Society
The main Christmas tree of Turkmenistan lit up in Ashgabat
16.12.2025A solemn ceremony of lighting the lights on the Main Christmas Tree of Turkmenistan took place in Ashgabat, traditionally opening a series of festive events dedicated to the New Year. This was reported by TDH. In keeping with tradition, the center of the New Year celebrations was the square in front of the Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center, located at the foot of the Kopetdag Mountains. The country's tallest New Year tree is installed here, and a festive fairy-tale town has been set up, attracting thousands of residents and guests of the capital. The ceremony was attended by children's and creative groups, theater and circus artists, folk and dance ensembles, as well as fairy-tale characters led by Ayaz Baba and Garpamyq. A rich cultural program with theatrical performances, music, dancing, and contests was prepared for young viewers. The highlight of the festive day was the arrival of the New Year's motorcade at the Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center, where, in the presence of children and guests of the capital, the lights of the country's main Christmas tree were lit by the magic wave of Ayaz Baba's staff. A large-scale enchanting show took place around it, featuring creative groups and pop performers. At the same time, New Year's trees were lit in the central squares of cities and velayats of Turkmenistan. At the end of the holiday, children were presented with commemorative gifts on behalf of the President of the country.
The Embassy of Turkmenistan in Berlin celebrated the 30th anniversary of Permanent Neutrality
15.12.2025On 12 December, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Germany hosted a ceremony dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust, International Neutrality Day and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's Permanent Neutrality, according to the news website Turkmenportal. The event was attended by representatives of the ‘Willkommen in Berlin’ organisation, the German Foreign Affairs Ministry, diplomatic missions, as well as public and cultural circles. During the official part of the event, the significance of these dates and Turkmenistan's peacekeeping activities were discussed, as well as international conferences and forums held in honour of the holidays. Guests were shown videos and photographs demonstrating the country's achievements and cultural heritage. As part of the cultural programme, Turkmen cuisine was served. At the end of the event, participants congratulated the government and people of Turkmenistan on the anniversary of neutrality, wishing them peace and prosperity.
Turkmenistan and Spain discussed the creation of a centre to combat desertification
15.12.2025A delegation led by Ricardo Martinez, Spanish Ambassador to the Russian Federation, held negotiations with the Minister of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. During the meeting, they discussed the implementation of an initiative by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, to establish a specialised regional centre in Central Asia aimed at combating desertification. The Spanish diplomat congratulated the Turkmen side on International Neutrality Day and thanked them for their hospitality. During the dialogue, the interlocutors discussed the prospects for bilateral cooperation in the field of environmental protection, combating desertification, and plastic waste management. The parties identified possible areas for joint work in this environmental field.
Ashgabat celebrates Diwali's recognition as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage
15.12.2025In Ashgabat, representatives of the Indian community solemnly celebrated the inclusion of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, in UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This was reported by the Orient news agency. The event brought together representatives of different generations, who emphasised the importance of this decision for the international recognition of India's rich cultural tradition. Diwali symbolises the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, uniting families and communities around the world. According to the participants of the festival, the inclusion of the festival in the prestigious UNESCO list promotes India's cultural heritage on a global level, strengthens intercultural dialogue and allows the international community to become more familiar with the country's unique customs and values.
‘The art of breeding Turkmen alabay’ included in UNESCO list
11.12.2025At the 20th session of the UNESCO Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in New Delhi, on 11 December 2025, a decision was made to include Turkmenistan's nomination ‘The art of breeding Turkmen alabay’ in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The decision was supported by all 24 members of the Committee, according to TDH. The nomination dossier was prepared by the Secretariat of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO and the International Association ‘Turkmen Alabay’. Masters and families of dog breeders, researchers and breed specialists participated in the work. Their broad participation was noted as an example of proper preparation of the application and emphasising the role of women in preserving the tradition. The Committee highly appreciated the measures taken by the state to preserve the element — joint work with local administrations, public organisations and tradition bearers. This helps to maintain the sustainability of ancient practices and pass on knowledge to new generations. The session is considering 66 national and multinational applications: 54 for inclusion in the Representative List, 11 in the List of Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, and 1 in the List of Best Practices. The Committee's work will continue until 13 December.
A new branch of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation has opened in Awaza
10.12.2025A branch of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship has been opened in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone. The new centre expands the Foundation's activities in the field of social support and rehabilitation of children, according to IIC. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the international media, official delegations and participants of the international conference taking place in Awaza. Such a composition of guests demonstrates interest in humanitarian projects implemented in Turkmenistan. The symbolic ribbon was cut by Oguljahan Atabayeva, Vice-President for Medical Activities of the Foundation, and Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. After that, the flags of Turkmenistan and the Foundation were raised, marking the start of the new institution's work. The programme was complemented by a performance by the ‘Galkynysh’ National Equestrian Group, which presented elements of national acrobatics. Guests were shown the facilities of the branch: medical and health, psychological and rehabilitation rooms, as well as rooms for the creative development of children. All areas are equipped to international standards. The opening of the new branch confirms Turkmenistan's attention to humanitarian initiatives and the protection of children's interests.
Ashgabat joins UNESCO's Global Network of Learning Cities
08.12.2025On 7 December, a ceremony was held in Ashgabat to present the capital with a certificate confirming its membership of UNESCO's Global Network of Learning Cities. This was reported by the state news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. Ashgabat was accepted into the network on 4 December 2025. The city was included in the list along with 72 new participants from 46 countries. UNESCO noted the contribution of the capital of Turkmenistan to the development of education, science and the creation of conditions for the education of people of all ages. The Global Network of Learning Cities was established in 2013. It now includes 425 cities. They support the continuous education of nearly 500 million people in schools, workplaces, libraries, museums and public spaces. Ashgabat's accession is international recognition of the country's work to develop human potential and create conditions for lifelong learning.
Turkish coffee brought guests together at a reception in Ashgabat
07.12.2025December 5 marks World Turkish Coffee Day, a date associated with its inclusion in UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage. A reception with coffee tasting was held at the Residence of the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey in Turkmenistan, according to TerraNews. Turkish Ambassador to Turkmenistan Ahmet Demirok noted that Turkish coffee has been part of the country's social life for centuries and is associated with respect and friendly communication. Guests were told about the peculiarities of preparing the drink. The coffee is ground into powder and boiled in a ‘cezve’ (coffee pot) over low heat or hot sand, which gives it a thick texture and rich aroma. Traditionally, coffee is served with water, and the remaining grounds are used for fortune telling. It was noted that the drink is rich in antioxidants and, when consumed in moderation, helps to maintain concentration and alertness.
GIZ has provided Turkmenistan with equipment to launch electronic phytosanitary certificates
06.12.2025On 5 December, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) handed over a new batch of equipment to the State Plant Quarantine Service of Turkmenistan under the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan. The delivery included a server, laptops, monitors, a printer and other devices, according to the news website Asmannews. The cooperation is aimed at introducing the ‘ePhyto Solution’ system in the country, developed under the auspices of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) to transition to electronic phytosanitary certificates and improve data exchange between services in Central Asia and other regions. The project is designed to increase phytosanitary security, speed up paperwork and reduce barriers to trade in agricultural products. The next stage involves the creation of national software, a trial exchange of electronic certificates and training for State Plant Quarantine Service specialists. The initiative is being implemented within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding between GIZ and the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan on the regional project ‘Trade Facilitation in Central Asia’ (TFCA) for 2024-2026.
Ashgabat discusses improving preparedness for biological threats
05.12.2025From 1 to 3 December, the PanPRET tabletop simulation exercise and the final meeting to finalise the draft National Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Plan (NPPRP) were held at the UN Office in Ashgabat. This was reported by the news website Asmannews. The event was organised by the WHO European Office and relevant agencies in Turkmenistan. Representatives from health, veterinary and other departments involved in emergency management participated in the exercises. The training was conducted by international WHO experts, including Christine Blackmore. The State Veterinary Service of the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan was represented by Arslan Soltanmyradov, Head of the Department of International and Scientific Relations, who emphasised the importance of such exercises for strengthening coordination and national biosafety mechanisms. The programme was based on the PRET model developed by the WHO to increase resilience to new biological threats and focused on cross-sectoral cooperation, effective information exchange and community involvement.
Turkmenistan and UNFPA summarised the year and presented plans for the period up to 2030
05.12.2025The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) office in Turkmenistan held its annual meeting with national partners to review the results of 2025. The meeting took place at the ‘Yyldyz’ Hotel and brought together representatives of relevant ministries and agencies, according to IIC. Participants discussed the results of joint projects. The Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, the Institute of State, Law and Democracy, the State Committee on Statistics, the State Committee on Physical Culture and Sports, and the National Red Crescent Society presented their reports. The parties separately reviewed plans for 2026-2030. UNFPA presented the directions of the new Country Programme. The focus is on reproductive health, gender equality, youth support and demographic sustainability issues. The discussion was aimed at preparing for a new cycle of cooperation. Participants noted the importance of multilateral partnerships for achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Turkmenistan.
The Turkmen pavilion became one of the most visited at the fair in Tashkent
04.12.2025The Turkmenistan pavilion at the International Tourism Fair ‘Tourism on the Silk Road’, which took place on 27-29 November in Tashkent, attracted a large number of visitors. Guests learned about the history, culture and nature of the country, took a keen interest in tourist routes and expressed their desire to include Turkmenistan in future trips, according to Orient. Turkmen travel companies held a series of meetings with foreign partners. As a result of the negotiations, preliminary agreements were reached on cooperation and the participation of foreign companies in exhibitions in Turkmenistan. The country also presented its opportunities at a business session, where inbound tourism and the prospects for the exhibition industry were discussed. A cultural programme was held at the venue. Among the most discussed moments were performances by creative groups and a dancing robot, which became the main entertainment of the event. In addition, there were competitions between chefs from different countries. Turkmenistan's participation in the fair provided an opportunity to increase international interest in the tourism sector and expand partnerships.
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