Policy
The Chairman of the Russian Government noted the strengthening of ties with Turkmenistan
02.01.2026The Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, Mihail Mishustin, sent a congratulatory message to the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, on the occasion of the New Year 2026. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. In his message, Mihail Mishustin noted the steady development of Russian-Turkmen relations, emphasising that cooperation between the two countries is strengthening in a spirit of friendship, mutual respect and consideration of each other's interests. According to the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, cooperation in the trade, economic, scientific, technical and humanitarian spheres is expanding, and promising joint projects are being implemented. Mihail Mishustin expressed confidence that in the new year, the multifaceted partnership between Turkmenistan and Russia will continue to develop, creating conditions for the launch of new initiatives that meet the interests of both countries. In conclusion, the Chairman of the Russian Government wished Serdar Berdimuhamedov good health, prosperity and success in his public activities, and the people of Turkmenistan peace and prosperity.
Turkmenistan assumes chairmanship of the CIS
01.01.2026On 1 January 2026, the chairmanship of the Commonwealth of Independent States passed from Tajikistan to Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Earlier, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov stressed that the country intends to use the chairmanship to unlock the organisation's potential. The Head of State called this step a sign of trust on the part of the member states and recognition of Turkmenistan's contribution to the development of the CIS. According to Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Ashgabat will prepare a concept for the chairmanship that reflects approaches to the development of inter-state cooperation, taking into account current needs. Turkmenistan is an associate member of the CIS and previously headed the organisation in 2019.
2025: Turkmenistan on the path to peace, progress and international recognition
01.01.2026The year 2025 was a period of active strengthening of domestic and foreign policy, socio-economic development and growth of international authority for Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Of particular significance was the coincidence of the 30th anniversary of the country's Permanent Neutrality with the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the declaration of the year as the International Year of Peace and Trust on the initiative of Turkmenistan. During the year, key resolutions were adopted by the UN General Assembly, large-scale international forums were held in Awaza and Ashgabat, and the Awaza and Ashgabat Declarations were approved, confirming support for the country's foreign policy. Humanitarian activities expanded, including through the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship. The modernisation of legislation, sustainable economic growth and the implementation of major infrastructure projects in industry, energy, transport and construction continued. Agriculture, social services, education, healthcare and culture were actively developed. The city of Arkadag became a symbol of the introduction of modern technologies and urban planning solutions. This momentous year was also marked by international cultural initiatives, the recognition of elements of national heritage by UNESCO and the promotion of citizens for their labour and social achievements. The year 2025 ended as an important stage in the development of neutral Turkmenistan, passing the baton to 2026, the year of the 35th anniversary of the country's independence.
The President of Turkmenistan delivered a New Year's speech
01.01.2026President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov addressed the nation with a New Year's greeting. This was reported by AsmanNews. The Head of State noted that 2025, declared the International Year of Peace and Trust, was a significant milestone in the country's development. According to him, during the year, state programmes aimed at socio-economic growth and improving the living standards of the population were implemented, and new etraps were formed. The President announced the commissioning of educational, healthcare, sports, cultural and manufacturing facilities throughout the country. Thousands of families received new housing. Major projects were implemented in the fuel and energy sector, including the commissioning of the oil loading terminal at the Turkmenbashi Oil Refinery Complex and the start of construction of the ‘Serhetabat-Herat’ section of the ‘Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India’ gas pipeline. Industrial and infrastructure facilities have been opened in Ahal, Balkan and other velayats. The President emphasised the priority of social policy. In 2025, construction began on multi-profile hospitals in Ashgabat and Tejen, as well as a Mother and Child Health Centre in Dashoguz. Reforms in the fields of science and education continued. The successes of Turkmen athletes on the international arena were noted, including the victories of the ‘Galkynysh’ National Equestrian Games Group and the ‘Arkadag’ football team. In the field of culture and international cooperation, the President recalled the inclusion of Ashgabat in the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities and the addition of the art of breeding Turkmen alabay dogs to the list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The Head of State noted the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Resolution ‘Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan’, as well as the holding of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries and the International Forum on Neutrality Day at the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone. In conclusion, the President of Turkmenistan announced that 2026 had been declared the year of ‘Independent Neutral Turkmenistan − the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses’ and wished citizens health, prosperity and success in the new year.
The President of Turkmenistan congratulated the President of Cuba on Liberation Day
01.01.2026President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov sent a congratulatory message to President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez on the occasion of the national holiday, Liberation Day. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. In his message, the Head of State conveyed his best wishes to the President of Cuba, wishing him good health, happiness and prosperity, and to the people of the Republic of Cuba — peace, progress and prosperity.
Hero Arkadag congratulated the President of Turkmenistan on the occasion of the New Year 2026
01.01.2026The National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov sent a congratulatory message to the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the occasion of the New Year 2026. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The message notes that 2026 is being celebrated under the motto ‘Independent Neutral Turkmenistan − the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses’ and is being met by the country with achievements and goals set. Hero Arkadag wished the President good health, long life and success in his work for the future of the country. The message emphasises the significance of the International Year of Peace and Trust and the widespread celebration of the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's Permanent Neutrality. It was noted that the country's initiatives within the UN and the adoption of the Resolution on Permanent Neutrality for the third time confirmed the international recognition of Turkmenistan's peacekeeping policy, and the declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust was its logical continuation. The socio-economic development of the regions, Ashgabat and the city of Arkadag, the implementation of the ‘Concept for the Development of the City of Arkadag for 2024-2052’, as well as the commissioning of new settlements and social and industrial facilities were noted. In conclusion, Hero Arkadag expressed his confidence that under the leadership of the President of Turkmenistan, the country will continue on the path of sustainable development, and wished success in implementing the tasks of improving the living standards of the population and strengthening the economy.
Ashgabat and Minsk agree on exhibition and business exchange plan
31.12.2025The Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, Mergen Gurdov, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Turkmenistan, Stanislav Chepurnoy, discussed plans for cooperation for the year in Ashgabat, focusing on exhibition exchanges and specialised business missions. This was reported by the Orient news agency. Belarusian companies will take part in the ‘Agro Pack Turkmenistan’ exhibition, and the Turkmen delegation will participate in the ‘BELAGRO-2026’ forum. This series of events will allow business agreements to be consolidated in a short period of time. In addition to the agricultural sector, Turkmenistan is interested in Belarusian experience in IT, logistics and textile industry. The parties agreed on specialised business missions to develop joint projects. At the end of 2025, it was noted that direct contacts through the CCI remain a key tool for trade growth, and the transition to highly specialised missions reflects the deepening and technological diversification of the partnership.
CIS Summit will be held on October 9, 2026, in the ‘Awaza’ tourist zone.
31.12.2025The next summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States will be held on 9 October 2026 in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone. This was announced by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov during a telephone conversation with the Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko, according to TDH. During the conversation, the Hero Arkadag confirmed Turkmenistan's readiness to continue developing multifaceted and systematic cooperation with the Russian Federation within the framework of bilateral strategic partnership, as well as interaction in multilateral formats in the coming year. It was noted that the CIS summit in the ‘Awaza’ tourist zone was approved by a decision of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth. The interlocutors also emphasised the importance of preparing for events planned during Turkmenistan's chairmanship of the CIS, including the Women's Dialogue, the meeting of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly and the Conference on Demography. Turkmenistan will chair the Commonwealth of Independent States in 2026.
Hero Arkadag and Valentina Matvienko discussed Turkmen-Russian relations
31.12.2025On 30 December, a telephone conversation washeld between the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The parties discussed the current state and prospects of Turkmen-Russian relations. At the beginning of the conversation, they exchanged congratulations on the occasion of the coming 2026. Hero Arkadag noted that contacts between Turkmenistan and Russia in 2025 were intense and productive. He emphasised the importance of the President of Turkmenistan's visits to Russia to participate in events marking the 80th anniversary of Victory Day and the meeting of Heads of State of the CIS. The participation of a Turkmen delegation of schoolchildren in the international ‘Train of Remembrance’ campaign was also noted. The National Leader of the Turkmen people pointed to Russia's support for Turkmenistan's neutral foreign policy. In this context, the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Ashgabat for the International Forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust and the events dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's Permanent Neutrality were noted. Special attention was paid to inter-parliamentary cooperation. The significance of the visit of the Turkmen delegation headed by the Chairman of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan to Moscow in October 2025 and the meeting with the Chairman of the Federation Council was emphasised. Hero Arkadag also noted the development of humanitarian ties, including the participation of a Turkmen delegation headed by Oguljahan Atabayeva, Vice-President of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation, in the IV International Forum ‘Commonwealth of Fashion’ in St. Petersburg. During the conversation, Turkmenistan's readiness to continue its strategic partnership with Russia in bilateral and multilateral formats was confirmed. It was announced that on 9 October 2026, the CIS Summit will be held in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone. The importance of preparing events within the framework of Turkmenistan's chairmanship of the CIS, including the Women's Dialogue, the meeting of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly and the Conference on Demography, was also noted. Hero Arkadag highlighted Valentina Matvienko's contribution to the development of Turkmen-Russian relations and expressed his gratitude on his own behalf and on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan. Valentina Matvienko thanked him for his high assessment and confirmed Russia's commitment to further strengthening cooperation. In conclusion, the parties once again exchanged New Year's greetings and best wishes.
Turkmenistan condemns attack on Russian President's residence
30.12.2025Turkmenistan has expressed concern over the attack on the Russian President's residence. The authorities condemn such actions, considering them a threat to international security and stability, especially against the backdrop of diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict, according to the press service of the Turkmenistan Foreign Affairs Ministry. The country, which has permanent neutrality status recognised by the UN, emphasises the need to resolve international issues exclusively through peaceful and diplomatic means.
A telephone conversation between Hero Arkadag and the President of Uzbekistan was held
30.12.2025On 29 December, a telephone conversation was held between the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The parties exchanged congratulations on the upcoming New Year 2026 and addressed wishes of prosperity to the peoples of both countries. The President of Uzbekistan also conveyed warm greetings to the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov. Hero Arkadag thanked him for the initiative to hold the conversation and noted it as confirmation of the friendly nature of bilateral relations. Special mention was made of the initiative to declare 2026 the ‘Year of Development of Mahalla and Social Prosperity’ in Uzbekistan, announced by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on 26 December in his address to the parliament and people of the country. It was emphasised that the decision is in line with the objectives of socio-economic development. During the conversation, the macroeconomic indicators of Uzbekistan for 2025 were cited. The country's GDP exceeded US$145 billion, and the projected economic growth in 2026 will be 6.6 per cent. Achievements in the fields of education, science, healthcare, sports and ecology were noted. The National Leader of the Turkmen people also announced that 2026 has been declared the year of ‘Independent Neutral Turkmenistan − the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses’ in Turkmenistan. The President of Uzbekistan, in turn, highly appreciated the development of Turkmenistan under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and confirmed his commitment to expanding the strategic partnership. The parties discussed bilateral political and diplomatic contacts, noting the intensification of mutual visits. The importance of the participation of the Uzbek delegation headed by the Head of the Presidential Administration, Saida Mirziyoyeva, in the International Conference on the Role of Women in Society, held in Turkmenistan, was emphasised. The role of foreign ministries and diplomatic missions in the development of cooperation was noted. In this regard, the awarding of the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan Ravshanbek Alimov with the jubilee medal ‘Türkmenistanyň Bitaraplygynyň 30 ýyllygyna’ was recalled. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also noted the successful holding of a number of international events in Turkmenistan in 2025, including forums and summits in Awaza and Ashgabat. During the conversation, they discussed preparations for international events planned for 2026, including the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, as well as the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS. Special attention was paid to water issues and possible coordination of actions in the Central Asian, Aral and Caspian regions. At the end of the conversation, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Shavkat Mirziyoyev once again exchanged New Year's greetings and wished each other health and success in their state activities.
The President of Turkmenistan announced consistent development of the country in 2025
28.12.2025At an expanded meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers and the State Security Council chaired by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the results of 2025 – the International Year of Peace and Trust – were summarised and development priorities for the near future were outlined. This was reported by the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. Speaking at the meeting, the Head of State emphasised that the outgoing year was a landmark one and ‘will forever go down in the history of independent, neutral Turkmenistan.’ According to the President of Turkmenistan, the key international event was the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the country's Permanent Neutrality. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov reported that in 2025, 44 meetings of the Cabinet of Ministers, 11 meetings of the State Security Council and 24 state meetings were held, during which strategic issues of domestic and foreign policy were discussed. He noted that during this period, new laws were adopted aimed at further prosperity of the state. The Head of State also announced the maintenance of high growth rates in all sectors of the national economy. According to him, salaries, pensions, social benefits and student scholarships were financed in full and on time. ‘The life of the people has become more prosperous and happier,’ the President noted, emphasising that the construction of industrial, social and cultural facilities and large residential complexes continues in all regions of the country.
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