The Turkmenistan National Youth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Rasul Klychev, is set to perform at the ‘Young Euro Classic’ festival in Berlin. This was reported by the news agency Orient. The orchestra’s concert will take place on 9 August at the renowned Konzerthaus Berlin. The programme will feature outstanding works of Turkmen classical music, including compositions by Chary Nurymov, Veli Muhatov and Nury Halmamedov — composers whose work holds a special place in the nation’s cultural heritage. Two German premieres will be the highlights of the evening. The Turkmen orchestra will present works by contemporary composers Aidan Gold and Pierre Thilloy to a German audience for the first time. The performance by the National Youth Symphony Orchestra will form an important part of the international cultural dialogue and will enable European audiences to discover the distinctiveness and richness of Turkmenistan’s musical tradition.
Park Seong-jae, Head of the South Korean news agency Yonhap, has expressed an interest in establishing cooperation with the International Information Centre of Turkmenistan and signing a Memorandum of Understanding. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. This announcement was made in Seoul during a meeting with a delegation of journalists from Central Asian countries, who had arrived as part of a special programme ahead of the ‘Central Asia–Republic of Korea’ summit. During the meeting, the parties discussed the prospects for developing bilateral relations. The head of Yonhap noted the importance of expanding the exchange of information with the Turkmen media and emphasised that the signing of the agreement could be the next step in strengthening the partnership. Cooperation with one of South Korea’s largest media groups is seen as an opportunity to expand the presence of Turkmen media in the international information sphere.
An inter-ministerial visit by a Turkmenistan government delegation to Seoul, focused on developing cooperation with the Republic of Korea in the field of water management, has come to an end. This was reported by the Orient news agency. The main focus was on the introduction of South Korean digital technologies into Turkmenistan’s water resource management and preparations for the ‘Central Asia–Republic of Korea’ Summit in September. The Turkmen delegation familiarised itself with the operations of ‘K-water’ facilities, the modern Hwason water treatment plant and the hydraulic infrastructure of the Gyeongin-Ara Canal, and also examined solutions offered by South Korean companies in the fields of digital monitoring, water loss reduction and automated filtration. The visit took place in parallel with a multilateral meeting on cooperation in the water sector between Korea and the countries of Central Asia. Following the negotiations, the parties confirmed their intention to move towards the implementation of joint projects, including the supply of high-tech equipment and the construction of facilities. The cooperation between Ashgabat and Seoul, launched as part of a public-private partnership, lays the foundation for new investment and environmental initiatives.
The Chinese company ‘NEW JCM’ has signed a contract with the State Concern ‘Türkmengaz’ for the maintenance of eight ‘DG-90L2’ gas turbines. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The work will be carried out at two compressor stations operated by ‘Daşoguzgazakdyryş’. The contract, awarded following an international tender, provides for the restoration of the turbines’ operational performance. To take part in the project, ‘NEW JCM’s specialists developed a bespoke technical solution, whilst representatives of the State Concern ‘Türkmengaz’ visited the company’s production facilities in China. ‘NEW JCM’ noted that the agreement strengthens the company’s position in the Central Asian market. At the same time, the company has secured a contract to service a 15 MW gas turbine in Kazakhstan and is continuing to develop its gas turbine maintenance services.
A briefing on the development of the country’s tourism sector was held at the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Turkmenistan. The event was attended by representatives of Turkmenistan’s state organisations, travel companies and the media, according to the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. Participants were presented with tourist itineraries covering the historic cities of Uzbekistan — Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Shakhrisabz — which are included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Ravshanbek Alimov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan, noted that the country is developing modern forms of tourism, including ecotourism, pilgrimage tourism, health tourism, gastronomic tourism and business tourism (MICE). According to him, the reforms being implemented in Uzbekistan are helping to boost the country’s appeal to tourists. In the first six months of this year, around 6.6 million foreign tourists visited Uzbekistan. R. Alimov emphasised that the development of the sector is aimed not only at attracting visitors, but also at preserving cultural heritage, supporting the regions and expanding international cooperation. Particular attention was paid at the briefing to the development of tourism cooperation with the countries of Central Asia. The Ambassador highlighted the potential for creating joint itineraries with Turkmenistan, including the route ‘Khiva – Kunya-Urgench – Ashgabat – Mary – Bukhara’, and called on tour operators from both countries to cooperate.
The ‘Mukam’ violin ensemble from Turkmenistan took part in the International Youth Orchestra Art Week, held in Beijing from 18 to 21 July. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Ensembles and conductors from seven countries, including China, Russia, Mexico, Austria, Bulgaria and Indonesia, took part in the forum. As part of the event, the musicians performed at concerts, took part in competitions, masterclasses and joint sessions with leading conductors. The ‘Mukam’ ensemble’s performance was highly acclaimed — at the closing ceremony at the Beijing National Theatre, the ensemble was awarded the title of ‘Exemplary Orchestra’ and presented with a certificate and a trophy. The ensemble, led by Harold Neymark, People’s Artist of Turkmenistan, comprises students from the Maya Kuliyeva Turkmen National Conservatoire and students from the conservatoire’s boarding music school. Its repertoire includes around 100 works by Turkmen and foreign composers.
From 20 to 22 July, an OSCE seminar was held in Ashgabat on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution and the preparation of Turkmenistan’s new National Action Plan on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. This was reported by the news website Asmannews. The event was attended by more than 30 representatives of state bodies in Turkmenistan and international experts. They discussed the improvement of national security mechanisms, exchanged regional experiences and considered recommendations for the development of a new action plan, taking into account contemporary threats.
In Turkmenistan, the modernisation of the library system, the development of digital technologies and the creation of a unified electronic network are continuing as part of the ‘State Programme for the Development of the Library Sector in Turkmenistan for 2025–2029’. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. One of the key priorities is to expand the collections of electronic libraries and improve the quality of citizens’ access to information resources. The digitalisation of the library sector is helping to introduce modern standards, foster a culture of reading and broaden educational opportunities for the population. Today, users have access to electronic versions of books, audiobooks and magazines covering a wide range of subjects. One of the key tools in this work is the digital library of the State Library of the State Cultural Centre of Turkmenistan — ekitap.gov.tm. Its user base continues to grow, and the platform provides convenient access to the digital collection via a registration system. The digital library operates in accordance with Article 11 of the Law of Turkmenistan ‘On Libraries and Librarianship’. Its collections include works by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as well as fiction, academic, educational and children’s literature. This digital resource helps to promote reading and develop the educational environment.
The project office of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) in Turkmenistan, in collaboration with the Central Asian Institute for Ecological Research in Kazakhstan, has begun developing a project to introduce systems for the collection and reuse of rainwater. This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. Ashgabat and the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone have been selected as pilot sites. The plan is to implement engineering solutions here for the collection, treatment and use of rainwater for watering green spaces. In the near future, the partners intend to sign a memorandum of cooperation and prepare an application to secure international funding. The project may subsequently be scaled up to other regions of the country.
A delegation from Turkmenistan took part in the first meeting of the ‘Dialogue Mechanism’ for heads of state research institutions from Central Asian countries and China, held in the Chinese city of Urumqi as part of the 9th ‘China–Eurasia 2026’ EXPO. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The participants discussed issues relating to the environment, combating desertification, climate change and the development of scientific cooperation. Pirli Kepbanov, Director of the National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna of Turkmenistan, presented the results of research in the field of desert studies and biodiversity conservation. The parties agreed to develop joint projects on reforestation, the protection of water resources, the creation of ecological corridors and the monitoring of glaciers. Following the meeting, an agreement was signed between the environmental research centres of the countries in the region, and the next meeting is scheduled to take place in Tashkent.
On 20 July in New York, at a UN General Assembly meeting on road safety, Ovezgeldi Kakalyev, Deputy Minister of the Internal Affairs, delivered a statement on behalf of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. He noted the country’s commitment to the objectives of the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030 and emphasised that the problem of road traffic accidents requires a comprehensive international approach. Among the national measures mentioned were the annual month-long campaign ‘Road Safety is the Peace of Our Life’, the state programme on road safety, and the ministries’ plans to reduce accident rates. It was also reported that penalties for traffic offences had been tightened following the adoption of relevant amendments to the legislation. O. Kakalyev highlighted the development of Turkmenistan’s cooperation with the WHO, CIS states and international organisations in the areas of exchanging expertise and improving the regulatory framework. He reaffirmed the country’s readiness to continue its work on improving road safety.
The confectionery brand ‘Balam’ plans to enter the Chinese market and expand the geographical reach of its product deliveries. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. Currently, ‘Balam’ products are supplied to Russia, Georgia, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan. The company produces more than 50 types of confectionery, including puff pastries, croissants, semi-finished products and chocolate spread, as well as bakery products. The company uses modern equipment and local raw materials, paying particular attention to quality and hygiene standards. Founded in Ashgabat in 2016, the company intends to expand its export reach and strengthen the brand’s position in foreign markets.