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Ashgabat hosted a conference on the contribution of neutrality to regional stability
02.12.2025The Academy of Public Administration under the President of Turkmenistan hosted a scientific and practical conference on the role of the country's neutrality in strengthening stability in Central Asia and the world. This was reported by IIC. Experts from CIS countries and UN representatives discussed how permanent neutrality status contributes to the development of science, education and interregional cooperation. The rector of the Academy, A. Annamyradov, emphasised that over the past 30 years, neutrality has become an important tool for the development of the state and a platform for international dialogue. Forum participants also noted that the policy of neutrality strengthens regional security and helps promote the Sustainable Development Goals, including initiatives presented by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. Honoured Diplomat of Turkmenistan Amangeldi Rahmanov emphasised that the country promotes the ideas of peace through specific projects, from scientific programmes to educational platforms, which makes it a reliable partner for neighbouring states. Examples included growing academic mobility and joint research with universities in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Russia on sustainable development, humanitarian cooperation and digital transformation. The forum confirmed that neutrality remains a stable foundation for multilateral initiatives.
The Kerki Library in Turkmenistan celebrated its 100th anniversary
01.12.2025Events marking the 100th anniversary of the Central Library of the Kerki etrap were held in the city of Kerki in the Lebap velayat of Turkmenistan. This was reported by Turkmenportal. Library staff, representatives of public organisations and political parties took part in the celebrations. The library's collection was replenished with new publications released in the country, as well as collections of works by American children's authors in the Turkmen language, donated by the US Embassy in Turkmenistan. Currently, the library and its branches have a total of 93,074 books.
Turkmenistan took part in the first Central Asian Forum of Women Scientists, ‘SheScience 2025’
30.11.2025Researchers from Turkmenistan took part in the first Forum of Women Scientists of Central Asia, ‘SheScience 2025,’ which was held on 27 November in Tashkent. This was reported by the news agency Orient. A key document was signed in Tashkent – the Joint Communiqué of the ‘SheScience 2025’ Forum of Women Scientists, which lays the foundation for a new regional platform for scientific cooperation. The document identifies priority areas for the integration of scientific and innovative ecosystems in Central Asian countries and encourages the active participation of women scientists in joint research. The event was also attended by participants from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan. According to Shahlo Turdikulova, Vice-President of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, the Joint Communiqué is a ‘practical roadmap’ and identifies five key areas for creating sustainable scientific ecosystems capable of responding to regional challenges, including environmental risks, digital transformation and the introduction of AI. The forum, organised by the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan with the support of international partners, brought together scientists, politicians, donors and heads of scientific organisations to strengthen regional cooperation in science and innovation. International partners such as the World Bank and ADB presented opportunities for funding and participation in major programmes, including ‘Horizon Europe’, ‘Erasmus+’ and ‘CAREC’. Participants noted the need to move from fragmented research to systematic regional cooperation, which will accelerate human capital development and enhance the region's competitiveness. Panel discussions focused on priority areas for cooperation: AI and joint data platforms, ‘green’ technologies, commercialisation of science, and cross-border start-ups. The communiqué also lays the foundation for an annual rotating forum, ensuring the sustainability of the platform being created.
A Qatari newspaper dedicated an article to the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality
30.11.2025The Qatari newspaper ‘Al Sharq’ published an article marking the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality. The article emphasises that the status of a neutral state, recognised by the UN in 1995, has become the basis of the country's foreign policy and strengthened its international authority, according to the Orient news agency. The publication notes that for three decades, Turkmenistan has consistently promoted the principles of peace, trust, and good neighbourliness. The article also mentions the International Forum in Ashgabat, which will be held on 12 December, timed to coincide with the International Year of Peace and Trust, International Neutrality Day and the 30th anniversary of the country's neutral status. It is noted that neutrality has become the strategic basis of Turkmenistan's policy, allowing the country to become an important centre of regional and international cooperation, developing equal and mutually beneficial relations with other states.
Ashgabat has prepared a festive concert to mark the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality
30.11.2025On 2 December, a festive concert dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality will be held in Ashgabat. The event is organised by the Ministry of Culture and will take place at the Magtymguly National Music and Drama Theatre, according to IIC. The main part of the programme will be a performance by a combined symphony orchestra. The orchestra includes students from the Danatar Ovezov Special Music School at the National Conservatory, the Special Music Boarding School and children's art schools in the cities of Ashgabat and Arkadag. The orchestra will be conducted by Eziz Jumaniyazov, Meret Muhammetguliyev and Perman Miriyev.
An event was held in Ashgabat to mark the 54th anniversary of UAE National Day
30.11.2025A ceremony was held in Ashgabat to mark the 54th anniversary of UAE National Day, according to the news website Asmannews. During the ceremony, congratulations were read out from UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other high-ranking leaders of the country, as well as from the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The active development of Turkmen-Emirati relations was noted: high-level delegations visited the UAE during the year, and the volume of bilateral trade in 2024 reached $1.759 billion, an increase of 75% compared to the previous year. Participants in the event were recommended to read Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid's book ‘Life Taught Me’. The UAE expressed its readiness to strengthen cooperation with Turkmenistan and wished its people prosperity.
The OSCE held a course on cyber diplomacy for specialists from Turkmenistan
28.11.2025Diplomats and cyber strategy specialists from Turkmenistan's state institutions took part in an OSCE course on the impact of cybersecurity and digital technologies on international diplomacy. The training took place on 27–28 November in Ashgabat in a mixed format, according to IIC. The course was organised by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat in cooperation with the Estonian e-Governance Academy (eGA). Participants were introduced to the basic principles of cyber diplomacy and discussed how to incorporate this approach into the national cyber ecosystem. The parties discussed the need to better coordinate the work of diplomatic and technical specialists, take into account cybersecurity priorities in foreign policy, and strengthen the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Experts from eGA held online sessions on the role of digital technologies in geopolitics, multilateral processes and the legal regulation of cyberspace. Sixteen representatives of government agencies and universities working in the fields of diplomacy, cyber strategy, cybersecurity and IT participated in the training.
Turkmenistan participates in Trans-Caspian Corridor investor forum in Tashkent
28.11.2025A delegation from Turkmenistan is participating in an investor forum on the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor and the development of connectivity, which is being held in Tashkent. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The event focuses on expanding the route's capabilities and strengthening international partnerships in the transport sector. Representatives from the EU, the Black Sea region and Central Asia are participating in the forum. The forum's organisers aim to create new growth points for the region's transport and logistics potential and to increase the efficiency of existing routes. The Trans-Caspian transport route, known as the Middle Corridor, connects Europe and Asia and is actively used for container transport by both rail and sea.
The ICRC held a communications workshop for the Turkmenistan Red Crescent Society
28.11.2025On 26 November, the International Committee of the Red Cross Mission in Turkmenistan held a seminar on communications and public relations for employees and volunteers of the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan (NRCST). The aim was to strengthen their skills in information work, according to the state news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The meeting was attended by representatives of the NRCST, volunteers and journalists. The seminar was conducted by Ermek Baysalov, ICRC Regional Communications Coordinator for Central Asia. He spoke about practices for working with the media and approaches to covering humanitarian issues. Participants discussed tools for interacting with the press and ways to accurately convey information. A separate section was devoted to practical exercises. Participants tried to apply the materials they had received and expressed their willingness to continue cooperation. Mihail Rahmanov, Head of the ICRC Mission in Turkmenistan, noted that this was the first event where journalists and humanitarian workers jointly discussed methods of presenting socially significant information. According to him, the meeting provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and develop common approaches.
UNICEF programme to support parents implemented in Turkmenistan
28.11.2025A 10-month pilot programme to support parents, implemented by the Ministry of Education and the National Institute of Education with the support of UNICEF, has come to an end in Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Teachers held weekly classes in 24 kindergartens across the country, reaching around 250 parents. The programme introduced parents to practical methods of supporting early childhood development: from understanding age-specific characteristics and encouraging positive communication to using play in learning, forming useful habits and preparing for school. Teachers who participated in the programme received certificates in recognition of their work. At a ceremony at the National Institute of Education, they noted an increase in parental involvement, and the parents themselves spoke about positive changes in communicating with their children and applying new parenting methods. The Ministry of Education, the National Institute of Education and UNICEF confirmed their intention to expand such programmes so that every child in Turkmenistan has optimal conditions for early development.
The Caspian Commission has introduced a ban on commercial sturgeon fishing in 2026
27.11.2025The 9th meeting of the Commission on the Conservation and rational use of the living aquatic resources of the Caspian Sea was held at the Caspian Sea Institute of Turkmenistan on 24–26 November. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The Commission was established on the basis of the Agreement on the Conservation of Aquatic Biological Resources of the Caspian Sea, signed at the Fourth Caspian Summit in Astrakhan and entered into force in 2016. The initiative to develop the document was put forward by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the Third Caspian Summit in Baku in 2010. Turkmenistan chairs the Commission in 2025–2026. The participants discussed the state of aquatic biological resources, measures for their conservation and reproduction, and exchanged the results of scientific research. Following the meeting, it was decided not to conduct commercial fishing for sturgeon in 2026. Fishing for these species will only be permitted for scientific and reproduction purposes within agreed quotas. The meeting concluded with the signing of the Protocol.
Seminar in New Delhi marks 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality
27.11.2025On 24 November, at the Indian International Centre in New Delhi, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Republic of India, together with the ‘India-Central Asia’ Foundation, held a seminar dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality and presented the book ‘India-Turkmenistan: Perspectives on History, Culture and Economy’. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India, diplomats from embassies accredited in New Delhi, employees of universities and research centres, a Turkmen delegation and students from Turkmenistan. The Ambassador of Turkmenistan to India, Sh. Geldinazarov, spoke about the key international events of 2025 related to the International Year of Peace and Trust, as well as Turkmenistan's foreign policy initiatives that have received the support of the international community. Speakers from Turkmenistan and India noted the results of the policy of neutrality and the growth of the country's international authority. They emphasised that the new book will help in studying the history and culture of the two states and support the development of bilateral relations. The event also featured an exhibition of Turkmen decorative art and publications on the culture, traditions and achievements of Turkmenistan.
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