Society
A monument to the great Turkmen poet has been restored in Afghanistan
01.04.2026On 31 March, a monument to the great Turkmen poet Magtymguly Pyragy was unveiled in Mazar-i-Sharif (Balkh Province, Afghanistan) following restoration work. This was reported by the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Turkmen diaspora, staff of the Consulate General of Turkmenistan, the city’s mayor Abdul Rahman Himat, the Head of the Afghan Foreign Affairs Ministry’s representative office in Balkh, Mawlawi Aminullah Sadiq, religious figures, teachers and cultural activists. The restoration of the monument was carried out on the initiative of the Chairman of the ‘Akyol’ socio-cultural organisation, Haji Mohammad Hashim Wali Zada, with financial support from Turkmen living in Afghanistan. The speakers noted the significance of Magtymguly Pyragy’s literary legacy for the Turkmen people and world culture, emphasising his role in nurturing the younger generation in the national spirit.
A ceremony was held in Ashgabat to mark the handover of dates from Saudi Arabia
01.04.2026On 31 March, a ceremony to hand over a humanitarian consignment took place at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Ashgabat. This was reported by IIC. On behalf of the King of Saudi Arabia, 25 tonnes of dates from the 1447 Hijri harvest were handed over to the Government of Turkmenistan. The initiative is part of the Kingdom’s programme to support friendly nations. The event was attended by Amer bin Ali Al-Shehri, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Turkmenistan, and Osman bin Rashid Al-Rashid, representative of the King Salman Centre for Humanitarian Aid and Relief. The participants noted the importance of such initiatives for the development of humanitarian cooperation and inter-state dialogue. The Turkmen side expressed its gratitude for the assistance provided, emphasising its symbolic significance for strengthening friendly ties. The support provided by Saudi Arabia to Turkmen citizens undertaking the Hajj and Umrah was also noted.
The Embassy of Turkmenistan in Austria organised a cultural presentation
01.04.2026On 30 March, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Austria, in collaboration with ‘Diplomatic Society Magazine’, held a celebratory event to mark the spring holidays and the 2026 motto: ‘Independent Neutral Turkmenistan − the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses’. This was reported by the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The event was attended by around 300 people, including representatives of the diplomatic corps, international organisations, as well as business and public circles in Austria. During the presentation, attention was drawn to the meaning of the motto of the year. It was noted that the image of the ‘winged horse’ reflects the continuity of traditions, the creative potential of the people, and Turkmenistan’s commitment to the principles of peace and international cooperation. Guests were treated to an exhibition dedicated to the country’s culture. The display included books on Ahal-Teke horses and Turkmen Alabay dogs, as well as carpets and national costumes. The event was accompanied by a tasting of Turkmen cuisine and a performance of folk music on the dutar.
The UNDP Resident Representative in Turkmenistan highlighted the achievements of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Foundation
31.03.2026Narine Sahakyan, UNDP Resident Representative in Turkmenistan, congratulated the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship on its fifth anniversary, noting that children in the country are provided with healthcare, education and a peaceful life due to the government’s policies. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The Foundation’s anniversary was celebrated in the central square of Arkadag, where representatives of international organisations, including N. Sahakyan and the UNICEF Representative in Turkmenistan, Jalpa Ratna, were awarded the ‘Arkadag’ medal. N. Sahakyan emphasised that the award was a credit to the entire UNDP team, which has been working in Turkmenistan for over 30 years, and noted the importance of working together for the benefit of children, which strengthens faith in a bright future.
UNICEF aims to develop cooperation with the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Foundation
31.03.2026UNICEF’s Representative in Turkmenistan, Jalpa Ratna, congratulated the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship on its fifth anniversary, highlighting its contribution to the protection of children’s rights and expressing a willingness to continue cooperation. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Ms Ratna emphasised the importance of the partnership between UNICEF and the Foundation, based on care for children in need of special support, and noted that the aim of the cooperation is to create conditions for the full development of every child. An important step was the signing on 10 December 2025 of a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening joint efforts. In honour of the Foundation’s anniversary, J. Ratna received the ‘Arkadag’ medal on behalf of all partners working for the benefit of children.
The Ambassador of Turkmenistan held a meeting with Japan’s Minister for Economic Security
30.03.2026On 26 March, a meeting took place in Tokyo between Atadurdy Bayramov, Turkmenistan’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Japan, and Kimi Onoda, Minister of State for Economic Security. This was reported by the press service of the Turkmen diplomatic mission. During the negotiations, the Turkmen diplomat expressed his gratitude to the Japanese side for its contribution to the strengthening and development of Turkmen-Japanese relations. The interlocutors discussed the current state and prospects of bilateral cooperation, paying particular attention to areas such as artificial intelligence and digital transformation, scientific and innovative cooperation, ‘green’ technologies, the development of education and support for talented young people, the expansion of contacts between universities and relevant organisations, as well as issues of economic and cyber security. It is noted that K. Onoda also holds the post of Minister of State responsible for the ‘Cool Japan’ strategy, intellectual property policy and scientific and technological development. Furthermore, she is a member of the Japan–Turkmenistan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group.
Ashgabat is preparing for the international exhibition ‘Cooperation and Development’
30.03.2026Nokerguly Atagulyev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, delivered a report on preparations for the ‘Cooperation and Development’ International Universal Exhibition, due to be held in the capital this April. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. According to him, 80 companies from Turkmenistan and abroad, representing various sectors, have so far confirmed their participation in the exhibition. Registration of participants is ongoing. The exhibition will feature equipment and machinery, metal products and building materials, chemical products and other goods. The Deputy Prime Minister also submitted a proposal regarding the organisation of the event to the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, for consideration. Having heard the report, the Head of State noted that international forums are regularly held in the country, contributing to the strengthening of trade and economic ties with other states. The President of Turkmenistan instructed the Deputy Prime Minister to ensure a high standard of preparation and organisation for the Universal International Exhibition ‘Cooperation and Development’ in Ashgabat.
The fifth anniversary of the Charitable Foundation was celebrated in Turkmenistan
30.03.2026On 29 March, celebrations were held in Turkmenistan to mark the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship. The events took place in the festival square in the city of Arkadag, according to AsmanNews. At the start of the celebrations, a congratulatory address from the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, was read out. It noted that supporting children and safeguarding the health of mothers and children remain priorities of state policy. During the event, a Decree by the Head of State was read out awarding state honours to a number of individuals for their contribution to the development of charitable activities. The ‘Arkadag’ medals were presented to Narine Sahakyan, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Turkmenistan, and Jalpa Ratna, Head of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Office in Turkmenistan. Congratulatory speeches were delivered by the Speaker of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, D. Gulmanova, the Deputy Chairwoman of the Cabinet of Ministers, B. Seyidova, and other participants. They highlighted the importance of the Foundation’s work in supporting children. Representatives of international organisations emphasised the development of cooperation with Turkmenistan in the humanitarian sphere. In particular, they highlighted the implementation of joint projects with UNICEF and the United Nations Development Programme. O. Atabayeva, Vice-President for Medical Activities at the Charitable Foundation, reported that since its establishment in 2021, the Foundation has been providing medical and social assistance to children. According to her, programmes for treatment, rehabilitation and prevention are being implemented. It was noted that the Foundation is expanding its international cooperation. Memoranda of Cooperation have been signed with UNICEF, the Soong Ching Ling Foundation of China and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. International conferences and meetings dedicated to child protection issues are being held. Following the official proceedings, a festive concert took place featuring artists, creative groups and pupils from children’s art schools. At the conclusion of the event, an Appeal to the President of Turkmenistan was adopted.
In Bucharest, Turkmenistan’s Achievements and the Importance of Neutrality Were Discussed
28.03.2026On March 26, a roundtable was held at the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in Bucharest to mark the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Independence and the year’s motto: “Independent, Permanently Neutral Turkmenistan – Homeland of Purposeful Winged Steeds,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan reports. The event was attended by representatives of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Romania, the university’s administration and faculty, as well as student youth from Turkmenistan and other Central Asian countries. In their speeches, participants highly praised the transformations carried out in Turkmenistan over the years of sovereign development in political, economic, and socio-humanitarian spheres. Special attention was given to the significance of the country’s policy of permanent neutrality. As part of the forum, a new book by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedow, “Turkmenistan’s Neutrality – A Bright Path of Peace and Trust,” was presented. Delegates noted the relevance of the publication for strengthening a culture of peace and mutual respect on the international stage. The importance of promoting Turkmenistan’s national values was also highlighted: Akhal-Teke horses are regarded not only as a symbol of statehood but also as a unique contribution of the country to the world’s cultural heritage.
The Russian Film Festival will be held in Ashgabat from March 27 to 29
27.03.2026From March 27 to 29, the Russian Film Festival will take place in Ashgabat. The event is organized by ROSKINO with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, reports IIC. The program features new Russian films for family audiences, including both live-action and animated projects. The festival will open with a screen adaptation of Alexei Tolstoy’s fairy tale Buratino, directed by Igor Voloshin. Audiences will also be presented with the films Treasures of the Dwarfs, The Frog Princess, and the animated feature Doctor Dinosaurs. ROSKINO’s General Director, Elza Antonova, noted that the program is aimed at family viewing and combines traditional storylines with contemporary approaches. Alexander Zharov, General Director of Gazprom-Media Holding, emphasized that the projects share universal themes understandable to a wide audience. Svetlana Balanova, head of the National Media Group, highlighted the festival’s significance for fostering cultural dialogue between Russia and Turkmenistan. The festival is intended to strengthen humanitarian ties and expand cultural exchange.
Turkmen trade unions are strengthening their cooperation with the International Labour Organisation
26.03.2026A delegation from the National Trade Union Centre of Turkmenistan visited the headquarters of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva. The purpose of the visit was to align national labour mechanisms with international standards and to prepare joint projects, according to the news agency Orient. The Roadmap for 2026 was the focus of discussions. Turkmenistan reaffirmed its intention to strengthen cooperation with the ILO, including the modernisation of legislation in line with ratified conventions, the monitoring of working conditions and the creation of digital databases to analyse compliance with labour rights. Particular attention was paid to the principles of ‘Decent work’, expanding employment and social protection. The delegates examined the work of the ILO Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV) and discussed reporting issues to align national practices with the organisation’s technical requirements. The visit also served as preparation for the International Labour Conference in Geneva in June 2026, where Turkmenistan will be able to exchange experiences and present its achievements in the protection of workers’ rights.
The Ambassador of Turkmenistan took part in a children’s creativity festival in Japan
25.03.2026Atadurdy Bayramov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Japan, took part in the children’s festival ‘Beautiful Land and Spirit of Harmony for Children’, organised by the Japanese non-profit organisation ‘FUJISAN Chidama Festa WA’. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. At the event, the organisation’s Chairman, Masao Watanabe, congratulated the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship on its fifth anniversary and spoke highly of its humanitarian work, including aid to children in Iran, noting the principles of peace and humanism on which it is based. With a view to strengthening Turkmen-Japanese ties, A. Bayramov invited representatives of ‘FUJISAN Chidama Festa WA’ and Japanese children to visit Turkmenistan and learn about the Foundation’s work. ‘FUJISAN Chidama Festa WA’ is a Japanese organisation that promotes peace through children’s creativity, nature conservation and the promotion of Japanese culture, including through rice fields and origami paper cranes bearing messages of peace.
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