The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, has congratulated the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, and the people of Pakistan on Independence Day. This was reported by the TDH news agency. The Head of State noted the solidarity and unity of the Pakistani people, emphasising their desire to determine their own future. Serdar Berdimuhamedov also noted that relations between Turkmenistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan are developing on the basis of mutual respect, equality and peace. The President of Turkmenistan expressed his readiness to further expand bilateral cooperation, taking into account the available opportunities. The Head of State wished the leadership of Pakistan good health and success in their work, and the people of the country peace, prosperity and progress.
UN General Assembly Resolution 80/295, ‘International Year of Law, 2028’, initiated by Turkmenistan, has been published in the six official languages of the UN. The document proclaims 2028 as the Year of International Law and highlights the key role of the UN Charter in maintaining peace and security, according to the IIC of Turkmenistan. Member States and UN bodies are invited to organise educational and awareness-raising events as part of the thematic year. The resolution also welcomes Turkmenistan’s intention to organise a Global Forum on International Law in December 2028. Funding for the events is to be provided through voluntary contributions. The UN Secretary-General has been tasked with circulating the resolution amongst states, international organisations, civil society and the academic community.
A meeting took place in Brussels between the Ambassador of Turkmenistan, Sapar Palvanov, and the Secretary-General of the Benelux Union, Ariadne Petridis. The parties discussed the prospects for Turkmenistan’s engagement with the Benelux countries and the strengthening of cooperation between Central Asia and Europe, according to the press office of the Turkmen diplomatic mission. Particular attention was paid to the development of Turkmenistan’s relations with the European Union. In this regard, the possibility of working together to mutually exempt holders of diplomatic and service passports from visa requirements was considered. The representative of the Benelux Union provided information on current procedures and expressed her willingness to facilitate further dialogue. The parties also discussed the exchange of experience in the field of regional cooperation and institutional interaction. The Secretary-General expressed her willingness to share the Benelux’s experience in inter-state coordination and the functioning of regional mechanisms. During the meeting, Sapar Palvanov provided an update on the preparations for an international equestrian event to be held on 4–6 September 2026 at the Peelbergen Equestrian Centre in Kronenberg, the Netherlands. Representatives of the General Secretariat of the Benelux Union were invited to attend the event.
On 12 August 2026, Rashid Meredov, Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, met with Serhan Aktoprak, Head of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Mission in Kazakhstan and IOM Regional Coordinator for Central Asia. This was reported by the press office of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties identified priorities for cooperation in the areas of migration management, the protection of migrants’ rights and regional cooperation. Particular emphasis was placed on the need to take into account environmental factors and the principles of sustainable development in the Caspian region within the framework of international and regional cooperation.
On 12 August 2026, Rashid Meredov, Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, met with William Leaf, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. This was reported by the press office of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the main areas of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the OSCE, including regional security, economic, environmental and humanitarian cooperation. Particular attention was paid to environmental protection and ensuring environmental security in the Caspian region.
The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, has sent his condolences to the President of the Republic of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella, following the earthquake in the west of the country, which has resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries. This was reported by the online news site AsmanNews. On behalf of the people and Government of Turkmenistan, as well as on his own behalf, the Head of State conveyed words of support to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov congratulated Nikol Pashinyan on his re-election as Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, wishing him good health and success in his public duties. This was reported by the TDH news agency. In his congratulatory message, the Head of State noted the high level of relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Armenia, emphasising that they are based on the principles of equality, mutual respect and trust. The President of Turkmenistan expressed his confidence in the further development and deepening of bilateral cooperation in the interests of the peoples of both countries.
On 12 August 2026, Rashid Meredov, Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, met with Xiaojun Grace Wang, the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the main areas of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the United Nations, as well as further coordination and practical collaboration. Particular attention was paid to upcoming joint events, the promotion of Turkmenistan’s international initiatives within the framework of the UN, and issues relating to environmental sustainability and the conservation of the Caspian Sea.
On 12 August 2026, Rashid Meredov, Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, met with Beata Peksa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the European Union to Turkmenistan. This was reported by the press office of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the state of and prospects for Turkmen-European cooperation, as well as current issues on the international and regional agenda. Particular attention was paid to political dialogue, cooperation in the field of environmental protection and the conservation of the Caspian Sea ecosystem.
The National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, held bilateral negotiations with Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Afghanistan for Economic Affairs. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. During the meeting, the Afghan side emphasised that the good-neighbourly relations between the two states are based on shared cultural and spiritual values, as well as the close historical ties between the Turkmen and Afghan peoples. Abdul Ghani Baradar noted that Turkmenistan’s peaceful foreign policy contributes to sustainable development in the region, and expressed his gratitude for the regular humanitarian aid provided to Afghanistan by the Turkmen side.
The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, has sent a message of greeting to the participants of the scientific and practical conference ‘Protection of the Caspian Sea Ecosystem: Regional Cooperation and Sustainable Development’, held to mark Caspian Sea Day. This was reported by the TDH news agency. The Head of State noted the importance of the Caspian Sea for the development of trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties between the littoral states. Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasised Turkmenistan’s role in strengthening regional cooperation and developing international partnerships in the field of marine environmental protection. The message highlighted the First Caspian Summit in Ashgabat in 2002, the First Caspian Environmental Forum in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone in 2012, the First Caspian Economic Forum in 2019 and the Sixth Caspian Summit on 29 June 2022. The President of Turkmenistan also emphasised the importance of the Turkmenbashi International Seaport for the development of international transport routes. Serdar Berdimuhamedov highlighted the need to join forces in combating climate change, protecting water resources and preventing marine pollution. In this context, he highlighted Turkmenistan’s Caspian Environmental Initiative as an important area of cooperation. The President of Turkmenistan expressed his confidence that the conference would contribute to the protection and study of the Caspian Sea’s natural resources, the improvement of the environment and the further development of cooperation between the Caspian states.
On 11 August, a meeting took place at the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan between Ahmet Gurbanov, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, and Amer bin Ali Al-Shehri, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Turkmenistan. This was reported by the press office of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties reviewed the state of and prospects for Turkmen-Saudi relations, as well as issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Particular attention was paid to political and diplomatic dialogue and the expansion of trade and economic cooperation. The participants also discussed cooperation within the framework of international organisations and current issues on the international and regional agenda. Following the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their readiness to continue regular contacts and joint efforts to strengthen friendly relations between Turkmenistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.