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Turkmenistan has studied Europe’s experience in energy-efficient construction
27.04.2026UNDP and the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan held a training seminar on energy efficiency in the construction sector. The event was attended by lecturers, students, academics, as well as international experts from UNDP and the EU project ‘Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia’. This was reported by Turkmenportal. The seminar examined the experience of European countries in developing a regulatory framework for the construction of nearly zero-energy buildings, as well as international practices in energy-efficient design. The event took place as part of the joint UNDP and GEF project ‘Developing National Capacity of Turkmenistan through Improving Regulatory Environment towards Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building Sector (TEESB)’. The project aims to introduce energy-efficient technologies in construction, develop renewable energy sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of Turkmenistan’s fulfilment of its commitments under the Paris Agreement.
Young engineers from Turkmenistan will compete in the World Championship in 2026
27.04.2026The ‘Young Engineer – 2026’ intellectual competition took place in Ashgabat. Around 200 school pupils and young programmers from across the country took part. This was reported by the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The event was organised by the Ashgabat City Committee of the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan, the Ashgabat City Department of Education of the Ministry of Education, and the Ashgabat City Council of the Magtymguly Youth Organisation. The competition took place at the premises of the private enterprise ‘Ojar Aziýa’. Students in grades 7–12 competed in team and individual categories across four disciplines: smart production and service technologies, robotics, Scratch programming, and BattleBots robot combat. The top five in the ‘Robotics’ category earned the right to represent Turkmenistan at the ‘First Global Challenge – 2026’ World Championship. Last year, at a similar event in Panama, Turkmen schoolchildren won the ‘Skills Challenge’ category.
European Immunisation Week has kicked off in the Turkmen capital
27.04.2026European Immunisation Week 2026 has opened in the Turkmen capital. This year, the initiative marks its 20th anniversary in the WHO European Region. This was reported by IIC. Since 21 April, seminars for doctors, immunologists and epidemiologists have been taking place at Ashgabat Polyclinic No. 11. The theme of the training sessions is the role of healthcare workers in building trust in vaccination. The events are organised with the support of the European Union. The week’s motto is: ‘For every generation, vaccines work’.
Turkmenistan celebrates National Horse Day
27.04.2026Turkmenistan is celebrating the National Day of the Turkmen horse. Concerts, exhibitions and horse races are taking place across all the velayats, as well as in Ashgabat and Arkadag cities, according to Turkmenportal. In his congratulatory message, the President of Turkmenistan stated that Ahal-Teke horses are recognised as one of the finest thoroughbred breeds in the world and a treasure of humanity. The day before, the Ashgabat Racecourse hosted the international beauty contest ‘Best Ahal-Teke Horse of the Year’, attended by Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as well as the awards ceremony for the winners of the creative competition.
Turkmenistan is developing a system for inter-agency electronic data exchange
26.04.2026Turkmenistan has established the regulatory framework for the launch of the Inter-agency Electronic Data Exchange System. These decisions have been taken as part of efforts to develop digital infrastructure and modernise the telecommunications sector. This was reported by the Orient news agency. The Ministry of Communications of Turkmenistan has announced the continuation of programmes to expand digital services, modernise the sector and strengthen the country’s technological independence. Standard documents regulating the operation of the electronic exchange system have been approved, including agreements between government bodies and the system operator. These define the procedures for interaction, data exchange and the provision of electronic public services, as well as the rights and obligations of participants. ‘Türkmentelekom’ has been appointed as the operator, coordinating the system’s operation and being responsible for monitoring cyber risks. It is expected that the implementation of the platform will integrate government databases into a single network and create a comprehensive digital ecosystem for the country.
Educational cooperation between Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan is entering a new phase
26.04.2026On 24 April, a meeting took place in Astana between Azat Atayev, Deputy Minister of Education of Turkmenistan, and Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. The negotiations took place within the framework of previously reached high-level agreements and focused on developing cooperation in the fields of science and higher education. The parties discussed the current state of cooperation, prospects for its expansion, and approaches to modernising education systems, taking into account long-term socio-economic development. The Turkmen side presented the progress of the implementation of the Strategy for the Development of Higher Education until 2052, including measures to forecast staffing needs and align education with the labour market. Particular attention was paid to methods for forecasting demand for specialists, analytical tools for educational planning, and linking demographic and economic indicators with the workforce training system. Separate discussions were held on the education of Turkmen students in Kazakhstan, academic mobility, and improving the quality of graduate training. The Kazakhstani side presented its experience of modernising the higher education system, including digitalisation, quality assurance and the introduction of centralised testing with the support of international partners. The meeting also examined the prospects for the application of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in education. As a result, an agreement was reached to develop a sustainable mechanism for bilateral cooperation in the fields of science and higher education.
Turkmen students have completed a course in traditional Chinese medicine in Beijing
26.04.2026Students and a lecturer from the Myrat Garryev State Medical University of Turkmenistan took part in an international educational programme on traditional medicine, which was held from 9 to 23 April at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The course was organised by the World Federation of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Societies (WFAS). As part of the programme, participants studied both the theoretical and practical foundations of traditional Chinese medicine. The course covered the history of the discipline, methods of healing and restoring the body, as well as issues relating to the cultivation, harvesting and storage of medicinal plants and the technology for producing preparations based on them. In addition to the classes, cultural events were organised for the participants, including visits to specialist museums and an excursion to the Great Wall of China. Students from medical universities in other Central Asian countries also took part in the course.
Cargo throughput at the Port of Turkmenbashi has risen amid an increase in exports and transit traffic
26.04.2026Cargo transhipment at the Turkmenbashi International Seaport rose by 10% year-on-year in January–March 2026. This growth was driven by increased supplies of Turkmen oil to local refineries and sulphur exports, some of which were diverted from the Iranian route, according to the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. Transit through Turkmen ports increased by 23% in the first quarter. The main drivers were the growth in urea exports from Garabogaz and the transhipment of liquid cargo via Ekerem. The increase in sulphur transit is linked to its re-routing in March via Azerbaijan to the Georgian ports of Poti and Batumi, against a backdrop of a 35% rise in Black Sea prices. The port of Turkmenbashi remains the largest on the Caspian Sea and boasts a well-developed infrastructure, including passenger, container and cargo terminals.
Turkmenistan and Palestine discussed the development of inter-parliamentary cooperation
26.04.2026On 24 April, Dunyagozel Gulmanova, Chairwoman of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, held a meeting with Rana Abu Hijleh, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Palestine to Turkmenistan. This was reported by the press service of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan. The Turkmen side emphasised that the country attaches priority to the development of international cooperation, including interaction with Palestine both at the bilateral level and within the framework of authoritative international bodies, including the UN. In this context, the willingness to further strengthen the partnership on the basis of parliamentary diplomacy, grounded in the principles of mutual respect, equality and trust, was reaffirmed. The interlocutors discussed the current state of inter-state relations and the prospects for expanding inter-parliamentary dialogue. It was noted that such cooperation facilitates the exchange of experience in the field of law-making and parliamentary practice, and also allows for a deeper exploration of the potential for cooperation in various areas.
Preparations for the meeting of the Turkmen-Japanese Committee were discussed in Turkmenistan
26.04.2026The 16th meeting of the Turkmen-Japanese Committee on Economic Cooperation is due to take place in Tokyo in December 2026. This was announced by Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and Foreign Affairs Minister, on 24 April at a government meeting, according to the state news agency TDH. The meeting is expected to consolidate the agreements reached during the visits of the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, to Japan last year. Preparations for the event include inter-ministerial consultations in Ashgabat in July, where the parties will discuss the implementation of joint projects and update the roadmap for cooperation. The previous meeting of the committee took place in December 2024 in Ashgabat and laid the foundations for expanding the partnership. Active preparations are currently underway, and the upcoming meetings in Ashgabat and Tokyo are expected to strengthen bilateral dialogue in the economic and political spheres.
Turkmen travel agencies have explored resorts in northern Turkey
26.04.2026From 17 to 20 April, representatives from nine travel agencies in Turkmenistan visited the Turkish provinces of Rize and Artvin. The trip was organised by the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), according to the IIC of Turkmenistan. The highlight of the trip was the ‘International Kachkar Tourism Fair’ in Rize. The Turkmen specialists explored the offerings of the regional market and held B2B meetings with Turkish partners. The delegation visited weaving workshops, tea plantations, the historic centre of Chamlıhemshin, the Palovit Waterfall, Zilkale Castle, the Firtina Valley and Lake Borçka Karagöl. The programme also included rafting, a zip line and an introduction to local cuisine. Following the visit, the parties identified areas for cooperation and the development of tourism products for the Turkmenistan market.
The President of Turkmenistan took part in the celebrations marking the National Holiday
26.04.2026On 25 April, celebrations marking the National Day of the Turkmen horse were held at the Ashgabat Equestrian Complex. The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, took part in the event, according to TDH. Before the start of the celebrations, a monument was unveiled to the Ahal-Teke horse Pyyada — a four-time winner of beauty contests in Ashgabat (1998–2001) and a two-time winner of the ‘Star of Turkestan’ competition in Tashkent (2008–2009). Today, the prize awarded to the winners of the 1,800-metre race for three-year-olds bears his name. The President of Turkmenistan inspected the exhibition stands of the velayats and the cities of Ashgabat and Arkadag, where paintings, sculptures, jewellery, horse tack and photographs featuring Ahal-Teke horses were on display. The Head of State was presented with eight racehorses as gifts from the residents of the velayats, Ashgabat, the city of Arkadag and the security forces. Another racehorse — Daghan — was presented to the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Ten horses took part in the final of the international competition ‘Ýylyň iň owadan ahalteke bedewi’ (The most beautiful Ahal-Teke horse of the year). The winner was the stallion Hankerwen, born in 2018 from the Gaplan line, belonging to the Ahal-Teke Horse Complex of the President of Turkmenistan. His trainer received a Toyota Fortuner, the challenge cup and a certificate. The horse Melegush (owned by B. Ballyev) won the endurance race, whilst Gudratly from the Ahal-Teke Horse Complex of the President of Turkmenistan won the show jumping competition. Prizes for the creative competition were presented on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan to six winners in the following categories: carpet art, jewellery, painting, sculpture, photography and video.
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