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Turkmenistan took part in the conference of heads of customs services in the European region
22.04.2026A delegation from the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan took part in a conference of heads of customs authorities from the European region, held at the headquarters of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) in Brussels. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. During the meeting, the focus was on the priorities of regional cooperation, as well as on ways to improve the effectiveness of coordination mechanisms. Participants discussed the World Customs Organisation’s current initiatives in the region and were briefed on the work of relevant bodies and regional networks. The country’s participation in this event demonstrates its commitment to strengthening international cooperation in the customs sector, exchanging best practices and developing the national system in line with modern international standards.
Turkmen experts took part in the Central Asia–Gulf States Dialogue
22.04.2026Experts from the Centre for Strategic Studies at the Institute of International Relations of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan took part in an online conference of analysts from Central Asia and the Gulf states. This was reported by the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. Participants acknowledged that recent events in the Middle East have complicated inter-regional relations. Nevertheless, the parties are committed to practical cooperation — a commitment driven by mutual economic interests. According to the Eurasian Development Bank, trade turnover between the Gulf states and Central Asian countries has already exceeded several billion dollars. Ambassadors, heads of research centres and experts agreed that the states of Central Asia and the Gulf view each other as reliable long-term partners. The cooperation is based on historical ties, shared values and trading traditions. High-tech industries, investment, ‘green’ energy, the environment, tourism and transport and logistics corridors were identified as priority areas. Turkmenistan is among the leaders in terms of the growth rate of trade with the Gulf states. The Gulf states account for around 10% of the country’s foreign trade turnover. Experts from the Centre for Strategic Studies – B. Amansaryev, O. Annabayev and A. Niyazov – represented Turkmenistan at the conference.
Turkmen students demonstrated their knowledge in an online IT competition
22.04.2026An online competition on modern computer technologies was held at the Magtymguly Turkmen State University for students from universities across the country. This was reported by the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. At the end of the competition, 26 prizes were awarded: 5 first places, 9 second places and 12 third places. The winners were Dovran Akmyradov and Islam Shamadov (Magtymguly Turkmen State University), Arslan Bayramov (State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan), Emir Merdanov (Oguzhan Engineering and Technology University of Turkmenistan) and Begench Bayrammyradov (Y. Kakayev International University of Oil and Gas). Prizes were also awarded to students from a further 13 universities — including the Institute of Telecommunications and Informatics, the M. Garryev State Medical University, the D. Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages and others. All winners were awarded certificates. The aim of the competition is to identify talented students and develop their practical skills in the field of IT.
Turkmenistan is taking part in the 82nd session of ESCAP in Bangkok
22.04.2026The 82nd session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has opened at the United Nations Conference Centre, which serves as the Commission’s headquarters. The forum is taking place in Bangkok and will run until 24 April. Turkmen delegation led by Perhat Yagshiyev, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan, is taking part in the session, according to the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan has been a full member of ESCAP since 1992. During this time, the country has established active cooperation with the Commission in the fields of statistics, economic analysis, energy and transport, and has also authored a number of ESCAP resolutions aimed at deepening regional cooperation in the transport and environmental sectors. The agenda of the 82nd session covers a wide range of issues: regional cooperation, the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as issues relating to social development, environmental protection, disaster risk reduction, energy, transport, macroeconomic policy, development finance, trade, investment and entrepreneurship. Issues relating to information and communication technologies, science and innovation will be given special attention. A Ministerial Meeting of SPECA member states is scheduled to take place during the session. It will focus on coordinated regional actions to establish a sustainable, efficient and environmentally-oriented transport and logistics system in the region. Participants will discuss the digitalisation and ‘green’ transformation of transit corridors, the development of e-commerce, the expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises’ participation in value chains, as well as the development of human resource capacity in the transport, logistics and digital sectors.
The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, has left for Kazakhstan
22.04.2026On 21 April, the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, departed for Astana on a working visit. He was seen off by officials at the capital’s International Airport. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. In Kazakhstan, the Head of State will take part in the Regional Ecological Summit and the regular meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Founding Members of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea. He was met at Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport by the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Olzhas Bektenov, and members of the Turkmen delegation. The central theme of the summit is the region’s environmental problems, primarily the situation surrounding the Aral Sea. Turkmenistan has consistently promoted this issue at the international level. At the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov proposed the development of a comprehensive UN environmental strategy for Central Asia. The working visit is continuing.
Turkmen businessmen are preparing for a business visit to London
21.04.2026Businesspeople from Turkmenistan will visit London from 9 to 16 May 2026. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The trip is being organised at the invitation of the West London Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UK). During the visit, talks are planned on developing business cooperation in sectors such as the textile industry, agriculture, construction, education, tourism and attracting investment. According to official statistics, trade turnover between Turkmenistan and the UK for the period from September 2024 to September 2025 amounted to £102 million.
The Turkmenistan women's team will take part in the Asian Beach Games in China
21.04.2026The Turkmenistan women’s beach handball team will compete at the 6th Asian Beach Games, which will take place from 22 to 30 April in the Chinese city of Sanya. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The competition programme includes 14 sports, including beach versions of handball, football and volleyball, as well as jiu-jitsu, rock climbing and sailing. Athletes from 45 countries will take part. The Asian Beach Games have been held every two years since 2008, and Sanya will be the second Chinese city to host the tournament.
Turkmenistan is strengthening its role as a transit hub between Europe and Asia
21.04.2026An event entitled ‘Bridging Continents: Turkmenistan’s Evolving Transit and Logistics Potential’ was held in Brussels, focusing on the country’s role in strengthening transport links between Europe and Asia. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The discussion was attended by diplomats, representatives of European institutions, the business community and the media, and was moderated by Alberto Turkstra, Project Director of ‘Diplomatic World’. The Turkmen delegation presented achievements in modernising the customs system, digitalisation and the streamlining of freight procedures. It was noted that the introduction of modern standards enhances the efficiency of transit and the transparency of logistics. Sapar Palvanov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Belgium, emphasised that transport and logistics are becoming a key element of the global economy’s resilience, and that the country’s geographical location obliges it to play the role of a reliable transit hub. He also highlighted infrastructure development, including the port of Turkmenbashi and transport corridors. European participants, including representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament, highlighted the growing interest in cooperation with Central Asia, particularly in the context of supply chain resilience and the development of the Trans-Caspian route. Participants agreed that the effectiveness of transport corridors depends not only on infrastructure, but also on the quality of procedures, digitalisation and predictability. In this context, Turkmenistan’s efforts were positively assessed. The event served as a platform for dialogue between diplomats, experts and the business community on issues relating to the development of the Eurasian transport system.
A delegation from Turkmenistan took part in the election of the Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
21.04.2026On 19 April, representatives of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan took part in the election of the Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The procedure took place during the organisation’s 152nd Assembly, held in Istanbul. Following the vote, the post of Secretary General was taken up by the representative of Romania, Anda Cristina Filip. The participation of the Turkmen parliamentary delegation in this process demonstrates the country’s active involvement in international parliamentary and legislative activities.
Turkmenistan and Iran are strengthening ties against a backdrop of active dialogue
21.04.2026On 20 April, a telephone conversation took place between Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, and Farzaneh Sadegh, Minister of Roads and Urban Development of Iran. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. During the conversation, the parties discussed the progress made in implementing the agreements reached at the 18th meeting of the Joint Turkmen-Iranian Inter-governmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, held in May 2025 in Tehran. In addition, the participants reviewed the current state of bilateral cooperation and the prospects for its further development during the negotiations process. Separately, the interlocutors noted the importance of the cultural and humanitarian dimension of Turkmen-Iranian relations, emphasising its priority status on the overall agenda of bilateral dialogue. The Iranian side expressed its sincere gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, for the humanitarian aid provided to the Iranian people on 14 March 2026 on behalf of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation. This gesture was regarded as a genuine expression of friendship and fraternal ties between the two nations.
Ashgabat and the WHO aligned their positions ahead of the Geneva Assembly
21.04.2026On 20 April, Myahri Byashimova, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, held a meeting with Egor Zaitsev, Head of the WHO Country Office in Ashgabat. A delegation from the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan, led by Deputy Minister Azat Ovezov, also took part in the negotiations, according to the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties reviewed the current state of Turkmen-NATO cooperation and identified priority areas for its further development. Separately, they discussed the promotion of bilateral and multilateral project documents, as well as preparations for upcoming international events in the field of healthcare. Among the key topics was preparation for the event in Geneva, which will take place as part of the 79th session of the World Health Assembly. Following the negotiations, both sides confirmed their readiness to deepen their partnership and expand regional cooperation in the field of public health.
A delegation from Turkmenistan discussed cooperation with the World Bank
21.04.2026During the annual meetings of the World Bank Group, the Turkmenistan delegation held a series of bilateral negotiations aimed at expanding international economic cooperation and strengthening ties with leading development institutions. This was reported by IIC. One of the key events was a meeting with Antonella Bassani, World Bank Vice-President for Europe and Central Asia. During the negotiations, the parties noted the dynamic nature of the partnership and discussed prospects for its further development. Particular attention was paid to strategic areas in which the World Bank can support Turkmenistan’s national development priorities, including assistance in implementing socio-economic reforms and modernising key sectors of the economy. The parties also discussed the adoption of international best practice and the use of modern financial instruments to support national development programmes. Following the meetings, mutual interest was reaffirmed in continuing active cooperation aimed at strengthening economic stability and achieving the country’s long-term goals.
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