Society
The UN in Turkmenistan was the first in the world to apply the G-PESTLE methodology
18.09.2026The UN Country Team in Turkmenistan was the first among the organisation’s missions worldwide to trial the G-PESTLE strategic forecasting methodology, developed by UN Women. This was reported by the IIC. A training session was held in Ashgabat, attended by representatives of UN agencies and international experts. Participants studied approaches to analysing future trends and making decisions, taking into account the principles of gender equality and inclusivity. The methodology enables the assessment of political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental changes and their impact on various population groups, including women, young people and people with disabilities. During the practical sessions, participants examined the consequences of climate change, water scarcity, labour market transformation and the development of digital technologies. The next stage will be the creation of a G-PESTLE checklist. It is planned to be used when updating the UN’s country analysis, monitoring trends and developing joint programmes in Turkmenistan.
The C5+1 seminar on digital technologies has concluded in Ashgabat
18.09.2026A two-day ‘C5+1’ seminar in Ashgabat, focusing on artificial intelligence, digital technologies, cyber security and information and communications infrastructure, has come to a close. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The event, held with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, brought together representatives of government bodies from Central Asian countries and the USA, as well as international companies and experts. Participants discussed the implementation of digital solutions, enhancing the resilience and security of networks, and the protection of critical information infrastructure. Particular attention was paid to the application of artificial intelligence, the development of satellite communications, radio spectrum management and the establishment of data centres. During the seminar, the delegations exchanged experiences, explored opportunities for attracting investment in technology projects and discussed further areas of cooperation.
Turkmenistan is developing a spiritual and educational environment in the city of Arkadag
18.09.2026The construction of the mosque in the city of Arkadag is one of the most notable projects in the emerging architectural and spiritual landscape of the new city. The scale of the project, its location and the development of educational infrastructure in the vicinity mean that the future mosque can be viewed not only as a religious building, but also as part of a broader process of shaping the urban environment. The mosque, designed to accommodate 30,000 people, has been named ‘Arkadagyň ruhy metjidi’. The decision on the name has been registered by the Ministry of Justice in accordance with the established procedure. The madrasah located nearby is an equally important component. It is intended to provide facilities for teaching, staff accommodation and student accommodation and leisure. The areas of study and the content of the educational programmes are also being considered. The design of the madrasah provides for the use of modern equipment and the incorporation of international best practice in the field of Islamic education. This combination of religious and educational spaces is significant for the very character of the new city. The city of Arkadag continues to take shape as a comprehensive urban environment, where public, cultural, educational and spiritual facilities are integrated into a single architectural concept. Furthermore, particular attention is being paid to combining modern architectural solutions and cutting-edge technologies with the traditions of national architecture. This principle takes on special significance for the future mosque: the building must blend harmoniously into the city’s architectural ensemble, whilst preserving the characteristic elements of religious and national architecture. The progress of construction and the development of the city of Arkadag are regularly reviewed during working visits by the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. During these working visits, Hero Arkadag familiarises himself with the pace of project implementation, architectural solutions and the plans drawn up for new facilities. In addition, Turkmenistan is also carrying out a project to build a mosque in Fizuli, Azerbaijan, which is being constructed as a gift to the brotherly people. Its construction is also ongoing. The mosque in Fizuli has a capacity of 500 people and is being built on a site covering more than one hectare. The construction of the mosque has become one of the specific projects linking the architectural development of the two states. Thus, from the overall urban development plan to specific solutions regarding architecture, urban improvements and educational infrastructure, the city of Arkadag continues to take shape as a unified space in which the future mosque is set to occupy a prominent place.
A training course on environmental journalism for the media was held in Ashgabat
17.09.2026A two-day training session for representatives of the national media on covering environmental issues was held at the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, according to IIC of Turkmenistan. The event was attended by staff from state media, television and leading online media platforms. The Head of the OSCE Centre, Ambassador William Leaf, delivered a welcome address, noting that the modern security ecosystem is directly linked to the state of the environment and the public’s access to reliable information. Participants studied a practical guide to environmental journalism published by UNESCO and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media. Under the guidance of expert Angelina Davydova, they discussed international trends and developed media projects in small groups. A separate section of the programme was devoted to the application of artificial intelligence in newsroom work, the ethical aspects of its use and countering misinformation. Media trainer Marat Sadykov and AI implementation expert Batyr Rejepov introduced the journalists to the tools Gemini Notebook, ChatGPT and Typeless, which enable the processing of large data sets, the transcription of audio recordings and the structuring of content. The experts emphasised that artificial intelligence can only act as an assistant, whilst the responsibility for fact-checking, analysis and writing style remains with the journalist.
Turkmenistan presented the potential of nuclear science for LLDCs in Vienna
17.09.2026On 14 September 2026, in Vienna, as part of the 70th session of the IAEA General Conference, a side event entitled ‘Atoms for LLDCs: From Commitment to Action – Nuclear Science for the Implementation of the Awaza Programme of Action’ was held, organised by the Permanent Mission of Turkmenistan to the IAEA. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. Participants discussed the application of nuclear science and technology for the advancement of healthcare and sustainable development in landlocked developing countries. IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, Najat Mokhtar, and Azat Ovezov, Deputy Minister of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan, emphasised the need to develop infrastructure, introduce modern technologies and train specialists in the field of cancer prevention and treatment. Issues relating to radiotherapy, nuclear medicine, medical physics, cancer care planning and staff training were also discussed. Particular attention was paid to the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Programme, PACT and the ‘Rays of Hope’ initiative. Following the meeting, the importance of international partnership, investment and capacity-building for the implementation of the Awaza Action Programme and for expanding LLDCs’ access to the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology was emphasised. The 70th session of the IAEA General Conference will continue in Vienna until 18 September 2026.
The flag of Turkmenistan was raised at an altitude of 3,300 metres
17.09.2026The flag of Turkmenistan was raised on the Golubin Glacier in the Ala-Archa Gorge at an altitude of 3,300 metres above sea level. The ascent was timed to coincide with the 35th anniversary of the country’s independence, according to the IIC of Turkmenistan. The event was organised by Dinara Begliyeva, a postgraduate student at the Kazakh-German University, as part of an international research programme on climate change and water resource conservation in Central Asia.
Turkmenistan took part in a transport seminar in Yerevan
17.09.2026Representatives from Turkmenistan took part in a seminar entitled ‘Promoting Sustainable Transport Corridors to Strengthen Inter-Regional and Intra-Regional Connectivity’. The two-day event took place on 14–15 September in Yerevan, according to the news website Turkmenportal. The seminar was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Armenia and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). The event was attended by representatives of member states’ governments, transport operators, the private sector, academia, international organisations and development partners. Participants exchanged experiences and discussed common challenges in the development of transport corridors. They also examined practical approaches to enhancing their efficiency, sustainability and environmental friendliness.
Representatives of the Turkmen media are learning about modern media technologies in China
16.09.2026Representatives of the Turkmen media are taking part in the China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC) 2026 international training programme, which is being held in China from September to December. The programme combines theoretical sessions, Chinese language lessons and practical training in modern media technologies, according to the IIC. The programme was officially launched on 8 September. During the first few days, participants attended a lecture by Li Yunhui, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, on the national characteristics of the People’s Republic of China, strategic partnerships with regions and the workings of modern media. The programme also featured a lecture by Zhao Ping, head of China Global Television Network (CGTN), on the application of artificial intelligence in the development of the media industry and international communications. The students visited the 11th ‘Colourful World’ cultural exhibition as part of the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) and took part in the international event ‘East Meets West: Charming Beijing’. In addition, they attended practical Chinese language classes focused on everyday communication.
Turkmenistan and South Korea are to join forces in the production of IT equipment
16.09.2026In Seoul, the business association ‘Amatly çözgüt’ and the South Korean company ‘S&T System Inc.’ signed an agreement to establish the joint venture ‘Yerli Tor’. This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. The venture will manufacture IT equipment for government agencies, large companies, data centres and infrastructure facilities. The product range will include servers, data storage systems and networking equipment. The South Korean side will provide technology transfer, technical solutions and expert support. The Turkmen side will be responsible for adapting the products to local standards, establishing the production infrastructure and introducing the equipment to the domestic market. Production will include the assembly and configuration of equipment, quality control, testing and software integration. Warranty and after-sales services are also provided for. Going forward, the parties plan to increase the level of localisation in production, train national specialists and introduce new technological solutions.
The Turkmen dance ‘Kushtdepdi’ was performed at a festival in Islamabad
16.09.2026The Turkmen Ambassador to Pakistan, A. Movlamov, took part in a celebratory event held on 9 September in Islamabad at the National Museum of Pakistan to mark the Independence Days of the Central Asian states and Azerbaijan. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The Heads of the diplomatic missions of the Central Asian states, Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation congratulated those present on their national holidays. In their speeches, they emphasised the importance of cultural diplomacy and humanitarian cooperation in strengthening friendship, mutual respect and mutual understanding between peoples. The concert programme centred on performances by Pakistani artists, who presented traditional dances and musical compositions whilst wearing the national costumes of the peoples of Central Asia and Azerbaijan. The traditional Turkmen dance ‘Kushtdepdi’, reflecting the distinctiveness of Turkmenistan’s national cultural heritage, was also performed. The event was organised by the Eurasian Peoples Friendship Forum in conjunction with the embassies of the Central Asian countries, with the support of the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage of Pakistan.
The Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan were discussed at the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Islamabad
16.09.2026A round-table discussion was held at the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Islamabad, dedicated to the forthcoming session of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan. The event was attended by a delegation from the Pakistan Youth Parliament, led by its President, Ubaid Ur Rehman Qureshi, according to IIC of Turkmenistan. The participants discussed the significance of the Halk Maslahaty meeting, which is due to take place on 23 September. It was noted that this will be an important socio-political event, during which the results of the work carried out will be summarised and priorities for the country’s further socio-economic development will be set. Particular attention was paid to the upcoming session in the context of the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence, as well as the country’s main achievements since independence and its future objectives. The parties also discussed the international initiative by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, to declare 2028 the Year of International Law. It was noted that the relevant resolution of the UN General Assembly had been adopted on the initiative of Turkmenistan, with 78 states acting as co-sponsors. Representatives of the Pakistan Youth Parliament highlighted the constructive nature of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy, which is based on the principles of permanent neutrality, mutual respect and good-neighbourliness. Following the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their interest in further developing ties between the youth and parliamentary bodies of the two countries, exchanging experience and organising joint events. Their aim will be to strengthen friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples of Turkmenistan and Pakistan.
The Indian Embassy in Turkmenistan organised an event to mark Hindi Day
16.09.2026The Indian Embassy in Ashgabat hosted a celebratory event to mark Hindi Day. Guests were treated to an official programme, musical and dance performances, as well as dishes from traditional Indian cuisine. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. As Bandaru Wilsonbabu, the Indian Ambassador to Turkmenistan, pointed out, Hindi Day is celebrated annually on 14 September to mark the adoption of Hindi as India’s official language in 1949. According to him, Hindi is spoken by over 600 million people, making it the third most widely spoken language in the world — not merely a language, but a means of expressing Indian culture. The diplomat noted that Hindi, being related to other languages of India, serves as a bridge between speakers of local languages across the country, and is also known for its simplicity and rich literary traditions. Wilsonbabu reported that over 40 students are studying Hindi at the Azadi Institute of World Languages in Ashgabat, some of whom have undergone language training at the Kendriya Hindi Sansthan Institute in Agra. The Embassy will continue to cooperate with the Government of Turkmenistan on matters relating to language learning. The Ambassador emphasised that India, as a partner among the developing countries of the ‘Wider Neighbourhood’, would continue to share its development experience, taking into account Turkmenistan’s needs and priorities, and expressed confidence in the strengthening of the partnership between the two countries. Myahri Byashimova, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, stated that, against the backdrop of the emerging new architecture of international relations, mutual respect, trust, good-neighbourliness and constructive dialogue are particularly essential — it is precisely these principles, she said, that underpin the development of relations between Turkmenistan and India. The Deputy Minister expressed her confidence in the further strengthening of friendly ties between the two countries and wished the Indian people peace, stability and prosperity. She noted that India possesses a rich historical and cultural heritage and is a dynamically developing nation with significant economic, scientific, technological and human potential. Byashimova emphasised that Turkmenistan and India are linked by traditionally friendly and mutually respectful relations, based on mutual trust and equality, and highlighted the important role of cultural and humanitarian cooperation in strengthening the friendship between the peoples of the two countries.
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