Society
China has extended visa privileges for citizens of Turkmenistan until the end of 2026
29.12.2025China has extended the temporary reduction in visa fees for citizens of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news website Asmannews. The relevant statement was published on 27 December by the Chinese Embassy in Turkmenistan. The preferential rates will remain in effect until 31 December 2026. Visa fees: single entry – $41, double entry – $56, multiple entry for six months – $206, multiple entry for one year – $386.
Mot shared his impressions of the warm welcome he received in Ashgabat
28.12.2025Russian rapper Mot (Matvey Melnikov), who arrived in Ashgabat for a concert on 28 December, said that he felt ‘at home’ in Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. ‘We already felt your hospitable, warm embrace when we were greeted with loaves of bread in traditional attire,’ the artist said. He also emphasised that in 15 years of creative activity, this was his first visit to Ashgabat and he was glad to rectify that. Mot promised the audience a vivid musical experience at his upcoming performance at the Winter Sports Complex.
Arash performed his first solo concert in Ashgabat
28.12.2025The first solo concert of popular Iranian singer Arash took place at the Winter Sports Complex in Ashgabat. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Hundreds of fans gathered to listen to the author of such famous hits as ‘Boro Boro,’ ‘Broken Angel,’ ‘Pure Love,’ ‘One Night in Dubai,’ as well as the songs ‘Vostochnye skazki’ (Eastern fairy tales) and ‘Na morya’ (To the seas). The sports complex hall was overflowing with people: the audience enthusiastically welcomed the world-class artist.
WHO national meeting on pandemic influenza held in Awaza
28.12.2025The World Health Organisation's country office in Turkmenistan held its annual national meeting on the implementation of the ‘Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Mechanism’. This was reported by the news resource Turkmenportal. The event was held in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone with the support of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. The key objective of the meeting was to strengthen national capacity for epidemiological surveillance of influenza and to increase preparedness for possible pandemic threats. The meeting was attended by representatives of relevant medical institutions, specialists in epidemiology and virology, as well as experts from veterinary services. Participants discussed the results of the Mechanism's implementation for 2025 and the current indicators of its implementation. Particular attention was paid to issues of improving pandemic preparedness, updating national response plans, and exchanging experience on the development of surveillance systems and the improvement of influenza monitoring programmes. The meeting was held as part of the Partnership Contribution to the Implementation of the ‘Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Mechanism’ project.
Rare bats were exhibited in Turkmenistan
28.12.2025A new exhibition dedicated to rare species of bats has opened at the State Museum of the State Cultural Centre of Turkmenistan. Using 3D printing, models of the common long-winged bat, Blasius's horseshoe bat and the southern horseshoe bat, which inhabit the Kov-Ata cave, have been created, according to the news website Turkmenportal, citing the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’. There are 19 species of bats in the country, which play an important role in the ecosystem. For example, the colony in the Baherden cave destroys about 1.5 million insects per night, including mosquitoes and agricultural pests. These animals navigate in the dark using echolocation. Scientists note seasonal migrations: the colony in Kov-Ata stays from February to October, then moves to other regions. Blasius's horseshoe bats live in northern Khorasan in Iran in winter, about 100 km from the border. Bat populations are declining due to the use of chemicals in agriculture. Six species are already listed in the Red Book of Turkmenistan. Zoologists emphasise the importance of protecting them as part of the natural environment.
The New Year's performance ‘Winged Steeds’ attracted audiences in Ashgabat
27.12.2025The New Year's circus performance ‘Winged Steeds’ took place in Ashgabat. The programme became one of the festive events of the winter season, according to IIC. The highlight of the evening was the performance of the national equestrian group ‘Galkynysh’. The artists presented elements of horseman riding on Ahal-Teke horses. The group is a six-time world champion and winner of the Monte Carlo festival in 2025. The performance was opened by aerial gymnast Aylar Bebilova. The programme also featured aerial gymnasts, tightrope walkers, jugglers and acrobats. The audience was treated to performances with animals, including Indian monkeys and German poodles. Representatives of a circus dynasty — a mother and daughter — took part in the show. A separate episode was a snake dance performed by young gymnasts, symbolising the end of 2025 and the transition to 2026, whose symbol is the horse. The finale of the evening was the appearance of Ayaz Baba and Garpamyk riding Ahal-Teke horses. The ‘Winged Racers’ programme will run in Ashgabat until 11 January.
Turkmenistan and UNDP update biodiversity conservation strategy
25.12.2025On 24 December, a seminar was held in Ashgabat, marking a new stage of cooperation between UNDP and the Ministry of Environment of Turkmenistan. The main purpose of the event was to update the National Strategy for Action and prepare the 7th National Report for the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, according to the online news resource TerraNews. The seminar was attended by representatives of ministries, scientists and experts from the private sector. Discussions focused on aligning national plans with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adapting environmental policy to the 2030 goals, the results of previous initiatives (GEF-7) and integration with the BIOFIN programme to find new sources of funding for nature conservation. The updated strategy and action plan for biodiversity conservation describe measures to protect Turkmenistan's ecosystems in the context of climate change. The country is participating in a global project with 139 participants, confirming its commitments to the UN.
Ashgabat summarises results of media literacy training for coaches
25.12.2025A final event on the results of the year-long training of national media literacy trainers was held at the OSCE Centre office in Ashgabat. This was reported by the IIC. The meeting was attended by representatives of government agencies, educational institutions, the media and international organisations. Experts from Kazakhstan joined the discussion online. Participants noted the importance of media literacy for the formation of an information culture, countering disinformation and the responsible use of digital resources. During the event, the results of the training programmes and workshops were summarised, and a work plan for the next period was defined. The training was aimed at developing skills in critical analysis of information, working with sources and compliance with media ethics. National trainers presented the results of their activities and underwent a competency assessment in the form of an interactive quiz. Following the discussion, practical recommendations were prepared on data verification and updating training methods. The meeting ended with a question-and-answer session. It was noted that work in this area will continue in Central Asian countries. The next meeting of experts is scheduled for 2026.
‘Sony’ to support Turkmenistan's transition to 4K television broadcasting
24.12.2025‘Sony’ Corporation has been cooperating with the State Committee of Turkmenistan for Television, Radio Broadcasting and Cinematography for several years, supplying equipment for the television broadcasting system. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. ‘Sony’ CEO Toshihiro Takami said that the company is working on transitioning television from Full HD to 4K, which provides higher image quality. Under the signed agreement, ‘Sony’ plans to develop a basic project, implement it in technical equipment and scientific research, and organise training for Turkmen specialists.
Turkmenistan assessed the effectiveness of South Korea's advanced recycling technologies
24.12.2025Central Asia is actively studying South Korea's experience in recycling used solar panels, recognised as a world leader in the handling of complex waste. A webinar bringing together environmentalists from Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan discussed technologies that allow up to 95% of useful materials — aluminium, glass and rare metals — to be extracted with minimal CO₂ emissions, according to the Orient news agency. Mergen Kepbanov, director of the CAREC project office in Turkmenistan, noted that the Korean model combines high technology and economic efficiency, which is important for the formation of a circular economy in the region. The Kazakh office of CAREC is ready to expand cooperation by introducing Eastern innovations alongside existing German projects. For Turkmenistan, these recycling systems make it possible to build a ‘clean’ energy production cycle at hybrid solar-wind stations without accumulating environmental damage.
A book of Hero Arkadag was presented in Ashgabat in Azerbaijani language
23.12.2025At the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, a presentation of the book ‘Hakyda göwheri’ (‘Jewel of the Mind’) by Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, was held, published in Azerbaijani. This was reported by TDH. The event was attended by the leadership of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan, the Plenipotentiary Representative of Turkmenistan in Azerbaijan, representatives of the Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, scientists from the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, teachers and students of the university. Before the presentation began, participants viewed a thematic exhibition in the foyer of the Institute. Speaking at the event, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan Gismat Gozalov noted the importance of the publication for popularising the spiritual and historical heritage of the Turkmen people and expanding access to scientific works for Azerbaijani readers. It was emphasised that the book contains information about the contribution of the Turkmen people to world culture, the history of ancient states and the development of political and trade relations in the region. The relevance of the ideas of peace, justice and creativity reflected in the work was noted. The presentation also touched upon the development of Turkmen-Azerbaijani relations. It was noted that cooperation between the two countries is actively developing at a high political level and is of a strategic nature. Special mention was made of the visits of the National Leader of the Turkmen people to Azerbaijan in 2025 and contacts within the framework of the Organisation of Turkic States. Special attention was paid to humanitarian cooperation, including the initiatives of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation and joint projects with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The speakers emphasised that the translation of the book ‘Hakyda göwheri’ into Azerbaijani was further confirmation of the strengthening of cultural and humanitarian ties between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. The presentation of the book became part of the cultural dialogue between the two friendly states and expanded opportunities for mutual study of historical and spiritual heritage.
The EU Delegation to Turkmenistan held an intellectual tournament
22.12.2025The fifth annual intellectual tournament ‘Winter Cup 2025’, organised by the EU Delegation to Turkmenistan and dedicated to European Christmas and New Year traditions, took place in Ashgabat. This was reported by the IIC. This year, the tournament saw a record number of participants – 51 teams and more than 300 people, including students, schoolchildren, young professionals and representatives of various fields. The competition was held in Turkmen and Russian. The competition consisted of two preliminary rounds and a final round, where teams answered questions in one minute, demonstrating logic, analytical skills and teamwork. The ‘N K B’ team won, with ‘Chocolate Owl’ in second place and ‘Smile and Wave’ in third. The tournament programme included a concert by popular Turkmen singer Shad Ovez, who performed between rounds, creating a festive atmosphere. The ‘Winter Cup’ continues to serve as a platform for cultural exchange, learning and youth engagement, promoting critical thinking, inclusivity and mutual understanding.
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