As part of the 69th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, the Permanent Mission of Turkmenistan to the IAEA held a parallel event entitled ‘Awaza Programme of Action: Atoms for LLDCs’. This was reported by the press service of the Turkmen diplomatic mission in Austria. The event was dedicated to the results of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3), held in the ‘Avaza’ National Tourist Zone from 5 to 8 August. The meeting was attended by delegations from IAEA member countries, representatives of the diplomatic corps, as well as experts from the IAEA and FAO. UN Deputy Secretary-General Rabab Fatima delivered a welcome video message. Participants emphasised the role of nuclear technology in ensuring food and water security, health, climate change resilience and trade integration. The event served as an important platform for accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the implementation of the Awaza Programme of Action for 2024-2034. Turkmenistan's achievements in the application of nuclear technologies in medicine, including the fight against cancer, were also presented, and successful cooperation with the IAEA in the construction of the International Scientific and Clinical Oncology Centre in Ashgabat was noted.
At the Turkmenistan Investment Forum (TIF 2025), held in the ‘Avaza’ National Tourist Zone, a number of agreements were signed reflecting Turkmenistan's desire to expand international cooperation in key areas. This was reported by the Orient news agency. The Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan and the World Bank agreed on a grant under the ‘One Health in Central Asia’ project, aimed at protecting food systems and ecosystems. The Ministry of Industry and Construction of Turkmenistan signed a Memorandum with the Austrian company ‘Primetals Technologies Austria GmbH’, which specialises in metallurgical innovations. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and the West London Chambers of Commerce have signed a Cooperation Agreement that will give Turkmen companies access to international markets. The Ministry of Finance signed a Memorandum with the World Free Zones Organisation (World FZO), which brings together more than 1,200 sites around the world. These agreements demonstrate the multi-vector nature of Turkmenistan's foreign economic policy and its readiness to develop partnerships in healthcare, industry, trade and the development of economic zones.
Azerbaijan's state oil company SOCAR has expressed interest in projects to develop fields in Turkmenistan. This was announced by Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Economy Sahib Nureddin Alekperov at the Turkmenistan Investment Forum (TIF 2025) in ‘Avaza’, according to the news website Turkmenportal. He noted the promising prospects for cooperation in the electric power industry: Azerbaijan is ready to ensure the transit of Turkmen electricity and is considering the possibility of jointly bringing Central Asian ‘green’ energy to European markets. According to the Deputy Minister, cooperation between the two countries plays a key role in the development of the East-West transport corridor and increasing the efficiency of the Middle Corridor. In seven months, transit shipments between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan exceeded 1 million tonnes, which is 13% more than last year's figure; 76% of cargo was transported by rail.
Investments in Turkmenistan's economy exceeded $12.1 billion in 2024, according to Mammetguly Astanagulov, Minister of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan, speaking at the TIF 2025 forum, as reported by the news website Turkmenportal. According to the Minister, the share of foreign investment reached 11.6% and grew by 1.4% compared to 2023. In monetary terms, this is almost 5 billion manats, which is 25% more than last year's level. M. Astanagulov noted that stable fiscal policy and tax incentives contribute to investment growth. The priority areas remain the oil and gas sector, gas and petrochemicals, energy, construction and industry.
The Baku Shipyard has begun construction of an 8,000-tonne oil tanker, which will be presented to Turkmenistan. This was announced by Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Economy Sahib Nureddin Alekperov at the Turkmenistan Investment Forum (TIF 2025), according to the news website Turkmenportal. The Deputy Minister emphasised the prospects for cooperation between the two countries in shipbuilding, noting that Azerbaijan has the largest merchant fleet on the Caspian Sea and the shipyard is capable of producing various types of vessels. The construction of the tanker is being carried out within the framework of a bilateral partnership in this area. The TIF 2025 forum is being held in the ‘Avaza’ National Tourist Zone.
The DITE-2025 International Tourism Exhibition has opened in Dushanbe, with over 200 companies participating, including 65 foreign exhibitors. This was reported by the press service of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Tajikistan. Turkmenistan is represented by its own national pavilion, prepared in collaboration with the travel companies ‘Eşretli syýasat’, ‘Hazar travel’, ‘Jahana’, ‘Gadymy Miras’, ‘Halkara syýahat’ and ‘Aşgabat Syýahat’. The stands showcase the country's cultural heritage, historical monuments, natural beauty and tourism potential. During the event, the Turkmenistan delegation held a series of meetings with representatives of the region's tourism business, discussing prospects for cooperation, exchange of experience and implementation of joint initiatives.
On 18 September, the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan hosted a meeting with a delegation from the British company AQA Global Assessment Services, which included Director of International Business Development Sean Crowley, Director of Assessment Systems Anna Green, and Regional Consultant Vali Guseyn. This was reported by the news agency Orient. The parties discussed prospects for cooperation in improving the quality of education and assessment systems, taking into account the needs of the labour market. AQA has extensive international experience, ranging from the implementation of national certification and qualification standardisation systems to the digitisation of testing. In particular, in Uzbekistan, the company participated in the development of a new assessment model for secondary schools, and in Kazakhstan, it participated in the creation of a criteria-based system for graduates. The future partnership involves the exchange of experience in the field of examination platforms and certification, the introduction of digital solutions, the development of uniform qualification standards and methodological support for teachers. Particular emphasis is placed on the application of international standards in the planning of educational reforms.
An international exhibition has opened at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry as part of the Turkmenistan Investment Forum (TIF 2025), which is being held in the ‘Avaza’ National Tourist Zone. This was reported by the Orient news agency. At the exhibition, the Ministry of Communications of Turkmenistan presented achievements in the field of digital technologies and telecommunications, as well as projects reflecting the country's investment potential in this area. Participants were particularly interested in initiatives related to the development of national communications infrastructure, the introduction of innovative solutions and the strengthening of international cooperation in the ICT sector. According to representatives of the ministry, digitalisation remains one of the priorities of Turkmenistan's strategic development, and investments in this area create new opportunities for partners and investors.
On 16 September, Turkmenistan's Minister of Education J. Gurbangeldiyev met with Hiroshi Sasaki, Japan's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Turkmenistan. During the talks, the parties discussed long-term prospects for cooperation in the field of education. This was reported by the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. The positive dynamics of cooperation, which gained new momentum after the April visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Japan, was noted. Particular attention was paid to the growing interest of Turkmen youth in learning Japanese, which is now studied by thousands of students and schoolchildren in the country. During the meeting, specific proposals were discussed for the implementation of joint training programmes in the field of hydrogen energy. Issues related to the professional development of teachers of exact sciences through JICA and MEXT programmes were considered, as well as the coordination of the work of educational institutions in Turkmenistan where Japanese is taught. The Japanese side was invited to participate in an international exhibition and scientific conference on education and healthcare, which will be held in Ashgabat in October this year. The parties confirmed their commitment to further strengthening their educational partnership and expressed confidence in the successful implementation of the planned projects.
On 16 September, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan A. Movlamov held a meeting with the newly appointed Director General of the Department for Central Asian and ECO Countries of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Hasan Ali Zaigham. The meeting took place at the Pakistani Foreign Affairs Ministry. This was reported by IIC. During the talks, the parties discussed topical issues of further strengthening and expanding multifaceted relations between Turkmenistan and Pakistan. Key attention was paid to the practical aspects of implementing strategically important joint projects – the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline and the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) power line. It was unanimously emphasised that the successful completion of these large-scale infrastructure projects would contribute to strengthening regional stability, sustainable economic growth and prosperity throughout the region.
On the sidelines of the Turkmenistan Investment Forum (TIF 2025) held in the ‘Avaza’ National Tourist Zone, Nicolas Ramseier, Chairman of the Swiss Foreign Business Council, delivered a speech. In his speech, he emphasised the commonality of approaches and the complementarity of the economies of the two countries. This was reported by IIC. Referring to his experience in business and politics, Ramseier pointed to the need for a comprehensive approach to ensuring stability and sustainable development, combining business and legislative practices. He expressed confidence that Switzerland and Turkmenistan adhere to similar principles based on neutrality, stability and prosperity through cooperation, and that their economies are complementary: Switzerland has advanced technologies and capital, while Turkmenistan is rich in resources and offers vast opportunities. The Swiss representative outlined specific areas of cooperation of interest to the council members, including Turkmenistan's potential in the field of renewable energy, where Switzerland is ready to provide investment and expertise, and cooperation in reducing methane emissions with the involvement of leading engineers. Emphasis was placed on Swiss investors' interest in developing the ‘Galkynysh’ field. Ramseier emphasised that all these initiatives are practical proposals for joint work.
In a video address to participants of the Turkmenistan Investment Forum (TIF 2025), UN Deputy Secretary-General Rabab Fatima noted Turkmenistan's leadership in promoting the interests of landlocked countries and presented new initiatives to attract investment, according to the Orient news agency. Rabab Fatima thanked the Government of Turkmenistan for organising the forum and recalled that the event was a continuation of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries. According to her, Turkmenistan has confirmed its ability to bring partners together for inclusive multilateral cooperation. The UN Deputy Secretary-General emphasised the investment potential of landlocked countries, noting their young population and resources. Initiatives include an infrastructure financing mechanism, a global business network for direct contact with investors, and a digital reference book, ‘Vision for the Future,’ with priority sectors. She also announced a roadmap of 319 projects for the implementation of the Awaza Programme of Action for 2024-2034.