Society
FC ‘Arkadag’ showcases Turkmen football on the world stage
09.02.2026At a press conference for the media forum “FC ‘Arkadag’ – The Pride and Future of Turkmen Football”, the Chairman of the State Committee of Turkmenistan for Physical Culture and Sport, Allaberdi Saparov, spoke. He emphasised that the club's entry into the AFC Champions League Round of 16 match is not just a sporting achievement, but a vivid testimony to Turkmen football's entry into a new international level. Founded in 2023 on the initiative of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero Arkadag, the club has quickly become a powerful sporting force, according to IIC. Saparov noted that the team's successes in the national championship and victory in the AFC Challenge League were made possible thanks to comprehensive state support. In his speech, the Head of the State Committee drew attention to Turkmenistan's active cooperation with FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation. He stressed that the country has become a reliable venue for major international tournaments, and the upcoming match with ‘Al-Nassr’ on 11 February will be a clear confirmation of this. The game promises to be a real treat for fans and demonstrate the modern level of Turkmen stadiums and the organisation of sporting events. In conclusion, Saparov expressed his confidence that the players and coaching staff of FC ‘Arkadag’ will make every effort to justify the trust placed in them and put on a good show against the world's football stars.
A media forum on the achievements of FC ‘Arkadag’ has opened in Ashgabat
09.02.2026On 9 February, the media forum “FC ‘Arkadag’ – The Pride and Future of Turkmen Football” opened at the International Broadcasting Centre in the Olympic Village. This was reported by IIC. Leading sports analysts, journalists and distinguished experts from Turkmenistan and abroad are participating in the event. The main topic of the forum was the rapid growth of the national champion and preparations for a landmark event — the AFC Champions League Round of 16 match against Saudi club ‘Al-Nassr’, which will take place on 11 February in Ashgabat. The upcoming match has generated a lot of interest among fans: for the first time, Turkmenistan will be visited by a major Asian football team with world stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo. For the Saudi team, this match will be an important part of their continental campaign, but they will face a confident FC ‘Arkadag’, led by head coach Vladimir Bayramov, which has already established itself as the strongest club in Central Asia.
‘Arkadag’ fans will be able to attend the match against ‘Al-Nassr’ with digital tickets
09.02.2026The football match between ‘Arkadag’ and Saudi Arabia's ‘Al-Nassr’ promises to be not only spectacular, but also technologically advanced. The organisers have announced that fans will no longer need to print out tickets — it will be enough to have them in digital form on their smartphones. This was reported by IIC. Electronic tickets allow fans to avoid queues and simplify access to the stands. All they need to do is open the QR code on their device screen and show it to the ticket inspector. To speed up the process, it is recommended that fans prepare their tickets in advance on their way to the stadium. After scanning, volunteers will help fans quickly find their seats. The introduction of digital tickets is part of a programme to create a comfortable, modern environment at sports venues in Turkmenistan. This allows fans to fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the match without being distracted by formalities.
Turkmenistan and the UN discussed the results of the sustainable development programme
09.02.2026A meeting of the National Management and Coordination Group, established within the framework of the ‘Framework Programme for Cooperation in the Field of Sustainable Development between Turkmenistan and the UN for 2021-2025’, was held at the office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan. This was reported by the press service of the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan. The meeting took place on 3 February at the UN building in Ashgabat. It was attended by representatives of the country's state bodies, international and national experts, as well as employees of the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan. The participants discussed the results of the programme's implementation and familiarised themselves with advanced international experience in this field. At the end of the meeting, the parties expressed their confidence in further fruitful cooperation and wished each other success in the implementation of important initiatives in the field of sustainable development.
Turkmenistan masters network protection technologies in transition to ‘green’ energy
09.02.2026The regional online presentation of the European Union's EU RECA project, implemented by GIZ, focused on the integration of solar and wind energy without compromising the stability of energy systems. Experts from Turkmenistan and other countries in the region were introduced to ‘smart’ GFM inverter technology, which can maintain frequency and voltage in the grid during failures and overloads, according to the news agency Orient. Against the backdrop of plans to develop renewable energy in Turkmenistan, such solutions are becoming critically important: variable solar and wind generation requires new approaches to grid management. GFM inverters do not shut down during instability, but imitate the operation of traditional power plants, ensuring the stability of the power system. The presentation was based on the experience of the GIZ training course previously held in Kazakhstan at the KEGOC system operator. The project will result in a technical report — a practical guide for Central Asian energy companies on the safe implementation of renewable energy sources.
Ashgabat anticipates a major football match: ‘Arkadag’ will play against ‘Al-Nassr’
07.02.2026The new year in Turkmenistan began under the influence of football. Interest in the world's most popular game has grown significantly, uniting both young people and the older generation, for whom football has long been part of their personal and cultural history. Memories of legendary matches and great players of the past are still alive, and new events only strengthen this connection between eras, according to the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. Fans were particularly excited by the news of the upcoming AFC Champions League Round of 16 match between ‘Arkadag’ and ‘Al-Nassr’ in Ashgabat. For the country, this is not just a sporting event, but a landmark international event that has become a symbol of a new stage in the development of football culture. Interest in the match was so high that its organisation required the implementation of modern digital solutions. Specialists from the Information Services and Digital Technologies Department of the Ashgabat City Administration were involved in preparing for the game. Special software was developed to sell tickets and coordinate processes, taking fan service to a new level. From the very first days of sales, demand was record-breaking, once again confirming the scale of expectations surrounding the upcoming match. For the first time, world-class footballers will play on Turkmen soil, making the match truly historic. The match is seen not only as a sporting contest, but also as an important step in strengthening the country's international image. It is symbolic that this path is linked to the ‘Arkadag’ football club, created in the ‘smart’ city of the same name as a continuation of the large-scale Olympic movement. The club, which has received steady support and development, has managed to make a name for itself on the international stage in a short period of time. It is its successes that have given Turkmen fans the opportunity to witness the event that will take place on 11 February at the Olympic Stadium in Ashgabat and will undoubtedly go down in the history of domestic sport.
Istanbul discussed strengthening Turkmen-Turkish educational ties
06.02.2026On 5 February 2025, Istanbul Medipol University hosted a ceremony dedicated to the 2026 motto: ‘Independent Neutral Turkmenistan − the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses’. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The event was attended by the Consul General of Turkmenistan in Istanbul, Ovezgeldi Jumanazarov, the university's management and teaching staff, as well as Turkmen students studying in Turkey. The speakers emphasised the importance of the motto for strengthening Turkmenistan's sovereignty and enhancing its international authority, noting that the image of winged horses symbolises the country's rapid development and its focus on the future. University representatives highlighted the dynamics of Turkmen-Turkish relations and expressed their readiness for further cooperation in the field of science and education. In addition, Turkmen diplomats held a meeting with Medipol students, discussing issues of study and youth participation in social and cultural life.
A symphony evening was held in Ashgabat with the support of the SOKOLOV brand
06.02.2026The franchise of the Russian jewellery brand SOKOLOV organised a symphony concert at the Magtymguly Music and Drama Theatre in Ashgabat. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The event combined classical music, culture and jewellery art and brought together representatives of the diplomatic corps, business and creative circles. The orchestra performed on stage under the direction of Honoured Artist of Turkmenistan Rovshen Nepesov with the participation of People's Artist of Turkmenistan Atajan Berdiyev. The programme included classical, national and contemporary works, including music by Georgy Sviridov, Turkmen composers Nury Halmammedov and Aman Agajikov, as well as compositions by European authors and symphonic versions of popular soundtracks. The concert was accompanied by visual effects that enhanced the artistic experience. According to Yhlas Mamedov, Director of the SOKOLOV premium store in Ashgabat, the evening became a dialogue between music and jewellery craftsmanship. The event was one of the week's notable cultural events and highlighted Ashgabat's role as a platform for interaction between national and world cultures.
Turkmenistan Customs Service launches online consultation service
06.02.2026The State Customs Service of Turkmenistan has launched a new web service called ‘Questions and Answers,’ which also offers telephone consultations. This was reported by the online news resource TerraNews. The platform is intended for participants in foreign economic activity, as well as for citizens crossing or planning to cross the customs border. It can be used to quickly obtain advice on current customs issues. The service provides explanations on customs clearance procedures for goods, the procedure for paying customs duties, as well as current prohibitions and restrictions. In addition, users can familiarise themselves with the requirements for vehicles imported into the country, the rules for their control and clearance, the list of necessary documents and the established customs duties.
Turkmenistan participates in the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Asian Blind Union in Kuwait
05.02.2026From 3 to 5 February, Kuwait is hosting a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Asian Union of the Blind, attended by a delegation from the Society of the Blind and Deaf of Turkmenistan, led by Merdan Reyimov, a member of the organisation's Executive Committee. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Participants from Asian countries are discussing the results of the organisation's activities, its development strategy for 2026 and possible changes to its constitution. The agenda includes issues of social integration of people with visual impairments, entrepreneurship development, assistive technologies and expanding the participation of women with disabilities in public life.
Turkmen scientists presented a scientific paper on biotechnology
05.02.2026The State Intellectual Property Service under the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan has registered the copyright for the scientific work ‘Fundamentals of Biotechnology.’ The authors of the work are specialists from the International Scientific and Technological Park of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, A. Rahmanova and D. Gadamov, according to the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The study was prepared in Turkmen and English as part of the President of Turkmenistan's Programme for the Comprehensive Development of Biotechnology for 2024-2028. The work reveals the strategic potential of the industry and its practical significance for the country's progress. The work describes in detail the laboratory processes where natural raw materials are transformed into highly effective biomaterials, as well as innovations that are changing agriculture and ecology. The bilingual format makes the work accessible to national specialists and the international scientific community, facilitating the exchange of experience. The authors emphasise the role of biotechnologists as architects of the future, working towards the sustainable development of the state. The study makes an important contribution to the implementation of national strategies and the development of the country's modern scientific potential.
The first issue of ‘Arkadagly Ýaşlar’ magazine was published in 2026
05.02.2026The first issue of the electronic magazine ‘Arkadagly Ýaşlar’, published by the Central Council of the Youth Organisation of Turkmenistan named after Magtymguly, was released in 2026. It summarises the events of January, which is being held under the slogan ‘Independent Neutral Turkmenistan − the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses,’ reports the state news agency TDH. The main articles in the issue are devoted to Turkmen horses. The article ‘The Whole World Recognizes the Turkmen Horse!’ tells about the certificates received by the ‘Galkynysh’ national equestrian games group. The publication ‘Heavenly Horses – The Rapid Path of Our Era’ is accompanied by vivid illustrations. The beginning of the year is traditionally marked by competitions for children. The magazine has published an article about the awarding of the winners of the Gulbaba Children's Music Competition. A separate section is devoted to the celebration of Defenders of the Fatherland Day, which is celebrated on 27 January. The article ‘Defending the Motherland is a High Honour’ tells about the celebrations. The economic theme is explored in articles about innovations in the financial and banking system. Readers are introduced to new banknotes and virtual assets, reflecting the transition to modern payment instruments. International cooperation and culture are also featured in the issue. Materials have been published on the prospects for cooperation between Turkmenistan's state organisations and UNESCO, and on the work of musician Saragt Babayev. The article ‘The Stormy River Flows’ analyses the artistic features of the work of writer Amangozel Shagulyeva. The last pages of the issue include a horoscope, a recipe for ‘Fruits Under the Snow’ and information about the winners of the ‘Ýaş waspçy’ competition. An announcement of a new creative competition for young people is also presented.
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