On 31 July 2025, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan Ahmet Gurbanov met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand Apirat Sugondhabhirom, who is completing his diplomatic mission in Ashgabat. This was reported by the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. During the meeting, the parties conducted a comprehensive analysis of the current state of Turkmen-Thai relations, paying particular attention to the development of cooperation in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres. The importance of further strengthening the legal framework for bilateral cooperation was noted. Special attention was paid to the successful cooperation between the two countries in international forums, particularly within the framework of the United Nations. The Turkmen side expressed its gratitude to Thailand for its contribution to the preparation of the upcoming Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, which will be held in Avaza. Discussing prospects for cooperation, the sides expressed interest in developing inter-university ties and other forms of cultural and humanitarian cooperation. At the end of the meeting, the Turkmen side thanked the Ambassador for his significant contribution to the development of friendly relations between Turkmenistan and Thailand, noting his active work to strengthen bilateral cooperation during his diplomatic tenure.
Turkmenistan is preparing to host the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC 3), which will take place in August in the ‘Avaza’ National Tourist Zone. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. This global event affects more than 570 million people from 32 countries and aims to promote their integration into the global economy, improve access to investment and overcome geographical isolation. UN conferences on landlocked developing countries are held every ten years. The first was held in Almaty in 2003 and led to the creation of the Almaty Programme of Action (APoA), and the second was held in Vienna in 2014, where the Vienna Programme for 2014-2024 was adopted, aimed at developing infrastructure and transit logistics. The decision to hold the third conference in Turkmenistan confirmed the country's authority on the international stage. The forum coincides with the 30th anniversary of the recognition of Turkmenistan's neutrality by the UN. The main theme of the meeting will be development through partnership, especially in light of current challenges, such as the fragmentation of the global economy and the transformation of transport systems. The conference will include forums for civil society, youth, the private sector and parliaments. Thematic events are planned, covering issues such as transport, sustainable energy and climate, as well as cultural and humanitarian events. Active participation by young people, businesses and the public is expected, which should give new impetus to sustainable development. The conference is an important step in strengthening Turkmenistan's role as a platform for international dialogue and the promotion of policies for peace, neutrality and sustainable development.
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov sent a congratulatory message to President of the Swiss Confederation Karin Keller-Sutter on the occasion of the national holiday, Swiss Confederation Day. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. In his message, the head of Turkmenistan wished Karin Keller-Sutter strong health, happiness and success, and the people of Switzerland peace, further development and prosperity.
On 31 July 2025, a telephone conversation took place between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, and the Head of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Seychelles, Sylvestre Radegonde. During the conversation, the parties discussed topical issues of bilateral cooperation and outlined promising areas for partnership. This was reported by the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. Special attention was paid to preparations for the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC 3), which will be held in Turkmenistan in August. The parties confirmed their interest in strengthening cooperation both on a bilateral basis and within international organisations. The telephone negotiations were another step in the development of dialogue between Turkmenistan and the Seychelles, demonstrating the desire of both countries to expand international cooperation.
On 30 July 2025, negotiations took place in Geneva between the Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the United Nations, Vepa Hajiyev, and a delegation from Mauritania. During the meeting, the current state of partnership relations and prospects for bilateral cooperation between the two countries were discussed. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. Particular attention was paid to issues of sustainable development and the creation of new transport and logistics routes. The parties also discussed opportunities for coordinating actions within international organisations, including the upcoming UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, which will be held in August in Avaza. The negotiations demonstrated mutual interest in developing partnership relations. Mauritania, which has access to the Atlantic Ocean, is considered an important potential partner for Turkmenistan in the implementation of transport and economic initiatives. The meeting in Geneva was another step towards strengthening Turkmenistan's international ties in line with its foreign policy strategy.
On 1 August, OSCE participating States mark the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, a seminal document that laid the foundation for the largest regional security organisation. This was reported in an article for the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’ by the Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, Ambassador John MacGregor, according to Turkmenportal. The Head of the centre emphasised that the signing of the act was a turning point in relations between East and West, allowing the parties to agree on key security issues. The document includes 10 key principles, ranging from sovereignty and the inviolability of borders to the peaceful settlement of conflicts. According to J. MacGregor, the Helsinki Act has become a unique instrument of trust between countries with different political systems, strengthening dialogue and contributing to conflict reduction. The Ambassador also noted that the anniversary coincides with the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality and the International Year of Peace and Trust. Summing up his work in Ashgabat, he thanked President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan and all partners for their contribution to strengthening security. Today, the OSCE brings together 57 countries and more than a billion people, covering the military-political, economic-environmental and humanitarian spheres of security.
A meeting was held at the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Russian Federation between the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Russian Federation, Esen Aydogdyev, and the Executive Secretary of the Coordinating Council of Prosecutors General of the CIS Member States, Yuriy Zhdanov. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. During the meeting, issues related to expanding cooperation between law enforcement agencies of the CIS states were discussed, as well as the organisation and holding of upcoming events within the framework of cooperation between the general prosecutor's offices. Particular attention was paid to preparations for the upcoming autumn session of the Coordination Council of General Prosecutors of the CIS.
A meeting between the Ambassador of Turkmenistan and the Head of the Pakistan Diplomatic Friendship Group, Muhammad Ali Durrani, took place in Islamabad. During the negotiations, the Turkmen side briefed the Pakistani representative in detail on the principles of its foreign policy, based on permanent neutrality, as well as on the country's investment opportunities and favourable business climate. This was reported by IIC. Particular attention was paid to the practical aspects of developing economic partnership. The parties considered specific mechanisms for cooperation, including the organisation of joint business events, exchanges of delegations and the creation of new formats for cooperation between the business communities of the two countries. At the end of the meeting, the participants confirmed their mutual interest in deepening bilateral relations, noting the significant potential for the development of the Turkmen-Pakistani partnership in various fields. The negotiations opened up new prospects for expanding mutually beneficial cooperation between Turkmenistan and Pakistan.
The eighth meeting of the intergovernmental commission between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan was a significant step in the development of bilateral relations. At the meeting in Baku, which was jointly held by Deputy Prime Minister of Turkmenistan Nokerguly Atagulyev and Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov, the parties discussed prospects for deepening cooperation in the trade and economic sphere. This was reported by the IIC. Particular attention was paid to the development of investment cooperation - today, 75 companies with Turkmen capital are successfully operating in Azerbaijan. The energy sector also remains an important area of partnership, where the parties see significant potential for joint projects. Transport cooperation has reached a new level due to the active use of the East-West and Middle corridors. Last year alone, the volume of cargo transportation between the countries exceeded 2 million tonnes, and this year continues to show steady growth. Following the meeting, a protocol was signed to consolidate agreements on further development of cooperation in trade, energy, transport and other key sectors.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Rashid Meredov presented new initiatives for cooperation with UNESCO at a government meeting on 25 July. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. Key steps include the participation of a Turkmen delegation in the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand this autumn and the holding of an international forum on digital education and AI in Turkmenistan in August. The forum will be held in a hybrid format and will cover five areas in the field of artificial intelligence. There are also plans to implement projects under the Target Fund, including the ‘Our Heritage’ programme, the ‘Youth, Peace and Security’ initiative, the creation of the first geopark and the preservation of the Amul Fortress. After hearing the report, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov approved the proposals and instructed to strengthen efforts to develop partnership with UNESCO, emphasising the importance of international cooperation in education, science and culture.
During his inspection of the second phase of construction of the city of Arkadag, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, ordered the use of products from the new ‘Bäherden’ ceramic plant. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. Hero Arkadag inspected key infrastructure facilities, including bridges and access roads, focusing on the quality of construction materials. The use of local tiles and sanitary ware will make it possible to abandon imports for finishing buildings. During a meeting with the leadership of the State Committee for Construction of Arkadag and the mayor of the city, Gulshat Mammedova, new design projects were approved and adjustments were made to the design of transport interchanges, including elements depicting Ahal-Teke horses as a symbol of national identity. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov also visited the construction site of the city mosque.
The President of Turkmenistan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the country Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed the Decree ‘On pardoning convicted persons on the occasion of 2025 - the International Year of Peace and Trust’. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The document was adopted with the aim of strengthening the unity and cohesion of Turkmen society and every family, as well as in accordance with national traditions of mercy and humanism. According to the Decree, a number of prisoners have been released from further serving their main sentence of imprisonment.