Two young Turkmen poets - executive secretary of the newspaper ‘Türkmenistan’ Muhammet Bekgiyev and head of the department of ‘Nesil’ Danatar Galpakov became laureates of the international contest-festival of poetry of the Turkic world ‘Zhashyl aalam’. This is reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The event, attended by about 50 poets, was held in the city of Osh (Kyrgyzstan). Following the results of the competition programme, the jury awarded both Turkmen authors the international medal named after Jolon Mamytov. The festival also included a conference and a creative meeting dedicated to the translation of Magtymguly Pyragy's poetry into Kyrgyz. The participants of the event heard the poet's poems both in the original and in translation. In his speech, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev noted the importance of Turkmen literature and its deep philosophical orientation. He emphasised that Magtymguly's work reflects universal values - peace, brotherhood and unity.
A large-scale concert dedicated to the International Children's Day was held in the capital's ‘Ashgabat’ Park. The festive event, organised by the capital's Mayor's Office together with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan, gathered hundreds of children, their parents, as well as representatives of diplomatic missions and international organisations accredited in the country, IIC reports. Young artists presented a rich concert programme including vocal and instrumental performances. Their performances created a warm atmosphere, filling the stage with joy and children's laughter. The culmination of the event was the presentation of gifts - toys and ice-cream - to all the children who took part in the holiday. This symbolic gesture was an expression of attention to the younger generation and a desire to provide each child with positive impressions and a feeling of care.
A five-day training for national specialists, organised with the assistance of the World Health Organization Country Office and the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan, has been completed in Turkmenistan. This was reported by the information agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. According to the source, the training course was aimed at strengthening knowledge on prevention, monitoring and management of zoonotic diseases. During the training, the participants learnt the actual methods of preventing the spread of zoonotic infections, mechanisms of their early detection, as well as approaches to interagency co-operation within the framework of the ‘One Health’ concept. The training was conducted by Natalia Pshenichnaya, WHO Regional Office for Europe specialist, in co-operation with representatives of the relevant ministry, veterinary services and other relevant agencies. The training also focused on promising steps to improve the system of epidemiological control and surveillance of zoonotic diseases in the country.
On the International Children's Day, the foundation laying ceremony of the ‘Güneşli’ Centre for Children and Youth was held in the capital of Turkmenistan. This is reported by TDH. The event was attended by representatives of state authorities, public organisations, educational institutions and mass media. The atmosphere of the holiday was decorated with performances of artists and children's groups. The ‘Güneşli’ Centre will become a multifunctional area for leisure, career guidance and creative development of children and teenagers, with the construction of an amphitheatre, circles, game zones and a training ground for traffic rules. The project will be financed by the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship. The funds, including the prize money from the ‘Arkadag’ football team's victory in the AFC Challenge League, have been allocated for this initiative. The foundation laying ceremony was accompanied by a symbolic gesture: elders were the first to lay the concrete in the foundation of the future building, followed by youth representatives. This act emphasised the continuity of generations and loyalty to national traditions. The source notes that the groundbreaking of the ‘Güneşli’ Centre was an important milestone in strengthening the country's cultural and educational infrastructure. In the year proclaimed as the International Year of Peace and Trust, Turkmenistan reaffirmed its status as a State where children are at the centre of attention of State policy and receive comprehensive opportunities for growth and self-realisation.
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov has sent a congratulatory message to President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella, President of the Council of Ministers Giorgia Meloni and the people of Italy on the occasion of the National Holiday - Republic Day. This is reported by TDH. On behalf of the people and Government of Turkmenistan, as well as on his own behalf, the Head of State conveyed sincere congratulations and best wishes to the leadership of the friendly country. Taking the opportunity, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov wished President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni good health and personal well-being, and the people of the Italian Republic peace, sustainable development and prosperity.
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov started his official visit to Mongolia on 1 June. The Head of State was seen off at Ashgabat International Airport by representatives of the country's top leadership, as TDH reports. Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, the plane of the President of Turkmenistan landed at the Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport, where the national flags of both countries were raised in honour of the distinguished guest. After the welcoming ceremony, the Head of Turkmenistan headed to the residence allocated for the visit. The key event of the visit will be the Turkmen-Mongolian high-level talks to be held on 2 June. A wide range of issues of bilateral and multilateral interaction is on the agenda. Special attention will be paid to political cooperation, trade and economic ties, as well as humanitarian partnership. The Turkmen-Mongolian business forum is also scheduled to be held within the framework of the visit, which opens up additional opportunities for intensifying the interstate trade and economic dialogue and expanding partnerships between business circles of both countries. The parties intend to pay special attention to humanitarian exchange, cooperation in education, science, culture and sports. Following the talks, the sides are expected to sign a package of interstate agreements aimed at further strengthening the legal framework and expanding long-term co-operation.
The National Music and Drama Theatre named after Magtymguly hosted a concert of the famous Turetsky Choir and sopranos with a full house - a bright event organised by the Russian Embassy in Turkmenistan with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture of the country. This was reported by the online publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The concert opened with the legendary ‘Katyusha’, which created a special atmosphere of the holiday. The programme was a musical journey through the masterpieces of the war years (from ‘Three Tankers’ to ‘Cranes’) to modern compositions. The secret of the group's success is in the unique combination of virtuoso vocals, dramaturgy of numbers and special energy. The audience very warmly welcomed the romance ‘Nightingale’ performed by Mikhail Kuznetsov, the owner of a rare male soprano. A special section of the programme was dedicated to Turkmenistan: the songs ‘Ashgabat’ on the poems of Hero Arkadag, “Karakum” and ‘Bibijan’ were performed. The culmination of the concert was a joint performance of the song ‘Let There Always Be Sunshine’ with the participation of Turkmen children. The evening ended with a general performance of ‘We Wish You Happiness!’ that united the artists and the audience. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia Ivan Volynkin expressed hope for new meetings, emphasising the importance of such events for strengthening cultural ties between the two countries. The concert was not only a celebration of music, but also a testimony to the strong friendship between the peoples of Russia and Turkmenistan.
A festive event dedicated to International Children's Day was held at the ‘Döwletliler’ Palace, highlighting Turkmenistan's commitment to protecting the rights and interests of the younger generation. This was reported by the IIC. This year, the traditional celebrations took on a new meaning, reflecting the state's increased attention to children's issues. During the ceremony, young citizens of Turkmenistan received commemorative gifts on behalf of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as well as from the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation and public organisations of the country. The event clearly demonstrated Turkmenistan's solidarity with the international community on issues related to the protection of children. The state continues to consistently implement a set of measures aimed at creating favourable conditions for the development and upbringing of the younger generation, which is in line with both national priorities and the country's international commitments. The presentation of gifts on behalf of leading state and public structures emphasises the special status of children's issues in Turkmenistan's social policy.
On International Children's Day, a solemn ceremony was held in Ashgabat to lay the foundation stone for the new “Güneşli” Children's and Youth Centre. The project promises to become a modern educational and cultural space for the younger generation. This was reported by IIC. The ceremony was preceded by colourful performances by children's creative groups, which created a festive atmosphere. After the concert programme, the participants symbolically laid the first stone in the foundation of the future centre. The new complex will include an observatory with a telescope, built with funds from the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship, as well as a digital library named after Bazar Amanov. The centre will feature modern educational spaces with state-of-the-art equipment, sports and play areas, an amphitheatre for cultural events and a special area for learning traffic rules. Construction is scheduled to be completed by May 2027.
Twelve specialists from the Turkmenistan Tennis Federation (TTF) have upgraded their qualifications as part of an online seminar on training coaches to work with people with disabilities. The seminar was organised by the TTF, the State Committee for Physical Culture and Sport of Turkmenistan and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). This was reported by the online publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. This educational project is part of the ‘Wheelchair Tennis’ programme launched in March 2025 after the signing of a Memorandum of Partnership between the TTF and UNICEF. The initiative aims to create conditions for children with disabilities aged 7 to 18 to play tennis. The online seminar was held at the Tennis Complex of the Olympic Village in Ashgabat, recognised in 2024 as the Training Centre of the Asian Region. Under the guidance of international expert Sergey Selivanov, instructor of the Asian and Kazakh Tennis Federations, participants learned training methods for athletes with disabilities, the specifics of working with specialised equipment, principles of load distribution and other key aspects of inclusive sports. The programme included both theoretical and practical sessions on the court. Upon completion of the training, participants received certificates from UNICEF and the TTF, confirming their readiness to work within the framework of this new social initiative.
On 31 May, Turkmenistan's Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov held talks with the Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, who was visiting Ashgabat. The meeting took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the online publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The sides exchanged views on topical issues of bilateral cooperation, including political, trade, economic, energy, transport, and cultural and humanitarian areas. Particular attention was paid to strengthening inter-state dialogue, which is developing thanks to the consistent policy of the leadership of both countries. During the talks, the importance of cooperation between Turkmenistan and Pakistan within international organisations and the role of inter-parliamentary ties were emphasised. One of the key topics of discussion was the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project and other important aspects of joint work. The meeting confirmed the mutual interest in further developing the partnership between the two countries.
During his working visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov held a meeting with President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. This was reported by TDH. The Head of Kazakhstan noted the strategic nature of relations between the two states and emphasised his country's interest in further strengthening friendly ties and expanding multifaceted cooperation with Turkmenistan. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed his gratitude for the invitation to participate in the first summit in the Central Asia - Italy format and for the hospitality shown. The head of Turkmenistan expressed confidence that the summit meeting would contribute to the development of cooperation between the countries of Central Asia and Italy. During the talks, the parties confirmed their continued understanding on key issues on the regional and global agenda, including ensuring peace and stability, developing sustainable energy and transport infrastructure, rational use of water resources, environmental protection and combating climate change. Special attention was paid to effective cooperation between the two countries within international structures, primarily the UN. The President of Turkmenistan expressed gratitude to Kazakhstan for its support for Ashgabat's international initiatives. In turn, Turkmenistan assists initiatives put forward by Kazakhstan in the international arena. Trade, energy, transport and communications were named as priority areas for partnership. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation remains an integral part of the bilateral dialogue. The parties emphasised the importance of holding cultural days and festivals, as well as strengthening contacts between representatives of science and art in both countries. Following the meeting, the Heads of State expressed confidence that the dialogue would give additional impetus to the development of the Turkmen-Kazakh strategic partnership and exchanged wishes for the well-being and prosperity of the brotherly peoples.