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The Japanese Embassy in Ashgabat has launched a grant project competition
01.08.2026The Japanese Embassy in Ashgabat has announced that it is now accepting applications for the competitive selection process for grant projects under the Fund in Commemoration of the 1970 World Expo (JEC Fund). This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. Applications will be accepted from 1 to 30 September 2026. The programme’s budget for the 2027 financial year will be approximately 135 million yen, with a maximum grant of up to 5 million yen per project. National governments, local authorities and non-governmental organisations are eligible to participate in the competition. Private individuals and commercial entities are not eligible to participate. Support is provided to projects in the fields of international cultural cooperation, education, academic activities and scientific research, aimed at fostering mutual understanding between countries. The JEC Fund was established using proceeds from the 1970 Osaka World Expo and supports initiatives in the fields of cultural exchange and scientific partnership.
Turkmenistan has conducted naval exercises to prevent environmental emergencies in the Caspian Sea
01.08.2026The State Service for Maritime and River Transport of Turkmenistan has conducted comprehensive emergency response exercises in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea. This was reported by the news agency Orient. According to the scenario, a simulated oil spill occurred on the ‘Zhdanov-A’ platform, following which the emergency services promptly organised a response. During the exercises, specialists carried out environmental surveys, assessed the extent of the pollution and took water samples. Rescue units deployed oil booms, contained and cleared up the simulated spill. Following the manoeuvres, the actions of all services were deemed successful, and their readiness to respond was rated as ‘Ready’.
Preparations for the final of the ‘Tatar Kyzy’ competition were discussed in Turkmenbashi
01.08.2026The delegation from Tatarstan is continuing its working visit to Turkmenbashi. Vasil Shaikhraziyev, Deputy Prime Minister of Tatarstan and Chairman of the National Council of the World Tatar Congress, met with Nyyazjan Nyyazjanov, the governor of the city. This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. The main topic of the negotiations was the preparations for the final of the ‘Tatar Kyzy’ International Competition, which will take place in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone. The parties discussed organisational matters, and the Head of Turkmenbashi confirmed his readiness to provide comprehensive support for the event.
A delegation from Turkmenistan discussed joint projects with its Dutch partners
31.07.2026During a visit to the Netherlands, a delegation from Turkmenistan, led by Tanryguly Atahallyev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, held meetings with representatives of ‘Royal IHC’, ‘Damen Shipyards Group’ and the international water education institute ‘IHE Delft’. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The parties discussed prospects for cooperation in the fields of water resource management, shipbuilding, maritime infrastructure and professional training, according to the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Belgium. During the talks, the Turkmen delegation also presented preparations for the World Equestrian Games and the Ahal-Teke Horse Beauty Contest, which are due to take place in September 2026 in the Dutch province of Limburg, and invited company representatives to take part in the events. In addition, the possibility of holding a Turkmen-Dutch business forum was discussed.
The Ambassador of Turkmenistan held a meeting with the Executive Secretary of UNESCAP
31.07.2026On 30 July 2026, as part of an official visit to the Kingdom of Thailand, M. Mashalov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Malaysia, met with Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of UNESCAP. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The parties discussed issues relating to cooperation between Turkmenistan and ESCAP in the fields of sustainable development, economic cooperation, adaptation to climate change and combating desertification. Particular attention was paid to the initiative of the President of Turkmenistan to establish a Regional Centre for Combating Desertification for the countries of Central Asia in Ashgabat. They also discussed the participation of the Turkmen delegation in COP17 in Mongolia in August 2026 and the 83rd session of ESCAP, which will take place in April 2027 in Shanghai.
The customs authorities of Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan are strengthening their cooperation
31.07.2026On 30 July 2026, a videoconference took place between representatives of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan and the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan. This was reported by the press office of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the application of preferential treatment during customs clearance of imported goods under the Agreement on the Organisation of the Exchange of Advance Information. During the meeting, issues relating to electronic data exchange, the improvement of customs procedures and the acceleration of trade flows were considered. The event followed on from the agreements reached in June 2026 during an official visit, when the text of the Agreement and the Protocol on Cooperation were finalised and signed. The participants reaffirmed their readiness for further cooperation and the implementation of joint initiatives in the field of customs administration.
A UNDP seminar in Ashgabat focused on the financing of environmental projects
31.07.2026On 30 July, a consultative workshop was held in Ashgabat as part of the UNDP project ‘Umbrella Programme to Support Development of Biodiversity Finance Plans’, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. Participants discussed the findings of the Policy and Institutional Review (PIR) on biodiversity financing and the preliminary results of the Biodiversity Expenditure Review (BER) in Turkmenistan. The project applies the methodology of the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), which aims to assess funding needs, analyse current expenditure and identify opportunities to mobilise additional resources for the conservation of natural ecosystems. The workshop addressed issues relating to public and private investment in biodiversity conservation, the state of the regulatory framework, and a preliminary assessment of expenditure in this area. Participants’ suggestions will be taken into account when preparing further analytical materials. The findings will form the basis for developing a National Biodiversity Finance Plan and determining the resources required to achieve national targets in this area. The project also aims to improve environmental governance and enhance the effectiveness of investments in the conservation of natural capital. According to Farhat Orunov, programme analyst for the UNDP’s environmental portfolio in Turkmenistan, the materials submitted will help to provide a deeper understanding of current expenditure on biodiversity conservation and the existing public policy mechanisms in this area.
Turkmenistan and Romania are strengthening their cooperation in the energy and logistics sectors
30.07.2026On 29 July, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Romania, Annamammet Annayev, met with Mihai Daraban, President of the Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This was reported by the Orient news agency. The parties discussed the development of economic cooperation, focusing in particular on the energy sector and port logistics. Mihai Daraban expressed interest in resuming the ‘AGRI’ project, which would enable the supply of Turkmen natural gas to the European market via the port infrastructure of Turkmenbashi and Constanța, using a route through Azerbaijan, Georgia and the ‘BRUA’ gas pipeline. Annamammet Annayev highlighted the potential of Turkmenistan’s economy and proposed establishing a regional distribution centre for Turkmen products at the port of Constanța, which, he said, would help to expand trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.
There are plans to build a tourist complex called ‘Little Turkmenistan’ in Bukhara
30.07.2026There are plans to establish the ‘Little Turkmenistan’ cultural and tourist complex in Bukhara. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The prospects for the project’s implementation were discussed by the Deputy Chair of Uzbekistan’s Committee on Tourism, representatives of the Turkish company ‘Finwest Finance Company’, the Eurasian Union of Local Authorities, and the joint venture TURKMEN HALY LLC. During the meeting, the parties discussed issues relating to attracting investment, developing modern hotel and tourism infrastructure, and promoting national crafts, gastronomy and cultural heritage, the source notes.
The Turkmen delegation is preparing the venue for the World Equestrian Games in the Netherlands
30.07.2026The Deputy Chairman of the State Organising Committee, Deputy Prime Minister T. Atahallyev, together with members of the Committee, is on a working visit to the city of Kronenberg in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The delegation is preparing for the participation of Ahal-Teke horses in the World Equestrian Championships and the Ahal-Teke Horse Beauty Contest, reports the news agency TDH. As part of the visit, meetings are being held with local horse breeders and international experts engaged in research in the field of horse breeding. The main focus is on selecting a venue for the events, designing it in a national style and ensuring it meets international standards. During the meetings, the venue for the international competitions was presented. Participants discussed the specifics of organising the competitions, the layout of the site and the placement of design elements related to the upcoming events. Local experts highlighted the importance of exchanging experience in the field of Turkmen horse breeding, including the traditions of rearing and training Ahal-Teke horses. Issues relating to the promotion of national horse-breeding methods amongst specialists from various countries were also discussed. The inclusion of the art of Ahal-Teke horse breeding and the traditions of horse decoration on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity marked international recognition of these traditions. During the meetings, the history of Ahal-Teke horses, their distinctive characteristics and the format of the forthcoming competitions were also discussed. The preparatory activities are aimed at ensuring the participation of Turkmen teams and the organisation of the events in accordance with international requirements.
Turkmenistan and Turkey discussed cooperation on migration
30.07.2026On 29 July 2026, a meeting took place at the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan between Ahmet Gurbanov, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, and Ramazan Sechilmish, Deputy Head of the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Turkey. This was reported by the press office of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the development of bilateral relations in the political, trade and economic, and cultural and humanitarian spheres, noting the important role of contacts at the highest and senior levels. The main focus was on strengthening the legal and treaty framework for cooperation in the field of migration. The participants reviewed draft documents and expressed their readiness to continue exchanging experience and cooperating in this area.
UNICEF in Turkmenistan is to hold an environmental illustration competition for young people
30.07.2026The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) office in Turkmenistan has announced a national illustration competition on the themes of the environment and sustainable development. The competition is open to Turkmenistan nationals aged between 12 and 17 and between 18 and 35, according to IIC of Turkmenistan. Entries will be accepted until 28 August 2026 in high-resolution digital format or using traditional art techniques. The use of artificial intelligence in creating illustrations is not permitted. The competition focuses on the themes of natural resource conservation, innovation, social inclusion and climate policy. The jury will assess the works’ relevance to the themes, originality and quality of execution. The best participants will receive commemorative prizes and certificates. Their works will be included in Turkmenistan’s Youth Statement for presentation at the UN Climate Change Conference COP31.
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