The Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages has been awarded a Certificate of Honour by the Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister. This was reported by Turkmenportal. The award was presented to the university in recognition of its contribution to the development of Japanese language teaching in Turkmenistan. The Certificate of Honour from the Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister is awarded to individuals and organisations that have achieved particularly significant accomplishments in various fields of international relations and have contributed to the development of friendly relations between Japan and other countries. In 2026, 159 individuals and 67 organisations were honoured with the award.
Two digital services have been launched in Turkmenistan to simplify entry and stay for foreign nationals — an e-visa system and an online registration portal. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The services were presented at the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan. The event was attended by Heads of foreign diplomatic missions, whilst Turkmenistan’s ambassadors abroad joined via video link. The e-visa system on the migration.gov.tm portal allows users to submit applications for entry permits online. The rgstr.migration.gov.tm portal has digitised the process of registering foreign nationals with the migration authorities. The new services enable tourists, businesspeople and diplomats to submit the necessary documents online from any device, reducing processing times and minimising the use of paper documents.
Mikhail Mishustin, Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, has confirmed his readiness to continue working together at government level to expand practical cooperation between Turkmenistan and Russia. This was stated in a message of congratulations to the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the country’s declaration of independence, according to the TDH news agency. Mikhail Mishustin also highlighted the strengthening of Russian-Turkmen relations based on friendship, good neighbourliness and strategic partnership. In his message, the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation noted Turkmenistan’s successes in socio-economic development, the implementation of infrastructure projects, the strengthening of industrial capacity, and the development of the cultural and educational sectors. The Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation wished the President of Turkmenistan good health, well-being and further success in his state duties, and wished the country’s citizens happiness and prosperity.
The 2029 CIS Games will be held in Armenia. Yerevan will be designated the Commonwealth’s Sports Capital, according to IIC of Turkmenistan. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Council on Physical Culture and Sport of the CIS Member States in Almaty. The meeting on 27 September was attended by representatives from nine countries, including Turkmenistan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The participants reviewed progress in the field of physical culture and sport, exchanged experiences and discussed further cooperation within the framework of joint programmes. Armenia has previously hosted meetings of the Council. In 2024, Gyumri was awarded the status of Sports Capital of the Commonwealth and served as the venue for the Council’s meeting. The next meeting of the CIS Council on Physical Culture and Sport is scheduled to take place in Armenia as part of the preparations for the 2029 Games.
On 29 September 2026, Dushanbe hosted the joint 66th meeting of the Council of Heads of Communications Administrations of the Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications (RCC) and the 32nd meeting of the Co-ordinating Council of CIS Member States on Informatisation under the RCC. This was reported by the press service of IIC of Turkmenistan. The event was attended by heads and representatives of relevant ministries from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Also present were delegations from Brazil, Egypt, Bahrain, Cuba and other countries, as well as representatives of the International Telecommunication Union, the Universal Postal Union and the business community. Participants considered around 20 issues relating to the development of digital cooperation. In particular, they discussed changes to the agreement on inter-operator settlements and the setting of tariffs for roaming telecommunications services. Particular attention was paid to the establishment of the CIS IT Start-up Technology Parks Alliance, as well as the Regional Expert Council on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies. In the field of information security, a draft memorandum of cooperation on responding to cyber incidents was considered. As part of the expansion of international cooperation under the ‘CIS+’ format, the Republic of Cuba has been admitted as a member of the Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications. Following the meeting, agreed decisions were taken on all agenda items. The next joint meeting is scheduled for the first half of 2027.
The owner of an Alabay named Arwana, who was declared the winner of the competition for Turkmen Alabays, was presented with a Toyota Corolla. This was announced on 29 September at the opening ceremony of the President of Turkmenistan’s Ahal-Teke Equestrian Complex in Ashgabat. The news was reported by the TDH news agency. The competition took place as part of the events marking the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence. Seven Alabay dogs took part, from which the judging panel selected the most beautiful representative of the breed. The opening ceremony of the complex was attended by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov; the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov; members of the government; representatives of the diplomatic corps and international organisations; and horse breeders. The events are taking place as part of the 2026 theme ‘Independent Neutral Turkmenistan − the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses’.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, has congratulated the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and the people of the country on Independence Day. This was reported by the news agency TDH. In his message of congratulations, Pashinyan highlighted Turkmenistan’s achievements in the economic and socio-political spheres, as well as its role in international relations. The Prime Minister of Armenia expressed his confidence in the further development and expansion of friendly relations between Armenia and Turkmenistan. He also highlighted the upcoming meetings in Awaza and Yerevan as an opportunity to continue the dialogue. Pashinyan wished the President of Turkmenistan good health, and the people of the country peace and further progress.
The Secretary-General of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), Asad Majeed Khan, has congratulated the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and the people of the country on Independence Day. This was reported by the news agency TDH. In his message of congratulations, he expressed his gratitude to the Government of Turkmenistan for its support of the ECO’s objectives and its participation in advancing the regional economic agenda. Asad Majeed Khan noted that the joint efforts of the organisation’s member states are aimed at developing economic integration and creating the conditions for the region’s continued prosperity.
The President of the Republic of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, has congratulated the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, on the 35th anniversary of the country’s independence. This was reported by the news agency TDH. In his congratulatory message, he highlighted the friendly and constructive nature of relations between Latvia and Turkmenistan, as well as the potential for further developing cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Rinkēvičs also highlighted the expansion of cooperation between the European Union and Central Asia, which, he said, creates new opportunities for strengthening cooperation between the regions. The President of Latvia wished Turkmenistan peace, prosperity and stability.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has congratulated the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, on the country’s Independence Day. This was reported by the TDH news agency. In his message of congratulations, he highlighted the importance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges, including conflict prevention, climate change, reducing inequality and the responsible use of new technologies. Guterres emphasised the need to strengthen multilateral cooperation to ensure peace and security, achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and protect human rights. The UN Secretary-General also conveyed his best wishes to the people of Turkmenistan.
On 29 September, as part of the celebrations to mark the opening of the President of Turkmenistan’s Ahal-Teke Equestrian Complex, a wedding took place. This was reported by the news agency TDH. The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, congratulated the newlyweds on this momentous occasion, noting the symbolic significance of their wedding coinciding with the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence. As a wedding gift, the Head of State presented the couple with the keys to a new flat. The newlyweds expressed their gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan. The mother of the young couple also thanked the Head of State and asked to take a photo with him as a memorable keepsake. Serdar Berdimuhamedov granted the family’s request.
‘Dragon Oil’ has been operating in Turkmenistan for over 26 years and is the operator of the Cheleken concession area in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea. The Production Sharing Agreement has been extended until 2035, according to the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The company began operations at Cheleken on 1 May 2000. The concession area, covering approximately 950 square kilometres, includes the Jeytun and Jygalybeg offshore fields, located some 45 km from the Turkmen coast. Over the years, ‘Dragon Oil’ has established offshore and onshore infrastructure for the production, processing, storage and export of oil. The company also continues to carry out geological exploration work near its existing facilities. The ten-year extension of the agreement was agreed upon with the participation of the State Concern ‘Türkmennebit’. The new term allows for the planning of further production, geological exploration and infrastructure development at Cheleken. ‘Dragon Oil’ is a Diamond Partner of the 31st International Conference and Exhibition ‘Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan – 2026’ (OGT 2026). Topics at the event include the development of resources in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea, geological exploration, drilling technologies, offshore infrastructure and investment opportunities.