Society
The Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan and UNHCR are strengthening their cooperation
14.11.2026On 13 November in Ashgabat, the Turkmenistan National Red Crescent Society and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding. This was reported by Turkmenportal. The document was signed by Maral Achilova, Chair of the Turkmenistan National Red Crescent Society, and Mahir Safarli, UNHCR Regional Representative for Central Asia. The Memorandum provides for joint support for refugees, stateless persons and other vulnerable groups. The parties intend to inform these groups about their rights and the opportunities available to them, to exchange experience, and to organise training for staff and volunteers. Another area of cooperation will be emergency preparedness. The parties plan to coordinate their efforts to provide prompt assistance to those affected should the need arise. Mahir Safarli noted that the Turkmenistan National Red Crescent Society is a reliable partner of UNHCR. He said that the signing of the memorandum would enable the expansion of joint activities. Maral Achilova emphasised that the work of the National Society is based on the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. She also highlighted the importance of cooperation with international organisations for the Society’s activities. Turkmenistan has acceded to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and both conventions on statelessness, becoming the first country in Central Asia to be a party to all three international instruments. The country also cooperates with UNHCR on issues relating to the protection of refugees and the eradication of statelessness. The signing of the memorandum marked a further step in expanding the involvement of the Turkmenistan National Red Crescent Society in these activities.
The English edition of the book ‘Watançylyk taglymaty’ was launched in Ashgabat
14.11.2026A presentation of the English edition of the book ‘Watançylyk taglymaty’ – ‘The Patriotic Doctrine’ by Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, took place at the State Library of the State Cultural Centre of Turkmenistan. The event, organised by the Foreign-Language Literature Department, was attended by library staff and readers, according to the press office of the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan. During the presentation, participants were introduced to the book’s main themes and discussed its significance for educating young people in the spirit of patriotism, respect for moral values and a strong work ethic. The book explores themes of duty to the Motherland and loyalty to the state and the people. Particular attention is paid to the opportunities available to young people in the fields of education, sport and the arts. Those present emphasised the book’s importance in instilling national values in the younger generation and fostering a responsible attitude towards work for the benefit of an independent and permanently neutral Turkmenistan.
A project from Turkmenistan has been shortlisted for the WAF 2026 awards
14.11.2026The architectural bureau SARY Architects will present the Yupekchi Headquarters project at the 2026 World Architecture Festival (WAF), which will take place on 18–20 November in Fort Lauderdale (USA). The project has been shortlisted in the Office category. This was reported by Turkmenportal. Representatives of the practice will present the design to an international jury and members of the professional architectural community. The project envisages the creation of a modern working environment that combines office and communal areas. When developing the concept, the architects focused on natural lighting, the functionality of the interior spaces and the integration of the building into its surroundings. Elements of Turkmenistan’s architectural heritage have been incorporated into the design of the façades. The World Architecture Festival is an international platform where architects and designers present their work to a panel of experts and the professional community.
Turkmenistan and the DCO discussed the development of digital cooperation
13.11.2026Representatives of the Ministry of Communications of Turkmenistan held online negotiations with the leadership of the Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO). The parties discussed the development of their partnership, the establishment of a joint working group, attracting investment into the technology sector, support for start-ups and the creation of the ‘Central Asia–Europe’ digital corridor, according to IIC of Turkmenistan. The Digital Cooperation Organisation was established in November 2020. Its headquarters are in Riyadh (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). The DCO brings together the relevant ministries of communications and information technology from its member states. Deemah Al-Yahya serves as the organisation’s Secretary-General. The DCO’s main areas of activity include reducing the digital divide, developing an inclusive digital economy, strengthening cybersecurity, and expanding technological opportunities for young people and entrepreneurs. Cooperation with the organisation will enable Turkmenistan to learn from international experience in the field of digital transformation. Promising areas include improving e-government, introducing artificial intelligence technologies and supporting innovative entrepreneurship. Following the negotiations, the Turkmen side invited representatives of the DCO to the ‘Turkmentel-2026’ international exhibition. For its part, the organisation intends to extend an invitation to Turkmenistan to attend the DCO Council of Ministers meeting, which is due to take place in March 2027 in Islamabad.
A seminar on the history of Koreans in Turkmenistan was held in Ashgabat
13.11.2026The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Turkmenistan organised a meeting in Ashgabat dedicated to the history of the Korean community in the country. The seminar was entitled ‘The History of the Korean Settlement in Turkmenistan: Life and Memory’. This was reported by Turkmenportal. The event took place on 11 November in the conference hall of the ‘Sport’ Hotel as part of the ‘Partnership projects with overseas Korean communities’. It was attended by representatives of the Korean diaspora and Lee Won-jae, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Turkmenistan. During the meeting, participants discussed the history of the formation of the Korean community in Turkmenistan, recalled key stages in its development and shared personal memories, as well as stories from the lives of several generations. The embassy noted that the seminar served as an important platform for preserving historical memory, strengthening ties within the Korean community and passing on its heritage to future generations.
A journalist from Turkmenistan won the Friedrich Schiller competition
12.11.2026Turkmen art historian, publicist and journalist Yulia Dzhumayeva has won the 2026 Friedrich Schiller International Literary Competition, held in Germany. She took first place in the «Short Prose» category. The competition was organized by the International Literary Association «Creative Tribune» (MLATT / ILACT). This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. This year, the creative competition brought together authors from 34 countries. Participants submitted works in Russian, German and English. The entries were evaluated by a jury chaired by Natalie Bisso, head of the German branch of the SPSA and a poet. The selection of winners took into account originality of concept, depth of thematic exploration and level of artistic skill. The main themes of the competition were humanistic values, friendship between peoples and the connection between generations — ideas that occupy an important place in Friedrich Schiller's literary legacy. Yulia Dzhumayeva submitted her short story «The Lonely Stream», dedicated to love and devotion, for the jury's consideration. Through artistic storytelling, the author explores the distinctive features of the Turkmen people's cultural heritage, introducing international audiences to national customs, folklore and traditional musical instruments. The work also reflects the creative legacy of the outstanding poet and thinker Magtymguly Pyragy. According to the competition results, the Turkmen author's work will be included in the MLATT Anthology and published in international literary publications. This award adds to Yulia Dzhumayeva's list of international achievements. In 2024, she became a laureate of the Dmitry Simonov Literary Competition, held in Novosibirsk, and in 2025, she received recognition at the Walt Whitman Competition in Germany.
At the CIS Media Forum, Turkmenistan's role in developing media cooperation was highlighted
12.11.2026A plenary session dedicated to the influence of modern mass media on public processes and the formation of the information agenda was held at the International Multimedia Press Center of the Rossiya Segodnya media group in Moscow as part of the V Media Forum of CIS Countries. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The discussion was attended by representatives of leading media companies, government agencies and the CIS Executive Committee. Among them were Dmitry Kiselyov, Director General of the Rossiya Segodnya media group, Ekaterina Larina, Director of the Department for the Development of Mass Communications and International Cooperation at Russia's Ministry of Digital Development, Andrey Tsyper, Executive Director for Media at Rambler&Co, Maxim Iksanov, Director General of News Media Holding and Andrey Krivosheev, Head of the Minsk-Novosti agency, who joined via video link. The meeting was moderated by Pyotr Lidov-Petrovsky, Adviser to the Rossiya Segodnya media group. During the session, Svetlana Malinina, Head of the Press Service of the CIS Executive Committee, presented participants with a welcoming address from CIS Secretary General Sergey Lebedev. She also outlined the main areas for developing media cooperation within the framework of the Commonwealth. Particular attention was paid to the implementation of the resolution "On Measures to Promote a Positive Image of the CIS and Its Member States in the Information Space". The document was signed by the heads of state following the October CIS summit, held in the Avaza National Tourist Zone in Turkmenistan. Svetlana Malinina noted the intensification of cooperation among the Commonwealth's relevant organizations. In particular, she highlighted the holding of the latest meeting of the Council of Heads of State and Public Television and Radio Broadcasting Organizations of the CIS Member States in Avaza, as well as the development of the activities of the Information Council of the Commonwealth countries. Alexander Matyash, Director of the Information and Analytical Department of the CIS Executive Committee, also took part in the plenary session. The discussion focused on changes in the work of mass media under the influence of digital technologies, as well as opportunities to expand professional contacts and exchange experience among journalists from the Commonwealth countries. Participants emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue between media communities for the development of a common information space.
Turkmenistan is participating in the development of a unified CIS media space
12.11.2026As part of the V Media Forum of the Commonwealth of Independent States, held in Moscow, a meeting took place between representatives of diplomatic missions and the CIS Executive Committee. According to the IIC of Turkmenistan, the main topic of discussion was the development of information cooperation between the Commonwealth member states. The talks were attended by Gulyalek Chopanova, Press Attaché of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Russian Federation, Irina Akulovich, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the Russian Federation, Alexander Matyash, Director of the Information and Analytical Department of the CIS Executive Committee, and Svetlana Malinina, Head of the Press Service of the CIS Executive Committee. The participants exchanged views on the current state of information cooperation within the CIS, as well as discussed the specific features of media activities in the member states. A separate focus of the discussion was on opportunities to expand contacts between media representatives and further develop the Commonwealth's common information space.
Turkmenistan outlined its digital cooperation priorities at a forum in Doha
12.11.2026On November 10, Turkmenistan’s Minister of Communications, Hajymyrat Hudaygulyyev, spoke at the 2026 Plenipotentiary Conference of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Doha. According to the IIC of Turkmenistan, the minister spoke about the country’s achievements in digital transformation and outlined prospects for international cooperation in telecommunications. Hajymyrat Hudaygulyyev noted progress in implementing the Concept for the Development of the Digital Economy since the previous ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, held in 2022. Access to high-speed internet is expanding across the country, fiber-optic networks are being modernized, data centers are being established, fifth-generation mobile communications (5G) are being introduced, and e-government and digital financial services are being improved. Particular attention is being paid to connecting residents of remote regions to networks. Among the key areas highlighted was the use of the national satellite «TürkmenÄlem 52.0°E», which provides communications, television broadcasting and data transmission. Turkmenistan expressed its readiness to share its experience in satellite communications and provide international partners with relevant commercial and infrastructure services. The minister also spoke about the city of Arkadag, built according to the Smart City concept. Environmentally friendly technologies, artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT)-based solutions are used there. The Turkmen side is interested in exchanging international experience in the design, construction and operation of innovative cities. The head of the ministry confirmed support for the draft ITU Strategic Plan for 2028–2031. Ensuring universal connectivity, reducing the digital divide and accelerating sustainable digital transformation were identified as common priorities. Special attention was paid to the region’s transit telecommunications potential. Turkmenistan’s geographical location creates conditions for expanding international digital communications. Projects to lay cross-border fiber-optic communication lines are being implemented in the country. In addition, Turkmenistan expressed its readiness for new partnerships in telecommunications infrastructure, cybersecurity and the introduction of artificial intelligence technologies. Concluding his speech, Hajymyrat Hudaygulyyev emphasized the importance of the ITU in developing international standards, coordinating the use of the radio frequency spectrum and providing technical assistance to developing countries. The minister reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s commitment to the organization’s goals and principles, as well as its readiness to expand cooperation to create a secure, accessible and sustainable digital space.
An agreement between Turkmenistan and UNIDO on HCFCs was signed at COP31
11.11.2026On November 11, on the sidelines of the COP31 climate conference in Antalya, Turkmenistan and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) signed an agreement to implement the third phase of a project aimed at phasing out hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) over the 2026–2030 period. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The agreement was signed by Ovezgeldy Goshjanov, Minister of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, and Alois Mlanga, Director of the Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol Division at UNIDO. The project aims to further reduce the use of HCFCs, which are widely used in refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment and have harmful effects on the ozone layer. The gradual phase-out of these substances is part of efforts to meet commitments under the Montreal Protocol. The new phase will build on the cooperation between Turkmenistan and UNIDO established through previous projects. Their joint efforts have focused on reducing HCFC consumption, introducing environmentally friendly technologies and strengthening national capacity for the management of ozone-depleting substances. The signing of the agreement reaffirms both parties’ commitment to continued cooperation in environmental protection and the adoption of modern environmental solutions.
Turkmenistan supported the international initiative to protect children from climate change
11.11.2026On November 11 in Antalya (Turkey), as part of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), the Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action was signed. Turkmenistan was represented at the event by Minister of Education Jumamyrat Gurbangeldiyev, reports the IIC of Turkmenistan. The document provides for strengthening international cooperation in protecting children and young people from climate risks. The declaration notes that the younger generation is among the most vulnerable groups in the face of the consequences of climate change, but is also capable of actively participating in developing solutions and implementing environmental initiatives. Turkmenistan's participation in this initiative reflects the country's attention to the educational component of climate policy. The education system is viewed as an important tool for fostering environmental awareness, raising students' awareness of climate change, and cultivating a responsible attitude toward natural resources.
Turkmenistan expands international cooperation in the field of communications
11.11.2026A delegation from Turkmenistan, headed by Minister of Communications Hajymurat Khudaigulyev, held a series of talks on the sidelines of the Plenipotentiary Conference of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which was held in Doha (Qatar). This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. An important item on the agenda was a trilateral meeting of the ministers of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran, during which prospects for cooperation in the transit of communication flows were discussed. Representatives of Turkmenistan also held separate talks with ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Head of Qatar's Cybersecurity Agency Abdulrahman bin Ali Al-Farahid Al-Maliki, and Qatar's Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed Al-Mannai. The participants in the meetings focused primarily on opportunities to increase the transit of telecommunications flows, modernize communications infrastructure, and expand partnerships in information and communication technologies, cybersecurity and digital development. The talks were part of Turkmenistan's efforts to strengthen international ties in the telecommunications sector and expand the country's participation in shaping the global digital space.
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