On 4 August 2025, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan Ahmet Gurbanov met with Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ivana Zivkovic. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed key areas of cooperation, including sustainable development, digitalisation, economic sustainability, inclusive growth and climate adaptation. The parties paid special attention to UNDP's contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. I. Zivkovic confirmed her readiness to continue the partnership and support joint projects, and wished success in the preparation of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC 3).
On 4 August, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan Ahmet Gurbanov met with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Somalia Isaak Mohamud Mursal in Ashgabat. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties confirmed their desire to strengthen cooperation in the political, economic and humanitarian spheres, and also noted the effectiveness of interaction within international organisations, including the UN. The Somali side expressed support for Turkmenistan's peace initiatives and interest in further constructive dialogue. Special attention was paid to the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC 3).
On 4 August, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan Ahmet Gurbanov met with Minister of Transport and Logistics of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Alemu Sime Feisa. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the current state and prospects of bilateral cooperation, paying particular attention to transport issues. The Ethiopian side emphasised the significance of the visit of the Turkmen delegation headed by the Chairman of the Democratic Party, A. Serdarov, to Addis Ababa this year, as well as the importance of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC 3). Mutual interest was noted in developing ties in the areas of transport, ecology and cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Ethiopia expressed its readiness to participate in Turkmenistan's initiatives aimed at strengthening peace and sustainable development. Special attention was paid to the upcoming International Forum on Peace and Trust, to be held in Turkmenistan in December. At the end of the meeting, the Ethiopian minister thanked the Turkmen side for its hospitality and contribution to the organisation of the conference.
On the sidelines of the Third UN Conference in Avaza and related events, bilateral negotiations aimed at developing international partnerships are continuing. This was reported by Orient. A delegation from the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan, led by Galina Romanova, Head of the Department of State Finance and Economic Policy, held a meeting with Aleksandr Prodan, Senior Transport Economist at the World Bank. They discussed issues of coordinated investment policy and the creation and development of international transport corridors. The parties paid particular attention to the financial and economic aspects of implementing projects that contribute to the expansion of the global market for freight and passenger transport.
On 4 August, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan Ahmet Gurbanov met with Deputy Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Liu Hua. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties emphasised the high level of cooperation, paying particular attention to current joint projects, including the use of the agency's technical potential in the field of healthcare. They also discussed the coordination of the draft Framework Programme for the country for 2025-2029 between the Government of Turkmenistan and the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is planned to be signed in the near future. Liu Hua thanked the Turkmen side for hosting the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC 3), noting its importance.
Numerous bilateral meetings of representatives of the government of Turkmenistan with foreign political figures and international organizations are taking place within the framework of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, which started in Avaza. This is reported by Orient. One such meeting was a conversation between Deputy Chairwoman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Bayramgul Orazdurdyeva and Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF Kitty van der Heijden. The negotiations were devoted to expanding cooperation in the field of protecting the rights and welfare of children. The parties discussed joint initiatives in the areas of healthcare, quality education and social support, and outlined further steps to strengthen the partnership between Turkmenistan and UNICEF.
The ‘Avaza’ National Tourist Zone hosted a Parliamentary Forum ahead of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC 3). This was reported by the news agency Orient. The event was attended by parliamentarians, representatives of the United Nations, international organisations, business and civil society. The forum was opened with the participation of delegates from the Turkmenistan Parliament, the UN, the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the President of the UN General Assembly. The main topic of discussion was the role of parliaments in implementing the Avaza Programme of Action, which replaced the Vienna Programme, as well as the problems encountered by countries in its implementation. Particular attention was paid to legislative support on debt, resources and climate change. Separate sessions focused on the participation of parliaments in the development of a multilateral trading system for LLDC 3, as well as inclusiveness and parliamentary diplomacy aimed at strengthening cooperation with neighbouring countries. The forum concluded with a call for the integration of the priorities of the Avaza Programme of Action into the work of national parliaments. The final declaration will be presented at the final session of LLDC 3 and included in the final report of the conference.
At a parliamentary forum ahead of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC 3), Babken Tunyan, a member of the National Assembly of Armenia, emphasised the importance of effective governance, transparency and parliamentary oversight in overcoming challenges associated with geographical isolation. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. Babken Tunyan noted that Armenia, despite limited access to world markets, has managed to use these conditions for development through reforms, increased accountability of authorities and regional cooperation. Particular attention was paid to digital transformation — the ‘Digital Armenia’ initiatives and e-governance, which have simplified access to public services and reduced corruption. Armenia is also actively integrating international initiatives into national legislation. This creates a foundation for sustainable development and economic integration. The country's experience serves as an example of how even with a challenging geography, progress can be achieved through reform and innovation.
At the Civil Society Forum in the ‘Avaza’ National Tourist Zone, held as part of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC 3), experts emphasised the importance of the digital economy in overcoming geographical isolation. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. Lack of access to the sea limits access to global markets and increases logistics costs, but digital technologies – from e-commerce to telemedicine – are opening the way for these countries to integrate into the global economy. The development of digital infrastructure contributes to job creation, investment attraction and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Forum participants called for strengthening cooperation between states, business, international organisations and civil society to advance the digital agenda.
At the parliamentary forum held as part of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC 3), a UNICEF representative emphasised the importance of trust and transparent governance as the foundation for successful development. This was reported by IIC Turkmenistan. The organisation's expert noted that progress is possible not only through economic measures, but also due to the establishment of dialogue between the state and citizens. UNICEF, working in 190 countries, actively helps such states to strengthen institutions, ensure accountability of authorities and involve vulnerable groups, including children, in the decision-making process. Successful examples include cooperation with the parliaments of Turkmenistan, Laos, Burkina Faso and Nepal. Particular attention is paid to the establishment of children's rights committees and the involvement of young people in governance, which contributes to more equitable public policies. Parliaments play a key role in ensuring inclusivity and taking citizens' interests into account. The partnership with UNICEF demonstrates how trust and joint efforts can contribute to sustainable development.
A delegation from the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, led by President Carlos Manuel Vila Nova, arrived in Turkmenistan to participate in the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The plane carrying the guests landed at Turkmenbashi International Airport, where the delegation was warmly welcomed in the spirit of Turkmen hospitality. São Tomé and Príncipe is an island nation in the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean, located 300 km off the coast of Africa. The country's economy has traditionally been based on cocoa production, but is now actively developing due to investments in oil production.
Vice President of the Republic of Malawi Michael Bizwick Usi arrived in Turkmenistan to participate in the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC 3). This was reported by the news resource Turkmenportal. He was warmly and solemnly welcomed at Ashgabat International Airport by official representatives, who paid him high honours in the spirit of traditional Turkmen hospitality. After the official reception in the capital, Michael Bizwick Usi headed to the city of Turkmenbashi, where the key event of the conference will take place. The participation at the vice-presidential level confirms the high priority that Malawi attaches to this important international UN forum.