On 17 June, the 176th session of the General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) was held in Paris, attended by a delegation from Turkmenistan led by the country's Permanent Representative to the BIE, Maksat Charyev, and the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mergen Gurdov. This was reported by the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. During the session, Karen-Mae Hill, President of the BIE Administration and Budget Committee, highlighted the successful meeting of the committee in Ashgabat in March 2025, which was held outside Paris for the first time in the history of the Bureau. The Turkmen delegation held a series of working meetings with representatives of member countries and the BIE leadership, discussing preparations for upcoming international exhibitions. At the end of the session, the date of the next assembly was approved. Turkmenistan's participation in the work of the BIE confirms the country's growing role in the international exhibition movement and strengthens its position on the world stage.
The ceremony was held as part of the celebrations for Turkmenistan Science Day, World Environment Day, and the 30th anniversary of the country's neutrality. The event was jointly organised by the Turkmen Agricultural University, the Turkmenistan Ministry of Environmental Protection, and the Ministry of Education. This information was reported by the online publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. A total of 131 applications were submitted to the competition from universities in Turkmenistan, Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and other countries. After the preliminary round, 36 projects advanced to the final, and the jury selected the 18 best ones. The Grand Prix was awarded to students from Iran and Turkmenistan, representing their countries' leading universities. The awards were distributed among participants from Belarus, Russia, and Turkmenistan. The projects were evaluated based on criteria such as relevance, innovation, scientific validity, and practical applicability. As part of the award ceremony, exhibitions dedicated to scientific achievements and environmental protection activities were held at the university's Cultural Centre. The event continued with a concert programme featuring the participation of the university's creative communities. This competition, held for the third time, promotes the development of international scientific cooperation, support for talented youth and the promotion of sustainable development ideas.
The Magtymguly Turkmen State University has been included in the authoritative global Impact Rankings 2025 compiled by Times Higher Education (THE). This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. This ranking reflects the contribution of universities from around the world to the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Turkmen university was assessed in four main areas: SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 4 – Quality Education, SDG 5 – Gender Equality, and SDG 17 – Partnerships for Sustainable Development.
On 18 June 2025, a meeting was held at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan with a delegation from Kent State University (USA) led by Vice President Marcello Fantoni. The parties discussed the implementation of joint educational programmes within the framework of the previously signed Memorandum of Understanding, as well as the exchange of experience in developing curricula, according to the press service of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. Kent State University has signed three Memoranda of Understanding with higher education institutions in Turkmenistan, including the International University for the Humanities and Development, the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Turkmen State Architectural and Construction Institute, with the aim of developing academic and scientific projects and strengthening cultural ties. The guests visited the institute's educational and cultural facilities, including the Museum of Diplomacy, the UNESCO Club, and the German and Turkish language libraries. The visit was an important step in strengthening the partnership and promoting Turkmenistan in the international educational arena.
As part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum–2025 (SPIEF-2025), Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Nokerguly Atagulyev met with the Head of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation Rustam Minnikhanov. This was reported by the news agency Orient. During the meeting, ways to expand trade and economic cooperation between Turkmenistan and Tatarstan were discussed. R. Minnikhanov conveyed words of gratitude to the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for his attention to the development of bilateral relations, noting the strong historical and friendly ties between the peoples. The parties highlighted the successful work in Turkmenistan of Tatarstan companies such as KAMAZ, KVZ, KER-Holding and others. Trade turnover between Turkmenistan and Tatarstan exceeded $39 million in 2024. R. Minnikhanov proposed to increase cooperation in the fields of oil exploration, gas logistics, machine building, aircraft and shipbuilding, as well as in the supply of chemical products.
Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Belarus, Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the CIS Nazarguly Shagulyev took part in the regular meeting of the Council of Permanent Representatives of the CIS Member States to the statutory and other bodies of the Commonwealth, which was held on 17 June in the Dzyarzhynsk district of the Minsk region at the ‘EcoTechnoPark – Volma’ resource centre. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. During the meeting, the results of the CIS Heads of Government Council, which took place on June 5 in Dushanbe, were summed up and tasks for the implementation of the adopted documents and agreements reached were defined. The participants considered all items on the agenda and approved 18 documents. Among them are the Agreement on Cooperation of the CIS Member States in the Development of Heavy Machinery Manufacturing, the Concept for the Development of Cooperation among CIS Member States in the Light Industry and the Action Plan for its Implementation, the Concept for the Harmonisation of National Air Traffic Management Systems of the CIS Member States, the Concept for Cooperation among the Commonwealth States in the Field of Public Health, and other documents. In addition, at the meeting of the heads of government of the CIS, a decision was made to establish an annual Forum of Commonwealth Volunteers and a new award - the badge ‘For the Development of Tourism in the CIS’. The members of the Council of Permanent Representatives also discussed proposals for the draft agendas of the autumn meetings of the Council of Foreign Ministers, the Council of Heads of Government and the Council of Heads of State of the CIS.
During May, Turkmenistan held a series of significant international events that contributed to strengthening its neutral and peacemaking potential, as well as developing partnerships with various countries and organisations. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. Libyan Culture Days were held in Ashgabat, accompanied by exhibitions, concerts and a conference on the contribution of Turkmen scientists to Arab culture and Islamic education. On 5 May, the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan discussed cooperation with the EU and the international organisation 'Hedayah' in the field of security. At the same time, Turkmenistan Day was held at the WHO European Office in Copenhagen to mark the anniversary of the country's neutrality. On 6 May, talks were held with the Saudi Arabian ambassador and representatives of UN-Habitat on sustainable urban development. On 8 May, the Foreign Affairs Ministries of Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan discussed bilateral and regional issues. From 12 to 16 May, the Institute of International Relations of the Foreign Affairs Ministry hosted the first regional seminar for young diplomats in Central Asia, as well as a competition on the culture of peaceful dialogue among students. On 13 May, a meeting with UN coordinators from Central Asian countries was held in Ashgabat, during which the region's contribution to the implementation of UN initiatives in the areas of climate, gender equality, digitalisation and health was highlighted. On 13-14 May, a conference on climate change was held in Ashgabat, organised jointly with the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC). On 14 May, meetings were held between the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and representatives of ‘Petronas’, ministers of the UAE, and agreements were signed with the Malaysian and Emirati sides on cooperation in the oil and gas sector. On 15 May, prospects for cooperation with Lithuania were discussed. On 16 May, in Kazan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held talks with the Head of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation, Rustam Minnikhanov, emphasising the high level of relations between the countries. On 18–19 May, the Tehran Dialogue Forum was held in Tehran, where Turkmenistan presented its priorities in the field of transport diplomacy. From 19 to 20 May, the international music festival ‘Music of the World’ was held in Ashgabat, as well as a meeting of the Turkmen-Iranian intergovernmental commission, which ended with the signing of a protocol. The Turkmen delegation met with Iranian leaders to discuss economic and humanitarian issues. On 20 May, the first Central and South Asia Dialogue was held in Termez, where issues of sustainable development and regional integration were discussed. On 21 May, projects in the field of youth policy were discussed with a UN representative at the Foreign Affairs Ministry. From 21 to 23 May, a Turkmen delegation visited China, where negotiations were held with representatives of the NPC and the PRC, including on parliamentary cooperation and the implementation of initiatives within the framework of the UN. On 22 May, a video conference of the UN Country Team in Turkmenistan was held to discuss the country's priorities under the 2026-2030 Framework Programme for Cooperation, with a focus on sustainable development, energy, the environment and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
On 17 June, Japanese Ambassador to Turkmenistan Hiroshi Sasaki visited the Yagshygeldi Kakayev International University of Oil and Gas. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. During the visit, the diplomat presented the university with several dozen books in English on Japanese culture and society, donated by the Nippon Foundation. The ambassador also toured the library and reading rooms of the educational institution, visited the Geology Museum and familiarised himself with the work of the DRILL SIM-5000 drilling laboratory at the Faculty of Oil and Gas. At the end of his visit, Hiroshi Sasaki expressed his gratitude for the hospitality and the opportunity to visit the university.
A three-day international chess tournament for children aged 8, 10 and 12 has come to an end in the capital of Turkmenistan. The competition was attended by 129 young chess players from 11 countries in Europe and Asia. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. At the end of the tournament, representatives of Turkmenistan took first place in the overall medal standings in rapid and blitz chess, winning 19 awards. Second place went to the team from Uzbekistan, and third place to Kazakhstan. Turkmen athletes distinguished themselves with their high level of training, winning prizes in both disciplines – rapid and blitz. In particular, female chess players from Turkmenistan dominated in the 10 and 12 age categories. The winners were awarded in a solemn atmosphere. Later, the participants visited the city of Arkadag, where a ceremony was held at the ‘Märkaw’ Hotel to present gifts from the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship. The young chess players were presented with laptops on behalf of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
To date, hundreds of people, including citizens of India, China, Pakistan and other countries, have crossed the border through Turkmen checkpoints. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The Turkmen authorities are organising the safe transit of these people, facilitating their return to their home countries. The transit mechanism is being implemented with the support and coordination of the diplomatic missions of the countries accredited in Ashgabat.
The results of the ‘Маңғыстау мақамдары’ (‘Mangystau Makams’) International Composers' Competition, one of the most important events of the ‘Cultural Capital of the Turkic World’ programme, were announced in the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan. The Grand Prix, the highest award, was unanimously awarded to Rovshen Nepesov, Honoured Artist of Turkmenistan. This information was reported by the IIC. The competition, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of People's Artist of the USSR Nurgisa Tlendiyev, was held under the slogan of preserving the musical heritage of Turkic peoples. A distinctive feature of the competition was its completely anonymous evaluation system: The jury members, including renowned musicians from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and a representative of TÜRKSOY, selected the best works without knowing the names or countries of the authors. Alongside Rovshen Nepesov, Kazakhstani composers also received high honours. Aytkali Jayimov (Astana) won the Grand Prix award, while the top spots were taken by Sanjar Bayterekov and Yermurat Usenov (Almaty). Special awards from TÜRKSOY and the competition organisers were presented to Yermek Omirov and Nurlan Bekenov. The Turkmen composer's victory highlighted the importance of cultural exchange within the Turkic world and demonstrated the high level of Turkmenistan's musical art. The organisers noted that the competition represents an important step in supporting young artists and promoting folk art.
At the ‘Ashgabat 2025’ international chess tournament currently taking place in Ashgabat, licensed referee Sharif Nataj Khadije from Iran stated that the Turkmen capital fully meets the requirements for hosting world-class competitions. She noted the impeccable organisation, modern infrastructure and professional refereeing. This was reported by the online publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The Head of the Russian delegation, Alexander Shkurikhin, also praised the atmosphere of the tournament, emphasising the spirit of friendship and fair play among the participants. A total of 129 young chess players from 11 countries are taking part in the competition. The first medals have already been awarded in the rapid chess discipline, where the Turkmenistan team took first place in the unofficial team standings. The competition is being held in a modern chess and draughts school built on the initiative of the Hero Arkadag. Experts are confident that the successful organisation of the tournament opens up prospects for Ashgabat to host Asian and World chess championships.