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Malaysia and Turkmenistan discussed preparations for the OGT 2026
06.09.2026The Malaysian Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Mohd Suhaimi Ahmad Tajuddin, held a working meeting with Nazar Atajanov, Director of the Turkmen Energy Forum. The parties discussed preparations for the 31st International Conference and Exhibition ‘Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan – OGT 2026’, as well as organisational matters regarding the participation of Malaysian delegates, according to the online news outlet Asmannews. OGT 2026 will take place in Ashgabat from 21 to 23 October. Representatives of government departments, executives from global energy companies, international financial institutions and industry experts are expected to attend the forum. The agenda includes attracting foreign direct investment into Turkmenistan’s fuel and energy sector, the introduction of environmentally friendly technologies, and issues of global energy security. Malaysia’s participation is seen as an opportunity to expand bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sector.
Ahal-Teke racehorses from Turkmenistan are dominating the World Championships in the Netherlands
05.09.2026The World Ahal-Teke Horse Championship and International Beauty Contest are taking place in the Dutch town of Kronenberg. The competitions are being held at the Peelbergen Equestrian Centre, with participants from 25 countries, according to IIC of Turkmenistan. Over 100 horses have arrived in the Netherlands to take part in the championship, including 30 elite horses from Turkmenistan. The programme includes an Ahal-Teke show, as well as dressage and show jumping competitions. Winners are determined based on the horses’ conformation, movements and golden coat colour. Following the first round of competitions, the Turkmen Ahal-Teke horses secured six prize-winning places. Among the two-year-old fillies, Jeren Gözli took first place and Ak Monjuk came second. Meledag was crowned champion among the two-year-old colts. In the category for three-year-old mares, Al Yaňak received the bronze medal. Among the three-year-old colts, Güneş won, whilst Gözbaş took second place. An international scientific and practical conference entitled ‘Ahal-Teke Horse: Turkmen World Art of Horse Breeding’ was held in the neighbouring town of Venray. It was attended by experts, horse breeders, scientists, cultural figures and art historians from various countries. Participants discussed the history of the Ahal-Teke breed’s development, its cultural heritage, the scientific and genetic foundations of breeding and veterinary practice, as well as the portrayal of the Ahal-Teke in art. New publications on the breed were also presented at the conference. In particular, a Dutch-language edition of the book by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, entitled ‘A Horse – A Symbol of Faithfulness and Happiness’. The book consists of eight chapters and is devoted to the traditions of Turkmen horse breeding and issues relating to the development of the sector.
Turkmenistan took part in a regional parliamentary conference
05.09.2026From 3 to 4 September 2026, a representative of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan took part in the regional conference ‘Parliamentary Leadership for the Future: An All-of-Society Approach to the Care Economy and Demographic Resilience’, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This was reported by the press office of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan. Participants discussed ways to strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation, improve legislation, and increase youth engagement and participation in public administration. They also discussed gender equality, the empowerment of women, demographic stability, digital technologies and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. In his address, the representative of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan spoke about state policy in the areas of protecting human rights and freedoms, supporting families and young people, ensuring gender equality and demographic development. It was also noted that measures to develop education and healthcare, digitalise the economy, protect the environment, and promote vocational training and youth employment are being implemented in accordance with the Law of Turkmenistan ‘On State Youth Policy’. Following the conference, participants emphasised the importance of further international cooperation in implementing the United Nations 2030 Agenda, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and exchanging experience in the field of demographic and sustainable development.
Turkmen universities have launched new master’s programmes based on ESG principles
05.09.2026The State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan and the Yagshygeldi Kakayev International University of Oil and Gas have launched new Master’s programmes in line with the principles of environmental and social responsibility and effective governance (ESG). The projects have been implemented as part of the European Union’s Erasmus+ ESGCA international programme for the modernisation of higher education in Central Asia, according to the IIC of Turkmenistan. From the new academic year, the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan is running a programme entitled ‘Economics and Management of the Fuel and Energy Complex’, whilst the Yagshygeldi Kakayev International University of Oil and Gas is offering a programme entitled ‘Economics and Management of the Oil and Gas Industry’. The programmes cover topics such as digitalisation, energy efficiency and sustainable development. The curriculum combines economics, management, environmental studies and law.
Turkmenistan is implementing a programme to protect the health of mothers and children
05.09.2026In Turkmenistan, measures are being implemented to protect the health of mothers and children as part of the National Programme for the Protection of Maternal and Child Health for 2026–2030, ‘Healthy Mother – Healthy Child – Healthy Future’, which was approved in June 2026. This is reported by Arzuw.News, citing the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’. The document places particular emphasis on supporting breastfeeding. The programme provides for measures to strengthen the health of mothers and children, improve medical care and enhance population health indicators. The action plan sets out the main areas of its implementation. According to the recommendations of the World Health Organisation, exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of a child’s life, with continued breastfeeding until the age of two or beyond. The legal framework for supporting breastfeeding in Turkmenistan is enshrined in the relevant law. Healthcare professionals inform pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers about the benefits of breastfeeding and the necessary skills.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasised the importance of patriotism
05.09.2026At the ‘Ruhyýet’ Palace in Arkadag, the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, delivered a public lecture to young people. In his speech, Hero Arkadag paid special attention to patriotism, the historical development of the state, and the strengthening of sovereignty, reports the ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’ news agency. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasised that love for one’s homeland is a key sentiment, the foundations of which are laid in one’s youth. The National Leader of the Turkmen people also noted the approaching 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence and highlighted the country’s achievements over the years since independence. According to the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Turkmenistan is strengthening its international standing and continues to develop as a consistent and dynamically developing state. He cited the motto ‘The Motherland is the Motherland only with the people! The state is a state only with the people!’ as an important guiding principle.
Hero Arkadag highlighted the role of Ahal-Teke horses in the culture of Turkmenistan
05.09.2026Speaking at a general lesson for young people, National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov spoke about the role of Ahal-Teke horses as a symbol of national dignity and a tool of cultural diplomacy, according to the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. Hero Arkadag noted that the Ahal-Teke horse is a symbol of the independence, sovereignty and national dignity of the Turkmen people. The international promotion of the breed is facilitated by the activities of the International Ahal-Teke Horse Breeding Association, the successes of the ‘Galkynyş’ National Equestrian Games Group, and the inclusion of the art of Ahal-Teke horse breeding and the traditions of horse decoration on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan emphasised that in 2026, under the motto ‘Independent Neutral Turkmenistan − the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses’, a series of major equestrian events will be organised in Turkmenistan and abroad.
The President of Turkmenistan held a telephone conversation with Nikol Pashinyan
05.09.2026On 4 September, a telephone conversation took place between the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan. The parties discussed the development of bilateral relations and international cooperation, according to the TDH news agency. During the telephone conversation, Nikol Pashinyan noted Armenia’s interest in further strengthening cooperation with Turkmenistan on the basis of friendship and equality. The President of Turkmenistan emphasised that bilateral relations are built on the principles of mutual trust, respect and openness. The parties also discussed environmental issues. Nikol Pashinyan invited the President of Turkmenistan to take part in the Leaders’ Summit, which will be held in Yerevan in October on the eve of the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. Serdar Berdimuhamedov confirmed Turkmenistan’s participation. The President of Turkmenistan, in turn, invited the Prime Minister of Armenia to the CIS Heads of State Summit, which will take place on 9 October at the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone as part of Turkmenistan’s chairmanship of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Expressing his gratitude for the invitation, Nikol Pashinyan confirmed Armenia’s active participation in the Summit. During the conversation, the parties also exchanged views on topical issues of Turkmen-Armenian cooperation and noted the importance of its further expansion. The telephone conversation took place at the initiative of the Armenian side.
Hero Arkadag emphasised the role of Turkmenistan’s neutrality in ensuring peace
05.09.2026On 2 September, during a speech at a public lecture for young people, the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, emphasised the importance of permanent neutrality in ensuring peace, stability and the country’s foreign policy course. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan noted that Turkmenistan’s neutral status, recognised by the UN in 1995 and confirmed by three General Assembly resolutions, has historical roots and is an important asset of the nation. Speaking of the nation’s peace-loving traditions, the National Leader of the Turkmen people referred to the legacy of Magtymguly Pyragy. Hero Arkadag also emphasised that Turkmenistan continues to put forward peacekeeping initiatives on the international stage and to develop the theory and practice of neutrality, including through the training of specialists in international relations.
Turkmenistan is developing major energy projects in the region
05.09.2026The National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, addressed a public lecture at the ‘Ruhyýet’ Palace in the city of Arkadag. Speaking to representatives of the youth, the Hero Arkadag outlined Turkmenistan’s energy strategy and the implementation of regional infrastructure projects, according to the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan noted that the development of energy cooperation requires the effective utilisation of countries’ potential, taking into account the interests of producers, consumers and transit countries. Turkmenistan’s energy strategy provides for the diversification of supply routes and equal access to energy resources. Particular attention was paid to the ‘Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India’ (TAPI) gas pipeline. In the long term, the project will enable the region, with a population of around 2 billion people, to be supplied with energy and will create more than 12,000 jobs in Afghanistan. Furthermore, Turkmenistan has the capacity to increase electricity supplies as part of the ‘Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan’ project.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov spoke about Turkmenistan’s transport potential
05.09.2026On 2 September, at the ‘Ruhyýet’ Palace in Arkadag, the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, delivered a public lecture to young people. During his speech, the Hero Arkadag spoke about Turkmenistan’s role in the development of the international transport and logistics system. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted the country’s advantageous geographical position at the crossroads of Eurasian routes. According to the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Turkmenistan is contributing to the development of transport links between Asia and Europe. As part of the ‘Revival of the Great Silk Road’ concept, the country is developing transport and transit corridors and its national infrastructure. It was also noted that the UN General Assembly had adopted six resolutions on the initiative of Turkmenistan in the field of transport. Among them is the resolution declaring the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport for 2026–2035.
The Heads of the MFA of Turkmenistan and the Netherlands held negotiations in The Hague
05.09.2026On 3 September 2026, a meeting took place in The Hague between Rashid Meredov, Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, and Tom Berendsen, Head of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This was reported by the press office of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties noted the steady development of Turkmen-Dutch relations and their interest in expanding political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. An exchange of views took place on topical issues on the regional and international agenda – the Turkmen side reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of permanent neutrality, the UN Charter and political and diplomatic methods of resolving international issues. The parties discussed prospects for intensifying business ties in the fields of transport and logistics, port infrastructure, agriculture and agricultural technologies, energy, high technology and industrial cooperation, noting their interest in expanding direct contacts between the business communities of the two countries. Cooperation in the field of education and the training of diplomatic personnel was discussed separately, including Turkmenistan’s long-standing collaboration with the Dutch Institute of International Relations ‘Clingendael’. The parties also touched upon the upcoming World Ahal-Teke Horse Beauty Championship and international equestrian competitions to be held in the Netherlands – the Dutch side welcomed the hosting of this large-scale event dedicated to Ahal-Teke horses and the traditions of Turkmen horse breeding. Following the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their readiness to continue regular dialogue and to strengthen multifaceted cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
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