A delegation from Kazakhstan paid an official visit to Turkmenistan with the aim of strengthening economic and trade ties. The trip included meetings with representatives of government agencies, businesses and key industries, including energy, transport, healthcare and manufacturing. This was reported by the IIC. Particular attention was paid to energy: cooperation on the development of the largest gas field, ‘Galkynysh’, and the development of a partnership between QazaqGaz and the State Concern ‘Türkmengaz’ were discussed. Projects in the field of petrochemicals and the modernisation of railway infrastructure were also considered. Kazakhstan expressed interest in participating in the construction of the Torghundi-Herat railway as part of the North-South corridor. The parties signed 20 agreements and seven memoranda in the fields of investment, logistics, agriculture, digitalisation and tourism. A strategic partnership programme for 2025–2027 was adopted. The visit also included a cultural programme, with the delegation visiting the National Museum of Turkmen Carpets. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening bilateral cooperation.
As part of the 11th International Orchestra Festival, world-renowned conductor and professor at the Eastman School of Music Neil Varon held a master class for musicians of the State Symphony Orchestra of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The master class was a significant event of the festival, providing musicians with an opportunity to work directly with one of the leading conductors of our time. Professor Varon shared with the orchestra members the peculiarities of interpretation and the secrets of ensemble playing. The maestro highly praised the level of training of the Turkmen musicians, noting their attentiveness and coordination. Such master classes contribute to cultural exchange and professional development, opening access to the best world traditions of performance.
On 24 July, Armenian entrepreneurs signed a trade agreement with businessmen from Turkmenistan on the supply of textile products. This was reported by the press service of the SCRMET. Under the deal, plain-dyed jacquard terry products, dyed flannel fabric and raw cretonne fabric were purchased. On the domestic market, Turkmen entrepreneurs signed an agreement with the Ministry of Textile Industry for the purchase of cotton yarn. At the end of the trading day, two deals were concluded for a total amount of 3.861 million manat and 322,472 thousand US dollars.
The President of Turkmenistan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the country Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed the Decree ‘On pardoning convicted persons on the occasion of 2025 - the International Year of Peace and Trust’. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The document was adopted with the aim of strengthening the unity and cohesion of Turkmen society and every family, as well as in accordance with national traditions of mercy and humanism. According to the Decree, a number of prisoners have been released from further serving their main sentence of imprisonment.
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov received the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Turkmenistan, Ji Shumin, who presented his credentials. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The diplomat conveyed greetings from the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, and noted the importance of the strategic partnership with Turkmenistan. Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasised the significance of relations with China, calling it a key strategic partner. During the meeting, special attention was paid to economic cooperation, in particular projects in the energy sector, including the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China gas pipeline. The coordination of the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ and the ‘Revival of the Great Silk Road’ were discussed. The importance of humanitarian cooperation in the fields of education, science and culture was also emphasised. At the end of the meeting, Ambassador Ji Shumin expressed his readiness to promote further strengthening of bilateral ties.
On 24 July, negotiations were held in Delhi between Nazar Agahanov, Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan, and Shri Jitin Prasada, Minister of Commerce, Industry, Electronics and Information Technology of India. This was reported by the IIC. The Indian Minister congratulated the Turkmen delegation on their new appointments and expressed satisfaction with his first official visit to the country. During the constructive dialogue, the parties outlined promising areas of partnership, paying particular attention to the development of the agricultural sector and food security, technological cooperation and the digitalisation of the economy. The parties demonstrated their readiness to take bilateral relations to a qualitatively new level, covering not only traditional economic sectors but also other promising areas of cooperation. Particular emphasis was placed on the creation of sustainable mechanisms for interaction that would contribute to the long-term and mutually beneficial development of relations between the two countries.
From 22 to 23 July, the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat hosted a specialised training course for journalists on media literacy, digital technologies and the legal framework for modern journalism. This was reported by the online publication AsmanNews. The training was attended by young employees of central and departmental media outlets in Turkmenistan, including representatives of online journalism. The training was conducted by Irina Imamkuliyeva, a journalist of the ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’ newspaper, Svetlana Chirtsova, a correspondent for the State News Agency, and Abdulkerim Muhammedov, a lawyer from Ashgabat. The course covered key aspects of media security, prospects for the development of journalism in the age of artificial intelligence, and legal standards for working with information. Particular attention was paid to issues of professional ethics within the framework of national legislation and international norms. At the opening of the event, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, Ambassador John MacGregor, noted Turkmenistan's commitment to media freedom and human rights.
On 24 July, the State Library of Turkmenistan hosted the grand opening of an exhibition and fair of classical English-language literature, dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust and US Independence Day. This was reported by the IIC. Before the opening ceremony, US Ambassador to Turkmenistan Elizabeth Rood visited the Foreign Language Literature Department, which houses a unique collection of 60,000 books in 50 languages, including 30,000 publications in English. Of particular interest was a book disinfection device donated by the American side in 2009, which helps preserve rare copies. Acting Library Director Lachyn Nurmuhamedova emphasised the importance of the library as a centre for international cultural exchange and congratulated Ambassador Rood on the anniversary of her diplomatic service in Turkmenistan. In her response, the US Ambassador noted the successful development of humanitarian ties between the two countries, especially in the field of education through American Council programmes.
On 24 July, negotiations between the Head of the diplomatic mission and the Vice Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) took place at the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Beijing. The main topic of the meeting was the participation of the Turkmen side in the upcoming Baketu Forum, which will be held on 25 September in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. This was reported by the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The Chinese partners provided detailed information about the upcoming event, which is being organised jointly with the People’s Government of Tacheng Prefecture and the China International Council for the Promotion of Multinational Corporations (CICPMC). Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of involving Central Asian countries, including Turkmenistan, in the region's integration processes. The Turkmen Ambassador thanked for the invitation and informed his Chinese colleagues about the foreign policy priorities of the country, as well as about the planned international initiatives with the participation of Turkmenistan. The negotiations took place in a friendly atmosphere, confirming mutual interest in the development of bilateral cooperation. As a sign of strengthening cultural ties, the Chinese delegation was presented with books by the President of Turkmenistan, ‘The Spiritual World of Turkmens,’ and a collection of poems by Magtymguly Pyragy in Chinese, published to mark the 300th anniversary of the great poet. This gesture symbolises the multifaceted partnership between the two countries, covering both economic and humanitarian spheres.
Mahym Atakova, a student at the State Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan, has become a finalist in the international competition and exhibition ‘Picture of the World’ held by the Tretyakov Gallery branch in Kaliningrad. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Young artists from 65 countries, including Turkmenistan, Russia, China, Libya, Senegal and others, took part in the competition. The competition was held on the theme ‘The values of my people as part of the global culture of humanity’, with nominations for painting, graphic art and digital art. M. Atakova, who is studying graphic design at the Department of Graphic Arts, presented three works: ‘Sweet Dream’, ‘Living History’ and ‘Happy Childhood’. Two of them are already in a private collection in the United States. After several stages of selection, M. Atakova's works were included in the top 100 and then in the 50 finalists of the competition.
The National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, took a walk along the Caspian Sea and familiarised himself with the ships that will be used to maintain order during the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. Secretary of the State Security Council, Minister of Defence Begench Gundogdyev reported on the characteristics of these vessels. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasised the importance of the high level of organisation of the upcoming conference. Hero Arkadag then held a working meeting to discuss preparations for the conference, including the improvement of the ‘Avaza’ National Tourist Zone, ensuring sanitary conditions, the readiness of medical infrastructure and the creation of conditions for foreign guests. Special attention was paid to security issues, the cultural programme and the effective use of online resources for international coverage of the forum. At the meeting, the National Leader of the Turkmen people called on participants to act responsibly and expressed confidence in the successful implementation of the set goals.
During his working trip to the Balkan velayat, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, visited the ‘Avaza’ National Tourist Zone, where construction of a complex for holding ceremonial events is actively underway. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. A large-scale space designed to welcome guests is being created on the site of the natural landscape. According to the project, large LED screens and a modern interactive fountain system will be installed here, which will create spectacular light and music shows in the evenings. While inspecting the site, Hero Arkadag noted that future celebrations should make a vivid impression and become a showcase of the rich Turkmen culture. The National Leader of the Turkmen people also instructed that attention be paid to the creation of convenient parking areas and the high-quality organisation of a national cuisine festival, which is intended to become an additional element of cultural exchange and friendship between peoples. The complex is designed as a space where traditions and modern technologies will come together to demonstrate Turkmen hospitality and attract the attention of guests from all over the world.