Azat Annaorazov, a representative of the Turkmenistan Football Federation, took part in a two-day training seminar organised by the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) for match commissioners for the 2026 tournament, which took place in Dushanbe. This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. The event was attended by specialists from all CAFA member countries. The sessions were led by Kemal Tokabayev, an official FIFA and AFC match commissioner, and international CAFA experts. The programme included theoretical sessions and practical training on the organisation of football matches. The seminar was aimed at enhancing the skills of specialists and facilitating the exchange of experience. The event also contributed to the implementation of FIFA and AFC standards in regional competitions.
The Asian Weightlifting Championships for youth and juniors in the under-17 and youth age groups are currently taking place in Tashkent. Turkmenistan is represented at the continental championships by athletes from the national team, according to IIC Turkmenistan. In the over-60-kilogramme weight category, Atabek Azamatov won the silver medal in the boys’ and girls’ events. His total lift was 245 kilogrammes. Shabnam Kerimbayeva, competing in the under-53-kilogramme weight category, secured another medal for the national team. Her total was 186 kilogrammes.
On 9 August, the Turkmenistan Youth Symphony Orchestra performed at the 27th Young Euro Classic International Festival of Youth Symphony Orchestras in Berlin. The concert took place at the Konzerthaus Berlin, according to the IIC of Turkmenistan. The orchestra performed under the baton of conductor Rasul Klychev. The concert’s soloist was pianist Shaislam Komiljanov. The programme included works by Turkmen composers and international symphonic classics. The musicians performed the Piano Concerto (1975) by Chary Nurymov and the symphonic poem ‘My Motherland’ by Veli Mukhatov, as well as selected works from the classical repertoire. The Young Euro Classic Festival is taking place in Berlin from 31 July to 16 August. This year, 14 youth orchestras from more than 20 countries around the world are taking part.
The Indian Embassy in Turkmenistan has announced the start of registration for international delegates to the SANJEEVANI 2026 international forum. The event will take place in New Delhi on 7–9 September, according to the IIC of Turkmenistan. The forum will bring together representatives from healthcare institutions, the medical tourism sector, insurance companies, the wellness sector and the media. The programme will include a specialised exhibition, themed conferences, B2B meetings and familiarisation visits to leading clinics in India. More than 350 foreign delegates are expected to attend. Participants selected under the ‘Hosted Buyer’ programme will be offered partial or full reimbursement of their airfare and accommodation costs. Applications are accepted via the forum’s official online platform and undergo preliminary selection based on professional criteria.
A total of 59 transactions were concluded over the course of the week at the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan. This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. Foreign buyers from Turkey and Serbia purchased cotton yarn and liquorice root extract using foreign currency. The value of the export contracts exceeded 224,000 US dollars. On the domestic market, Turkmen businesses purchased petroleum road bitumen, polypropylene and petroleum coke produced by the State Concern ‘Türkmennebit’, as well as cotton fabric and raw silk. The total value of the transactions in manats amounted to over 428 million 978 thousand.
The national costumes of the Turkmen people remain an important part of their cultural and historical heritage and of modern everyday life. They retain their traditional cut, colour schemes and cultural significance. This was reported by the press office of the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan is known for its well-developed textile industry. Local weaving traditions were shaped by the characteristics of a nomadic and semi-nomadic way of life. Wool, cotton and keten silk were traditionally used to produce fabrics. In clothing culture, great importance was attached to age and family status. Everyday attire was characterised by practicality, whilst festive attire featured rich decorative embellishments. The women’s national costume consisted primarily of long, straight-cut dresses. A woman’s age, marital status and affiliation with a particular region or tribe could be determined by the colour of the fabric, the design of the collar and the type of headdress. Embroidery held a special place. The art of embroidery, included in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, became one of the main decorative elements of national dress. The intricate patterns on the collars not only added decorative flair to the outfits but also reflected the distinctive features of individual regions. Women’s costumes were complemented by silver jewellery set with carnelian. A distinct type of women’s clothing is the ‘Ýanly köýnek’ – a dress characterised by its distinctive cut and comfort. This tradition continues to this day. Experts gathered information on its manufacture during expeditions across the country’s regions. When sewing the dress, the front and back shoulder sections are first joined, then the collar is shaped. Its shape depends on the woman’s age and preferences and may be decorated with various patterns. The inner part of the back is traditionally reinforced with cotton fabric. Once the dress is complete, a tie is attached to the collar. Its ends may be decorated with multicoloured threads and tassels. The new dress is accompanied by good wishes for family well-being and the opportunity to wear it on festive occasions.
This year, under the motto ‘Independent Neutral Turkmenistan − the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses’, the country continues to pursue its socio-economic development objectives. This is reported by the online news site AsmanNews. The unity of the people remains one of the key principles of Turkmen society. The traditions of harmony, peace and mutual understanding are regarded as an important part of the national heritage. The Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan plays a special role in this process. At a meeting of its Presidium, the main focus was on preparations for the national forum, which is to take place on 23 September at the ‘Maslahat Köşgi’ Palace in Ashgabat. Participants will review the country’s socio-economic development and set out objectives for the future. The activities of the Halk Maslahaty are aimed at strengthening the unity, cohesion and well-being of the people, as well as the country’s further development. The tradition of collegial discussion of issues of importance to the family, society and the state has its roots in the history of the Turkmen people. Today, this tradition is being further developed through the work of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan as a modern platform for strengthening national unity. Peacefulness, good neighbourliness and open dialogue remain key pillars of Turkmenistan’s domestic and foreign policy. At the same time, the preservation of national values and social harmony is regarded as the foundation for the country’s further development.
The past week in Turkmenistan was marked by international engagements, the development of cooperation with foreign partners, and initiatives in the field of maternal and child health. This was reported by the news agency TDH. On 5 August, at the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov met with Ignazio Cassis, Vice-President of the Swiss Confederation, Chairperson-in-Office of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. The parties discussed the development of Turkmenistan’s cooperation with the OSCE and Switzerland. The President of Turkmenistan emphasised Turkmenistan’s interest in expanding international dialogue in the interests of peace and sustainable development. Among the promising areas for cooperation mentioned were energy, transport, economic growth, environmental protection and the rational use of water resources. On the same day, a high-level national round table entitled ‘Strengthening Systems to Support Exclusive Breastfeeding’ took place in Ashgabat. It was organised by the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Country Office in Turkmenistan. The event was attended by representatives of the Mejlis, the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, relevant institutions, higher education establishments, civil society organisations, international bodies and diplomatic missions. Participants discussed maternal and child health, support for breastfeeding and the further development of relevant national programmes. The event took place as part of World Breastfeeding Week, which runs from 1 to 7 August. It was noted that Turkmenistan is implementing the National Programme for Maternal and Child Health for 2026–2030, entitled ‘Healthy Mother – Healthy Child – Healthy Future’. The Law of Turkmenistan ‘On the Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding’ is also in force. As part of cooperation with UNICEF, programmes are being implemented on immunisation, proper nutrition for children, improving legislation in the field of child rights protection, and enhancing the professional skills of healthcare workers and teachers. The Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship funds the treatment of children, including complex operations, and supports medical institutions by equipping them with modern equipment and ambulances. On 7 August, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, whilst on annual leave, went for a cycle ride along the coast of the Caspian Sea in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone. The ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone continues to develop as a tourist and health resort. The area is home to sanatoriums, hotels with medical and rehabilitation departments, children’s health centres and sports complexes. Work is also being carried out in ‘Awaza’ to maintain cleanliness and preserve a favourable environmental situation. The tree-lined avenues and parks that have been created complement the tourist infrastructure of the Caspian coast. The development of the physical culture and health movement remains one of the priorities of state policy. Mass sporting events, including cycle races, are held regularly throughout the country. On the initiative of Turkmenistan, World Bicycle Day, established by a UN General Assembly resolution, is celebrated annually on 3 June.
The Ministry of Road Transport of Turkmenistan has announced that it is now accepting applications for permits from foreign states for the carriage of goods by road in 2027. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. These permits are required for international road freight transport and are issued on the basis of bilateral agreements with foreign states. Applications may be submitted by both legal entities and individuals engaged in freight transport. The deadline for applications is 15 September 2026. Applications received after this date will not be considered. For further information and to clarify the procedure for submitting documents, please call: 39-03-36 or 39-03-37.
Turkmen school students won 6 gold and 4 silver medals at the ‘iWISE Global Final London 2026’ international competition, which took place in London from 2 to 7 August. This was reported by the press office of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. School students from 25 countries around the world took part in the competition. Turkmenistan was represented by 10 students selected from schools across the country. They were led by Myrat Sahetgulyev, a computer science teacher at the 1st Specialised Educational Complex in Arkadag, and Gochmyrat Bayramov, a history teacher at Specialised Secondary School No. 97 with an in-depth focus on language subjects in Ashgabat. The participants competed in three categories: line-following robot, maze-solving robot, and mini-sumo robot. Gold medals were awarded to Resulberdi Orazberdiyev, Salyh Kakalyev and Resulgeldi Geldiyev (Specialised Secondary School No. 97, Ashgabat), Selim Begmyradov (Secondary School No. 7, Ashgabat), Nurmyrat Kulov (Specialised Secondary School No. 87, Ashgabat) and Malikmyrat Annamyradov (the 1st Berdimuhamed Annayev Specialised Military School of the Ministry of Defence of Turkmenistan). The silver medallists were Salyh Altyev (School No. 97, Ashgabat), Rozymurat Yagshymuradov (Secondary School No. 13, Ashgabat), Ebubekir Berdiyev (Specialised Secondary School No. 3, Arkadag) and Umit Atamuradov (Specialised Secondary School No. 2, Arkadag). Five Turkmen school students were recognised as ‘Best of the Best’ and received cash prizes.
QazTrade, the Kazakhstani Centre for Trade Policy Development and an agency of the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, is setting up a permanent showcase for Kazakhstani products in Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news agency Orient. The ‘Kazakhstan Shelf’ will be located in one of Ashgabat’s major shopping centres. QazTrade is currently selecting samples of goods from Kazakhstani manufacturers. The initial phase will feature everyday consumer goods, food products and non-perishable goods. The venue will operate as a B2B and B2C showroom. Turkmen retailers, distributors and importers will be able to familiarise themselves with the product range, hold negotiations and conclude direct contracts with Kazakhstani manufacturers. The project will continue QazTrade’s programme to develop retail outlets and showrooms for Kazakhstani brands in Central Asian countries.
The Belgian airline Air Belgium has operated its first scheduled cargo flight to Ashgabat Airport. The new route will facilitate the transport of cargo between Asia and Europe, according to the news website Turkmenportal. Mathieu Wijthouck, Director of Ground Operations at Air Belgium, thanked Ashgabat Airport for its support and expressed his hope for long-term cooperation. Air Belgium is based in Mont-Saint-Guibert and specialises in international air freight.