From April 23 to May 2, a delegation from the Seyitnazar Seydi Turkmen State Pedagogical Institute was on a working visit to the People’s Republic of China, according to the publication “Turkmenistan: Golden Age”. The purpose of the trip was to exchange experience and study modern educational technologies. Special attention was given to laboratory equipment planned for installation in the institute’s new building complex. During the visit, the university representatives visited specialized companies, as well as Shandong and Beijing Pedagogical Universities. Approaches to teaching and the use of modern equipment were discussed. The materials obtained are expected to be used to update the institute’s scientific and methodological base and to introduce new solutions into the educational process. It was noted that the visit is aimed at developing cooperation in the field of digital education and improving the compliance of the university’s infrastructure with international standards.
The President of Turkmenistan has signed a decree on honoring veterans of the Great Patriotic War. The document is dedicated to the 81st anniversary of Victory, according to the online resource AsmanNews. Under the decree, the administrations of the velayats, cities, and etraps have been instructed to ceremonially present war veterans with cash and valuable gifts on behalf of the head of state. The decision was made in consideration of the veterans’ and home front workers’ contributions, as well as their role in fostering patriotic education among young people and strengthening social unity. The President of Turkmenistan has also signed a resolution on preparations for the 2026 grain harvest. The document provides for the establishment of a State Commission and approval of its membership. The commission is tasked with ensuring the organized conduct of the harvest, the transportation of grain to storage facilities and elevators without losses, as well as timely settlements with grain producers.
On May 4, Turkmenistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vepa Hajiyev, held a meeting with the President of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock. This was reported by the IIC. During the conversation, the sides discussed key areas of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, paying attention to current issues on the international agenda. The discussion focused on strengthening peace and security, measures to address climate change, and the promotion of the Sustainable Development Goals. Special attention was given to steps for implementing Turkmenistan’s national priorities in cooperation with the UN. The parties reaffirmed their intention to continue and deepen constructive dialogue and cooperation within the framework of the United Nations.
The national traditional karate team of Turkmenistan will travel to Tashkent, where it will take part in a training camp and compete in the Central Asian Cup. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. From May 4 to May 14, the athletes will undergo a preparatory training phase, after which they will participate in the competition from May 14 to May 20. The team consists of 16 karate practitioners, all of whom hold a first adult rank: Serdar Bayryyev, Yunus Muhammedguliyev, Ibrahim Shaguliyev, Bayramgylych Merdanov, Ykhlas Jumanazarov, Daniyor Bakhtiyarov, Eldar Taganov, Cherkez Myradurdyyev, Bazarbay Odaev, Rewshen Geldibaev, Derya Begmamedov, Sylap Toylymyradov, Ykhlas Annagurbanov, Meilis Charyyev, Selim Yanbaev, and Shamil Guseynov. The team’s preparation will be led by coach Aziz Zekeryaev.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Akhmet Gurbanov held a meeting on May 4 in Yerevan with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Mnatsakan Safaryan. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The Turkmen side expressed gratitude for the invitation to the “Yerevan Dialogue 2026” forum. The parties noted the high level of political dialogue based on regular high-level contacts and inter-ministerial consultations, as well as close cooperation in international platforms. In the economic sphere, the need to expand trade and intensify the work of the intergovernmental commission was discussed, along with the development of direct contacts between business entities. In the humanitarian field, good cooperation was emphasized. The Turkmen side proposed holding new Days of Turkmen Culture in Armenia.
On May 4, 2026, a telephone conversation took place between the Foreign Ministers of Turkmenistan and Iran, Rashid Meredov and Seyed Abbas Araghchi. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The two sides discussed bilateral relations and international issues of mutual interest. They also exchanged views on regional security. The role of political and diplomatic tools, as well as preventive diplomacy, was emphasized in order to avoid conflicts and crisis situations. Special attention was given to issues related to the Caspian region. It was noted that the Caspian Sea is regarded as a space of peace, harmony, and good neighborliness. The need to strengthen multilateral cooperation on the environmental agenda was also highlighted. The foreign ministers agreed to continue regular contacts and to further develop diplomatic dialogue between the two countries. The conversation was initiated by the Iranian side.
The volume of transit cargo through the Incheburun border checkpoint between Turkmenistan and Iran in Golestan Province increased by 48% between March 20 and April 20, reaching approximately 4,000 tons valued at 13 million US dollars. This was reported by the online publication “Business Turkmenistan”. The growth in transit was accompanied by an increase in exports from the region. During the reporting period, 65,000 tons of non-resource goods worth a total of 29 million dollars were exported through all customs checkpoints in Golestan. The export structure was dominated by agricultural and industrial products, including pistachios, steel bars, cheese, wood-based panels, pipes and profiles, beverages, polyethylene, and iodine. The main export markets were Central Asian countries. Incheburun is a major railway and road border crossing between Iran and Turkmenistan, located in northeastern Iran in Golestan Province, near the Caspian Sea coast. It serves as a key route for international transit traffic.
Pupils and staff of the “Döwletliler köşgi” Palace took part in the Turkic World Children’s Games Festival held in Istanbul. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. The event brought together participants from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Hungary, Northern Cyprus, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and various regions of Turkey, and was organized by the Turkish Ministry of National Education with the support of Turkic states. The main events of the festival took place at the historic Rami Library, which served as a venue for cultural and educational programs. National games, crafts, exhibitions, musical and dance performances, as well as traditional cuisine from the participating countries were presented there. Festival guests were able to learn about traditions, take part in games, and engage in creative activities. Particular attention was drawn to Turkmen children’s games presented by the pupils of “Döwletliler köşgi”, as well as musical and dance performances that were warmly received by the audience. Representatives of Turkmenistan spoke about the importance of national games in children’s upbringing and in preserving cultural heritage. As part of the festival, excursions to historical sites in Istanbul were also organized, forming an important part of the program for participants.
The International Exhibition ‘Agro Pack Turkmenistan 2026’ will take place in Ashgabat from 12 to 14 May 2026. The event will be held in the Congress Hall of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, according to the event’s website. The exhibition will run concurrently with ‘Food Turkmenistan 2026’ and will cover the entire production and sales cycle — from agriculture to processing and distribution. The sectors covered include equipment for the food industry, packaging, food products and additives, solutions for greenhouse farming, irrigation and grain storage, as well as equipment for livestock and poultry farming. The event is organised by ‘So Fuar Group’ and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan. In 2024, 75 companies from a number of countries took part in the exhibition. More than 120 participants are expected in 2026.
A gala concert was held at the ‘Mukam’ Palace of the State Cultural Centre of Turkmenistan as part of the 27th Opera Days organised by the International Organisation of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY). The event featured performers from Turkmenistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The concert opened with Veli Muhadov’s composition ‘Türkmenistan bagy-bossan’, performed by the State Symphony Orchestra and the State Choir of Turkmenistan. The programme featured excerpts from national operas in Turkmen, Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Azerbaijani, Kazakh and Turkish, as well as arias from world classics such as ‘Romeo and Juliet’, ‘Pagliacci’, ‘La forza del destino’, ‘Il Trovatore’, ‘Carmen’, ‘Faust’ and others. The performances were met with applause from the audience. The finale was a joint performance of the song ‘Funiculì, Funiculà’. The event took place as part of cultural cooperation between the countries of the Turkic world and TURKSOY programmes.
The National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, inspected the progress of construction work on the museum on the grounds of the mosque in the city of Arkadag. The project is in its final stages, according to TDH. D. Orazov, Chairman of the State Committee for the Construction of Arkadag under the President of Turkmenistan, reported that work is underway on the exterior finishing of the building. The museum is set to house an exhibition dedicated to the life and work of Hero Arkadag, including state and international awards, photographs and his written works. Having inspected the architectural design and decorative elements, Hero Arkadag noted that the museum would form part of the mosque’s unified complex. He instructed that the pace of construction be accelerated and the work completed within the set timeframe. Regarding the curation of the exhibition, it was recommended that the matter be referred to the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan.
The National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, held a working meeting in the city of Arkadag attended by relevant officials. The Mayor of Arkadag, G. Mammedova, reported that as part of the first phase of construction, residential buildings for 7,368 families have been erected. The second phase involves plans to build housing for 4,284 families, as well as social and cultural facilities, schools and nurseries, reports TDH. It was noted that the residential buildings are being fitted out in accordance with modern standards. Since the town’s opening, thousands of families have moved into new flats and jobs have been created. Hero Arkadag instructed that the settlement of residents should continue, as well as the modernisation of educational institutions. The need to explore the establishment of named scholarships for young students was highlighted separately.