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The Turkmenistan national team performed well at the ‘Samarkand Open – 2026’
07.07.2026Turkmen athletes performed successfully at the ‘Samarkand Open – 2026’ international mixed martial arts tournament in Uzbekistan, winning several gold medals and championship belts. More than 300 athletes from 14 countries took part in the competition, according to the IIC of Turkmenistan. Shohrat Orazgeldiyev became champion in the ‘light’ and classical styles, whilst his son Seyran Orazgeldiyev won both disciplines in his age category. Orazgeldi Orazgeldiyev secured another victory in the classic style, whilst Vepa Hojamammedov won the championship belt, as well as a gold and a bronze medal. In July, the Turkmenistan national team will take part in the MMA Fight World Championships in Andijan, where 13 athletes will represent the country.
Turkmenistan continues to develop its oil and gas fields at a rapid pace
06.07.2026The ‘Nebitdag’ Drilling Operations Department of the ‘Nebitgazburawlaýyş” Trust, part of the “Türkmennebit” State Concern, has been exceeding its production targets since the start of 2026. In the first five months, 7,387 metres were drilled against a target of 7,191 metres, representing 102.7 per cent of the planned volume. Four new wells have also been commissioned, according to the online newspaper ‘Nebit-Gaz’. Work is currently underway at the ‘Nebitdag’, ‘Goturdepe’, ‘Barsagelmez’, ‘Demirgazyk Goturdepe’, ‘Günbatar Goturdepe’, ‘Gündogar Çeleken’ and ‘Mydar’ fields, using 12 Chinese-made drilling rigs. At the same time, the construction and equipping of new wells is continuing, as is the drilling of a further seven sites. The Department, founded in 1971 and having recently celebrated its 55th anniversary, remains one of the key divisions of the ‘Türkmennebit’ State Concern, ensuring the fulfilment of production targets.
A Turkmen wrestler has been crowned Asian champion in the under-20 category
06.07.2026Turkmen freestyle wrestler Dovletgeldi Myradov won gold at the Asian Under-20 Championships in Pattaya (Thailand). In the final of the under-92kg weight class, he defeated Kazakhstani wrestler Beibarys Yergali by a score of 10–2, according to the news website Turkmenportal. Alp Arslan Begenjov secured another medal for Turkmenistan. He took silver in the under-86kg weight category, losing in the final to Iran’s Abolfazl Shamsipour (2–9). Earlier, Greco-Roman wrestler Aslan Agadadayev won silver in the under-20 tournament. In the under-15 age group, the Turkmenistan team also won two medals. Mamed Kuliyev took bronze in the under-68 kg category, whilst Ybrayym Durdyev won silver in the under-38 kg category. At the end of the competition in Pattaya, the Turkmenistan national team finished the tournament with five medals: one gold, three silver and one bronze.
Turkmen specialists have undergone training in branding in Paris
06.07.2026Representatives from Turkmenistan took part in an educational programme on branding in Paris. Over the course of several days, they attended masterclasses and practical sessions focusing on modern branding methods, the promotion of national brands, the development of marketing strategies and the implementation of creative projects at an international level, according to the news website Turkmenportal. The programme served as a platform for exchanging experiences with foreign experts and learning about international practices in the creative industries. At the end of the training, participants were awarded certificates of professional development. The organisers noted that the knowledge and skills acquired would contribute to the development of creative potential and the promotion of Turkmenistan’s cultural heritage on the international stage.
An increase in cross-border transport has been recorded in Turkmenistan
06.07.2026The volume of cross-border transport passing through Turkmenistan continues to grow. The phased modernisation of customs infrastructure and the introduction of digital technologies are strengthening the country’s role as a regional transport and logistics hub, according to the press office of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan. In the first six months of this year, cargo turnover through border crossing points exceeded 10.5 million tonnes, which is 10 per cent higher than the figure for the same period last year. The volume of foreign trade shipments, including exports and imports, rose by 6 per cent. The most significant growth was recorded in the transit transport segment. More than 3.5 million tonnes of cargo were transported in transit through the country, representing a 15 per cent increase year-on-year. The cargo was destined for 94 countries, indicating an expansion in the geographical scope of transit flows. Modern customs posts, equipped with inspection and screening facilities, provide digital monitoring at all stages of cargo movement. This speeds up customs procedures, increases throughput and reduces the time taken to clear vehicles at the border.
The prospects for Turkmen-Korean partnership were discussed at the offices of ‘Nebit-Gaz’
06.07.2026In the run-up to the first ‘Central Asia–Republic of Korea’ summit, which is due to take place on 16–17 September 2026 in Seoul, information cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea is intensifying. This was reported by the news website Asmannews. In this context, Song Do-hyun, a correspondent for the South Korean news agency ‘Yonhap’, visited Turkmenistan to prepare reports on the development of the bilateral partnership. At the offices of the newspaper ‘Nebit-Gaz’, Editor-in-Chief Ussa Ussayev gave an interview to ‘Yonhap’, discussing the development of the country’s oil and gas sector. A meeting was also held with the editorial team, during which the results and prospects of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea were discussed. Among the most significant joint projects highlighted were ‘Hyundai Engineering’s involvement in the development of the ‘Galkynyş’ field, the modernisation of the Turkmenbashi Oil Refinery Complex with the participation of ‘LG International Corporation’, and the construction of the gas chemical complex in Gyyanly. Particular attention was paid to cooperation in the field of personnel training. As part of a joint project between the ‘Türkmengaz’ Group and ‘KOICA’, a modern training block for the oil and gas college, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, has been built in Mary. The meeting participants expressed their confidence that the forthcoming summit in Seoul would give new impetus to the development of Turkmen-Korean cooperation in industry, energy, education and other sectors.
Seven athletes are representing Turkmenistan at the World Championships in Colombia
06.07.2026The Turkmenistan national team is taking part in the World Under-17 Weightlifting Championships, which are being held in Cali (Colombia). Seven athletes will represent the country at the tournament, according to the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden Age’. Competing in the boys’ events are Kerem Gurbandurdyev and Atabek Azamatov (up to 60 kg), Shahin Hudaybergenov (up to 65 kg) and Davut Kakageldiyev (up to 79 kg). In the women’s section of the tournament, Turkmenistan will be represented by Shabnam Kerimbayeva, Ogulshat Amanova (up to 53 kg) and Gulzada Berdimuhammedova (up to 58 kg). At the previous World Junior Championships, held in Lima (Peru), the Turkmenistan team won 10 medals — 7 silver and 3 bronze. Kakamyrat Annamyradov, Didarbek Jumabayev and Islam Akmyradov each won three medals. Ogulshat Amanova won another bronze medal in the clean and jerk in the under-55 kg weight category. In the combined event, she finished fourth, 2 kg behind the bronze medallist.
The American public will be introduced to the work of a Turkmen composer
06.07.2026On 17 July, the ‘Vocal Poetry’ concert will take place in the US state of Pennsylvania, at which 22-year-old baritone Xavier Bates will perform a song cycle by the outstanding Turkmen composer Nury Halmamedov. This was reported by the news agency Orient. Pianist Bahar Annadurdyeva — a laureate of the ‘Sounds of the Dutar’ Festival named after Nury Halmamedov — will accompany him on the piano. The concert is organised by the Keystone Music Academy with the support of its director, Andrei Lyubimtsev. The programme also includes romances by Sergei Rachmaninoff. According to Xavier Bates, discovering Halmamedov’s work was a real revelation for him, and Bahar Annadurdyeva helped him prepare for the performance. The pianist is actively promoting Turkmen classical music in the USA. She is currently working on organ arrangements of works by Nury Halmamedov, and previously presented the world premiere in Pennsylvania of Mamed Huseynov’s composition ‘Paraphrase’ based on themes from the opera ‘Solomon’.
Turkmenistan implements a project to utilise solar energy in the healthcare sector
06.07.2026UNDP, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan, has completed a pilot project to install two solar photovoltaic systems at the etrap hospital in the city of Yoloten, Mary velayat. This was reported by the Orient news agency. The project aims to ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply to the medical facility and will serve as a model for the introduction of renewable energy sources at other healthcare facilities across the country. The use of solar energy will improve the reliability of hospital operations and contribute to the development of environmentally friendly social infrastructure.
The UN Secretary-General has appointed a new Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan
06.07.2026UN Secretary-General António Guterres, with the consent of the Government of Turkmenistan, has appointed the Chinese representative Xiaojun Grace Wang as the new UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news agency Orient. She took up her post on 1 July 2026, succeeding Dmitry Shlapachenko, who had led the mission since 2021 and has now been appointed UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan. Xiaojun Grace Wang has 28 years’ experience in the field of international development. Prior to her appointment in Ashgabat, she managed a Trust Fund at the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), and previously held senior positions at UNDP, overseeing programmes on poverty reduction, gender equality and sustainable development. The new coordinator has experience of working with landlocked developing countries and has also previously worked in international media, academia and foundations. She holds a PhD from the University of London in education and international development.
A formal reception was held in Ashgabat to mark Belarus’s Independence Day
05.07.2026A ceremony organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Turkmenistan to mark the Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus was held at the ‘Ýyldyz’ Hotel in Ashgabat. This was reported by the news agency Orient. The event was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps, the Government of Turkmenistan, the business community, civil society organisations and the creative intelligentsia. Stanislav Chepurnoi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to Turkmenistan, delivered a welcoming address. The diplomat noted the historical significance of 3 July — the day Minsk was liberated from the Nazi invaders in 1944 — emphasising the contribution of the Turkmen people to the Victory and the post-war reconstruction of Belarus. The Ambassador also spoke about the development of Belarusian-Turkmen cooperation. According to him, Turkmenistan will hold the chairmanship of the CIS in 2026, and in the autumn Ashgabat will host a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth, which Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is expected to attend. Cooperation continues in the fields of trade, science, technology and education. 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 participants were welcomed by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Batyr Annayev. In his address, the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the prospects for further cooperation between the two countries, including in the fields of transport and logistics, digital technologies and innovation. Following the official proceedings, a concert programme took place featuring Turkmen artists and an orchestra conducted by Resul Klychev. The musicians performed Turkmen and Belarusian pieces, including well-known songs from the repertoires of the ensembles ‘Pesnyary’, ‘Syabry’ and ‘Verasy’. The event concluded with a celebratory reception.
A group of students from Kangwon National University arrived in Ashgabat
05.07.2026Lee Won-jae, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Turkmenistan, hosted an official luncheon in honour of six students from Kangwon National University who had arrived in Ashgabat. The visit formed part of this year’s first short-term exchange programme between Kangwon National University and the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages, according to IIC Turkmenistan. According to the source, the project is being implemented under the Memorandum of Understanding on academic and educational cooperation, signed in 2025. According to the source, the South Korean students are in Ashgabat from 30 June to 6 July. The programme involves studying the Turkmen language and interacting with students from the Faculty of Korean Language and Literature at the Dovletmammet Azadi National Institute of World Languages. At the same time, six Turkmen students are taking part in a similar exchange programme at Kangwon National University in the Republic of Korea. The Ambassador expressed his hope that learning about the culture and traditions of Turkmenistan would enable the South Korean students to gain a better understanding of both countries. He also urged young people to maintain their interest in the development of Turkmen-South Korean relations.
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