On 31 July, two deals worth a total of US$1.591 million were signed on the foreign market of the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the press service of the SCRMET. Entrepreneurs from Uzbekistan signed a contract with the State Concern ‘Türkmenhimiýa’ for the purchase of liquefied gas. In addition, businessmen from Hong Kong concluded a deal with Turkmen entrepreneurs for the purchase of cotton lint. Both deals are the result of continued interest from foreign partners in Turkmen export products.
Turkmenistan is preparing to host the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC 3), which will take place in August in the ‘Avaza’ National Tourist Zone. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. This global event affects more than 570 million people from 32 countries and aims to promote their integration into the global economy, improve access to investment and overcome geographical isolation. UN conferences on landlocked developing countries are held every ten years. The first was held in Almaty in 2003 and led to the creation of the Almaty Programme of Action (APoA), and the second was held in Vienna in 2014, where the Vienna Programme for 2014-2024 was adopted, aimed at developing infrastructure and transit logistics. The decision to hold the third conference in Turkmenistan confirmed the country's authority on the international stage. The forum coincides with the 30th anniversary of the recognition of Turkmenistan's neutrality by the UN. The main theme of the meeting will be development through partnership, especially in light of current challenges, such as the fragmentation of the global economy and the transformation of transport systems. The conference will include forums for civil society, youth, the private sector and parliaments. Thematic events are planned, covering issues such as transport, sustainable energy and climate, as well as cultural and humanitarian events. Active participation by young people, businesses and the public is expected, which should give new impetus to sustainable development. The conference is an important step in strengthening Turkmenistan's role as a platform for international dialogue and the promotion of policies for peace, neutrality and sustainable development.
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov sent a congratulatory message to President of the Swiss Confederation Karin Keller-Sutter on the occasion of the national holiday, Swiss Confederation Day. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. In his message, the head of Turkmenistan wished Karin Keller-Sutter strong health, happiness and success, and the people of Switzerland peace, further development and prosperity.
On 28-29 July 2025, a regional training seminar was held in Turkmenbashi, organised by the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The event brought together representatives of customs services and experts from six countries in the region, including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Pakistan. This was reported by the online publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden Age’. During the seminar, participants discussed modern approaches to ensuring maritime transport security and managing potential risks. Particular attention was paid to issues of inter-agency and international cooperation in this area. The delegates highly appreciated the infrastructure capabilities of the Turkmenbashi International Sea Port and the level of customs control in Turkmenistan. The holding of such a seminar underscores Turkmenistan's growing role as an important transport and logistics hub in the region and its commitment to international maritime safety standards. The event was an important step in strengthening regional cooperation and exchanging best practices in the field of maritime security.
The ‘Elin Balyk’ fishery is completing a seven-month cycle of farming the first batch of Rosenberg king prawns. This ambitious project, which began with the import of tiny larvae from Thailand, is now showing impressive results - about one million individuals, each reaching 30 cm in length. This is reported by the online publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. In addition to shrimp, the farm successfully breeds tilapia, African catfish and sturgeon using modern aquaculture methods. Particular attention is paid to the quality of water from the Karakum River, which undergoes multi-stage treatment, and specially developed feed enriched with vitamins and minerals. The company's immediate plans are not only to saturate the domestic market, but also to enter the international market. The first batch of farmed shrimp will soon go on sale, which will be an important event for gourmets and restaurateurs in Turkmenistan. At the same time, work is continuing on the development of technology for farming Vannamei shrimp in the waters of the Caspian Sea. This project marks a new stage in the development of Turkmenistan's food industry, demonstrating the country's potential in the field of modern aquaculture and import substitution of delicatessen products.
On 31 July 2025, a telephone conversation took place between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, and the Head of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Seychelles, Sylvestre Radegonde. During the conversation, the parties discussed topical issues of bilateral cooperation and outlined promising areas for partnership. This was reported by the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. Special attention was paid to preparations for the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC 3), which will be held in Turkmenistan in August. The parties confirmed their interest in strengthening cooperation both on a bilateral basis and within international organisations. The telephone negotiations were another step in the development of dialogue between Turkmenistan and the Seychelles, demonstrating the desire of both countries to expand international cooperation.
On 30 July 2025, negotiations took place in Geneva between the Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the United Nations, Vepa Hajiyev, and a delegation from Mauritania. During the meeting, the current state of partnership relations and prospects for bilateral cooperation between the two countries were discussed. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. Particular attention was paid to issues of sustainable development and the creation of new transport and logistics routes. The parties also discussed opportunities for coordinating actions within international organisations, including the upcoming UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, which will be held in August in Avaza. The negotiations demonstrated mutual interest in developing partnership relations. Mauritania, which has access to the Atlantic Ocean, is considered an important potential partner for Turkmenistan in the implementation of transport and economic initiatives. The meeting in Geneva was another step towards strengthening Turkmenistan's international ties in line with its foreign policy strategy.
Starting in the 2025–2026 academic year, 13 new educational programmes will be introduced at universities in Turkmenistan: four specialised programmes, five bachelor's programmes and four master's programmes. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal, citing the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’. The programmes will be launched at six leading universities in the country, including institutes in the fields of engineering, telecommunications, energy, architecture, finance and economics. Among the new specialisations are transport logistics, railway automation, AI and data analysis systems, information technology, banking, tax and financial management, and energy conservation.
The final stage of the ‘CIS Youth Cyber Sports Games’ kicked off in the Russian capital on 30 July. Turkmenistan is represented by talented players who successfully passed the online selection process alongside participants from six other Commonwealth countries. This was reported by IIC. The prestigious tournament was organised by the Russian Technological University (MIREA) with the support of the Council for Youth Affairs of the CIS Countries and the Russian eSports Federation. In his welcoming address, CIS Secretary General Sergey Lebedev emphasised the importance of the event for the development of youth cooperation. He noted that e-sports develop valuable qualities such as strategic thinking, team spirit and the will to win, which are important in all areas of life. Sergey Lebedev expressed his confidence that the Games will contribute to strengthening friendly ties between the youth of the Commonwealth countries. The tournament is in line with modern trends in digitalisation and promotes the popularity of e-sports among the younger generation in Turkmenistan and other CIS countries.
The footballers of the Turkmen club ‘Arkadag’ defeated the Kosovar team ‘Gjilani’ in a friendly match held as part of a training camp in Bulgaria. The game ended with a narrow 1-0 victory, according to IIC. The current Turkmenistan champions are training in the Bulgarian city of Bansko until 31 July. ‘Arkadag’s next official match will be on 3 August against ‘Ashgabat’ in a rescheduled match from the 20th round of the Premier League.
On 1 August, OSCE participating States mark the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, a seminal document that laid the foundation for the largest regional security organisation. This was reported in an article for the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’ by the Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, Ambassador John MacGregor, according to Turkmenportal. The Head of the centre emphasised that the signing of the act was a turning point in relations between East and West, allowing the parties to agree on key security issues. The document includes 10 key principles, ranging from sovereignty and the inviolability of borders to the peaceful settlement of conflicts. According to J. MacGregor, the Helsinki Act has become a unique instrument of trust between countries with different political systems, strengthening dialogue and contributing to conflict reduction. The Ambassador also noted that the anniversary coincides with the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality and the International Year of Peace and Trust. Summing up his work in Ashgabat, he thanked President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan and all partners for their contribution to strengthening security. Today, the OSCE brings together 57 countries and more than a billion people, covering the military-political, economic-environmental and humanitarian spheres of security.
Private business in Turkmenistan has advantages due to cheap energy resources and an affordable workforce. This was stated by Eric Livny, Head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in Turkmenistan, in an interview with Trend agency, according to the news website Asmannews. According to him, state support provides entrepreneurs with preferential access to electricity, water and land, which contributes to the development of import substitution and export-oriented industries. The plastic packaging, construction materials and greenhouse products industries are developing particularly actively. Successful projects include ‘Tudana’, which supplies strawberries to the Uzbek chain ‘Korzinka’, and ‘Miwe’, an agricultural company that grows bananas in a 100-hectare greenhouse. The EBRD intends to expand its cooperation with Turkmen banks, including support for foreign economic operations and lending to small and medium-sized businesses.