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Turkmenistan strengthens cooperation with UNESCO
27.07.2025Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Rashid Meredov presented new initiatives for cooperation with UNESCO at a government meeting on 25 July. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. Key steps include the participation of a Turkmen delegation in the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand this autumn and the holding of an international forum on digital education and AI in Turkmenistan in August. The forum will be held in a hybrid format and will cover five areas in the field of artificial intelligence. There are also plans to implement projects under the Target Fund, including the ‘Our Heritage’ programme, the ‘Youth, Peace and Security’ initiative, the creation of the first geopark and the preservation of the Amul Fortress. After hearing the report, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov approved the proposals and instructed to strengthen efforts to develop partnership with UNESCO, emphasising the importance of international cooperation in education, science and culture.
Turkmenistan expressed its commitment to environmental diplomacy at a forum in Altai
27.07.2025During the Forum on Ecology in the Altai Republic, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Nokerguly Atagulyev confirmed the country's commitment to environmental diplomacy and sustainable development. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The Deputy Prime Minister thanked the organisers and emphasised the relevance of the topics discussed at the event. N.Atagulyev recalled that Turkmenistan participates in a number of key international environmental agreements, including the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Over the past 20 years, more than 162 million trees have been planted in Turkmenistan, and the network of nature reserves is expanding. Work is underway to ensure the rational use of transboundary waters and the introduction of water-saving technologies. Turkmenistan is also developing renewable energy, with solar and wind power plants under construction and a Road map for the city of Arkadag being developed. Desert ecosystems have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. N. Atagulyev emphasised that in the year of the 30th anniversary of its neutrality, Turkmenistan is open to international cooperation in the field of ecology.
The Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan set a course for import substitution
27.07.2025During his inspection of the second phase of construction of the city of Arkadag, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, ordered the use of products from the new ‘Bäherden’ ceramic plant. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. Hero Arkadag inspected key infrastructure facilities, including bridges and access roads, focusing on the quality of construction materials. The use of local tiles and sanitary ware will make it possible to abandon imports for finishing buildings. During a meeting with the leadership of the State Committee for Construction of Arkadag and the mayor of the city, Gulshat Mammedova, new design projects were approved and adjustments were made to the design of transport interchanges, including elements depicting Ahal-Teke horses as a symbol of national identity. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov also visited the construction site of the city mosque.
The Youth Chamber Orchestra of Turkmenistan repeated its triumph in Vienna
27.07.2025For the second year in a row, the Turkmenistan Youth Chamber Orchestra, led by conductor Rasul Klychev, has conquered the World Orchestra Festival in Vienna, confirming its status as one of the most promising musical ensembles in the world. This time, the musicians won not only the main gold award in the ‘Chamber Orchestra’ category, but also special prizes for ‘Best Performance of Classical Music’ and ‘Best Conductor’. This was reported by the IIC. The winning performance of the Turkmen orchestra was distinguished by its virtuoso synthesis of European classics and national musical traditions. The skillful inclusion of the sound of the dutar in the score was particularly well received by the Viennese audience and the professional jury. The President of the festival's creative committee, Professor Toby Purser, highly praised the skill of the Turkmen performers and expressed his desire to develop further cooperation, including joint concert projects.
Kazakhstan delegation visited Turkmenistan to strengthen trade ties
26.07.2025A delegation from Kazakhstan paid an official visit to Turkmenistan with the aim of strengthening economic and trade ties. The trip included meetings with representatives of government agencies, businesses and key industries, including energy, transport, healthcare and manufacturing. This was reported by the IIC. Particular attention was paid to energy: cooperation on the development of the largest gas field, ‘Galkynysh’, and the development of a partnership between QazaqGaz and the State Concern ‘Türkmengaz’ were discussed. Projects in the field of petrochemicals and the modernisation of railway infrastructure were also considered. Kazakhstan expressed interest in participating in the construction of the Torghundi-Herat railway as part of the North-South corridor. The parties signed 20 agreements and seven memoranda in the fields of investment, logistics, agriculture, digitalisation and tourism. A strategic partnership programme for 2025–2027 was adopted. The visit also included a cultural programme, with the delegation visiting the National Museum of Turkmen Carpets. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening bilateral cooperation.
Renowned conductor Neil Varon held a master class for Turkmen musicians
26.07.2025As part of the 11th International Orchestra Festival, world-renowned conductor and professor at the Eastman School of Music Neil Varon held a master class for musicians of the State Symphony Orchestra of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The master class was a significant event of the festival, providing musicians with an opportunity to work directly with one of the leading conductors of our time. Professor Varon shared with the orchestra members the peculiarities of interpretation and the secrets of ensemble playing. The maestro highly praised the level of training of the Turkmen musicians, noting their attentiveness and coordination. Such master classes contribute to cultural exchange and professional development, opening access to the best world traditions of performance.
Businessmen from Armenia purchased textile products from Turkmenistan
26.07.2025On 24 July, Armenian entrepreneurs signed a trade agreement with businessmen from Turkmenistan on the supply of textile products. This was reported by the press service of the SCRMET. Under the deal, plain-dyed jacquard terry products, dyed flannel fabric and raw cretonne fabric were purchased. On the domestic market, Turkmen entrepreneurs signed an agreement with the Ministry of Textile Industry for the purchase of cotton yarn. At the end of the trading day, two deals were concluded for a total amount of 3.861 million manat and 322,472 thousand US dollars.
President of Turkmenistan signed Decree on pardon in honour of the Year of Peace and Trust
26.07.2025The President of Turkmenistan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the country Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed the Decree ‘On pardoning convicted persons on the occasion of 2025 - the International Year of Peace and Trust’. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The document was adopted with the aim of strengthening the unity and cohesion of Turkmen society and every family, as well as in accordance with national traditions of mercy and humanism. According to the Decree, a number of prisoners have been released from further serving their main sentence of imprisonment.
Head of Turkmenistan received credentials of new Chinese Ambassador
26.07.2025President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov received the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Turkmenistan, Ji Shumin, who presented his credentials. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The diplomat conveyed greetings from the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, and noted the importance of the strategic partnership with Turkmenistan. Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasised the significance of relations with China, calling it a key strategic partner. During the meeting, special attention was paid to economic cooperation, in particular projects in the energy sector, including the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China gas pipeline. The coordination of the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ and the ‘Revival of the Great Silk Road’ were discussed. The importance of humanitarian cooperation in the fields of education, science and culture was also emphasised. At the end of the meeting, Ambassador Ji Shumin expressed his readiness to promote further strengthening of bilateral ties.
Turkmenistan and India discussed new horizons of cooperation
25.07.2025On 24 July, negotiations were held in Delhi between Nazar Agahanov, Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan, and Shri Jitin Prasada, Minister of Commerce, Industry, Electronics and Information Technology of India. This was reported by the IIC. The Indian Minister congratulated the Turkmen delegation on their new appointments and expressed satisfaction with his first official visit to the country. During the constructive dialogue, the parties outlined promising areas of partnership, paying particular attention to the development of the agricultural sector and food security, technological cooperation and the digitalisation of the economy. The parties demonstrated their readiness to take bilateral relations to a qualitatively new level, covering not only traditional economic sectors but also other promising areas of cooperation. Particular emphasis was placed on the creation of sustainable mechanisms for interaction that would contribute to the long-term and mutually beneficial development of relations between the two countries.
A professional course on media literacy and digital trends was held in Ashgabat
25.07.2025From 22 to 23 July, the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat hosted a specialised training course for journalists on media literacy, digital technologies and the legal framework for modern journalism. This was reported by the online publication AsmanNews. The training was attended by young employees of central and departmental media outlets in Turkmenistan, including representatives of online journalism. The training was conducted by Irina Imamkuliyeva, a journalist of the ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’ newspaper, Svetlana Chirtsova, a correspondent for the State News Agency, and Abdulkerim Muhammedov, a lawyer from Ashgabat. The course covered key aspects of media security, prospects for the development of journalism in the age of artificial intelligence, and legal standards for working with information. Particular attention was paid to issues of professional ethics within the framework of national legislation and international norms. At the opening of the event, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, Ambassador John MacGregor, noted Turkmenistan's commitment to media freedom and human rights.
An exhibition of English-language literature has opened in Ashgabat
25.07.2025On 24 July, the State Library of Turkmenistan hosted the grand opening of an exhibition and fair of classical English-language literature, dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust and US Independence Day. This was reported by the IIC. Before the opening ceremony, US Ambassador to Turkmenistan Elizabeth Rood visited the Foreign Language Literature Department, which houses a unique collection of 60,000 books in 50 languages, including 30,000 publications in English. Of particular interest was a book disinfection device donated by the American side in 2009, which helps preserve rare copies. Acting Library Director Lachyn Nurmuhamedova emphasised the importance of the library as a centre for international cultural exchange and congratulated Ambassador Rood on the anniversary of her diplomatic service in Turkmenistan. In her response, the US Ambassador noted the successful development of humanitarian ties between the two countries, especially in the field of education through American Council programmes.
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