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The ‘Made in Turkmenistan’ brand presented textiles at an exhibition in Germany
17.01.2026From 13 to 16 January, Germany hosted the world's largest textile exhibition, ‘Heimtextil 2026’. For the Ministry of Textile Industry of Turkmenistan, participation in the event marked a strong international start to the year: the Made in Turkmenistan brand confirmed its competitiveness, according to the Orient news agency. Digital printing, which allows complex patterns and designer images to be applied with high precision, attracted particular attention at the Turkmenistan stand. This opens up opportunities for personalised textiles and interiors with long-lasting designs. Among 3,000 participants from 65 countries, Turkmen manufacturers held successful negotiations with buyers and designers, demonstrating the industry's readiness for global integration. The Frankfurt experience will be followed by ‘TurkmenTextile Expo 2026’ in Ashgabat (4–6 June), where foreign partners are invited to implement global trends in Central Asia.
Badhyz Nature Reserve recorded a female leopard with her cub
16.01.2026The second female Near Eastern leopard with a cub has been spotted in the Badhyz State Nature Reserve. This was reported by the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan. A camera trap captured the cub following the female across the reserve. The Near Eastern leopard is one of the rarest predators and is listed in the Red Book. According to experts, the appearance of a second female with offspring indicates the formation of a stable breeding population in the region. Previously, leopards could only be seen here occasionally. Monitoring of rare species is carried out in collaboration with Conservation X Labs. Material from camera traps is used to assess the effectiveness of nature conservation measures. The Badhyz Nature Reserve was established in 1941 in southern Turkmenistan, between the Tejen and Murgab rivers. Its territory is home to caracals, striped hyenas, urials, gazelles and rare bird species.
Ashgabat discussed cooperation between universities in Turkmenistan and Iran
16.01.2026On 14 January, a meeting was held at Magtymguly Turkmen State University with the participation of the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Cultural Advisor Abdolreza Abbasi, the university rector and university management. This was reported by the university's press service. The parties discussed the development of cooperation between higher education institutions in Turkmenistan and Iran. The agenda included issues related to holding a Persian language competition, participation in international events, implementation of joint cultural projects, as well as cooperation in the fields of science, education and culture. During the visit, the guests met with students and teachers of the Persian language programme. The Cultural Centre of the Islamic Republic of Iran presented the university with textbooks and books by Iranian poets translated into Turkmen and Persian.
UNICEF has published the results of its ‘Generation 2050’ study on Turkmenistan
16.01.2026UNICEF in Turkmenistan presented a regional report entitled ‘Generation 2050 in Central Asia’ and a special supplement on the country. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. Representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan, the Mejlis and social sectors participated in the discussion, considering how investments in children can contribute to long-term development. The document contains a Roadmap for utilising the country's demographic potential until 2050. The study shows that a focus on quality education, healthcare and social protection could increase economic growth by 9% by 2050, as well as prepare future generations for global challenges, including climate change and economic transformation.
Turkmenistan competed in the international stage of the Chinese Motocross Championship
16.01.2026The international stage of the Chinese Motocross Championship (CMX), held in Chongqing, was a significant event for world motorsport. Turkmenistan was represented at the competition by the ‘Kämil’ motorsport club, according to IIC. The team's participation was made possible due to state support for high-performance sports and allowed the athletes to gain valuable international experience. The competition took place on the challenging Jiangjin speed track with the participation of leading factory teams ‘QJMotor’, ‘CFMoto’ and ‘KAYO’. In the 250cc petrol class, Serdar Mollamyradov and Begench Annayev competed for ‘Kämil’, demonstrating a competitive level. In the electric motorcycle races, the club was represented by Konstantin Fedorychev and Karen Avagyan, emphasising the team's focus on modern and environmentally friendly technologies. The athletes' work was coordinated by the club's director, Master of Sports of Turkmenistan Shamyrat Gurbanov. The experience gained in China will be used in preparation for new international competitions, including open championships in neighbouring countries, in conjunction with the Automobile Sports Federation of Turkmenistan.
500 volunteers will ensure the successful staging of the AFC Champions League match in Ashgabat
16.01.2026On February 11, Ashgabat will host the AFC Champions League 2 Round of 16 match between the Turkmen football club ‘Arkadag’ and the Saudi Arabian club ‘Al-Nassr’. The match will be held at the Olympic Stadium, according to the Orient news agency. A large-scale organisational programme has been prepared for the game. Five hundred volunteers, students of the Turkmen State Institute of Physical Culture and Sports who have undergone special training, will be involved in servicing the match. They will be assisted by 15 translators and 15 student journalists, with coordination provided by 50 teachers. The volunteers have been trained in sports ethics, working with spectators, safety requirements and international protocol. The Turkmenistan Football Federation is finalising preparations, hoping that the high level of organisation will make the match a spectacular international event.
The Third International Mathematics Olympiad for schoolchildren will be held in Ashgabat
16.01.2026The Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan will hold the Third International Mathematical Olympiad for schoolchildren in Ashgabat from 8 to 13 April. This was reported by the news website Asmannews. Registration for participants and team leaders will run from 15 January to 1 April. Schoolchildren and recent school leavers from Turkmenistan and other countries are invited to participate. The Olympiad will be held in an individual format in one round, with Turkmen, Russian and English as the working languages. Participants will be offered two levels of difficulty — categories A and B, with age restrictions depending on the category. The number of participants from one country is not limited. The organisers will provide accommodation, meals, transport and a cultural programme for the duration of the competition.
Turkmenistan entered the top 10 countries in terms of imports to Uzbekistan
16.01.2026Turkmenistan entered the top ten largest suppliers of goods to Uzbekistan in January–November 2025. This was reported by ‘Business Turkmenistan’, citing a report by the State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan. Imports from Turkmenistan amounted to US$926.2 million. The country ranked eighth among Uzbekistan's trading partners. The top ten also included China (US$12.8 billion), Russia (US$7.8 billion), Kazakhstan (US$3 billion), Turkey (US$1.7 billion), South Korea (US$1.5 billion), Germany and India (US$1 billion each), Belarus (US$698.8 million) and the United States (US$656.1 million). Uzbekistan's total imports for the reporting period reached US$41.9 billion, which is 18.7 per cent more than a year earlier. Supplies were made from 180 countries. Trade turnover between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for January–November 2025 amounted to $1.064 billion.
Scientists note changes in snow conditions in the mountains of Turkmenistan
16.01.2026Glaciers and snow cover in Central Asia are shrinking due to global warming. The rise in average annual temperatures is leading to a reduction in snow cover in mountainous areas. This was reported by Turkmenportal with reference to the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’. The state of glacier and snow systems directly affects the water balance of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya basins, transboundary rivers that provide water resources and economic development for millions of residents of five countries in the region. The Kopetdag and Koytendag mountain ranges are located in Turkmenistan. There are no large glaciers here, but seasonal snow cover plays an important role in shaping the local climate and hydrological regime. Kopetdag, stretching along the south-western border of the country, is characterised by high biodiversity. It is home to snow leopards, argali and urial. The vegetation cover of the mountains protects the soil from erosion and regulates meltwater runoff. In Koytendag, seasonal snow cover lasts until May and influences the formation of permanent and temporary watercourses. This region is the only habitat in Turkmenistan for the markhor, a species of goat. Snow cover is also characteristic of the Greater and Lesser Balkan Mountains, where plant species grow, including those listed in the Red Book of Turkmenistan. Scientists are recording changes in the timing of snowfall and melting, as well as shifts in the seasons. These processes are reflected in the state of the country's ecosystems and landscapes. In this regard, Turkmenistan is stepping up its monitoring of snow cover and mountain ecosystems. Research is focused on assessing the consequences of climate change and developing long-term adaptation measures.
In 2025, Turkmenistan continued to modernise education and science
16.01.2026In 2025, Turkmenistan continued to modernise its education and science system. As part of state programmes, kindergartens, schools, universities and health centres have been put into operation and continue to be built throughout the country. The educational buildings are equipped with modern equipment, multimedia systems, computers and internet access, according to the state news agency TDH. Several kindergartens and new schools have been opened in Ashgabat to mark Knowledge and Student Youth Day, including in the Parahat-7 and Choganly residential complexes. A new school has also been put into operation in the Lebap velayat. First-graders traditionally received ‘Bilimli’ laptops as gifts. The use of interactive forms of teaching is expanding in schools and universities. Particular attention is being paid to training specialists for various sectors of the economy and linking education, science and production. In 2025, the International University of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs was opened. New facilities of the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan have been commissioned in Mary, including an educational building, a dormitory and a sports complex. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov approved the Strategy for the Development of Higher Professional Education in Turkmenistan for 2026–2052. The document defines long-term approaches to managing the sector, taking into account the labour market, demographics and international standards. In 2025, new textbooks and manuals were published with the participation of the Ministry of Education, the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan and university teaching staff. Programmes to improve the qualifications of teaching staff have been implemented. The education system actively developed international cooperation. Projects are being implemented with UNDP, UNICEF, UNESCO, UNFPA and other UN agencies. The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, was awarded the title of Honorary Doctorate of Tsukuba University. Turkmen schoolchildren and students participated in international Olympiads and competitions. In April, the II International Subject Olympiad in Mathematics was held among schoolchildren. Young scientists won gold medals at the BIICC-2025 competition in Malaysia. In 2025, programmes for training Turkmen youth at universities in Romania, as well as China and Hungary, were approved in the fields of IT, medicine, agriculture, engineering and other priority specialities. At the same time, the country's scientific potential is being strengthened. The Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan conducts applied research in the fields of chemistry, energy, ecology, bio- and nanotechnologies. Particular attention is paid to the rational use of natural resources and ecological developments. At the end of the year, Turkmenistan's education and science system strengthened its material base, expanded international ties and enhanced the training of personnel focused on the country's long-term development.
Indian Film Festival to be held in Ashgabat from 20 to 24 January
16.01.2026From 20 to 24 January 2026, the Ashgabat cinema will host the Indian Film Festival. This was reported by the IIC. The event is organised by the Embassy of India in Turkmenistan in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of India. The festival aims to develop humanitarian ties and cultural exchange between the two countries. The programme includes nine films from different years, representing more than 50 years of Indian cinema. Viewers will be shown both classic Bollywood films and contemporary films that have received international recognition. Admission to all screenings is free. Seating in the hall is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Turkmenistan presented an exhibition at the OTS Culture Week in Vienna
16.01.2026The Embassy of Turkmenistan in Austria took part in the Culture Week of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) at the United Nations Centre in Vienna. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The event featured an exhibition dedicated to 2026 under the slogan ‘Independent Neutral Turkmenistan − the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses’. The exhibition included traditional fabrics, national costumes, carpets, handicrafts, silver jewellery and artistic images of Ahal-Teke horses, demonstrating the richness of Turkmen craftsmanship and the cultural significance of horses. The opening was attended by the Secretary General of the OTS, representatives of the UN in Vienna, diplomats and invited guests. The embassy emphasised Turkmenistan's desire to develop cultural exchange and strengthen cooperation in the Turkic world.
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