by the news agency “Turkmenistan: Golden Age”. At the festival, Turkmen artists presented the play “Heňňamlaryň hekaýaty” (“The Tale of the Ages”), based on the book The Spiritual World of the Turkmen People by the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Hero-Arkadag. The production explores the themes of peace, unity, friendship and humanism through folk legends and national traditions. Special attention in the performance is given to the Turkmen telpek, a traditional headdress. One of the scenes focuses on the careful use of water, modesty and loyalty in friendship. Puppet theatres from Russia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan also took part in the festival. The programme included workshops for exchanging experience, learning new puppet-making techniques and practical sessions for young performers.
«Turkmenistan» Airlines has increased the number of international flights
28.10.2026Turkmenistan Airlines has increased the frequency of flights on four international routes as part of its winter schedule, which has been in effect since October 25. This was reported by the Orient news agency. According to the schedule on the airline's website, the number of flights from Ashgabat to Seoul has increased from one to two per week, to Milan — from two to three, and to Kazan — from four to six. The number of weekly flights to Istanbul has increased from 12 to 13. The changes are aimed at expanding international air connectivity and meeting demand for air travel.
The Turkmen film «Composer» will be shown at the «Diamond Butterfly» film awards
28.10.2026The Turkmen film «Composer», produced by the Oguz Khan “Turkmenfilm” Association, has been included in the screening programme of the Open Eurasian Film Award, the Diamond Butterfl. The screenings will take place from 2 to 6 November 2026 in Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and the Russian Cultural Foundation. The venue will be the R. Gumba Abkhaz State Philharmonic Hall, according to the Orient news agency. At the award ceremony held in Moscow in November 2025, the film won the Best Production Designer award. The prize went to Meylis Khudaiberenov. The screening programme also features the Russian melodrama Two in One Life, Not Counting the Dog, the Belarusian-Russian historical film The Black Castle, the South African drama Old Righteous Blues, and the Kyrgyz film Dance with Mom!.
An agreement on scientific research in the Caspian Sea is being discussed in Ashgabat
28.10.2026A meeting of authorized representatives of the Caspian littoral states is taking place at the Caspian Sea Institute in Ashgabat from October 27 to 28. Participants are discussing a draft agreement on cooperation in the field of marine scientific research in the Caspian Sea, according to the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The document is being developed in accordance with an initiative put forward by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, at the Fifth Caspian Summit in Aktau on 12 August 2018. The initiative provides for the creation of a legal framework for joint scientific research by the five Caspian littoral states. Previous rounds of negotiations focused on agreeing on common approaches to the draft. At the current meeting, the parties will continue working on its provisions.
The «Bereketli Garagum» Nature Reserve is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List
27.10.2026On September 20, 2023, the Bereketli Garagum State Nature Reserve was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the transnational property “Cold Winter Deserts of Turan.” The nomination was jointly prepared by Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. This was reported by Arzuw.news, citing the "Neutral Turkmenistan" newspaper. The reserve was established on July 18, 2013, in the central Karakum Desert to protect sandy desert ecosystems. It is located in the northern part of Ahal Velayat and comprises two sections: the western Gamyşly site and the eastern Mürzeçyrla site. The reserve’s fauna includes more than 1,000 animal species, including 20 mammal species, 150 bird species, 15 reptile species and one amphibian species. Animals found in the reserve that are listed in Turkmenistan’s Red Book include the golden eagle, Eurasian stone-curlew, goitered gazelle, honey badger, caracal, houbara bustard and Blanford’s jerboa. The reserve’s flora comprises approximately 300 plant species, including white and black saxaul, kandym, ferula, ephedra and Connolly’s sand acacia. The Sogdian tulip, snail kandym, drooping eremosparton and Turkmen alhagi are among the plants under state protection. More than 50 plant species found in the reserve are described in the book Medicinal Plants of Turkmenistan by Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan. Residents of the nearby villages of Gamyşly and Bovurdeşik preserve their traditional way of life while living alongside desert ecosystems.
IIR MFA held a competition on diplomacy and foreign languages
25.10.2026On October 23, 2026, the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan held the “Model UN: Language & Negotiation Simulation” competition to mark the 81st anniversary of the United Nations. The event was organized by the Lingvo World academic club of the World Languages Department to develop students’ international negotiation and foreign language skills, the institute’s press service reported. The competition consisted of three stages. First, participants presented a cultural exhibition showcasing the foreign policies and cultures of Arabic-speaking countries, Iran, Germany, France, Japan and China in the respective languages. In the second stage, students translated political and diplomatic expressions from the languages they study into Turkmen. In the final stage, participants shared their views in foreign languages on issues raised in a video about the current UN agenda. The jury awarded first place to students of the Faculty of International Journalism, second place to the Faculty of International Relations and third place to the Faculty of International Law. The competition gave students an opportunity to demonstrate their language proficiency, diplomatic translation skills and ability to express positions on international issues.
Turkish ambassador to Turkmenistan met with media representatives
25.10.2026Turkish Ambassador to Turkmenistan Şener Cebeci met with representatives of local and foreign media accredited in the country. The meeting took place on Saturday at the ambassador’s residence in Ashgabat, the "Business Turkmenistan" online publication reported. Cebeci noted that relations between Turkmenistan and Türkiye are based on historical ties, brotherhood and friendship between the two peoples. Cooperation spans the political, diplomatic, trade, economic and cultural spheres. The ambassador also said he considered it an honor to represent Türkiye in the historical homeland of the Turkmen people. Speaking about tourism, the diplomat reported that more than 151,000 tourists from Turkmenistan visited Türkiye in 2026. In 2025, the total number of foreign visitors to Türkiye reached approximately 64 million, while tourism revenue amounted to $65.2 billion. The ambassador thanked journalists for taking part in a press tour of Türkiye’s historical sites organized by the embassy for representatives of Turkmenistan’s media. Cebeci also stated his intention to support the further development of bilateral relations. At the end of the meeting, guests were served Turkish cuisine and took a group photograph with the ambassador.
A reception marking Kazakhstan’s Republic Day held in Ashgabat
25.10.2026A formal reception marking the Republic of Kazakhstan Day was held on October 24 at the Yyldyz Hotel in Ashgabat. The event was attended by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Nokerguly Atagulyyev, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan Nurlan Nogayev, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of international organizations and the Kazakh community. This was reported by online publication «Business Turkmenistan». Nurlan Nogayev highlighted the historical and cultural ties between the two countries, as well as the development of cooperation in the political, economic and humanitarian spheres. The ambassador identified trade, energy, industry, transport and logistics, the development of the Kazakhstan–Turkmenistan–Iran corridor, interregional ties and the use of the potential of Caspian ports as promising areas for further cooperation. Nokerguly Atagulyyev congratulated Kazakhstan on its national holiday on behalf of the leadership and people of Turkmenistan. The Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers emphasized that bilateral relations are based on good-neighborly ties and a shared cultural and spiritual heritage. Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan are developing cooperation in energy, industry, trade, transport, logistics and agriculture. The bilateral intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation plays an important role in this process. Kazakhstan’s Republic Day is celebrated on October 25 to commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty in 1990. A photo exhibition dedicated to Kazakhstan was also presented during the reception.
Turkish Airlines to increase flights between Ashgabat and Istanbul
24.10.2026Turkish Airlines will increase the frequency of flights on the Ashgabat–Istanbul (IST)–Ashgabat route to 18 per week from 26 October 2026. This was reported by Turkmenportal. The winter schedule will run from 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027. Two flights in each direction are scheduled daily. From Istanbul, flight TK322 departs at 21:15 and arrives in Ashgabat at 02:55, while flight TK324 departs at 01:55 and arrives at 07:40. From Ashgabat, flight TK323 departs at 04:15 and arrives in Istanbul at 06:30, while flight TK325 departs at 09:00 and arrives at 11:10. An additional pair of flights, TK320 and TK321, will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Flight TK320 departs Istanbul at 14:25 and arrives in Ashgabat at 20:10. The return flight, TK321, departs Ashgabat at 21:30 and arrives in Istanbul at 23:45. These flights are scheduled to operate until 26 March 2027. All departure and arrival times are local.
National component of CHANGE programme presented in Ashgabat
24.10.2026Ashgabat hosted the presentation of the national component of the international CHANGE programme, which aims to promote gender equality and transform social norms. The initiative is being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), with the support of the European Union in Central Asian countries. This was reported by Orient. The regional project, with a budget of €5.2 million, aims to develop inclusive economic policies and improve social institutions. Research will be one of the programme’s key areas. UNDP and UNFPA will support national partners in conducting a time-use survey and studying the informal labour market. The findings will help assess employment patterns and develop recommendations to expand access to vocational education, retraining and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people. UNDP Resident Representative in Turkmenistan Narine Saakyan noted that expanding women’s economic opportunities contributes to sustainable national economic growth. UNFPA Head of Office Kemal Goshlyyev and Maciej Adam Madalinski, a representative of the European Union Delegation, emphasised the importance of developing an evidence base to strengthen institutions promoting equal opportunities. The CHANGE programme aligns with Turkmenistan’s national priorities for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5, “Gender Equality”, and SDG 8, “Decent Work and Economic Growth”.
United Nations Day celebrated in Ashgabat
24.10.2026On 23 October, an event was held at the UN building in Ashgabat to commemorate United Nations Day, which is celebrated annually on 24 October. The date is timed to the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945, according to the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The event was organised by the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan with the support of the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Participants included representatives of Turkmenistan’s ministries and agencies, as well as media outlets. At the opening, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Myahri Byashimova and UN Permanent Coordinator in Turkmenistan Grace Wang spoke. Participants noted the role of the UN in maintaining international peace and security, promoting cooperation among countries and promoting sustainable development. It was also stressed that Turkmenistan considers the organization as a key international platform for solving global issues on the basis of international law and the principles of the UN Charter. Special attention was paid to Turkmenistan’s long-standing cooperation with the United Nations. It covers international peace and security, sustainable development, environment, transport, energy, humanitarian action and protection human rights. During the event, they also noted Turkmenistan’s support of multilateral diplomacy, expansion of international dialogue and strengthening of the role of the UN in solving contemporary challenges. Among the country’s priorities are the development of a culture of peace and trust, preventive diplomacy, and promotion of neutrality. The event confirmed Turkmenistan’s interest in further cooperation with the UN in the interests of peace, security and sustainable development.
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