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The Japanese Embassy in Ashgabat has launched a grant project competition
01.08.2026The Japanese Embassy in Ashgabat has announced that it is now accepting applications for the competitive selection process for grant projects under the Fund in Commemoration of the 1970 World Expo (JEC Fund). This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. Applications will be accepted from 1 to 30 September 2026. The programme’s budget for the 2027 financial year will be approximately 135 million yen, with a maximum grant of up to 5 million yen per project. National governments, local authorities and non-governmental organisations are eligible to participate in the competition. Private individuals and commercial entities are not eligible to participate. Support is provided to projects in the fields of international cultural cooperation, education, academic activities and scientific research, aimed at fostering mutual understanding between countries. The JEC Fund was established using proceeds from the 1970 Osaka World Expo and supports initiatives in the fields of cultural exchange and scientific partnership.
OGT 2026 will showcase new approaches to the digitalisation of the energy sector
01.08.2026Artificial intelligence, digitalisation and modern technologies will be among the key themes of the 31st International Conference and Exhibition ‘Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan – OGT 2026’, which will take place in Ashgabat on 21–23 October 2026. This has been reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The provisional programme includes a specialised session entitled ‘Technology, Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence in the Energy Sector’. Participants will discuss the application of artificial intelligence, digital fields, digital twins, automation, cyber security, data analysis, the optimisation of production assets and smart energy infrastructure. The focus will also be on the use of digital technologies for interpreting geological data, production forecasting, optimising drilling, equipment maintenance and improving environmental performance, including the monitoring of methane emissions. Technological developments in the sector will be examined during the Strategic Plenary Session and a special panel discussion featuring executives from leading international energy companies. In addition, the OGT Future Energy Leaders’ Forum will focus on the development of digital skills, the application of artificial intelligence and workforce development for the energy sector. The conference will bring together representatives from government bodies, national energy companies, international organisations, technology firms and industry experts to discuss digital transformation and technological cooperation in the global energy sector.
The Ambassador of Turkmenistan met with the Prime Minister of Thailand
01.08.2026During his visit to Bangkok, M. Mashalov, Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Malaysia, attended a state reception to mark the birthday of King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The event took place at the Government House of the Kingdom. As part of the programme, the diplomat held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, and extended an invitation to pay an official visit to Turkmenistan at a time convenient to both sides. The Ambassador also conveyed congratulations and best wishes on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The parties discussed the state of bilateral relations and the prospects for developing cooperation. The Prime Minister of Thailand expressed his gratitude for the congratulations and the invitation, noting his readiness to further strengthen the partnership.
The Head of Turkmenistan has sent a message of congratulations to the President of Switzerland
01.08.2026The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, has sent his congratulations to the President of the Swiss Confederation, Guy Parmelin, on Swiss National Day. This was reported by the TDH news agency. In his message, the Head of State wished Guy Parmelin good health, happiness and well-being, and the people of Switzerland peace, continued progress and prosperity.
Serdar Berdimuhamedov presented the summit agenda at ‘Awaza’
01.08.2026The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, addressed the informal Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, outlining the main areas of preparation for the summit, which is to be held on 8 October 2026 in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone. This was reported by the online news site AsmanNews. The Head of State thanked the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Zhaparov, for organising the meeting and conveyed greetings to the participants from the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The President of Turkmenistan also welcomed the participation of Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, noting that the decision for Azerbaijan to join the format had been taken at a consultative meeting in Tashkent in 2025. Serdar Berdimuhamedov reported that Turkmenistan had sent the participating states a draft agenda for the forthcoming summit in Awaza. The document covers five key areas: issues of peace, security and political and diplomatic cooperation; the development of trade and economic cooperation, energy, and transport and logistics corridors; joint measures in the fields of the environment, climate change and the restoration of the Aral Sea; and the expansion of cultural, educational, scientific and youth exchanges. The President of Turkmenistan noted that, during the run-up to and throughout the summit in Awaza, international forums and cultural events would also take place. Concluding his address, he expressed his gratitude to the Heads of State for their constructive approach to cooperation.
Turkmenistan took part in an informal consultative meeting in Kyrgyzstan
01.08.2026On 31 July, the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, paid a working visit to the Kyrgyz Republic, where he took part in an informal consultative meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan. This was reported by the news agency TDH. The summit took place at the Congress Centre of the State Residence of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in the city of Cholpon-Ata. The President of Turkmenistan was welcomed by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Zhaparov. Opening the meeting, Sadyr Zhaparov thanked the participants for their visit and noted that Turkmenistan will hold the chairmanship of the ‘Central Asia–Azerbaijan’ format in 2026. The President of the Kyrgyz Republic also expressed his gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for the invitation to take part in the forthcoming summit at the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone. The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, thanked Turkmenistan for acceding to the Treaty on Friendship, Good-Neighbourliness and Cooperation for the Development of Central Asia in the 21st Century. In his address, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov thanked the Kyrgyz side for their hospitality and the high standard of organisation of the meeting, and also conveyed greetings to the participants from the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The Head of State noted that on 8 October 2026, a Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan will take place in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone. According to him, Turkmenistan has already sent the participating states a draft agenda covering issues of regional security, political and diplomatic cooperation, trade and economic cooperation, energy, transport, the environment, water resources, the restoration of the Aral Sea, as well as the development of cultural, educational and scientific ties. The President of Turkmenistan emphasised that, as part of the preparations for the summit in Awaza, a number of international forums and cultural events are also planned. Following the meeting, the Heads of State signed the Cholpon-Ata Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to further strengthening cooperation, relations of friendship, good neighbourliness, mutual respect and trust. Following the conclusion of the summit, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, together with the other heads of state, took part in the opening ceremony of the ‘Baku’ hotel in the village of Kara-Oy in the Issyk-Kul region and toured the new hotel complex. Upon completion of the working visit programme, the President of Turkmenistan returned to Ashgabat.
Turkmenistan will host the first ‘Central Asia–Azerbaijan’ summit
01.08.2026The first ‘Central Asia–Azerbaijan’ summit will take place on 8 October in Turkmenistan. This was announced by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, at an informal meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Kyrgyz Republic, according to IIC of Turkmenistan. The Head of Turkmenistan stated that the draft agenda for the summit had been prepared and sent to all participants in this new cooperation format. The document covers issues of regional and international security, the development of political and diplomatic cooperation, and collaboration in the energy, transport and logistics sectors. The parties also plan to discuss joint environmental protection activities, adaptation to climate change, the rational use of water resources, measures to save the Aral Sea, as well as the development of cultural, humanitarian, educational and youth exchanges.
Turkmenistan has conducted naval exercises to prevent environmental emergencies in the Caspian Sea
01.08.2026The State Service for Maritime and River Transport of Turkmenistan has conducted comprehensive emergency response exercises in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea. This was reported by the news agency Orient. According to the scenario, a simulated oil spill occurred on the ‘Zhdanov-A’ platform, following which the emergency services promptly organised a response. During the exercises, specialists carried out environmental surveys, assessed the extent of the pollution and took water samples. Rescue units deployed oil booms, contained and cleared up the simulated spill. Following the manoeuvres, the actions of all services were deemed successful, and their readiness to respond was rated as ‘Ready’.
Preparations for the final of the ‘Tatar Kyzy’ competition were discussed in Turkmenbashi
01.08.2026The delegation from Tatarstan is continuing its working visit to Turkmenbashi. Vasil Shaikhraziyev, Deputy Prime Minister of Tatarstan and Chairman of the National Council of the World Tatar Congress, met with Nyyazjan Nyyazjanov, the governor of the city. This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. The main topic of the negotiations was the preparations for the final of the ‘Tatar Kyzy’ International Competition, which will take place in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone. The parties discussed organisational matters, and the Head of Turkmenbashi confirmed his readiness to provide comprehensive support for the event.
A delegation from Turkmenistan discussed joint projects with its Dutch partners
31.07.2026During a visit to the Netherlands, a delegation from Turkmenistan, led by Tanryguly Atahallyev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, held meetings with representatives of ‘Royal IHC’, ‘Damen Shipyards Group’ and the international water education institute ‘IHE Delft’. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The parties discussed prospects for cooperation in the fields of water resource management, shipbuilding, maritime infrastructure and professional training, according to the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Belgium. During the talks, the Turkmen delegation also presented preparations for the World Equestrian Games and the Ahal-Teke Horse Beauty Contest, which are due to take place in September 2026 in the Dutch province of Limburg, and invited company representatives to take part in the events. In addition, the possibility of holding a Turkmen-Dutch business forum was discussed.
The President of Turkmenistan has arrived in Kyrgyzstan for a meeting of Central Asian leaders
31.07.2026On 31 July, the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, arrived in Kyrgyzstan to take part in an informal consultative meeting of the heads of state of Central Asia and the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which is being held in Cholpon-Ata on Lake Issyk-Kul. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The Turkmen leader was met at Issyk-Kul Airport by Adylbek Kasymaliyev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan. The meeting is taking place from 30 July to 1 August. The leaders will discuss the development of cooperation in the fields of trade, energy, tourism, transport corridors and cultural and humanitarian ties. Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s visit to Kyrgyzstan will continue over the coming days.
The Ambassador of Turkmenistan held a meeting with the Executive Secretary of UNESCAP
31.07.2026On 30 July 2026, as part of an official visit to the Kingdom of Thailand, M. Mashalov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Malaysia, met with Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of UNESCAP. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The parties discussed issues relating to cooperation between Turkmenistan and ESCAP in the fields of sustainable development, economic cooperation, adaptation to climate change and combating desertification. Particular attention was paid to the initiative of the President of Turkmenistan to establish a Regional Centre for Combating Desertification for the countries of Central Asia in Ashgabat. They also discussed the participation of the Turkmen delegation in COP17 in Mongolia in August 2026 and the 83rd session of ESCAP, which will take place in April 2027 in Shanghai.
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