On 1 August, OSCE participating States mark the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, a seminal document that laid the foundation for the largest regional security organisation. This was reported in an article for the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’ by the Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, Ambassador John MacGregor, according to Turkmenportal. The Head of the centre emphasised that the signing of the act was a turning point in relations between East and West, allowing the parties to agree on key security issues. The document includes 10 key principles, ranging from sovereignty and the inviolability of borders to the peaceful settlement of conflicts. According to J. MacGregor, the Helsinki Act has become a unique instrument of trust between countries with different political systems, strengthening dialogue and contributing to conflict reduction. The Ambassador also noted that the anniversary coincides with the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality and the International Year of Peace and Trust. Summing up his work in Ashgabat, he thanked President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan and all partners for their contribution to strengthening security. Today, the OSCE brings together 57 countries and more than a billion people, covering the military-political, economic-environmental and humanitarian spheres of security.
A meeting was held at the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Russian Federation between the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Russian Federation, Esen Aydogdyev, and the Executive Secretary of the Coordinating Council of Prosecutors General of the CIS Member States, Yuriy Zhdanov. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. During the meeting, issues related to expanding cooperation between law enforcement agencies of the CIS states were discussed, as well as the organisation and holding of upcoming events within the framework of cooperation between the general prosecutor's offices. Particular attention was paid to preparations for the upcoming autumn session of the Coordination Council of General Prosecutors of the CIS.
A meeting between the Ambassador of Turkmenistan and the Head of the Pakistan Diplomatic Friendship Group, Muhammad Ali Durrani, took place in Islamabad. During the negotiations, the Turkmen side briefed the Pakistani representative in detail on the principles of its foreign policy, based on permanent neutrality, as well as on the country's investment opportunities and favourable business climate. This was reported by IIC. Particular attention was paid to the practical aspects of developing economic partnership. The parties considered specific mechanisms for cooperation, including the organisation of joint business events, exchanges of delegations and the creation of new formats for cooperation between the business communities of the two countries. At the end of the meeting, the participants confirmed their mutual interest in deepening bilateral relations, noting the significant potential for the development of the Turkmen-Pakistani partnership in various fields. The negotiations opened up new prospects for expanding mutually beneficial cooperation between Turkmenistan and Pakistan.
The eighth meeting of the intergovernmental commission between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan was a significant step in the development of bilateral relations. At the meeting in Baku, which was jointly held by Deputy Prime Minister of Turkmenistan Nokerguly Atagulyev and Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov, the parties discussed prospects for deepening cooperation in the trade and economic sphere. This was reported by the IIC. Particular attention was paid to the development of investment cooperation - today, 75 companies with Turkmen capital are successfully operating in Azerbaijan. The energy sector also remains an important area of partnership, where the parties see significant potential for joint projects. Transport cooperation has reached a new level due to the active use of the East-West and Middle corridors. Last year alone, the volume of cargo transportation between the countries exceeded 2 million tonnes, and this year continues to show steady growth. Following the meeting, a protocol was signed to consolidate agreements on further development of cooperation in trade, energy, transport and other key sectors.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Rashid Meredov presented new initiatives for cooperation with UNESCO at a government meeting on 25 July. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. Key steps include the participation of a Turkmen delegation in the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand this autumn and the holding of an international forum on digital education and AI in Turkmenistan in August. The forum will be held in a hybrid format and will cover five areas in the field of artificial intelligence. There are also plans to implement projects under the Target Fund, including the ‘Our Heritage’ programme, the ‘Youth, Peace and Security’ initiative, the creation of the first geopark and the preservation of the Amul Fortress. After hearing the report, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov approved the proposals and instructed to strengthen efforts to develop partnership with UNESCO, emphasising the importance of international cooperation in education, science and culture.
During his inspection of the second phase of construction of the city of Arkadag, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, ordered the use of products from the new ‘Bäherden’ ceramic plant. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. Hero Arkadag inspected key infrastructure facilities, including bridges and access roads, focusing on the quality of construction materials. The use of local tiles and sanitary ware will make it possible to abandon imports for finishing buildings. During a meeting with the leadership of the State Committee for Construction of Arkadag and the mayor of the city, Gulshat Mammedova, new design projects were approved and adjustments were made to the design of transport interchanges, including elements depicting Ahal-Teke horses as a symbol of national identity. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov also visited the construction site of the city mosque.
The President of Turkmenistan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the country Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed the Decree ‘On pardoning convicted persons on the occasion of 2025 - the International Year of Peace and Trust’. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The document was adopted with the aim of strengthening the unity and cohesion of Turkmen society and every family, as well as in accordance with national traditions of mercy and humanism. According to the Decree, a number of prisoners have been released from further serving their main sentence of imprisonment.
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov received the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Turkmenistan, Ji Shumin, who presented his credentials. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The diplomat conveyed greetings from the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, and noted the importance of the strategic partnership with Turkmenistan. Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasised the significance of relations with China, calling it a key strategic partner. During the meeting, special attention was paid to economic cooperation, in particular projects in the energy sector, including the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China gas pipeline. The coordination of the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ and the ‘Revival of the Great Silk Road’ were discussed. The importance of humanitarian cooperation in the fields of education, science and culture was also emphasised. At the end of the meeting, Ambassador Ji Shumin expressed his readiness to promote further strengthening of bilateral ties.
The National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, took a walk along the Caspian Sea and familiarised himself with the ships that will be used to maintain order during the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. Secretary of the State Security Council, Minister of Defence Begench Gundogdyev reported on the characteristics of these vessels. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasised the importance of the high level of organisation of the upcoming conference. Hero Arkadag then held a working meeting to discuss preparations for the conference, including the improvement of the ‘Avaza’ National Tourist Zone, ensuring sanitary conditions, the readiness of medical infrastructure and the creation of conditions for foreign guests. Special attention was paid to security issues, the cultural programme and the effective use of online resources for international coverage of the forum. At the meeting, the National Leader of the Turkmen people called on participants to act responsibly and expressed confidence in the successful implementation of the set goals.
During his working trip to the Balkan velayat, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, visited the ‘Avaza’ National Tourist Zone, where construction of a complex for holding ceremonial events is actively underway. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. A large-scale space designed to welcome guests is being created on the site of the natural landscape. According to the project, large LED screens and a modern interactive fountain system will be installed here, which will create spectacular light and music shows in the evenings. While inspecting the site, Hero Arkadag noted that future celebrations should make a vivid impression and become a showcase of the rich Turkmen culture. The National Leader of the Turkmen people also instructed that attention be paid to the creation of convenient parking areas and the high-quality organisation of a national cuisine festival, which is intended to become an additional element of cultural exchange and friendship between peoples. The complex is designed as a space where traditions and modern technologies will come together to demonstrate Turkmen hospitality and attract the attention of guests from all over the world.
The National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, inspected the Turkmenbashi International Airport during his working trip to the Balkan velayat. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. During the inspection visit, Hero Arkadag personally familiarised himself with the airport infrastructure, paying special attention to passenger reception, from terminals and passport control points to shopping and service areas. The National Leader of the Turkmen people instructed that exclusive national souvenirs highlighting the unique culture and craft traditions of Turkmenistan be prepared for foreign guests. Particular attention was paid to the condition of the runway. To check it, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov conducted an impressive test drive: at the wheel of a powerful sports car, the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty covered the distance at high speed, performing complex manoeuvres.
The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Austria, Hemra Amannazarov, held a meeting with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, according to the news website TerraNews. The parties discussed the development of cooperation and the preparation of the Turkmen delegation for the 69th General Conference of the Agency, scheduled for September. Special attention was paid to Turkmenistan's Framework Programme for 2025-2029 and plans to accede to the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the IAEA. The Agency's participation in the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC 3), to be held in Avaza, was also discussed. Rafael Grossi confirmed the IAEA's high-level participation.