The opponents of the Turkmenistan U23 team in the qualifying stage of the Asian Cup-2026 have become known. According to the results of the draw in Kuala Lumpur, the Turkmen national team got into Group ‘A’ together with the national teams of Jordan, Taiwan and Bhutan, as the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’ reports. According to the source, the Turkmen players will start the tournament on 3 September with a match against the national team of Taiwan, play against the national team of Bhutan on 6 September and finish the group stage with a meeting with Jordan on 9 September. A total of 44 national teams are participating in the qualification, distributed by ranking into five baskets. Turkmenistan found itself in the second basket thanks to its quarter-final appearance in the Asia Cup-2022. According to the results of the qualifying round, the winners of the groups and the four best teams among the second-placed teams will advance to the final part of the tournament, which will be held for the first time in Saudi Arabia from 7 to 25 January 2026.
On 29 May, the Consul of Turkmenistan in the Russian Federation (Astrahan) Gadam Ilamanov took part in an international scientific and practical conference dedicated to the development of water transport and the implementation of the North-South transport corridor. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. According to the source, the event, which took place at the Caspian Institute of Marine and River Transport named after General Admiral F.M. Apraksin, was also attended by representatives of diplomatic missions of the Caspian region countries, as well as representatives of regional authorities. During his speech, G. Ilamanov emphasised the importance of integrating national infrastructure into international logistics chains and spoke about large-scale projects being implemented in Turkmenistan. In particular, the Consul of Turkmenistan noted the modernisation of the transport industry, the digitalisation of logistics, and the development of railway and maritime infrastructure. In addition, the conference paid special attention to the port of Turkmenbashi, which is becoming a key link in the North-South route.
On 28 May 2025, the 10th meeting of the Council of Heads of Customs Administrations of the Member States of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) was held in Tehran. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan was represented at the event by the Chairman of the State Customs Service of the country, Maksat Hudaykuliyev. The main focus was on the development of regional cooperation, trade facilitation and the modernisation of customs procedures. The Turkmen side voiced its proposals for strengthening cooperation in this area. Following the meeting, the participants expressed confidence that the agreements reached would contribute to the development of regional ties and international transit. During the visit, the Turkmen delegation also held a bilateral meeting with Iranian counterparts, discussing the implementation of the joint action plan and current areas of cooperation.
In order to comply with industrial safety legislation and modernise the national education system, the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, has signed Decrees aimed at ensuring the country's safety and sustainable development. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The first Decree was adopted in accordance with Article 12 of the Law of Turkmenistan ‘On Industrial Safety of Hazardous Production Facilities’ and is aimed at ensuring the reliable operation of such facilities, improving the level of control and preventing possible incidents. According to the second Decree, the Ministry of Education is authorised to conclude a contract for the design and construction of the Güneşli Children and Youth Centre in Ashgabat. The new centre will be equipped with modern facilities and landscaped to create a comfortable urban environment. In addition, an observatory with a telescope for space observation will be created at the expense of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship at the Bazar Amanov State Children's Library, which will be located on the territory of the Centre. The library will also receive the latest digital equipment. Construction work is scheduled to begin in June 2025. The facility is expected to be commissioned in May 2027.
In order to preserve the spiritual and moral values of the Turkmen people and strengthen national traditions, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed a Decree on the celebration of Gurban Bayramy (Eid al-Adha) in 2025. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. According to the document, the holidays are set for 6, 7 and 8 June. The day off on 8 June will be moved to 9 June. The Decree is based on the provisions of Article 81 of the Labour Code of Turkmenistan. The document emphasises the importance of observing traditional values, generosity, humanism and morality. All institutions, enterprises and organisations, regardless of their form of ownership, are obliged to ensure compliance with this Decree.
On 2 June 2025, a unique cultural event will take place at the ‘Watan’ Cinema and Concert Hall in Ashgabat: a concert of traditional Indian dance and music. This spectacular performance has been prepared by an Indian creative group led by the renowned master Sukhwinder Singh. This was reported by IIC. The programme will introduce the rich heritage of Indian culture through the art of dance and music. Professional artists will demonstrate graceful movements and mesmerising rhythms that reflect India's centuries-old traditions. This concert is a wonderful opportunity for residents and guests of the capital to get to know the unique culture of India without leaving Turkmenistan. The event is organised in cooperation with the Embassy of India and the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan.
A unique copper cable factory for Turkmenistan has started up in the village of Onaldy in the Ahal region. The plant recycles scrap metal and old wires, turning them into high-quality cable products through three stages: crushing, cleaning and melting at temperatures above 1180°C. This was reported by IIC. The production capacity is 10 tonnes per day, with the prospect of increasing to 5,000 tonnes per year. The plant produces two types of cables: flexible (for mobile equipment) and rigid (for stationary facilities). All products meet strict quality standards, including 99% copper. The 10-hectare site houses modern workshops equipped with machinery from the Chinese company Ji Cheng Technology. The automated process is controlled from a central control panel, and each batch undergoes laboratory testing.
A solemn event organised by the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Belarus was held in Minsk on 28 May 2025. The event was held at the Republican Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children and was timed to coincide with two significant dates - the International Year of Peace and Trust and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality. This is reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. Director of the Centre Liliya Kondrashova warmly welcomed the guests, recalling her participation in the international conference on children's issues held earlier in Arkadag. Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Belarus Nurberdi Shagulyyev told the audience about his country's achievements during the years of independence and neutrality. The event was decorated with a colourful photo exhibition introducing the cultural heritage and natural beauties of Turkmenistan, as well as a video about the modern development of the country. The special atmosphere of the holiday was given by the performances of Turkmen students studying in Belarusian universities who performed folk songs and a fiery dance ‘Kushtdepdi’. The meeting ended with a touching moment - presenting gifts to the children undergoing rehabilitation at the centre. This gesture was a symbolic embodiment of the principles of humanism and mutual understanding that underlie the policy of neutral Turkmenistan.
On 27 May, the Permanent Mission of Turkmenistan to the United Nations Office in Geneva held talks with Laure Crane, C-Level Engagement Director at the international news agency Newsweek. During the meeting, the parties discussed in detail promising areas of cooperation aimed at promoting Turkmenistan's strategic initiatives in the international arena. This was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The discussion focused on specific formats for cooperation, including the preparation and publication of analytical materials on Turkmenistan's policies and achievements, the organisation of exclusive interviews with representatives of the country's top leadership, and the participation of Newsweek correspondents in major international events held in Turkmenistan. Particular attention was paid to expanding dialogue on key areas of international cooperation and covering Turkmenistan's position on pressing global issues.
A specialised training course for teaching staff and employees of training departments of the border, customs, migration, veterinary and phytosanitary services of Turkmenistan was held in Ashgabat. The event was organised as part of the Border Management Assistance Programme in Central Asia with financial support from the European Union. This was reported by the online publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden Age’. The lead expert of the training was Yulia Kazakova, consultant on educational process design and management for the Border Management Assistance Programme. During the training, participants gained in-depth knowledge of modern teaching methods, including innovative approaches to increasing student motivation. Particular attention was paid to the practical component - participants independently developed and conducted master classes in the format of a training conference, which allowed them to immediately apply the techniques they had learned in practice. This training was an important step in improving the professional training system for agencies responsible for security and control at Turkmenistan's state borders. Participants noted the high practical value of the knowledge they gained and expressed their readiness to implement new educational methods in their daily work.
On 31 May, festive races of 2, 5 and 10 kilometres will be held in the capital of Turkmenistan to mark the celebration of Europe Day 2025. The event is organised by the European Union Delegation in partnership with the State Committee of Turkmenistan for Physical Culture and Sport, the Ashgabat City Administration and the Run-Rush public movement. This was reported by the online publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. Runners will start and finish at the intersection of Turkmenbashi Avenue and 10 ýyl Abadançylyk Street (formerly Moskovskaya Street), and the routes will be laid out around the picturesque Independence Park. The organisers have provided for different formats of participation: family teams with children under 16 will be able to prove themselves in a 2 km race, while more experienced participants aged 16 and older can try their hand at 5 and 10 km distances. Both professional athletes and sports enthusiasts of all ages can participate in the races. The morning will begin with fun sports competitions and warm-ups, and after the races, participants will receive commemorative gifts and attend an awards ceremony for the winners. The event aims to highlight the importance of a healthy lifestyle and strengthen the spirit of international cooperation.
As part of the XXIV International Multidisciplinary Exhibition ‘White City Ashgabat’, a business trip by Belarusian business representatives to Turkmenistan was successfully completed. Following negotiations organised by the Minsk branch of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belarusian Embassy in Turkmenistan, with the support of Turkmen partners, contracts were signed for the supply of high-quality fresh vegetables and fruits produced in Turkmenistan, as well as polypropylene sleeves, to Belarus. This was reported by the IIC. During the visit of the Belarusian delegation, consisting of the heads of five enterprises, productive meetings were held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of the country. Of particular interest was the possibility of organising the production of specific plastic products in Turkmenistan using Belarusian moulds, which could mark the beginning of industrial cooperation between the two countries. The business negotiations and exhibition clearly demonstrated the Turkmen side's sustained interest in Belarusian technologies and products, while opening up new prospects for increasing Turkmenistan's export potential. The visit by Belarusian entrepreneurs also included visits to the country's leading industrial enterprises, which allowed for a deeper exploration of opportunities for further expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation.