A delegation of Turkmenistan is taking part in the 34th session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice at the UN Office in Vienna. This was reported by the press service of the Turkmen diplomatic mission in Austria. During the session, the Turkmen delegation outlined the key priorities of the national policy in the field of law enforcement. Special attention was paid to measures to counteract forms of transnational crime. The delegation emphasised Turkmenistan's commitment to deepen cooperation with international partners, in particular with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in order to strengthen both national and regional capacities to counter these threats. In addition, the delegation emphasised the importance of Turkmenistan's initiative, as a result of which the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 77/32 in 2023. The document notes the importance of international cooperation in combating transnational organized crime and terrorism, as well as the need to enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies to detect, investigate and prosecute new and traditional forms of crime. The source notes that the delegation concluded its statement by reaffirming Turkmenistan's continued commitment to the principles of multilateral cooperation and its active role in promoting international initiatives aimed at strengthening peace, security and justice.
A unique art exhibition ‘Colours of the World’ organised on the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation has opened in the halls of the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. The visitors' attention was particularly drawn to the works of Turkmen artists, selected thanks to the professional approach of the gallery's curators, the press service of the Turkmen diplomatic mission in the Russian Federation reports. The exhibition included one hundred works presented by twenty embassies of Asia, Africa, Middle East, Latin America and CIS countries. Each work reflects national artistic traditions and modern trends, forming a bright, multi-layered picture of the world's cultural diversity. The event took place in the new building of the gallery on Kadashevskaya Embankment and gathered about 60 diplomatic missions. Some of the diplomats not only curated the exposition, but also acted as authors of the presented works. The source notes that the works of Turkmen artists were characterised by both deep national content and original artistic form, arousing keen interest of both the professional community and the general audience. The stand with contemporary Turkmen painting became one of the central points of attraction of the exposition. The exposition became a large-scale cultural diplomacy project that united the works provided by the diplomatic missions accredited in the Russian capital.
Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages jointly with the Beijing International Studies University (People's Republic of China) organised a webinar in the format of video link, on the theme ‘Historical roots and national features of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan’. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan on 22 May. According to the source, professors and teachers of both universities made presentations at the event, noting the high level of bilateral cooperation in education between Turkmenistan and China. In addition, special emphasis was placed on the growing interest of Turkmen youth in learning the Chinese language, as well as in the cultural heritage, traditions and history of China.
As part of the working visit of the delegation of Turkmenistan led by Chairman of the Mejlis Dunyagozel Gulmanova to the People's Republic of China, the delegation held extended talks with Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji. This is reported by the press service of the national parliament. They discussed the prospects of cooperation in the format ‘Central Asia - China’, including the establishment of an inter-parliamentary council, holding thematic forums with the participation of women and youth, as well as the activation of the work of inter-parliamentary friendship groups. The parties stressed the importance of deepening the dialogue between the profile committees, young parliamentarians and women MPs of the two countries, as well as the organization of joint events contributing to the strengthening of bilateral cooperation. The Chinese side expressed interest in further expanding cooperation with Turkmenistan in the spheres of education, science, health and agriculture. Gulmanova expressed confidence that the meetings and talks would give an additional impetus to the development of the inter-parliamentary dialogue. She also invited Zhao Leji to take part in the international events planned in Turkmenistan on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the status of Permanent Neutrality, which will be celebrated in 2025, the International Year of Peace and Trust.
On 22 May 2025, a delegation of Turkmenistan headed by Chairman of the Mejlis Dunyagozel Gulmanova visited the Song Qingling Youth Scientific, Technical and Cultural Exchange Centre of the People's Republic of China, located in Beijing, during a working visit to the People's Republic of China. This was reported by the press service of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan. The delegation familiarised itself with the projects of the Song Qingling Foundation in the field of children's health care. In addition, the delegation noted the participation of Deputy Chairman of the Foundation Shen Bailey in the March conference in the city of Arkadag dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust and the 4th anniversary of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship. The Chinese side positively assessed the activities of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Foundation and expressed interest in expanding co-operation. The importance of parliamentary support for strengthening long-term Turkmen-Chinese ties was also emphasised.
The capital of Turkmenistan will host the Pre-Conference Day before the opening of the XXIV International Universal Exhibition ‘White City Ashgabat’ on 23 May this year. The event will bring together more than 550 delegates from 30 countries, confirming the growing international interest in the opportunities of the Turkmen capital. This is reported by the ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’ online press. The programme of the day includes official registration of participants at the Olympia Hotel, cultural events that will allow the guests of the forum to get acquainted with Turkmen traditions, evening reception for informal communication and establishment of business contacts. The conference organisers create all conditions for fruitful work and comfortable stay of the guests, stressing the special importance of the upcoming large-scale forum as a platform for effective international cooperation.
An international youth forum of Central Asian and Persian Gulf countries is being held in Dushanbe from 21 to 24 May. Turkmenistan is represented by a large delegation including young scientists, entrepreneurs, IT-specialists, cultural figures, athletes and volunteers. This is reported by the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. The forum has become an important platform for the exchange of experience and ideas in key areas, including innovation and digital technologies, youth entrepreneurship, ecology and sustainable development, education and culture. The forum programme includes plenary sessions, exhibitions, sports competitions and project presentations. Special attention is paid to youth diplomacy and volunteer movement. The participation of Turkmen youth in such a large-scale event demonstrates the success of the state youth policy and meets the goals of the Strategy of International Cooperation of Turkmenistan's Youth for 2023-2030. The Forum is being held within the framework of the International Year of Peace and Trust, which underlines the importance of such initiatives for strengthening international dialogue.
On May 21, the Turkmen State Institute of Architecture and Construction held an international scientific and practical conference ‘Ashgabat - the Pearl of National Architecture’, dedicated to the City Day. Experts from 10 countries, including Turkmenistan, the CIS countries, Italy and the United States, participated in a hybrid format. This was reported by the online publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The event opened with an exhibition of scientific projects and decorative and applied arts, where the concept of the institute's new complex, scheduled to open in 2026, was presented. Participants discussed modern trends in urban development, environmental issues, energy conservation and digitalization in architecture. Particular attention was paid to the integration of science and production, academic exchange and training of qualified personnel. As part of the conference, the Academy of Arts held a section on the role of national patterns in modern architecture, accompanied by an exhibition of student works.
Global News Forum 2025, an international forum organised by the Turkish Broadcasting Corporation (TRT) and the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), is being held in Istanbul from 21 to 23 May. Turkmenistan is represented at the event by Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Television, Radio Broadcasting and Cinematography Annasahet Kakayev. This is reported by the IIC. On the first day of the forum, the achievements of Turkmen media were noted. The State Committee of Turkmenistan was among the leaders in the number of publications on the news platform ‘AsiaVision’, promptly covering key events and activities in the country. This confirms Turkmenistan's active position in international information exchange and commitment to the principles of reliable journalism. The second day of the forum was dedicated to modern media trends. The participants discussed the application of artificial intelligence in the news industry, the possibilities of social networks for information dissemination, as well as the issues of improving the quality of content and automation of work processes. These discussions are particularly relevant for the further development of Turkmenistan's media sphere.
On 22 May this year, a meeting of the UN Country Team in Turkmenistan was held in the format of a videoconference. The event was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov, as well as heads of agencies and regional structures of the United Nations. This is reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The main topic of discussion was the priorities of cooperation for the new cycle of the UN Framework Programme on Sustainable Development for 2026-2030. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan highlighted the key areas of partnership, including peace and security, socio-economic development, achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), transport and energy cooperation and combating climate change. The participants discussed prospects for cooperation in such areas as sustainable development, ecology, humanitarian issues, protection of cultural heritage, as well as modernisation of education and healthcare systems. The UN representatives informed about the ongoing joint projects with Turkmenistan and presented their proposals on further strengthening of the partnership. At the end of the meeting, a schedule of forthcoming events and consultations was agreed upon.
Turkmenistan's Health Minister Murad Mammedov met with Dr Hans Kluge, Director of the WHO Regional Office for Europe, in Geneva on 22 May this year within the framework of the 78th session of the World Health Assembly. This is reported by IIC. During the talks, the parties discussed priority areas of development of Turkmenistan's health care system, paying special attention to the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, measures to combat cancer and improving the system of response to infectious threats. Dr Kluge noted Turkmenistan's achievements in the health sector and confirmed WHO's readiness for further cooperation. Particular emphasis was placed on the development of early diagnosis and screening programmes for cancer diseases. The meeting confirmed the mutual interest of the parties in strengthening partnership for sustainable development of the health care system and improving the quality of medical services.
Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Ahmet Gurbanov took part in the 1st session of Termez dialogue on strengthening ties between Central and South Asia on May 20. The event was held under the motto ‘Common Space of Peace, Friendship and Prosperity’. This is reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The forum was attended by heads of foreign ministries, experts from think tanks, representatives of financial institutions and international organisations. The main topics of discussion were issues of regional security and stability, prospects for sustainable development, expansion of private sector participation in economic cooperation. The Turkmen delegation presented initiatives to develop cooperation in transport and logistics, energy, economic and humanitarian spheres. Particular attention was paid to the significance of the International Year of Peace and Trust proclaimed at the initiative of Turkmenistan. The participants in the dialogue expressed confidence that the agreements reached would contribute to strengthening interregional ties and maintaining peace.