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A Memorandum of Cooperation between the CIS and the IAC has been signed in Ashgabat
12.09.2026On 11 September 2026 in Ashgabat, CIS Secretary-General Sergey Lebedev and Oleg Storchevoy, Chairman of the Interstate Aviation Committee, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between the CIS Executive Committee and the IAC. This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. The document provides for cooperation in the development of air transport, the improvement of the regulatory framework, air traffic management and the enhancement of flight safety. Particular attention is paid to the development of the transport services market, digital technologies and artificial intelligence, cyber security and reducing the environmental impact of aviation. The parties have agreed to exchange information, expert materials and practical experience, as well as to hold consultations and organise joint events.
Turkmenistan and Japan discussed expanding their economic partnership
12.09.2026On 11 September 2026, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov held a meeting with the State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, Kenji Yamada. This was reported by the press office of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the current state and prospects of Turkmen-Japanese cooperation, focusing primarily on trade and economic interaction. During the meeting, they considered issues relating to the expansion of business contacts, the implementation of joint projects and the introduction of Japanese technologies and expertise into Turkmenistan’s economy. The parties also exchanged views on cooperation in the energy sector, industry, transport, the chemical industry, digitalisation and the development of the circular economy. Particular mention was made of the role of the Turkmen-Japanese and Japanese-Turkmen Committees on Economic Cooperation in the development of bilateral trade and economic ties. The parties reaffirmed their readiness to continue the dialogue and strengthen the Turkmen-Japanese partnership.
Turkmenistan’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister met with the UN Permanent Coordinator
12.09.2026On 11 September 2026, a meeting took place at the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan between the Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, Myahri Byashimova, and the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, Xiaojun Grace Wang. This was reported by the press office of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed Turkmenistan’s cooperation with the United Nations system, including the implementation of joint programmes and initiatives. During the meeting, they also considered promising areas for cooperation, topical issues on the regional and international agenda, and preparations for upcoming high-level events. The parties reaffirmed their commitment to the further development and expansion of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the United Nations.
The 111th meeting of the CIS Economic Council took place in Ashgabat
12.09.2026The 111th meeting of the Economic Council of the Commonwealth of Independent States took place in Ashgabat. The meeting was opened and chaired by the Council’s Chairman, Hojamyrat Geldimyradov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. Delegations from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan took part in the meeting, as did CIS Secretary-General Sergey Lebedev. In a closed-door session, the parties discussed current issues relating to economic cooperation. The participants approved the Action Plan for the implementation of the Transport Security Strategy for 2026–2030. Reports from the Interstate Council on Standardisation and the Inter-governmental Council on Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Complex Issues were also considered. Particular attention was paid to innovation and technological development. Drafts of the Concept for Cooperation in the Production of Advanced Materials for High-Tech Sectors, initiatives on the digital transformation of the timber industry, and the development of radio navigation up to 2030 were presented. A number of specialist institutions have been granted the status of CIS reference organisations in the fields of transfusion medicine, medical education, rehabilitation and digital development. Following the meeting, 12 documents will be submitted to the Council of Heads of Government of the CIS for approval. The next meeting of the CIS Economic Council will take place on 27 November 2026 in Moscow.
An exhibition showcasing economic achievements is to be held in Turkmenistan
12.09.2026Turkmenistan is preparing for an exhibition showcasing the country’s economic achievements. It will take place on 17–19 September at the building of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, according to the news website Turkmenportal. The exhibition is timed to coincide with the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence. It will showcase the achievements of various sectors of the economy and the country’s production capacity. Key state organisations and enterprises, as well as private companies from all sectors of the national economy, will take part in the event. The aim of the exhibition is to demonstrate the results of economic reforms and the effectiveness of public-private partnerships.
Nature reserves in Turkmenistan are studying the manul population
12.09.2026Scientists from the Kopetdag, Bathyz, Koytendag and Gaplangyr state nature reserves carried out a joint expedition in the high-altitude regions of Kopetdag to search for traces of the manul — a rare feline predator. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. In the 4th edition of the Red Book of Turkmenistan, published in 2024, the manul was classified as an ‘endangered species’. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies it as a species of least concern, although it was previously classified as near threatened. According to scientific data, the manul was commonly found in the mountains of Turkmenistan in the late 19th and mid-20th centuries; however, little precise information about its habitats has survived. Surveys conducted by nature reserves since 2018 have recorded the manul on Mount Dushakerek within the Kopetdag Nature Reserve, on Mount Murze, in the Dashtoy Valley and in the Greater Balkans. This winter, staff from the Balkan Environmental Protection Department used camera traps to record the manul on Mount Lesser-Balkan. The manul is one of the smallest wild cats. In appearance, it resembles a domestic cat, but is distinguished by a shorter, stockier body, short legs, round pupils, low-set ears and thick, long fur – the fluffiest of any feline. Its coat is usually grey, with reddish or ochre patches. The manul is found in Central Asia, as well as in Mongolia, Iran, Afghanistan, Russia, China and India. It is not adapted to running fast, but is well camouflaged, leads a cautious lifestyle and takes refuge in rock crevices, other animals’ burrows or the grass. As a result, the manul is rarely encountered by humans and remains a poorly understood species.
Turkmen musicians are taking part in the Tsinandali Festival
12.09.2026Turkmen musicians are taking part in the eighth international Tsinandali Classical Music Festival, which is being held in Georgia from 3 to 13 September 2026. This has been reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. They are representing Turkmenistan as part of the Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra alongside performers from Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. A musician from the ‘Mukam’ Palace of the State Cultural Centre of Turkmenistan has been appointed concertmaster of the orchestra. As part of the festival, the young musicians are taking part in seminars and masterclasses led by renowned figures from the world of classical music. Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Georgia, D. Seyitmammedov, met with the organisers and the Turkmen participants of the festival. During the meeting, he emphasised the importance of the forum for the development of international cultural dialogue and creative cooperation.
Turkmen schoolchildren competed at the Mental Calculation World Championship
11.09.2026From September 5 to 7, the JMCWC 2026 Junior Mental Calculation World Championship for Children and Teenagers was held in Bielefeld, Germany. More than 100 young mathematicians from 14 countries took part in the competition, according to the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. Turkmenistan was represented at the championship by 12 school students selected following the national round. Many members of the national team scored over 2,000 points. Mekan Nurgeldiyev, a 7th grade student at Secondary School No. 41 in Turkmenabat, took third place in the Junior-1 category, scoring 2,477 points. He is a graduate of the ‘Anzan’ programme at the ‘Kämil Bilim’ educational centre. Livanur Berdiyeva, Turkmenistan’s first national record-holder in mental arithmetic, was among the top eight participants in the Senior category. The Turkmenistan team at the championship was led by Jahan Durdymammedova, a mental arithmetic teacher at the ‘Kämil Bilim’ educational centre, and Halym Annagurbanov, a mathematics teacher. Mental arithmetic competitions have been held since 2008. Last year, Turkmen schoolchildren also finished in the top ten.
Turkmenistan is introducing digital irrigation technologies
11.09.2026The UNDP, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, is introducing digital technologies for precision water management in the country’s agricultural sector. Based on the FAO’s CROPWAT 8.0 programme, experts have developed software adapted to the region’s climate and soil conditions, according to the Orient news agency. The first pilot site was the Saparmyrat Turkmenbashi etrap in the Dashoguz velayat. Hydromodular zoning was carried out across an area of over 86,000 hectares: the programme, based on satellite and meteorological data, calculates precise irrigation rates for each crop, thereby preventing water wastage. To put irrigation on a scientific footing across the country, the UNDP organised a workshop for hydraulic engineers, agronomists and lecturers at relevant universities. Digital algorithms for calculating fields’ water requirements will be incorporated into university curricula, and the method itself will form the basis for adapting agriculture to climate change.
Afghan businesses have been invited to the Investment Forum in Ashgabat
11.09.2026The Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan intend to step up direct cooperation between their private sectors. This was reported by the Orient news agency. Practical steps to expand business ties and develop transit routes were discussed by Hoja Ovezov, Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Kabul, and Sayed Karim Hashemi, Head of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI). During the negotiations, Afghan businesspeople were invited to take part in the Turkmenistan Investment Forum (TIF 2026), which will take place on 1–2 October in Ashgabat. The parties also focused on ensuring the smooth operation of border infrastructure. The ACCI leadership confirmed that the border crossings at Torghundi (Herat Province) and Aqinah (Faryab Province) are operating as normal. The unimpeded passage of commercial vehicles through these crossings remains a key condition for the growth of freight traffic between Turkmenistan and the countries of South Asia.
Discussions on capacity-building for relevant ministries took place at the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat
11.09.2026On 9 September 2026, a working meeting was held at the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Centre in Ashgabat, focusing on capacity-building for the relevant authorities in Turkmenistan. This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. The meeting was attended by representatives of the country’s ministries and agencies, including the State Migration Service. The participants reviewed the work carried out so far in 2026 and set out the main objectives for the fourth quarter. National experts took part in the discussion. The participants also noted the importance of such meetings for developing cooperation with international organisations and exchanging experience.
Turkmen karateka wins silver at the Asian Championships
11.09.2026Gurbannazar Amandurdyev, a 17-year-old karateka from Turkmenistan, won a silver medal at the 24th Asian Cadet, Junior and Under-21 Championships in Amman. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The Turkmen athlete finished second in the kumite competition for juniors under 17 in the under-55kg weight category. The Asian Karate Federation (AKF) Championships brought together 338 athletes from 21 countries in the Jordanian capital. Turkmenistan is represented by three athletes and an international-level referee. This is Amandurdyev’s second medal at the Asian Championships. In 2025, he won bronze at the continental championships in Shaoguan, China. The athlete began practising karate as a child. In January 2020, he won silver at an international tournament in Turkey for children under 10 in the under-30 kg weight category. In 2024 and 2026, Amandurdyev also won bronze medals at stages of the ‘Karate One-Youth League’ of the World Karate Federation (WKF) in Fujairah (UAE). He is currently in the 12th year at Specialised Secondary School No. 16 in the Ak Bugday etrap of the Ahal velayat. He is coached by Aydin Charyev, head coach of the Turkmenistan national team. Amandurdyev is among the contenders for a place at the 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games, which will take place in Dakar from 31 October to 13 November 2026.
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