Society
New Year's event for children held in Ashgabat
31.12.2025A festive event for children was held in Ashgabat at the ‘Maslahat köşgi’ Palace ahead of the New Year. The celebration was organised by the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship, according to AsmanNews. The participants of the celebration were children from the ‘Jahan’ creative centre and other children. New Year characters Ayaz Baba and Garpamyk took part in the programme. R. Bazarov, Chief of Staff of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, delivered a congratulatory message to the children on behalf of the National Leader of the Turkmen people and President of Turkmenistan. He noted the state's attention to the development of the creative abilities of the younger generation and wished the children success in their studies. The celebration continued with a concert programme featuring songs and musical performances by children from the ‘Jahan’ creative centre. At the end of the event, the children were presented with New Year gifts on behalf of the Charitable Foundation. The organisers emphasised that the foundation continues to work to support children in need of care and to provide assistance with medical treatment.
Semicenk concluded the pre-New Year concert series in Ashgabat
30.12.2025A series of pre-New Year concerts by foreign artists in Ashgabat ended with a performance by Turkish singer Semicenk. This was reported by Turkmenportal with reference to the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’. The concert took place at the Winter Sports Complex and was the artist's first solo performance in Turkmenistan. The musical evenings attracted thousands of spectators. Semicenk presented a programme of well-known hits and new compositions. The repertoire also included works by other Turkish performers. During the concert, the singer communicated with the audience, thanked them for their welcome and noted the cultural proximity of Turkmenistan and Turkey. The artist expressed his willingness to continue creative cooperation. At the end of the performance, Cenk Bash congratulated the audience on the coming New Year, wishing them peace, health and prosperity.
Visa procedures in China will become easier for residents of Turkmenistan
29.12.2025The Chinese Embassy in Turkmenistan has announced the extension of a measure exempting applicants from providing fingerprints when applying for visas to the country. The new practice, aimed at simplifying visa procedures, comes into force immediately and will remain in effect until 31 December 2026, according to the Orient news agency. According to the diplomatic mission, the exemption from the biometric procedure applies to all applicants for short-term visas for up to 180 days. However, for visas of categories D, J1, Q1, S1, X1 and Z, which involve the subsequent obtaining of a residence permit in China, fingerprinting remains mandatory and will be carried out in the usual manner. The embassy noted that the innovation is aimed at increasing the convenience and accessibility of obtaining a Chinese visa.
Semicenk will perform in Ashgabat for the first time as part of the pre-New Year concerts
29.12.2025Turkish singer Semicenk has arrived in Ashgabat and will perform at the Winter Sports Complex arena, continuing the series of pre-New Year's holiday concerts. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The artist's real name is Cenk Bash. He became famous after participating in the show ‘O Ses Türkiye’ in 2019, and his popularity was cemented by the hits ‘Düşer Aklıma’, ‘Al Sevgilim’ and ‘Yana Yana’. In 2023, Semicenk became the most listened to Turkish artist on Spotify and won the ‘Golden Butterfly Awards’. The singer expressed his joy at his first visit to Turkmenistan and invited everyone to the concert. The New Year's Eve celebrations in Ashgabat include performances by artists from different countries: on 27 December, Iranian-Swedish singer Arash gave a concert, and on 28 December, Russian performer Mot performed.
China has extended visa privileges for citizens of Turkmenistan until the end of 2026
29.12.2025China has extended the temporary reduction in visa fees for citizens of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news website Asmannews. The relevant statement was published on 27 December by the Chinese Embassy in Turkmenistan. The preferential rates will remain in effect until 31 December 2026. Visa fees: single entry – $41, double entry – $56, multiple entry for six months – $206, multiple entry for one year – $386.
Mot shared his impressions of the warm welcome he received in Ashgabat
28.12.2025Russian rapper Mot (Matvey Melnikov), who arrived in Ashgabat for a concert on 28 December, said that he felt ‘at home’ in Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. ‘We already felt your hospitable, warm embrace when we were greeted with loaves of bread in traditional attire,’ the artist said. He also emphasised that in 15 years of creative activity, this was his first visit to Ashgabat and he was glad to rectify that. Mot promised the audience a vivid musical experience at his upcoming performance at the Winter Sports Complex.
Arash performed his first solo concert in Ashgabat
28.12.2025The first solo concert of popular Iranian singer Arash took place at the Winter Sports Complex in Ashgabat. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Hundreds of fans gathered to listen to the author of such famous hits as ‘Boro Boro,’ ‘Broken Angel,’ ‘Pure Love,’ ‘One Night in Dubai,’ as well as the songs ‘Vostochnye skazki’ (Eastern fairy tales) and ‘Na morya’ (To the seas). The sports complex hall was overflowing with people: the audience enthusiastically welcomed the world-class artist.
WHO national meeting on pandemic influenza held in Awaza
28.12.2025The World Health Organisation's country office in Turkmenistan held its annual national meeting on the implementation of the ‘Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Mechanism’. This was reported by the news resource Turkmenportal. The event was held in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone with the support of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. The key objective of the meeting was to strengthen national capacity for epidemiological surveillance of influenza and to increase preparedness for possible pandemic threats. The meeting was attended by representatives of relevant medical institutions, specialists in epidemiology and virology, as well as experts from veterinary services. Participants discussed the results of the Mechanism's implementation for 2025 and the current indicators of its implementation. Particular attention was paid to issues of improving pandemic preparedness, updating national response plans, and exchanging experience on the development of surveillance systems and the improvement of influenza monitoring programmes. The meeting was held as part of the Partnership Contribution to the Implementation of the ‘Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Mechanism’ project.
Rare bats were exhibited in Turkmenistan
28.12.2025A new exhibition dedicated to rare species of bats has opened at the State Museum of the State Cultural Centre of Turkmenistan. Using 3D printing, models of the common long-winged bat, Blasius's horseshoe bat and the southern horseshoe bat, which inhabit the Kov-Ata cave, have been created, according to the news website Turkmenportal, citing the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’. There are 19 species of bats in the country, which play an important role in the ecosystem. For example, the colony in the Baherden cave destroys about 1.5 million insects per night, including mosquitoes and agricultural pests. These animals navigate in the dark using echolocation. Scientists note seasonal migrations: the colony in Kov-Ata stays from February to October, then moves to other regions. Blasius's horseshoe bats live in northern Khorasan in Iran in winter, about 100 km from the border. Bat populations are declining due to the use of chemicals in agriculture. Six species are already listed in the Red Book of Turkmenistan. Zoologists emphasise the importance of protecting them as part of the natural environment.
The New Year's performance ‘Winged Steeds’ attracted audiences in Ashgabat
27.12.2025The New Year's circus performance ‘Winged Steeds’ took place in Ashgabat. The programme became one of the festive events of the winter season, according to IIC. The highlight of the evening was the performance of the national equestrian group ‘Galkynysh’. The artists presented elements of horseman riding on Ahal-Teke horses. The group is a six-time world champion and winner of the Monte Carlo festival in 2025. The performance was opened by aerial gymnast Aylar Bebilova. The programme also featured aerial gymnasts, tightrope walkers, jugglers and acrobats. The audience was treated to performances with animals, including Indian monkeys and German poodles. Representatives of a circus dynasty — a mother and daughter — took part in the show. A separate episode was a snake dance performed by young gymnasts, symbolising the end of 2025 and the transition to 2026, whose symbol is the horse. The finale of the evening was the appearance of Ayaz Baba and Garpamyk riding Ahal-Teke horses. The ‘Winged Racers’ programme will run in Ashgabat until 11 January.
Turkmenistan and UNDP update biodiversity conservation strategy
25.12.2025On 24 December, a seminar was held in Ashgabat, marking a new stage of cooperation between UNDP and the Ministry of Environment of Turkmenistan. The main purpose of the event was to update the National Strategy for Action and prepare the 7th National Report for the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, according to the online news resource TerraNews. The seminar was attended by representatives of ministries, scientists and experts from the private sector. Discussions focused on aligning national plans with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adapting environmental policy to the 2030 goals, the results of previous initiatives (GEF-7) and integration with the BIOFIN programme to find new sources of funding for nature conservation. The updated strategy and action plan for biodiversity conservation describe measures to protect Turkmenistan's ecosystems in the context of climate change. The country is participating in a global project with 139 participants, confirming its commitments to the UN.
Ashgabat summarises results of media literacy training for coaches
25.12.2025A final event on the results of the year-long training of national media literacy trainers was held at the OSCE Centre office in Ashgabat. This was reported by the IIC. The meeting was attended by representatives of government agencies, educational institutions, the media and international organisations. Experts from Kazakhstan joined the discussion online. Participants noted the importance of media literacy for the formation of an information culture, countering disinformation and the responsible use of digital resources. During the event, the results of the training programmes and workshops were summarised, and a work plan for the next period was defined. The training was aimed at developing skills in critical analysis of information, working with sources and compliance with media ethics. National trainers presented the results of their activities and underwent a competency assessment in the form of an interactive quiz. Following the discussion, practical recommendations were prepared on data verification and updating training methods. The meeting ended with a question-and-answer session. It was noted that work in this area will continue in Central Asian countries. The next meeting of experts is scheduled for 2026.
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