A national workshop was held in Ashgabat on 12-13 May 2025 within the framework of the GEF-UNDP-UNESCO multilateral project ‘Strengthening the Resilience of Central Asian Countries by Enabling Regional Cooperation to Assess High Altitude Glacio-nival Systems’. This is reported by the IIC. The main objective of the event is to transform regional climate priorities into concrete actions to strengthen monitoring of the cryosphere and enhance climate resilience in Turkmenistan. The workshop was the fourth stage of a series of national events being realised in Central Asian countries. Similar meetings were held earlier in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The forum was attended by representatives of relevant ministries and agencies, scientific and academic institutions, as well as civil society. The key topics of discussion were improvement of monitoring systems for glaciers, snow cover and permafrost, intensification of analytical data exchange, development of scientific research and formation of a knowledge base on the cryosphere. The event also initiated work on the creation of an interagency national group to coordinate further steps in this area. The next national workshop under the project is planned in the Kyrgyz Republic and will finalise the series of events in June 2025.
On 13 May, the International Scientific and Practical Conference ‘Foreign Policy and Diplomacy of Turkmenistan: Cooperation for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development’ was launched at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. This is reported by the state news agency TDH. The forum is held in a hybrid format with the participation of scientists, teachers and students from Turkmenistan and more than 15 countries. The event is timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality and is aimed at discussing the country's diplomatic initiatives, including in the framework of cooperation with the UN. Special attention is paid to the role of neutrality in ensuring regional and global stability, as well as efforts to promote peaceful diplomacy, cultural and humanitarian ties. The conference included thematic sections on peacemaking, economic and cultural diplomacy, as well as training of specialists in international relations. In addition, the II International Student Competition ‘International Relations: Culture of Peaceful Dialogue’ was launched at the IIR of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. More than 170 youth representatives from eight countries are taking part in the competition. The participants expressed gratitude to the leadership of Turkmenistan for the initiatives aimed at strengthening international peace and cooperation. The forum and summing up the results of the competition are scheduled for 14 May.
Turkmenistan's pavilion at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka is rapidly gaining popularity among the international audience. Visitors share vivid photos and rave reviews on social networks, noting the uniqueness of the architectural design and rich cultural content, Turkmenportal news website reported. The three-level exposition introduces visitors to the rich heritage and modern achievements of Turkmenistan. The architectural concept, inspired by the traditional ornament of gulyaka, is in the form of a light structure with a dome, epitomising the harmony of tradition and innovation. The exterior of the pavilion, echoing the landscapes of the Karakum desert, attracts attention with its expressive symbolism. An immersive tour of Turkmenistan awaits visitors on the ground floor: spherical screens and digital installations immerse them in the atmosphere of the country. Special attention is drawn to the video presentation of the innovative city Arkadag - a project reflecting the progressive vector of the state's development. The second level is devoted to key sectors - energy, industry, health care and education. The section demonstrating the use of medicinal plants in the traditional medicine of Turkmenistan is of special interest. On the third level of the pavilion there is an exposition devoted to the national arts and crafts: ancient carpets, embroideries and museum artefacts. The open terrace with traditional tapjans, where one can relax with a cup of fragrant green tea and taste Turkmen cuisine, is in particular demand among tourists.
The Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan hosted the opening ceremony of the regional seminar for young diplomats and civil servants of Central Asian countries. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The event is timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality and is aimed at strengthening cooperation, exchange of experience and joint discussion of regional challenges. The seminar was attended by representatives of the Foreign Ministry, foreign diplomatic missions, international organisations, including the UN, as well as delegations of regional countries and students. The speeches underlined the significance of Turkmenistan's contribution to the development of a culture of peace, sustainable development and trusting dialogue, which is supported by the country's international initiatives recognized by the UN. It was noted that Turkmenistan's neutrality proved its effectiveness in international diplomacy and was confirmed by three resolutions of the UN General Assembly. Special attention was paid to the issues of peace, security, ecology, humanitarian activities and youth policy. The seminar will last until 16 May and will become a platform for studying UN approaches in the field of human rights, sustainable development, gender equality and other areas, as well as strengthening regional cooperation.
The city of Arkadag held celebrations to mark the victory of the Arkadag football team in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge League. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The Akhan Monument became the centre of the celebration, where artists and musical groups of the country performed. The winners of the tournament arrived at the ceremony with the State Flag, Cup and awards, causing a lively response from the gathered residents and fans. The athletes marched along the avenues of the new city to the multi-purpose stadium. The festive events were accompanied by performances of athletes, national songs and dances. At the stadium the players were given bread and salt as a sign of respect for traditions. Head of the football club Arslanmurad Amanov thanked the country's leadership for attention to sport and said that the team will donate the prize money won at the tournament to ‘The Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship’ to help children in need of care. In their speeches, the athletes expressed their readiness to continue representing Turkmenistan honourably in the international arena. The celebration ended with a festive concert, fireworks and mass festivities.
From 6-8 May, Turkmenistan hosted a specialised three-day workshop under the EU BOMCA 10 programme aimed at improving methods of investigating cross-border crimes using Open Source Intelligence (OSINT). The training was attended by officers from key agencies of the country, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of National Security, the State Frontier Service, the State Customs Service, the State Migration Service, as well as the Prosecutor General's Office. This is reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. Lithuanian experts from the Border Guard and Customs Criminal Services shared best practices in the application of OSINT technologies in criminal investigations, talked about the analysis of digital tools for data processing and the study of cryptocurrency transactions and financial schemes of organised crime. Special attention was paid to modern technological solutions, including methods of collecting information via mobile devices and social networks, as well as detecting money laundering schemes using NFT. The event was held under the capacity building component of the BOMCA 10 programme for investigative agencies, which promotes the introduction of modern evidentiary methods of crime investigation in Turkmenistan.
With the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, as well as with the assistance of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, Ashgabat will host the 7th Central Asia Climate Change Conference (CACCC-2025) from 12 to 15 May 2025 on the theme: ‘Achieving the Global Climate Finance Goal through Regional and National Actions in Central Asia’. This is reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The conference is organised by the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC). CACCC-2025 will be a platform for discussing priority areas of the region's climate agenda, including mitigation (reduction of greenhouse gas emissions), adaptation to changing climatic conditions, as well as issues of rational water resources management. The focus will be on consolidating the efforts of the region's states, academia, environmental organisations and international financial structures to develop practical solutions that promote sustainable development and environmental stability. The conference events will take place over four days, including plenary sessions, thematic sessions, workshops and roadshows. The central events will take place on 13 and 14 May at the Yyldyz Hotel. Experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography) and the International Water Management Institute will join the discussion on climate-smart approaches to water and land resources restoration in Central Asia. The conference will be rounded off by a series of side events, including a workshop on research and adaptation measures in the water sector (15 May), the 60th meeting of the CAREC Governing Board, a field trip to the Akhal velayat to learn about ecosystem solutions for forest plantations, and a cultural programme.
According to Russian Ambassador to Turkmenistan Ivan Volynkin in an article for the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper, Turkmen servicemen will be among the participants of the Victory Day parade in Moscow. This will be the third time they will participate in the Victory Day parade. Before that, the company of Turkmenistan's guard of honour marched with honour through Red Square in 2010 and 2020. This is reported by the IIC. The Russian diplomat stressed the importance of the regular presence of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the Moscow celebrations on 9 May, which testifies to the trusting relations between the two countries. He noted that in Turkmenistan, preparations for the 80th anniversary of the Victory are in full swing: commemorative events are being held throughout the country, thematic exhibitions and lectures have been organised, a solemn ceremony at the monument ‘Eternal Glory’ is planned. The culmination of the celebrations will be the laying of flowers at the ‘People's Memory’ memorial complex in Ashgabat with the participation of the country's leadership and diplomatic corps.
Students and teachers of the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan honoured the memory of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War on 7 May this year by organizing a warm meeting with war veteran Aydogdy Amadiyev. This is reported by the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. Great Patriotic War veteran Aydogdy Amadiyev, a resident of Mary velayat, became the guest of honour. During the meeting, representatives of the Institute's public organisations presented the veteran with memorable gifts and flowers. Students of the Institute listened with special attention to Aydogdy-aga's story about the war years, after which the creative group ‘Kuvvat’ performed patriotic songs dedicated to the Motherland, National Leader of the Turkmen People Hero Arkadag and Arkadagly Hero Serdar. The event ended with words of gratitude to the country's leadership for creating all necessary conditions for preserving historical memory and patriotic education of the youth.
On 5 May, the Consul General of Turkmenistan in the Russian Federation (the city of Kazan), Guych Garayev, took part in the flower-laying ceremony at the Eternal Flame memorial in the Victory Park of the city of Kazan. This was reported by the press service of the Consulate General of Turkmenistan in Russia. The event, held on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, was attended by the Consuls General of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Uzbekistan, China, as well as the head of the Representative Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in Kazan. During the ceremony, the participants honoured the memory of the fallen with a minute of silence and laid flowers at the Eternal Flame as a sign of bravery, courage, heroism and sorrow.
The OSCE Center in Ashgabat hosted a two-day training course for trainers in media and information literacy. It was attended by representatives of the Turkmen media and agencies involved in the implementation of the National Action Plan on human rights in Turkmenistan for 2021–2025. This was reported by the news agency “Turkmenistan: Golden Age”. The training was conducted by Deputy Director of the MediaNet International Journalism Center and Editor-in-Chief of Facktcheck.kz Duman Smakov (Kazakhstan), as well as co-founder of facktcheck.tj and media trainer Rustam Gulov (Tajikistan). The experts shared their methods of effectively conducting such trainings. Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, Ambassador John McGregor noted that media literacy is a priority area of the organization's work, and this training is a continuation of previous initiatives to promote freedom of speech and media development in the country. The training participants were also presented with the OSCE report on the development of media literacy in the region. The event ended with the presentation of certificates to the course graduates.
Representatives of the Turkmen State Institute of Architecture and Construction met with international experts of the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) on April 25. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the implementation of the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Turkmenistan and UN-Habitat. The guests familiarized themselves with the peculiarities of the country's architecture, students' projects and conditions created for immobile citizens. During the meeting, proposals were made on joint work on the “small city” project, improvement of urban environment, training of specialists and development of bilateral cooperation.