Located in the Lebap velayat on the picturesque banks of the Amu Darya River, the ‘Farap’ sanatorium has become one of the leading resort centres in Turkmenistan. It combines advanced medical technologies and natural healing factors, attracting guests from all over the country. This was reported by the IIC. The main feature of ‘Farap’ is its healing mineral waters, extracted from a depth of 890 metres. Rich in more than 32 chemical elements, they maintain a temperature of 37–38°C, which enhances their therapeutic effect. These waters are actively used in the treatment of a wide range of diseases, including pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, nervous system and digestive organs. The sanatorium is equipped with modern diagnostic and therapeutic equipment: X-ray machines, ultrasound rooms, physiotherapy complexes, as well as a unique mud therapy centre. Doctors use both traditional and innovative methods, including magnetotherapy, inhalations and UV irradiation. In addition to wellness programmes, guests are offered a rich leisure programme: a gym, cultural events and a phytobar with teas made from local medicinal herbs. All this makes ‘Farap’ an ideal place to restore your health and relax in harmony with the nature of Turkmenistan.
On 16 July, a significant meeting with international and national experts was held at the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan. The event was held in a hybrid format, bringing together representatives of the Michael Succow Foundation (Germany), Conservation X Labs (USA), the Slovak Speleological Society, as well as relevant agencies and nature reserves of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. This was reported by IIC. The main topic of discussion was the preparation of a transboundary nomination of the Koytendag (Turkmenistan) and Surkhan (Uzbekistan) nature reserves as a single UNESCO World Heritage Site. This initiative has been a priority for Turkmenistan since 2015. Initially, the application concerned only Koytendag, but experts recommended joining forces with Uzbekistan to preserve the integrity of the mountain ecosystem. During the meeting, the participants agreed on a Declaration of Intent, a Roadmap and the criteria of the World Heritage Convention. The text of the Tentative List was also approved under a new name - ‘Karst, Caves and Canyons of the Kugitang Range’. Despite being divided by a state border, the Kugitang Range is a unique ecosystem with karst formations, hundreds of caves and deep canyons. Evidence of all major geological eras has been preserved here, including globally significant dinosaur footprints. Further work on the nomination will continue with the involvement of international and national experts, which will allow this unique natural heritage to be presented to the world.
On 18 July, the second round table on finalising the National Strategy for Raising Public Awareness of the Benefits of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and Energy Efficiency was held at the ‘Ýyldyz’ Hotel in Ashgabat. This was reported by the news website Asmannews. The event was supported by the EU project ‘Political Dialogue and Climate Action 2024-2028’, implemented by GIZ and co-financed by the EU and the German Foreign Affairs Ministry. The meeting was attended by representatives of Turkmen ministries, the EU Delegation, UNDP, SECCA and RECA projects, as well as young SDG ambassadors, students and civil society organisations. The meeting was dedicated to discussing comments from ministries for finalising the document, taking into account national priorities, and agreeing on the final version. The strategy will serve as a roadmap for effectively informing the population of Turkmenistan about renewable energy and energy efficiency, contributing to the country's environmental and economic development.
On 22–23 July, the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat is organising a two-day training course on media and legal literacy for novice journalists and bloggers. This was reported by the news website Asmannews. Turkmen specialists who have undergone training in media information will participate in the programme for the first time. Participants will attend classes on the basics of media and legal literacy, discuss professional responsibility, take part in practical exercises and analyse current topics in the media sphere. The training is designed for those who are taking their first steps in the profession and seeking to develop their media skills.
Preparations are underway for the 30th anniversary International Conference and Exhibition ‘Oil & Gas of Turkmenistan – 2025’ (OGT 2025), which will be held in Ashgabat from 22 to 24 October under the slogan ‘Energy. Innovation. Development.’ is gaining momentum. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Over 100 delegates have already confirmed their participation, including representatives of major energy companies, financial organisations and international institutions. OGT 2025 will be an important milestone in the development of Turkmenistan's energy policy, highlighting its potential in hydrocarbon production and its commitment to environmentally friendly technologies. Delegations from more than 60 countries are expected to attend. Among the forum's partners is S&P Global Platts, which is organising closed expert sessions on the prospects for the oil and gas sector, petrochemicals and the digitalisation of trade. Technical panels will also be held by SPE and Gaffney Cline, focusing on underground gas storage and carbon capture technologies. Key speakers will include international experts such as Pulitzer Prize winner Daniel Yergin, Asian Development Bank representative Artur Andrysiak, and Oxford Institute for Energy Studies researcher Julian Bowden. In addition to traditional hydrocarbon topics such as the ‘Galkynysh’ and TAPI projects, the focus will be on the development of renewable energy. In particular, a hybrid solar-wind power plant near Lake Altyn Asyr will be presented. The conference's gold sponsor is Auguste International, a leading supplier of industrial equipment participating in the forum's business programme.
According to data from the National Statistics Committee, 142,500 tourists from Turkmenistan visited Uzbekistan in the first five months of this year. This was reported by IIC. A total of 4.2 million foreign guests visited the country during this period, which is 1.4 million more than in the same period last year. The main flow of tourists came from neighbouring countries: Kyrgyzstan (1.28 million), Tajikistan (993,700), Kazakhstan (889,600), Russia (334,300) and Afghanistan (199,200). A significant number of tourists also arrived from Turkey (65,800) and China (51,900). Experts attribute the growth in Uzbekistan's tourist appeal to improvements in infrastructure, simplified visa procedures and an active advertising campaign aimed at promoting the country as a popular travel destination.
From 10 to 12 October, the Ashgabat Chamber of Commerce and Industry Exhibition Centre will host an international exhibition entitled ‘Healthcare, Education and Sports in the Renaissance Era of a New Epoch of a Powerful State’. This was reported by the online news resource TerraNews. The exhibition will showcase modern medical technologies, innovative solutions in education and sports, as well as developments in clinical centres. The event will be attended by relevant organisations from Turkmenistan, foreign companies and representatives of the private sector. The forum will serve as a platform for exchanging experiences and strengthening international cooperation in socially significant industries.
A ceremony was held in Ashgabat to award Turkish Airlines partner agencies that achieved high results in 2024. The event was attended by representatives of the Turkish diplomatic mission, airline management and regional partners, according to the news website TerraNews. Among the guests of honour were Turkish Ambassador to Turkmenistan Ahmet Demirok, Turkish Airlines Regional Director Sinan Dilek and Cultural and Tourism Counsellor at the Turkish Embassy in Turkmenistan Mehmet Yasa. Participants were shown a video about the airline's successes, followed by a gala dinner. The main part of the programme was the presentation of awards to the best agencies: first place went to ‘Dünýä Ulag Hyzmatlary’, second place to ‘Eşretli Syýahat’, and third place to ‘Lebap Syýahat’. Seven other agencies received diplomas for successful cooperation. At the end of the ceremony, guests were given a chance to win tickets for flights from Ashgabat to Istanbul, and the event concluded with a group photo and words of gratitude from the organisers.
On 24 July, the capital of Turkmenistan will host a book fair dedicated to classics of American literature translated into Turkmen. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The event is organised by the US Embassy in Turkmenistan and the country's government. The event will take place at the State Library of the State Cultural Centre of Turkmenistan. Visitors will be presented with an exhibition of bilingual editions of works by American authors. The fair's programme also includes interactive quizzes and competitions, as well as a presentation of materials dedicated to the United States. Admission to the event is free.
A delegation from the Ministry of Industry and Construction of Turkmenistan visited the headquarters of the Chinese company ‘Tongfang Co., Ltd.’ in Beijing. This was reported by the news agency Orient. The visit was a follow-up to agreements reached at the recent ‘China – Central Asia’ summit and is aimed at developing cooperation in the field of digital technologies and smart energy. The Turkmen side familiarised itself with Tongfang's developments in the field of ‘smart cities’ and clean energy. Company representatives emphasised their readiness to cooperate with Turkmenistan in these areas. Particular attention was paid to the exchange of experience and the development of joint projects, taking into account Turkmenistan's desire to modernise its energy structure and expand its digital infrastructure. During the meeting, the parties expressed mutual interest in strategic partnership and the development of mutually beneficial initiatives.
A Turkmen delegation is participating in a regional training course entitled ‘Towards Respectful Care: Overcoming Gender Bias in Medical Practice,’ which is being held on 15-16 July in Almaty. The event is organised as part of the EU-supported CADAP 7 programme, according to the news website Turkmenportal. The training aims to improve the skills of healthcare workers and civil society representatives in providing gender-sensitive and trauma-informed care to women who use synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS). The delegation includes representatives of the Ministry of Healthcare and Medical Industry, relevant universities and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Turkmenistan. Participants are discussing ways to overcome stigma in medicine, develop an empathetic and professional approach to patients, and improve cross-sectoral cooperation. Particular attention is being paid to the role of men in creating a safe and respectful medical environment. The initiative is being implemented in support of Turkmenistan's national priorities for the development of an inclusive health care system.
A commemorative ceremony and photo exhibition dedicated to the Day of Democracy and National Unity of the Republic of Turkey was held in Ashgabat, at the Cultural Centre of the Turkish Embassy in Turkmenistan. This was reported by the online news resource TerraNews. The event was timed to coincide with the events of 15 July 2016 in Ankara and Istanbul, when hundreds of Turkish citizens were killed as a result of the escalation of the political situation. In the same year, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan established this day in memory of national heroes. The ceremony began with a minute of silence, followed by a documentary film and an exhibition of photographs reflecting the historical confrontation of the Turkish people. Turkish Ambassador to Turkmenistan Ahmet Demirok noted the importance of these events as a lesson for the international community and expressed gratitude to Turkmenistan for its support and solidarity.