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The role of Turkmenistan's neutrality was discussed at the OSCE PA session
02.07.2025On 30 June, in Porto (Portugal), within the framework of the 32nd session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country, held an event on the theme ‘International Year of Peace and Trust: Strengthening Multilateralism for a Secure and Sustainable Future’. This was reported by the press service of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan. The event was attended by representatives of the Mejlis, the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan, the OSCE PA leadership, as well as delegations from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Italy, France, Spain and the Netherlands. The Turkmen side presented the priorities of its peaceful humanitarian policy, emphasising the role of neutrality in ensuring peace, security, sustainable development, transport corridors, environmental protection and public diplomacy. The participants stressed the significance of the meeting in the International Year of Peace and Trust, which coincided with the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality, as well as the importance of the country's initiatives in the UN to maintain peace and sustainable development. OSCE PA President Pia Kauma noted the contribution of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan to regional conferences and inter-parliamentary dialogue. Special Representative for Central Asia Farah Karimi highlighted the role of such events in strengthening regional stability. Overall, the participants supported Turkmenistan's policy of positive neutrality as an important contribution to international cooperation, security and stability in the region.
Negotiations between Turkmen and American universities took place in Florence
02.07.2025Meetings between representatives of the International University for the Humanities and Development of Turkmenistan and Kent State University in the United States took place in Florence, Italy. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. Vice-Rector of IUHD Nurmuhammet Shihliyev familiarised himself with the activities of the Florence branch of the American university. At a meeting with Fabrizio Ricciardelli, director of the Kent State University branch, they discussed areas for further cooperation, including academic mobility, the IUHD's participation in the Consortium of International Universities, summer school programmes in Florence, and teacher exchanges. The parties expressed their readiness to continue the dialogue and confirmed their intention to develop the partnership. It is worth noting that a joint double degree Master's Programme in Business Administration is currently being developed, which will involve study in Turkmenistan and the United States with the award of diplomas from both universities. The visit was a continuation of cooperation that began after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on 2 October 2024 in Ohio.
The ‘Digital Solution – 2025’ competition has begun in Turkmenistan
02.07.2025The ‘Turkmenaragatnashyk’ agency has launched the ‘Digital Solution – 2025’ competition to support digital technologies in Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The competition covers seven areas, including AI, robotics, smart cities, digital medicine and education. Projects are evaluated according to eight criteria, ranging from relevance and innovation to compliance with legislation and the availability of source code. Young people can participate individually or in teams of up to three people. Applications will be accepted online until 1 October 2025. Applicants must submit an application form, copies of their passports and a description of their project. The winners will be announced at the ‘Türkmentel – 2025’ exhibition and conference in Ashgabat. The aim of the competition is to support young people and promote advanced technologies in the country's economy.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan issued a statement for the media
02.07.2025Turkmenistan acts on the international stage in strict accordance with international law and fulfils its obligations under agreements in good faith and consistently, according to the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The Foreign Affairs Ministry denied media reports about alleged claims by the public joint-stock company Mobile TeleSystems (MTS), stressing that the dispute with the Russian company had been initiated by MTS. The Turkmen side took all possible steps to resolve the conflict peacefully. Nevertheless, in 2018, MTS filed a lawsuit in international arbitration. The ICSID tribunal ultimately dismissed all charges against Turkmenistan, recognising the country's actions as lawful and awarding it more than $11 million in compensation for legal costs. MTS later attempted to appeal the decision in Sweden, but on 27 June 2025, the Svea Court of Appeal upheld the arbitration award and ordered the company to pay Turkmenistan an additional €589,000. The court ruling is final and cannot be appealed. The Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan emphasised that the outcome of the proceedings confirmed the legitimacy and good faith of the country's position.
Turkmenistan and Sri Lanka discussed the development of business contacts
02.07.2025On 30 June, Atajan Movlamov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, met with Fred Seneviratne, the new High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Pakistan. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The parties expressed interest in strengthening partnership and developing business ties. During the meeting, they discussed prospects for trade and economic cooperation and noted the high potential of bilateral relations. The interlocutors confirmed their readiness to maintain regular dialogue through existing diplomatic channels.
Turkmenistan and China strengthen agricultural cooperation
02.07.2025On 1 July, talks were held at the ‘Archabil’ Hotel in Ashgabat between representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan and a delegation from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. The Chinese side was led by Deputy Chairman of the People's Government Wang Gang. During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for expanding cooperation in agriculture, with particular emphasis on the exchange of modern technologies and best practices. This was reported by the IIC. The delegates discussed issues related to the supply of agricultural machinery, improving methods for storing raw cotton and modernising cleaning lines. During the visit, Chinese representatives also held working meetings with the leadership of the International Scientific-Technological Park of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan and the ‘Turkmenpagta’ National Concern. Particular attention was paid to the development of joint projects in the context of the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’. The parties emphasised the strategic importance of Xinjiang as a key logistics hub for cooperation with Central Asian countries. Following the talks, an agreement was reached to hold regular consultations and intensify the exchange of experience in the fields of agriculture, scientific research and technological development. These steps will contribute to further strengthening the mutually beneficial partnership between Turkmenistan and China.
Turkmenistan participates in WTO seminar on sanitary measures
02.07.2025From 1 to 3 July 2025, Vienna will host a regional seminar of the World Trade Organisation on the Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS). The event is organised by the WTO Secretariat in cooperation with the Joint Vienna Institute as part of the technical assistance programme for 2024–2025. This was reported by IIC. The main objective of the seminar is to increase the involvement of countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus in the work of the WTO, as well as to deepen understanding of the SPS Agreement. The discussions will cover issues of transparency of measures, the activities of the WTO Committee on SPS, as well as current initiatives of international organisations, including the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Turkmenistan is represented at the seminar by experts from the State Veterinary Service, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance and Economy, and the Main State Service ‘Turkmenstandartlary’. Arslan Soltanmyradov, Head of the International and Scientific Relations Department of the State Veterinary Service, delivered a welcoming speech at the opening ceremony. He emphasised Turkmenistan's commitment to fulfilling its international obligations in the field of SPS measures, the importance of cooperation with relevant organisations and the need to strengthen technical capacity to improve the national control system. Participation in the seminar allows the Turkmen delegation to discuss current aspects of the implementation of the SPS Agreement, exchange experiences with colleagues from other countries and explore opportunities for expanding international cooperation.
Ashgabat Training Centre recognised as regional centre of the WCO
02.07.2025At the end of June 2025, during the 145th-146th session of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, an important Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Turkmenistan and the WCO. According to the document, the training centre of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat has been granted the status of a regional training centre. This was reported by the IIC. This step marks a new stage in the development of international cooperation in the field of customs. The centre will be able to work according to WCO standards and programmes, offering professional training, retraining and advanced training for both Turkmen customs officials and specialists from other countries in the region. The granting of regional centre status opens up significant prospects for Turkmenistan. The country will now be able to organise joint educational events with the participation of international experts, which will strengthen its position in the global customs community. In addition, this will contribute to the formation of a modern system for training highly qualified personnel at the regional level. The recognition of the Ashgabat centre confirms the growing role of Turkmenistan in the development of international customs cooperation.
‘Dayhanbank’ leads in the number of bank cards in Turkmenistan
01.07.2025According to a report by the Central Bank of Turkmenistan, the State Commercial Bank ‘Dayhanbank’ remains the leader in terms of the number of payment cards issued, which exceeded 2.1 million. This was reported by the online publication Terra-News. Second place is occupied by the State Commercial Bank ‘Turkmenistan’ with more than 1.1 million cards issued, and the top three is rounded out by ‘Halkbank’ with over 824,500 cards. The geographical distribution of card issuance shows that ‘Dayhanbank’ is actively operating in the regions, especially in the Mary, Dashoguz and Lebap velayats. Meanwhile, ‘Turkmenistan’ Bank and ‘Halkbank’ mainly serve customers in the country's capital. The Central Bank's data reflects the dynamics of the development of non-cash payments and the expansion of banking services in various regions of Turkmenistan.
Turkmen scientists won gold at an international competition in Malaysia
01.07.2025Young scientists from Turkmenistan won gold medals at the BIICC-2025 Borneo International Innovation Creativity Competition, held from 26 to 30 June in Kuching, Malaysia. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The forum, recognised as the largest international STEM event according to the ‘Malaysia Book of Records’, brought together more than 4,500 participants from 15 countries, who presented 1,460 projects. Turkmenistan was represented at the competition by a team from the Oguz Khan University of Engineering and Technology. Student Suleymanmuhammet Shamuhammedov received three awards for his project on the production of ‘green cement’ from industrial waste: a gold medal, a Platinum Award and a prize for sustainable development. His work is aimed at reducing CO₂ emissions and using secondary resources. Tumar Orpaeva also won a gold medal for her project to create a sorbent for capturing carbon dioxide from agricultural waste. Her development proved effective in reducing harmful emissions, which was highly appreciated by the international jury. The team leader, lecturer Atamyrat Altiyev, was awarded the ‘Borneo International Leaders and Educators Award’ for his contribution to education.
23 transactions were concluded on the Turkmenistan Stock Exchange
01.07.2025Last week, 23 deals were concluded on the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. Foreign companies from the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan purchased aviation and lighting kerosene, gasoline, road bitumen, diesel fuel and cotton yarn worth more than $5 million. For the domestic market, Turkmen entrepreneurs purchased polypropylene, bitumen, packaging film, sheet glass and cotton fabric for a total of 29.833 million manats.
A Chinese delegation has arrived in Turkmenistan to develop agriculture
01.07.2025A delegation from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, headed by Vice Chairman of the People's Government Wang Gang, arrived in Turkmenistan on a working visit. The purpose of the visit is to discuss cooperation in agriculture. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The Chinese representatives visited the S.A. Niyazov Turkmen Agricultural University, where they familiarised themselves with the country's achievements in the agricultural sector. Meetings were also held with the leadership of the International Scientific-Technological Park of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan and the ‘Turkmenpagta’ National Concern, which is responsible for the development of the cotton industry. The first day of the visit ended with a performance by the ‘Galkynysh’ group and a show of national horse games at the Turkmen State Circus.
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