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Turkmenistan's Ambassador to Belgium discussed the development of relations with the European Commission
28.08.2025Sapar Palvanov, Turkmenistan's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Belgium, met with Peteris Ustubs, Director of International Partnerships for Asia and the Pacific at the European Commission. This was reported by IIC. The parties discussed preparations for the ‘EU-Turkmenistan’ Business Forum, scheduled to take place in Ashgabat in 2026, as well as the ‘EU-Central Asia’ Economic and Investment Forums, which will be held in Tashkent in November this year. The Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor Investors' Forum will be held as part of the events. In addition, the parties discussed Turkmenistan's participation in the ‘Global Gateway’ forum in Brussels. During the talks, the diplomats emphasised the priority of developing connectivity in the transport, education and humanitarian spheres.
A new nature reserve is being established in western Turkmenistan
28.08.2025The Uly (Greater) and Kiçi (Lesser) Balkhan mountains in western Turkmenistan will be designated as protected areas. The new reserve will be created with its core in Uly Balkhan and nature reserves in Kiçi Balkhan and Southern Ustyurt. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The idea of protecting the Balkhan Mountains was first proposed in the 19th century after Grigory Karelin's expedition. Later, the region was studied by zoologists Mikhail Laptev and Geldi Shukurov. Modern research has confirmed the need to protect this unique ecosystem, which has been damaged by livestock grazing. According to scientists, the area is home to two species of amphibians, 28 species of reptiles, 174 species of birds and 45 species of mammals. These include the Central Asian leopard, bezoar goats, mountain rams, manuls and Turkmen caracals. However, the reduction in vegetation and food sources has led to the disappearance of a number of rare birds and a decline in the numbers of other species. The creation of the reserve will be part of Turkmenistan's National Forest Programme. At the same time, there are plans to expand the network of specially protected areas in the Dashoguz and Lebap velayats.
Negotiations in Avaza strengthened cooperation between the three states
28.08.2025On 22 August, a trilateral meeting was held in the ‘Avaza’ National Tourist Zone between the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, TDH reports. Issues of political dialogue, energy, transport, trade and humanitarian cooperation were discussed. The parties noted the importance of developing energy supplies, including electricity and gas exports, and the potential for creating a sustainable energy partnership. In the transport sector, a unified strategy and the development of transit corridors along the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan route were discussed. A trilateral Memorandum on Cooperation in logistics was signed. In the economic sphere, the parties expressed their intention to increase trade turnover, develop cross-border trade and industrial cooperation. Turkmenistan proposed a joint investment programme for 2026-2035. An agreement was also reached on humanitarian cooperation, including the establishment of twinning relations between Arkadag and Fizuli in Azerbaijan, as well as cooperation in education, science, healthcare, sports and tourism. Following the meeting, a joint statement was signed, defining key areas of partnership, including climate initiatives, environmental protection and cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
UNDP invites young people in Turkmenistan to participate in the Future Skills Academy
28.08.2025UNDP in Turkmenistan, in collaboration with the UNDP Knowledge Project, is launching the second phase of the Future Skills Academy initiative, aimed at developing in-demand skills and improving employment opportunities for young people through online courses. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Citizens of Turkmenistan and stateless persons with permanent residence in the country and a valid residence permit are eligible to participate. The programme covers universal, entrepreneurial and technical skills, including topics such as communication, business planning, digital literacy and programming. Training takes place online on the Coursera platform with the support of mentors. The initiative is being implemented as part of a regional project to prevent violent extremism in Central Asia, funded by the Japanese government and supported by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of Turkmenistan.
Registration for the CIET 2025 conference has begun in Ashgabat
28.08.2025Registration has begun in Ashgabat for participants in the International Conference on the ‘Development of the Construction, Industrial, Chemical and Energy Sectors of Turkmenistan’ (CIET 2025). This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The event, scheduled for early November, will serve as a platform for discussing cross-sectoral innovations, investment projects and opportunities for cooperation in the field of sustainable development. CIET 2025 will continue the tradition of the 2024 conference, which brought together more than 450 delegates from 50 countries, including representatives of ‘Çalık Holding’, ‘Rönesans Holding’, ‘Daewoo E&C’, ‘Mitsubishi’ and ‘Gertner Group’. The forum programme includes an international exhibition of technological solutions, plenary sessions on digitalisation and sustainable development, as well as B2B and B2G meetings for establishing business contacts. Special attention will be paid to the training and development of young professionals.
Ankara Street is being modernised in Ashgabat
28.08.2025The Ministry of Construction and Architecture of Turkmenistan has announced an international tender for the reconstruction of Ankara Street in Ashgabat. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal, citing the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’. Applications from companies and organisations are being accepted through the Ministry's Marketing and Foreign Economic Relations Department. The deadline for submitting documents is 8 October 2025, address: Ashgabat, Archabil avenue, 84.
Iranian Embassy in Turkmenistan announces admission to Persian language courses
28.08.2025The Cultural Centre of the Iranian Embassy in Turkmenistan has announced enrolment for free Persian language and literature courses for autumn 2025. This was reported by the news website Asmannews. Classes will start on 23–24 September. The programme is designed for different levels of proficiency and includes both conversational practice and an introduction to literature. Registration is open from 1 to 13 September. The courses will be taught by experienced teachers, creating conditions for in-depth study of the language and culture of Iran.
The Chinese Embassy in Turkmenistan held a ceremony for the 2025 scholarship recipients
28.08.2025The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Turkmenistan held a ceremony to present admission notices to students who received Chinese government scholarships for 2025. Future students of prestigious universities passed a competitive selection process and received the opportunity to continue their education abroad, according to IIC. Chinese Ambassador to Turkmenistan Ji Shumin delivered a welcoming speech, emphasising the importance of education for the development of friendship between countries and expressing hope that the scholarship recipients would become a ‘bridge’ between the peoples. The Chinese government's scholarship programme is in high demand: it opens up opportunities for quality education, familiarisation with the country's culture and gaining international experience. The event confirmed the growing interest of Turkmen youth in studying in China and became an example of successful bilateral cooperation in the field of science and education.
Turkmenistan's Ambassador to Belgium discussed the development of relations with the European Commission
28.08.2025Sapar Palvanov, Turkmenistan's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Belgium, met with Peteris Ustubs, Director of International Partnerships for Asia and the Pacific at the European Commission. This was reported by IIC. The parties discussed preparations for the ‘EU-Turkmenistan’ Business Forum, scheduled to take place in Ashgabat in 2026, as well as the ‘EU-Central Asia’ Economic and Investment Forums, which will be held in Tashkent in November this year. The Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor Investors' Forum will be held as part of the events. In addition, the parties discussed Turkmenistan's participation in the ‘Global Gateway’ forum in Brussels. During the talks, the diplomats emphasised the priority of developing connectivity in the transport, education and humanitarian spheres.
A new nature reserve is being established in western Turkmenistan
28.08.2025The Uly (Greater) and Kiçi (Lesser) Balkhan mountains in western Turkmenistan will be designated as protected areas. The new reserve will be created with its core in Uly Balkhan and nature reserves in Kiçi Balkhan and Southern Ustyurt. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The idea of protecting the Balkhan Mountains was first proposed in the 19th century after Grigory Karelin's expedition. Later, the region was studied by zoologists Mikhail Laptev and Geldi Shukurov. Modern research has confirmed the need to protect this unique ecosystem, which has been damaged by livestock grazing. According to scientists, the area is home to two species of amphibians, 28 species of reptiles, 174 species of birds and 45 species of mammals. These include the Central Asian leopard, bezoar goats, mountain rams, manuls and Turkmen caracals. However, the reduction in vegetation and food sources has led to the disappearance of a number of rare birds and a decline in the numbers of other species. The creation of the reserve will be part of Turkmenistan's National Forest Programme. At the same time, there are plans to expand the network of specially protected areas in the Dashoguz and Lebap velayats.
Ashgabat to host international conference on artificial intelligence in education
27.08.2025The capital of Turkmenistan will host an international scientific and practical conference entitled ‘The Potential of Artificial Intelligence in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Education.’ The event is organised by the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan in conjunction with the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education. This was reported by IIC. The forum will bring together UNESCO representatives, international experts, scientists and educators to discuss the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into national and global education systems. Key topics will include the digitalisation of education, the development of media literacy, the ethical aspects of AI application and the introduction of innovative teaching technologies. The conference will pay particular attention to the personalisation of learning and the development of critical thinking with the help of AI. The event is aimed at sharing best practices, developing joint strategies and increasing the competitiveness of Turkmenistan's education system. The conference is part of the education digitalisation strategy implemented by the Ministry with the support of UNESCO. This strategy includes infrastructure development, teacher training and the creation of national standards for digital competence.
Turkmenistan and Pakistan discussed the development of the ‘North-South’ and ‘East-West’ corridors
27.08.2025The Embassy of Turkmenistan in Pakistan held a negotiation with a delegation of Pakistani business circles led by the Head of the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, former Minister of Health of Balochistan Province Mir Naveed Baloch. This was reported by IIC. The Turkmen side informed the entrepreneurs about the key aspects of the country's foreign policy, the results of the recent UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, as well as the role of large-scale infrastructure projects — the TAPI gas pipeline and the TAP power line — in ensuring Pakistan's energy security. An important topic of the meeting was the deepening of trade, economic, transport and logistics cooperation. The parties discussed in detail the prospects for using the ‘North-South’ and ‘East-West’ international corridors, including the synchronisation of the work of the ports of Turkmenbashi and Gwadar. Pakistani entrepreneurs expressed interest in expanding partnership in energy and logistics, emphasising the strategic potential of the port of Gwadar for regional trade. Following the negotiation, an agreement was reached to intensify business contacts and organise mutual visits by business delegations.
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