Honoured Artist of Turkmenistan, conductor and artistic director of the country's State Symphony Orchestra Rasul Klychev has joined the jury of the first Asian vocal competition ‘Silk Way Star’, which started in Astana. This was reported by IIC. His participation highlights the high level of Turkmen musical art, recently confirmed by the victory of the Youth Orchestra of Turkmenistan at a festival in Vienna, where the ensemble won the gold award and R. Klychev was recognised as the ‘Best Conductor’. Turkmenistan will be represented at the competition by singer and composer Dovran Shammiyev, winner of the ‘Altyn Asyr’ award. He will perform alongside participants from 11 countries. The show started on 20 August, and the final will take place on 22 November. The winner will be determined by the votes of the jury and viewers. ‘Silk Way Star’ is positioned as an international cultural platform that brings artists together and discovers new talent.
UNICEF in Turkmenistan, in collaboration with the country's Ministry of Education, has launched an initiative called ‘Advancing Parenting Support through Preschool Education.’ This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. From 26 to 28 August, a training course was held for 25 kindergarten teachers, aimed at developing their skills in interacting with parents and improving the quality of early education. Teachers were introduced to practical methods of working with families: conducting classes for parents, fostering a caring attitude towards children and creating a stimulating environment at home. In the new academic year, teachers will join a pilot programme to support parents, which will serve as a platform for sharing experiences and a source of professional advice on the upbringing and development of preschoolers.
Turkmenistan's policy of permanent neutrality, enshrined in the Constitution and recognised by the international community, has become the foundation of the country's foreign policy. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. Since 1995, when the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a Resolution on the country's neutral status, this doctrine has been regarded as an effective instrument of peace, stability and development. The UN has confirmed Turkmenistan's neutrality three times, including in resolutions in 2015 and 2025, noting its contribution to peaceful coexistence, preventive diplomacy and humanitarian cooperation. On Ashgabat's initiative, 12 December became International Neutrality Day, and 2025 was declared the International Year of Peace and Trust. Neutrality strengthens the country's position in the international arena and contributes to its economic development. Turkmenistan is promoting projects on energy transit and the development of transport corridors (including the TAPI gas pipeline and the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan power line), becoming an important energy and logistics centre in the region. The policy of neutrality is particularly important in the humanitarian sphere: Turkmenistan actively participates in providing assistance in emergency situations, supports environmental initiatives and serves as a platform for international negotiations. Neutrality has become part of the national identity, reflecting traditions of peacefulness and dialogue. It strengthens international cooperation, develops cultural and scientific ties, and creates conditions for sustainable development. The Turkmen model is seen as an example of how neutral status can contribute to the security and prosperity not only of an individual state, but of the entire region.
A memorable event organised by the diplomatic mission of the People's Republic of China was held at the ‘Archabil’ Hotel in the capital of Turkmenistan. The event was timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the Chinese people's victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the end of World War II. This was reported by IIC. The ceremony was attended by representatives of political circles, members of the Interparliamentary Friendship Group, as well as delegates from the media and business circles of Turkmenistan. The highlight of the evening was the speech by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the PRC, Ji Shumin, who emphasised the value of the historical heritage of the war years. The Head of the Chinese diplomatic mission in Turkmenistan stressed that preserving the memory of those events serves as a foundation for strengthening friendly ties between nations, promotes inter-state dialogue and upholds the principles of justice. As part of the programme, guests were shown a documentary film chronicle of the war and a photo exhibition depicting the heroic pages of the Chinese people's history and the importance of their contribution to the overall victory over the enemy.
In Turkmenistan, the Ombudsman's report on the agency's activities for 2024 has been published. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The document examines the conditions for the realisation of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, citizens' appeals and measures to eliminate violations. It notes that in 2024, which was held under the motto ‘Fount of Wisdom Magtymguly Pyragy,’ steps were taken to improve the well-being of the population, including increases in salaries, pensions and scholarships. In addition, 1,146 stateless persons were granted citizenship, and the development of industry and construction contributed to job creation and improved housing conditions. Particular attention is paid to supporting young people and developing education and healthcare — new schools are being built, and an International Health and Rehabilitation Centre is being constructed in Ashgabat.
On 28 August, negotiations between the Foreign Ministers of Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation were held in Moscow. The meeting between Rashid Meredov and Sergey Lavrov allowed the parties to analyse in detail the state of inter-state cooperation in the context of strategic partnership. This was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. During the meeting, its participants emphasized the special importance of regular contacts at the highest levels, which determine the dynamics of bilateral relations. Particular attention was paid to the symbolism of 2025, declared the International Year of Peace and Trust, which coincided with the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutral status and the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. During the meeting, attention was paid to the implementation of the Programme of Cooperation between the Foreign Ministries for 2025-2026. The parties confirmed the priority of increasing trade and economic cooperation through the mechanism of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation. The diplomats also discussed the humanitarian component of bilateral relations. Educational, scientific and cultural projects were described as an important factor in bringing the peoples of the two countries closer together. In the context of multilateral diplomacy, successful coordination was noted at the UN, CIS and Caspian Five platforms. Particular emphasis was placed on the need to develop a comprehensive international approach to resolving Caspian issues, with the United Nations playing a leading role.
The third ‘BeregA’ Youth Educational Forum, part of the ‘Rosmolodezh.Forums’ federal project programme, will be held in the Astrakhan Region from 8 to 12 September. In 2025, the event set a record for the number of applications, creating competition among more than 20 applicants for each place. This was reported by IIC. A key innovation of the forum will be the international shift ‘Caspian Bridge of Professions,’ which will bring together 60 delegates from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Belarus, and Abkhazia. Three hundred young professionals aged 14 to 35 will take part in this large-scale event. The work will be organised across five professional platforms designed for service specialists, architects and engineers, property managers, agronomists and veterinarians, designers and 3D modellers. The forum aims to create a community of active young professionals who adhere to traditional spiritual and moral values.
In Lachin, declared the cultural capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States in 2025, a ceremonial closing of the ‘Youth Camp of the CIS Countries’ took place. The event, timed to coincide with City Day, brought together young representatives from Turkmenistan, as well as from a number of other Commonwealth countries. This was reported by IIC. The closing ceremony served as a platform for summarising the results of intercultural dialogue. Masim Mamedov, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in the Lachin District, focused on the transformations taking place in the city, emphasising that the infrastructure being created in the city opens up new opportunities for young people to realise their potential. Farruh Jumayev, representative of the Ministry of Culture, described the project as a catalyst for the restoration of the region's cultural landscape. The key theme of the speeches by representatives of youth organisations and international foundations was the importance of continuing joint projects. The event concluded with the presentation of certificates and a gala concert featuring creative groups. The project demonstrated the effectiveness of youth camps as a tool for strengthening humanitarian ties within the Commonwealth.
The 31st International Chess Festival, one of the biggest chess events of the year, has come to an end in Abu Dhabi. More than 3,000 chess players from 83 countries took part in the 31st tournament. This was reported by IIC. Eight-year-old chess player Kerim Babayev from Turkmenistan took second place in the category for boys under 8 in the Juniors Under 16 tournament. The young athlete scored 5.5 points out of a possible 9, demonstrating confident play under the guidance of coach Aynur Isayeva. Kerim Babayev's success continued the brilliant achievements of Turkmen chess players on the international stage. Over the past four years, athletes from Turkmenistan have been increasingly active in world chess competitions, inspiring a new generation to achieve high results. The festival was held at the legendary Radisson Blu Hotel in Abu Dhabi, where the strongest chess players from around the world gathered.
On 25-26 August 2025, Y. Seryayev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Ireland (residing in London), paid a working visit to Dublin. During the visit, official meetings were held with representatives of the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. On the first day of the visit, the Ambassador met with Ralph Victory, Deputy Head of the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland, to whom he presented copies of his credentials. The Irish side confirmed its readiness to assist in the implementation of the diplomatic mission. On 26 August, a meeting was held with Ms.Fiona Nic Dhonnacha, Deputy Political Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland, and Mr. Colm Hayes, Director General of the Global Ireland and Economic Division. The talks focused on the development of bilateral cooperation in the political, trade, economic and energy spheres, as well as cooperation within international organisations. During the meetings, the Ambassador informed the Irish side about the main directions of Turkmenistan's foreign policy and the country's economic development. The parties confirmed their mutual interest in strengthening intergovernmental relations.
An international conference entitled ‘TESOL 2025: Technology, Teaching and Transformation’ was held in Turkmenistan on the eve of the new academic year, according to the online publication Arzuw.news. The event was attended by Turkmen and American experts, as well as English teachers from different regions of the country. The main topic was the prospects for the development of English language teaching and the creation of new opportunities for students and the teaching community. Participants exchanged experiences and discussed modern teaching methods. The conference was aimed at improving the quality of English language teaching in Turkmenistan.
On 27 August, five deals worth 6.25 million manats and 452,300 dollars were concluded at the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the press service of the SCRMET. Afghan companies purchased food-grade sodium chloride from the ‘Türkmenhimiýa’ State Concern, while Serbian companies agreed with the Ministry of Health of Turkmenistan on the supply of liquorice root extract. On the domestic market, Turkmen companies purchased viscous road bitumen grade BND 60/90 from ‘Türkmennebit’. The deals highlight the growth in exchange activity and the expansion of export destinations for Turkmen producers.