On June 18, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Turkmenistan on an official visit. This was reported by the TDH news agency. The head of the Malaysian government was welcomed by officials at Ashgabat International Airport. An honor guard participated in the welcoming ceremony. During the visit, talks are scheduled in Ashgabat focusing on the development of Turkmen-Malaysian cooperation. Turkmenistan and Malaysia maintain partnership relations in the political, economic, and humanitarian spheres and also cooperate within international organizations, including the United Nations. An important milestone in the development of bilateral dialogue was the official visit of the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, to Malaysia in 2024. One of the key areas of cooperation remains the oil and gas sector. The activities of Petronas in Turkmenistan have made a significant contribution to strengthening the partnership. The two sides are also interested in expanding cooperation in petrochemicals, transport and logistics infrastructure, high technologies, agriculture, science, and education. The outcomes of the upcoming talks are expected to contribute to the further strengthening of bilateral cooperation.
UN General Assembly Resolution 80/262, initiated by Turkmenistan and dedicated to the role of neutrality in strengthening peace, security, and sustainable development, has been officially published in all six official UN languages, according to the news agency Orient. The document relates to the 80th session of the UN General Assembly and is included in the agenda on peacebuilding issues, ensuring its wide dissemination among member states. A distinctive feature of the resolution is that it was adopted by consensus and became the first UN document submitted under a specially created agenda item fully dedicated to the topic of neutrality. Publication in all six official languages completes the formal procedures following its unanimous adoption. The resolution aims to strengthen preventive diplomacy, mediation, and multilateral cooperation, as well as to develop practical UN mechanisms that utilize the potential of states’ neutral status to enhance global security and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The first meeting of the Turkmen-Slovak Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation started in Ashgabat on June 17. A Slovak delegation headed by Deputy Minister of Economy Vladimir Šimonjak arrived in Ashgabat. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The two sides noted that the negotiations would be an important step toward strengthening economic relations and elevating cooperation to a new level. Interest was emphasized in developing partnerships in trade, investment, and business-to-business engagement. Turkmenistan identified the expansion of ties with European countries, including Slovakia, as a priority, along with the development of key sectors of the economy — industry, the digital sector, agriculture, transport, and logistics. During the meeting, the current state and prospects of bilateral cooperation were discussed, as well as possible joint projects in various fields — from energy and construction to education, healthcare, culture, and tourism. The official visit of the Slovak delegation was separately highlighted as confirmation of mutual interest in expanding partnership. Participants expressed confidence that the first meeting of the commission would strengthen the foundation for further cooperation. As part of the visit, bilateral and working meetings were also held with representatives of Turkmen ministries and agencies. The Slovak delegation was introduced to Ashgabat’s cultural landmarks and leading museums of the country.
A Turkmen media delegation, as part of a press tour in Brussels, met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Belgium and Head of the country's Mission to the European Union, Sapar Palvanov. This was reported by the news website Asmannews. The parties discussed key areas of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the European Union. Particular attention was given to the development of political, economic, and investment cooperation, transport connectivity between Europe and Central Asia, as well as strengthening Turkmenistan’s role as a regional logistics hub. Energy, sustainable development, and cooperation in the field of critical raw materials were also identified as priority areas. The participants reviewed the activities of the Central Asia–EU format and discussed prospects for implementing joint projects. It was noted that Turkmenistan consistently develops its relations with the European Union based on the principles of neutrality, equality, and mutual respect.
On June 15, 2026, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Japan, A. Bayramov, met with the Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike. This was reported by the press service of the Turkmen diplomatic mission. During the meeting, the sides discussed the development of various areas of cooperation between Turkmenistan and Japan. In particular, they noted the importance of friendly and constructive talks held in Tokyo in April and December 2025 between the President of Turkmenistan, the Emperor of Japan Naruhito, and the Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi. The parties also discussed issues related to artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation (DX), as well as economic, industrial, and technological cooperation, along with cultural and tourism exchanges. At the end of the meeting, the ambassador invited the Governor of Tokyo to visit Turkmenistan at a mutually convenient time, including within the framework of events held in Ashgabat and the city of Arkadag.
A meeting was held in the Mejlis of Turkmenistan between representatives of the national parliament and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Turkmenistan. During the talks, issues of bilateral cooperation were discussed, according to the press service of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan. It was noted that Turkmen-Chinese relations are developing in a number of areas, including interparliamentary cooperation. During the meeting, it was emphasized that cooperation between the parliaments of Turkmenistan and the PRC is acquiring new substance and serves as a tool for legislative support of strategic projects. The parties also discussed the organization of a training seminar by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China for parliamentary representatives of Central Asian countries. The event is aimed at strengthening the role of legislative bodies and developing the “China – Central Asia” format. It was also expressed confidence that the seminar will become a platform for exchanging experience, strengthening mutual understanding, and expanding interparliamentary cooperation.
On June 16, transactions for the purchase of a range of food products were concluded on both the external and domestic markets of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the press service of the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan. In particular, within the framework of trading on the external market, entrepreneurs from Türkiye signed agreements with local producers for the supply of first-grade wheat flour. At the same time, on the domestic market, deals were concluded between local entrepreneurs and the State Association of the Food Industry of Turkmenistan for the purchase of refined first-grade cottonseed oil. In total, two deals were concluded following the trading session, amounting to 2.8 million manats and 2.6 million US dollars.
Turkmenistan and five countries participating in the international transport corridor “CASCA+” have signed an agreement to expand freight transportation and develop the route, according to JSC “Uzbekistan Railways”. This was reported by the online publication “Business Turkmenistan”. The document was adopted following a meeting of the railway administrations of Turkmenistan, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The participants discussed the results of the corridor’s operation, the outcomes for 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, as well as the prospects for developing the route. Special attention was paid to improving transport efficiency, reducing transit time, enhancing service quality, and tariff policy. “CASCA+” unites the countries of Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Turkey, forming a transit corridor between Asia and Europe. The project aims to develop Eurasian transport connectivity, including the potential strengthening of links between China and Europe through multimodal routes.
Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan Nazar Agakhanov is participating in the events of the 5th Tashkent International Investment Forum, held in the capital of Uzbekistan. This was reported by the news agency Orient. On June 16, N. Agakhanov visited the Central Asian Expo Uzbekistan International Exhibition Center, took part in panel sessions, and also became acquainted with the activities of the Tashkent Technopark and the Center of Islamic Civilization. On June 17, he is expected to take part in the forum’s plenary session at the Tashkent City Congress Center. The visit program also includes trips to UzAuto Motors Powertrain and Artel Electronics enterprises. On June 18, Nazar Agakhanov will continue participating in panel sessions and will hold a meeting with Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, Laziz Kudratov.
The Turkmen company “Aýdyň Gijeler” will establish a manufacturing site in Uzbekistan. A relevant memorandum was signed following a meeting between the company’s management and the mayor (hokim) of Tashkent, according to the online publication “Business Turkmenistan”. During the negotiations, the development of industrial cooperation and joint infrastructure projects was discussed. A 4-hectare site has been allocated for the new production facility. The plant will manufacture products for transport infrastructure, including road barriers, traffic signs, and lighting poles, including those for the under-construction Tashkent–Samarkand highway. According to the company, the project is expected to strengthen economic cooperation between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, create jobs, and contribute to the introduction of new technologies. Earlier, “Aýdyň Gijeler” also announced the launch of a similar project in Eswatini.
The Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the United Nations, Vepa Hajiyev, held a meeting with the Special Representative to the UN and Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Office, Cynthia Samuel-Olonjuwon. This was reported by the IIC. During the talks, the sides discussed key areas of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the ILO, including within the framework of the United Nations. Particular attention was paid to the development of cooperation in the field of social development, the promotion of decent work and employment principles, as well as the implementation of international labour standards.
On June 16 in Tashkent, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Ahmet Gurbanov took part in the second meeting of senior officials dedicated to preparations for the first summit of heads of state in the “Central Asia – Republic of Korea” format. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. Representatives of the foreign ministries of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and the Republic of Korea also participated in the meeting. The participants reviewed the current status of preparations for the upcoming summit, discussed draft final documents, and exchanged views on further development of multifaceted cooperation between the countries of Central Asia and the Republic of Korea.