On 18 July 2025, a business meeting was held in Brussels between Turkmenistan's Ambassador Sapar Palvanov and Heinrich Kerstgens, Director of Strategic Projects at the Rhenus Group. The talks focused on the German logistics company's plans to significantly increase freight traffic through Turkmenistan. This was reported by IIC. During the discussion, the representative of the Rhenus Group emphasised that the company considers Turkmenistan not just as a transit territory, but as a strategically important transport hub capable of providing consistent and efficient logistics links between Europe and Asia. Particular attention was paid to the potential of the international seaport of Turkmenbashi and the country's modern railway infrastructure. Ambassador Palvanov provided detailed information on Turkmenistan's large-scale investments in the development of the transport system, including the construction of new motorways, the modernisation of railways and the expansion of port facilities. These projects are aimed at strengthening the country's position as a reliable link in international transport corridors. The parties expressed mutual interest in developing long-term partnership and agreed to continue consultations at the expert level to implement joint initiatives.
On 18 July, Chairwoman of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan Dunyagozel Gulmanova held a meeting with Faryal Leghari, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Turkmenistan. This was reported by the press service of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan. During the meeting, the importance of Turkmenistan's initiatives to adopt UN resolutions ‘2025 - International Year of Peace and Trust’ and ‘Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan’ was noted, and gratitude was expressed to Pakistan for its support. The Ambassador was briefed on the key areas of Turkmenistan's foreign policy, its parliamentary structure and legislative work within the framework of socio-economic reforms. The sides emphasised their readiness to exchange experience and expand cooperation to strengthen friendship between the countries and peoples.
Preparations are underway for the 30th anniversary International Conference and Exhibition ‘Oil & Gas of Turkmenistan – 2025’ (OGT 2025), which will be held in Ashgabat from 22 to 24 October under the slogan ‘Energy. Innovation. Development.’ is gaining momentum. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Over 100 delegates have already confirmed their participation, including representatives of major energy companies, financial organisations and international institutions. OGT 2025 will be an important milestone in the development of Turkmenistan's energy policy, highlighting its potential in hydrocarbon production and its commitment to environmentally friendly technologies. Delegations from more than 60 countries are expected to attend. Among the forum's partners is S&P Global Platts, which is organising closed expert sessions on the prospects for the oil and gas sector, petrochemicals and the digitalisation of trade. Technical panels will also be held by SPE and Gaffney Cline, focusing on underground gas storage and carbon capture technologies. Key speakers will include international experts such as Pulitzer Prize winner Daniel Yergin, Asian Development Bank representative Artur Andrysiak, and Oxford Institute for Energy Studies researcher Julian Bowden. In addition to traditional hydrocarbon topics such as the ‘Galkynysh’ and TAPI projects, the focus will be on the development of renewable energy. In particular, a hybrid solar-wind power plant near Lake Altyn Asyr will be presented. The conference's gold sponsor is Auguste International, a leading supplier of industrial equipment participating in the forum's business programme.
Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Hojamyrat Geldimyradov reported on steps to strengthen cooperation with international organisations during a government meeting on 18 July. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. According to a Decree by the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the Ministry of Finance and Economy has studied the possibility of Turkmenistan joining a number of documents of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), including the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters and the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement on Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information. The relevant proposal was submitted to the Head of State for consideration. After hearing the report, the President of Turkmenistan stressed the importance of developing international partnerships and improving legislation, approved the proposal on Turkmenistan's accession to a number of OECD documents and instructed the Deputy Prime Minister to continue work in this direction.
On 18 July, a video conference was held between members of the interparliamentary friendship group between the Mejlis of Turkmenistan and the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia. This was reported by the press service of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan. During the conversation, the parties noted that interparliamentary dialogue has become an important part of deepening cooperation between the two countries and that the creation of interparliamentary friendship groups on a bilateral basis increases opportunities for the exchange of experience in legislative work and the development of parliamentary diplomacy. The parties expressed their readiness to support inter-state cooperation through parliamentary diplomacy, strengthen the legal basis of these relations and exchange experience in parliamentary and legislative work, which will be of great importance in organising business trips and meetings in the further development of relations between the two states.
Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Nokerguly Atagulyev reported on preparations for the upcoming Turkmen-Japanese business forum during a government meeting on 18 July. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. It is noted that active work is underway to organise the event at a high level. Japanese companies working in the fields of investment, education, services, oil and gas, industry, healthcare, construction and logistics have expressed interest in participating. Turkmenistan will be represented at the forum by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, as well as relevant ministries and departments. The relevant proposal has been submitted to the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, for consideration. After hearing the report, the Head of State emphasised the country's active participation in international forums and recalled the successful work of the Turkmen pavilion at the EXPO 2025 exhibition in Osaka. The Head of State instructed the Deputy Prime Minister to ensure proper preparation and hold a high-level business forum.
The Embassy of Turkmenistan in the United States has called on citizens in the country to strictly comply with American laws, especially in the area of migration. This was reported by the online news resource TerraNews. The statement emphasises the need to monitor the validity of visas and residence permits, renew documents in a timely manner and obtain work permits in accordance with US law. Violation of the rules can lead to serious consequences, ranging from deportation and entry bans to visa refusals and detention. The embassy recommends resolving immigration status issues in advance and registering with the consulate to obtain legal protection, access to services and participate in elections abroad.
Muhammetniyaz Mashalov has been appointed as the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Thailand, with residence in Kuala Lumpur. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The Decree on his appointment was signed by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
In order to strengthen the spiritual and physical health of the population, improve the well-being of citizens and increase life expectancy, the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, signed a Decree approving the National Programme for the Prevention of Harmful Effects of Alcohol in Turkmenistan for 2025–2028. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The document provides for the implementation of a set of measures aimed at protecting the health of citizens. An action plan for the implementation of the programme has also been approved. The implementation of the plan has been entrusted to ministries, relevant departments, and the administrations of velayats, the cities of Ashgabat and Arkadag.
A new marine berth at the Kenar terminal for the storage and shipment of petroleum products has been officially opened in Turkmenistan. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov launched the strategic facility via videoconference. This was reported by the IIC. The new terminal, which is part of the ‘Turkmenbashi Oil Refinery’, is equipped with modern equipment and can simultaneously serve two tankers. Its commissioning will increase the annual volume of shipments to 2 million tonnes of petroleum products. The historic enterprise, founded in 1886, now employs more than 700 specialists. Thanks to its developed infrastructure, it supplies products to both the domestic market and abroad. The new terminal is of particular importance in the run-up to the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, which will be held in August in Avaza, Turkmenistan. The grand opening ceremony of the marine berth ended with traditional blessing rituals and the presentation of cars to the company's best employees.
According to data from the National Statistics Committee, 142,500 tourists from Turkmenistan visited Uzbekistan in the first five months of this year. This was reported by IIC. A total of 4.2 million foreign guests visited the country during this period, which is 1.4 million more than in the same period last year. The main flow of tourists came from neighbouring countries: Kyrgyzstan (1.28 million), Tajikistan (993,700), Kazakhstan (889,600), Russia (334,300) and Afghanistan (199,200). A significant number of tourists also arrived from Turkey (65,800) and China (51,900). Experts attribute the growth in Uzbekistan's tourist appeal to improvements in infrastructure, simplified visa procedures and an active advertising campaign aimed at promoting the country as a popular travel destination.
This October, Ashgabat will host the 30th anniversary forum ‘Oil & Gas of Turkmenistan – OGT 2025.’ Over 100 participants have registered for the event, making it one of the largest and most innovative conferences ever held, according to the news website Asmannews. Under the motto ‘Energy. Innovation. Development,’ the forum will bring together experts, investors and politicians from more than 60 countries. The focus will be on expanding gas exports and developing green energy. S&P Global Platts is the intellectual partner of OGT 2025, organising closed-door discussions on key industry trends. Technical sessions on carbon capture and underground gas storage will be held by Gaffney Cline and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). The forum will also showcase Turkmenistan's achievements in renewable energy, including hybrid power plants and measures to reduce emissions. Auguste International has joined the list of gold sponsors.