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The President of Turkmenistan participates in the CIS Heads of State Summit in Russia
22.12.2025President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov is participating in an informal summit of CIS leaders, which is being held in the St. George Hall of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The meeting is attended by the Heads of State of the CIS, and was opened by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The leaders are discussing the development of cooperation within the Commonwealth, noting its strengthening on the international arena. The participants confirm their commitment to the formation of a multipolar world with the coordinating role of the UN, as well as their intention to jointly strengthen stability and security. The importance of cultural and humanitarian cooperation and the growth of economic integration is emphasised: the share of national currencies in mutual settlements between CIS countries exceeds 96%.
The EU Delegation to Turkmenistan held an intellectual tournament
22.12.2025The fifth annual intellectual tournament ‘Winter Cup 2025’, organised by the EU Delegation to Turkmenistan and dedicated to European Christmas and New Year traditions, took place in Ashgabat. This was reported by the IIC. This year, the tournament saw a record number of participants – 51 teams and more than 300 people, including students, schoolchildren, young professionals and representatives of various fields. The competition was held in Turkmen and Russian. The competition consisted of two preliminary rounds and a final round, where teams answered questions in one minute, demonstrating logic, analytical skills and teamwork. The ‘N K B’ team won, with ‘Chocolate Owl’ in second place and ‘Smile and Wave’ in third. The tournament programme included a concert by popular Turkmen singer Shad Ovez, who performed between rounds, creating a festive atmosphere. The ‘Winter Cup’ continues to serve as a platform for cultural exchange, learning and youth engagement, promoting critical thinking, inclusivity and mutual understanding.
Turkmen boxer emphasised the role of his coach in winning bronze at the World Championships in Dubai
22.12.2025Turkmen boxer Bayramdurdy Nurmuhammedov, who won bronze at the World Championships in Dubai, emphasised the key role of head coach Yazmuhammet Pazzyev in his success. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal, citing the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’. In the 71 kg weight class, where athletes from more than 100 countries competed, he won four out of six fights. The IBA World Championships were held from 30 November to 14 December 2025. B. Nurmuhammedov became the first boxer in the history of Turkmenistan to win a medal at the world championships, losing to Russia's Sergey Koldenkov in the semi-finals. For his bronze medal, he received 40,000 manats from the President of Turkmenistan and $75,000 in prize money from the IBA. The athlete noted that he has been boxing since the age of 12 and that his commitment to a healthy lifestyle has been instilled in him since childhood in a family of doctors.
Oguljahan Atabayeva awarded medal marking 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality
22.12.2025President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov awarded Oguljahan Atabayeva, Vice-President for Medical Activities of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship, with a jubilee medal and a commemorative gold badge dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the country's neutrality. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal with reference to the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’. Oguljahan Atabayeva received the medal ‘Türkmenistanyň Bitaraplygynyň 30 ýyllygyna’ and the commemorative gold badge ‘Türkmenistanyň hemişelik Bitaraplygynyň 30 ýyllygy’. The awards were presented for her significant personal contribution to strengthening the independence and international authority of Turkmenistan, supporting the principles of permanent neutrality, developing the economy, science, education, culture, art and healthcare, as well as for her services in educating the younger generation in the spirit of love for the Motherland, honesty and high spirituality, many years of conscientious work and active state and public activities, timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the recognition of Turkmenistan as a Permanently Neutral state.
The 4th meeting of the ‘One Health’ Committee was held in Ashgabat
22.12.2025On 19 December 2025, the 4th meeting of the National Inter-Sectoral Coordination Committee for the Implementation of the ‘One Health’ Approach in Turkmenistan was held at the United Nations Building in Ashgabat with the assistance of the WHO. This was reported by IIC. The committee was established to coordinate and facilitate cooperation in the field of ‘One Health’. It includes representatives of the country's ministries and agencies. The meeting heard reports from national coordinators from the State Veterinary Service, the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, and the Ministry of Environment of Turkmenistan. A report was presented by the National Coordinator for ‘One Health’ from the State Veterinary Service under the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan, Head of the Department of International and Scientific Relations Arslan Soltanmyradov. He presented data on the progress of the approach in the field of animal health protection. The State Veterinary Service under the Ministry of Agriculture, relying on a network of territorial divisions and laboratory facilities, participates in the prevention, early detection and response to zoonotic diseases. The committee's tasks include coordinating and monitoring activities to implement the ‘One Health’ approach, supporting the development of state policy in this area and strengthening national capacity, taking into account the risks at the intersection of human, animal and ecosystem health.
The President of Turkmenistan has left for Russia to participate in an informal CIS summit
22.12.2025President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov left for a working visit to the Russian Federation to participate in an informal high-level summit of Heads of State of CIS member states. This was reported by TDH. The Head of State was seen off by officials at the capital's international airport. The informal CIS summit has no fixed agenda and serves as a platform for exchanging views on regional stability, the economy and humanitarian cooperation, as well as summarising the year and discussing plans for the future. Turkmenistan, which has permanent neutrality status and is an associate member of the CIS, participates in the activities of the Commonwealth, focusing on the development of economic cooperation, transport and logistics links, energy diplomacy and environmental security. A few hours later, the President of Turkmenistan's plane arrived at St. Petersburg International Airport, where the Head of State was met by officials. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov's working visit to the Russian Federation continues.
The President of Turkmenistan took part in the ‘Central Asia – Japan’ summit
22.12.2025President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov took part in the First ‘Central Asia – Japan’ Dialogue Summit, which was held in Tokyo as part of his working visit to Japan. This was reported by AsmanNews. The summit was dedicated to the development of regional cooperation and the strengthening of ties between Central Asian countries and Japan. Turkmenistan considers this format to be a practical tool for diversifying international relations and promoting equal partnership, taking into account the principle of permanent neutrality. Before the start of the summit, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was welcomed by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. After the official photo session, a plenary meeting of the summit was held. Speaking at the meeting, the President of Turkmenistan thanked the Government of Japan for the reception and noted that the summit is seen as a stage in the renewal of relations between Central Asia and Japan, taking into account global geo-economic and political changes. The need for regular summits and Turkmenistan's readiness to work actively within the framework of the dialogue were emphasised. The Head of State confirmed the priority of economic and investment cooperation, noting the successful implementation of joint projects with ‘Mitsubishi’, ‘Kawasaki’, ‘Sumitomo’, ‘Toyo’, ‘Sojitz’, ‘Komatsu’, ‘Toyota’ and other companies. Separate mention was made of ‘green’ energy, including hydrogen energy, and cooperation with Tsukuba University. The summit participants discussed energy security, the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, the introduction of digital technologies, investment in hydrogen energy, and cultural and academic exchanges. Following the meeting, the Tokyo Declaration of the ‘Central Asia – Japan’ Dialogue Summit and the Joint Statement of Ministers on Economic and Energy Issues were adopted. On the same day, a plenary meeting of the Dialogue Business Council was held and a ceremony for the signing of bilateral documents took place. After the visit, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov departed for Ashgabat.
The President of Turkmenistan confirmed the course towards strategic partnership with Japan
22.12.2025President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov spoke at the First ‘Central Asia – Japan’ Dialogue Summit, which took place in Tokyo. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The Head of State said that the summit is seen as a starting point for renewing and deepening relations between Central Asian countries and Japan, taking into account current geo-economic and political realities and Asia's growing role in the world. It was noted that the format of the high-level dialogue confirms the parties' readiness for long-term and sustainable partnership. Turkmenistan advocated holding the summit on a regular basis and expressed its readiness to work actively within the framework of the dialogue. Particular attention was paid to economic and investment cooperation. Turkmenistan's interest in expanding the participation of Japanese business in the development of the region was emphasised. The experience of joint work with ‘Itochu’, ‘Mitsubishi’, ‘Kawasaki’, ‘Sumitomo’, ‘Toyo’, ‘Sojitz’, ‘Komatsu’, ‘Toyota’ and other companies in the gas, chemical, energy, transport and water management sectors was noted. ‘Green’ transformation was named among the priority areas. Turkmenistan confirmed its commitment to energy conservation, methane emission reduction and the development of renewable energy sources, including hydrogen energy. The importance of cooperation on the climate agenda, including the initiative to establish a Regional Centre for Climate Technologies in Central Asia, as well as the development of ‘green diplomacy,’ was highlighted separately. The Head of State emphasised the priority of transport and transit connectivity. He noted the implementation, using Turkmenistan's own funds, of projects such as the Turkmenbashi International Sea Port, the construction of airports, railways and motorways connecting Turkmenistan with neighbouring countries. The humanitarian agenda was also touched upon. Turkmenistan proposed establishing a ‘Central Asia – Japan’ youth forum and creating a permanent platform for dialogue between women in Central Asia and Japan. The President reaffirmed Turkmenistan's commitment to the principles of neutrality, peaceful settlement and the UN Charter, and put forward an initiative to declare 2028 the Year of International Law. In conclusion, it was emphasised that the ‘Central Asia – Japan’ dialogue is seen as a long-term and practice-oriented mechanism for cooperation that meets the interests of the participating countries.
Turkmenistan initiated the creation of the ‘Central Asia – Japan’ youth forum
22.12.2025President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov took part in the first ‘Central Asia + Japan’ summit, where he proposed the creation of a ‘Central Asia – Japan’ youth forum and a permanent platform for ‘Dialogue of Women of Central Asia and Japan’. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. According to the Head of State, human capacity development is a key area of cooperation. Forum participants discussed strengthening energy supply chains, developing the Trans-Caspian transport corridor, introducing AI into industry, investing in hydrogen energy, and cultural and academic exchanges. The summit concluded with the adoption of the Tokyo Declaration and a Joint Ministerial Statement on Economic and Energy Issues.
Serdar Berdimuhamedov has concluded his visit to Japan and returned to Ashgabat
22.12.2025President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov has completed his working visit to Japan and returned to Ashgabat. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal with reference to the information programme ‘Watan’. On the last day of his visit, the Head of State took part in the first ‘Central Asia – Japan’ Dialogue Summit and held a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. A joint press statement was published following the meeting. The President of Turkmenistan's plane landed at Ashgabat International Airport, where Serdar Berdimuhamedov was met by officials.
Turkmenistan invites Japanese companies to investment partnership
21.12.2025President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov has announced his country's readiness to offer Japanese businesses favourable conditions for long-term investment. He made the announcement in Tokyo during a meeting with the heads of leading Japanese companies, according to TDH. The Head of State outlined the priority areas for cooperation. These include energy, including renewable sources, transport and logistics, high-tech and environmentally-oriented production, water resource management, infrastructure modernisation and personnel training. Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted Turkmenistan's readiness to promote Japanese technologies and products in the domestic market. The key areas include mechanical engineering, electronics and the chemical industry. At the end of the meeting, the President of Turkmenistan confirmed his intention to expand partnership with Japan and provide long-term support to Japanese businesses. Following the negotiations, a number of bilateral documents on the development of economic and technological cooperation were signed.
Turkmenistan has proposed waste processing projects to Japan
21.12.2025President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov held a meeting with representatives of the Japanese business community in Tokyo. During the negotiations, he proposed developing a project to build a plant for processing household and construction waste, according to TDH. The Head of State noted that the project aims to reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills through sorting, recycling, and reuse. The President emphasised that Turkmenistan is focused on updating its economic model. Among the priorities are industrialisation, ‘green’ transition, energy diversification and the development of transport and logistics links. It was noted that there are opportunities for Japanese companies to participate in these areas. During the meeting, the role of Japanese business in the implementation of major projects in Turkmenistan was noted. Serdar Berdimuhamedov also proposed considering projects to improve wastewater treatment and build mini-plants for recycling PET bottles and household appliances.
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