News
The President of Turkmenistan went for a cycle ride along the Caspian coast
08.08.2026On 7 August, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who is currently on working holiday, went for a morning cycle ride along the Caspian Sea coast in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone. This was reported by the TDH news agency. During the trip, the Head of State familiarised himself with the natural landscapes and infrastructure of the resort area. In recent years, ‘Awaza’ has been transformed into a major tourist, sports and international conference centre. Work is continuing in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone to preserve its environmental well-being. Green spaces are being expanded, and forest strips and parks are being created. In Turkmenistan, particular attention is paid to the development of the physical culture and health movement and mass sport. Cycling is regarded as one of the ways to maintain physical activity and improve health. The tradition of mass cycle rides has become widespread across the country. Turkmenistan also initiated the establishment of World Bicycle Day, which is celebrated annually on 3 June in accordance with a United Nations General Assembly resolution. The infrastructure of ‘Awaza’ includes sanatoriums, hotels with medical and rehabilitation facilities, children’s health centres, holiday cottage complexes, sports grounds and multi-purpose sports centres. The development of sports and tourism infrastructure, as well as environmental conservation measures, are aimed at improving public health and enhancing the tourist appeal of the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone.
The Belarusian Embassy in Turkmenistan is digitising the booking process for consular services
08.08.2026From 1 September 2026, the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Turkmenistan will switch to an online booking system for consular appointments. This has been reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. The new system will be used for visa applications, the issuance of certificates of no criminal record or offences, and the legalisation of official documents. Appointments can be booked via a dedicated service on the homepage of the embassy’s official website. Appointment dates from 1 September are already available in the online system. Until 31 August, consultations and the acceptance of documents will continue as usual.
Kristina Bersenyova has been invited to referee AFC Champions League matches
08.08.2026A conference organised by the Asian Football Confederation for elite female referees and assistant referees was held in Malaysia. Kristina Bersenyova, an international referee from Turkmenistan, took part in the event, according to IIC Turkmenistan. The participants underwent testing on the laws of the game and physical fitness. The Turkmen referee successfully met all the standards. Following the conference, Kristina Bersenyova received an invitation to officiate matches in the AFC Women’s Champions League.
A new digital system will simplify the registration of foreign nationals in Turkmenistan
08.08.2026The State Migration Service of Turkmenistan has launched a digital platform for the registration of foreign nationals. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The new service enables foreign nationals and the individuals and organisations hosting them to register online without having to visit the Service’s offices. The introduction of the platform is aimed at simplifying migration procedures, reducing processing times and developing electronic document management.
Schoolgirls from Turkmenistan won medals at a competition in the UK
08.08.2026Turkmen schoolgirls have won prizes at the XPERTSTEM Elite Final Competition, an international contest held in the UK from 1 to 7 August. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. Akgozel Perhadova, a student at the Turkmen-Turkish Secondary School in Ashgabat, won a gold medal in the ‘Programming’ category. In the ‘English Language’ category, bronze medals were awarded to students from the Mary and Lebap velayats, as well as from Ashgabat. The bronze medallists were Aynur Yagmyrova from Specialised School No. 16 in the Mary velayat, Maria Ruslanova from Secondary School No. 15 in Ashgabat, and Jennet Halbayeva from Specialised School No. 2 in the city of Turkmenabat, Lebap velayat. School students from various countries took part in the competition.
World Ranger Day was celebrated in Ashgabat
08.08.2026World Ranger Day was marked in Ashgabat. The event took place on 6 August in the auditorium of the Hydrometeorological Service of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, according to the news website Turkmenportal. Experienced inspectors from each state nature reserve and the provincial environmental protection departments were invited to attend. Participants shared their experiences of nature conservation work and presented the results of their efforts to preserve biodiversity using camera traps and other modern approaches. Following the meeting, outstanding inspectors were awarded valuable gifts and certificates. The event was organised by the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and Conservation X Labs.
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are developing ethnographic tourism in Bukhara
08.08.2026Plans are afoot to build a new cultural and tourist complex called ‘Little Turkmenistan’ in the Uzbek city of Bukhara. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The prospects for the project were discussed at a working meeting between the Deputy Chair of Uzbekistan’s Committee on Tourism and representatives of the Turkish investment company ‘Finwest Finance Company’, the Eurasian Union of Local Authorities, and the Uzbek-Turkmen joint venture TURKMEN HALY LLC, which specialises in the production and promotion of traditional Turkmen carpets. The future complex will be dedicated to the culture of Turkmenistan — visitors will be able to learn about the history, traditions and crafts of the Turkmen people. The creation of the complex is part of a trend towards the development of ethnographic and cultural tourism in Central Asia, where, instead of individual souvenir shops or temporary exhibitions, fully-fledged spaces are being created to introduce visitors to the cultures of neighbouring countries.
Turkmenistan and South Korea are strengthening their trade and logistics ties
08.08.2026‘Hazar Logistik’ held a working meeting with representatives of the South Korean company ‘Hyundai Corporation’, during which the parties discussed cooperation in the field of logistics, the company announced on its social media channels on Thursday. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The meeting took place at ‘Hazar Logistik’s office in Ashgabat and was attended by Brian J. Park, director of ‘Hyundai Corporation’s Ashgabat office. The parties discussed the development of logistics cooperation, including attracting investment, increasing freight volumes and implementing joint projects. Representatives of ‘Hyundai Corporation’ spoke highly of Turkmenistan’s transit and logistics potential and expressed an interest in long-term, mutually beneficial cooperation. According to the company, the meeting marked an important step towards strengthening trade and economic ties between the two countries.
Turkmenistan has invited French horse breeders to the World Championships
07.08.2026On 5 August 2026, Ambassador of Turkmenistan M. Charyev held an online meeting with Nicolas Menu, President of the Ahal-Teke France Association, and Héloïse Ghirardi, Vice-President of the association. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The parties discussed preparations for the World Equestrian Championships and the Ahal-Teke beauty contest. The events will take place on 4–6 September 2026 in Kronenberg (the Netherlands). The Ambassador provided an update on preparations for the championships and invited the association’s leadership and members to take part in the competitions. Representatives of the association expressed their gratitude for the invitation and confirmed the interest of French owners of Ahal-Teke horses in taking part in the competitions. There are around 300 Ahal-Teke horses in France.
Measures to support breastfeeding have been proposed in Turkmenistan
07.08.2026Oguljahan Atabayeva, Vice-President for Medical Services at the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship, proposed a number of initiatives to support breastfeeding at a high-level national ‘round table’. The forum was organised by the Charitable Foundation and the Office of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Turkmenistan, according to the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. In her speech, she emphasised the need to provide women with high-quality advice and practical support during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period. ‘Investing in breastfeeding is an investment in the future of the nation. Supporting breastfeeding enhances child protection, improves children’s nutrition and promotes their full development, strengthens mothers’ health, reduces healthcare costs, and makes a significant contribution to building a healthy society,’ said Oguljahan Atabayeva. The Vice-President highlighted the need to develop specific measures to strengthen breastfeeding support systems. Practical steps include organising peer-to-peer counselling sessions involving local mothers. In her view, nurses and lactation consultants could take on the task of training such activists across all regions of the country. Oguljahan Atabayeva also proposed launching an information campaign involving the media to raise public awareness of the importance of breastfeeding and to encourage local businesses to create facilities for breastfeeding mothers in the workplace. ‘Strong will and dedication are essential to achieving these goals. Let us work together for the well-being of children, which begins with breast milk,’ concluded the vice-president of the Charitable Foundation.
Students from Asia visited the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Brussels
07.08.2026A meeting was held at the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Brussels with a group of 30 students from Asian countries, predominantly from the People’s Republic of China. The young participants in the educational programme had travelled to the Belgian capital to learn about the workings of the European Union’s institutions and diplomatic missions, according to the press office of the Turkmen diplomatic mission. Sapar Palvanov, Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, briefed the guests on the activities of the diplomatic mission, which also represents the country’s interests within the institutions of the European Union. During the meeting, the Ambassador spoke about the history, development and cultural heritage of Turkmenistan, as well as the fundamental principles of the country’s foreign policy, which is based on permanent neutrality, peacefulness, mutual respect and good-neighbourliness. Particular attention was paid to Turkmenistan’s international initiatives aimed at strengthening Peace and Trust and sustainable development. It was noted that the country advocates resolving pressing issues through political and diplomatic means and is developing cooperation with states and international organisations. The students were also provided with information on the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence and the motto for 2026: ‘Independent Neutral Turkmenistan − the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses’. The role of Ahal-Teke racehorses in the history and culture of the Turkmen people was highlighted separately. The guests were briefed on preparations for the international equestrian and cultural events to be held in September 2026 in the Netherlands. The meeting also covered issues relating to Turkmenistan’s state policy, social protection of the population and the activities of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan. The students were briefed on the forthcoming session of this socio-political institution, scheduled for September this year. The meeting concluded with a quiz on the history, culture and foreign policy of Turkmenistan. The winners were presented with commemorative gifts, the main one being a traditional Turkmen carpet. During the discussion, the students asked questions about the work of diplomats, Turkmenistan’s relations with the European Union and the country’s international initiatives. The Embassy organises such meetings to foster intercultural dialogue and broaden young people’s knowledge of Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan has continued to pursue a policy of strengthening international partnerships
07.08.2026In July, Turkmenistan continued to develop bilateral and multilateral cooperation with states and international organisations as part of its foreign policy. This was reported by the TDH news agency. Meetings were held at the Foreign Affairs Ministry with the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kenya and the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, who presented their letters of credence. Negotiations were also held with representatives from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Japan, the United States, the Republic of Turkey, the Islamic Republic of Iran and New Zealand. Following a series of meetings, documents aimed at developing bilateral cooperation were signed. In July, a delegation from Turkmenistan visited the Republic of Indonesia, where the first political consultations between the Foreign Affairs Ministries of the two countries took place. The parties also discussed prospects for cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the development of the ‘Central Asia + ASEAN’ format. Particular attention was paid to cooperation with the Republic of Korea. A meeting was held at the Mejlis of Turkmenistan with a delegation led by Choi Hyung Du, Head of the Korea–Turkmenistan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group. In addition, the Turkmen delegation took part in the third meeting of senior officials of the ‘Central Asia–Republic of Korea’ Cooperation Forum. The 9th meeting of the Inter-governmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan took place in Ashgabat. Participants discussed the implementation of previously reached agreements and further joint projects. Cooperation with the United Nations and its specialised agencies continued. Meetings were held at the Foreign Affairs Ministry with representatives of the International Labour Organisation, the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, and the new UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, Xiaojun Grace Wang. A delegation from Turkmenistan also took part in the High-Level Political Forum of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York, where it presented the country’s experience in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. At a meeting of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO, the results of work for the first half of the year and plans for further cooperation with UNESCO and ICESCO were reviewed. On 22 July, Turkmenistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN addressed the open debate of the UN Security Council on issues of international peace and security. On 24 July, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution ‘International Year of Law, 2028’, initiated by Turkmenistan and co-sponsored by 78 states. In July, a delegation from Turkmenistan took part in the 13th meeting of the High-Level Dialogue ‘European Union–Central Asia’ in Brussels. Negotiations were also held with Michael Harms, Executive Director of the German Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations, and Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Following the meeting with the EBRD, cooperation agreements were signed. The Foreign Affairs Ministry hosted the 65th meeting of Turkmenistan’s Interdepartmental Commission on Caspian Sea Issues, at which preparations for the Caspian Environmental Summit, scheduled for October in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone, were discussed. Over the course of the month, negotiations were held with representatives of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tatarstan, as well as a Turkmen-Chinese dialogue in Beijing dedicated to the further development of bilateral relations. The meetings, negotiations and international events held in July confirmed the continuation of Turkmenistan’s active cooperation with foreign partners in the political, economic and humanitarian spheres.
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