The 13th meeting of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Russian Commission on Economic Cooperation was held in Ashgabat. The Russian delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Marat Husnullin, according to IIC. The main item on the agenda was familiarisation with the urban development concept of the ‘smart’ city of Arkadag. Russian experts noted the scale of the project and the high level of digitalisation of the city's infrastructure. As part of the cultural part of the visit, the delegation visited the Aba Annayev International Academy of Horse Breeding, where M. Husnullin emphasised his respect for the traditions of Ahal-Teke horse breeding. The guests also watched a performance by the ‘Galkynysh’ group and visited the exhibition ‘Healthcare, Education and Sports in the Renaissance Era of a New Epoch of a Powerful State’. Following the meeting, a package of documents was signed, including an agreement on a simplified customs corridor, a plan for cooperation in the field of education, as well as agreements on stock exchange activities and horse breeding. These initiatives are designed to strengthen the strategic partnership between Turkmenistan and Russia.
A scientific and practical conference entitled ‘The State Health Programme: Achievements and Important Tasks in the Renaissance Era of a New Epoch of a Sovereign State’ was held at the Arkadag Multidisciplinary Hospital to mark Health and Medical Industry Workers' Day. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The event was attended by medical professionals from the country, as well as specialists from Germany and Turkey. Foreign doctors noted the high level of development of the Turkmen healthcare system, which meets WHO standards, and its successes in disease prevention. Professor Hendrik Bergert, a surgeon at the University Hospital of Erfurt (Germany), presented a report on modern approaches to the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and the development of cardiac surgery.
As part of the international exhibition and conference ‘Healthcare, Education and Sports in the Renaissance Era of a New Epoch of a Powerful State,’ a meeting was held between the Minister of Education of Turkmenistan, Jumamyrat Gurbangeldiyev, and the Executive Director of the National Library of Qatar, Tan Huism. This was reported by IIC. The parties noted the rich historical and cultural heritage that connects the Turkmen and Qatari peoples and emphasised the importance of joint efforts to preserve traditions and develop librarianship. The Turkmen side recalled the visit to Qatar in 2024, during which valuable publications related to the Turkic and Turkmen world, stored in the National Library of Qatar, were studied. The Minister expressed interest in providing access to these materials for the country's universities using digital technologies. The Qatari side fully supported the initiative, confirming its readiness to deepen cooperation.
Thirteen Turkmen universities have been included in the new, 22nd edition of ‘THE World University Rankings 2026’, receiving ‘reporter’ status. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. According to data from the British organisation Times Higher Education (THE), the list includes the country's leading educational institutions, including the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages, the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, the Magtymguly Turkmen State University and a number of other universities. The ‘THE World University Rankings’, published since 2004, are considered one of the most authoritative indicators of university success. The assessment is based on 18 criteria covering teaching, research, research quality, industry engagement and international cooperation. The current edition of the ranking features 2,191 universities from 115 countries, highlighting growing international participation. The presence of Turkmen universities on this list strengthens their prestige and demonstrates the progress of the national higher education system.
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Atajan Movlamov held a meeting with Ambassador of Lebanon to Pakistan Abdulaziz Issa. This was reported by the press service of the Turkmen diplomatic mission. During the meeting, the Turkmen diplomat congratulated his colleague on the start of his work and wished him success in fulfilling his mission. He also familiarised the Lebanese Ambassador with the activities of the diplomatic corps, upcoming events and cooperation with Pakistani agencies. The interlocutors discussed the state and prospects of relations between Turkmenistan and Lebanon, noting the importance of continuing dialogue and expanding cooperation. The Lebanese Ambassador expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and the information provided. The parties confirmed their readiness to maintain close contacts and strengthen cooperation within the diplomatic community in Islamabad.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan hosted an international exhibition entitled ‘Healthcare, Education and Sports in the Renaissance Era of a New Epoch of a Powerful State’. This was reported by the online news resource TerraNews. Participants were particularly interested in the exhibits dedicated to education, which presented projects by ministries, international organisations, diplomatic missions and foreign universities that are partners of Turkmenistan in the field of science and training. The event demonstrated the country's desire to modernise its national education system. Among the priority areas are the digitisation of the educational process, improving the quality of teaching, and the development of language and professional programmes. The exhibition presented the achievements of domestic universities, the results of international partnerships and joint projects for training specialists. According to official media reports, about 80,000 citizens of Turkmenistan are studying in more than 20 countries around the world, including Russia, Turkey, China, Germany, and other states. Intergovernmental agreements allow students to be sent to study priority specialties at foreign universities, particularly in Romania and other European countries. In 2025, the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan approved an updated list of foreign universities whose diplomas are officially recognised in the country. This creates favourable conditions for the return of graduates and their integration into the national labour market. Turkmen universities are actively developing cooperation with foreign partners, participating in joint research projects and academic exchange programmes. Along with this, digital initiatives are being implemented, including the ‘Electronic School’ project, the digitisation of educational institutions, and the holding of international Olympiads and competitions. The expansion of international educational ties contributes to the introduction of advanced standards, the development of engineering and scientific fields, and the training of qualified specialists capable of competing successfully at the global level. These measures are aimed at improving the quality of education and strengthening Turkmenistan's international cooperation in the field of science and education.
At the international exhibition ‘Healthcare, Education and Sports in the Renaissance Era of a New Epoch of a Powerful State,’ entrepreneurs from Uzbekistan presented their developments in the field of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment alongside Turkmen companies. This was reported by TerraNews. ‘This is our first time in Turkmenistan, and we are impressed by the beauty of the country and the hospitality of its people. We would like to thank the leadership of Turkmenistan for organising such an important forum. Our company produces paediatric medicines, minerals and vitamins, as well as gynaecological and urological products. We have more than 40 medicines registered in the Customs Union. We came to study the market, establish contacts with distributors and pharmacy chains, and offer contract manufacturing to our Turkmen colleagues. We are confident that joint projects will be mutually beneficial,’ said Diyorbek Rustambekov, manager of ‘BP Pharma Healthcare’. A large-scale modernisation of the healthcare system is underway in Turkmenistan. Examples of new facilities include the 400-bed International Health and Rehabilitation Centre in Ashgabat, the International Scientific and Clinical Centre for Physiology with 250 beds, a glycyrrhizic acid production facility in Turkmenabat, and the administrative buildings of the Sanitary and Epidemiological Service of Mary velayat and the city of Mary. This exhibition showed that Turkmenistan is actively integrating international experience and cooperation to create a modern, high-tech healthcare system.
On 10 October 2025, a briefing was held in Baku under the auspices of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Azerbaijan, dedicated to the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of a mosque in the city of Fizuli. This mosque is being built by Turkmenistan as a gift to Azerbaijan, according to AsmanNews. The event was attended by the Advisor to the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the Fizuli, Aghdam and Khojavend districts, leaders and deputies of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan, the Chairman of the Azerbaijani part of the Working Group on Interparliamentary Relations between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, the Chairman of the Council of Elders of Azerbaijan, the First Deputy Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board, Heads of the Azerbaijan International Relations Analysis Centre, Ambassadors of Turkic-speaking countries, political scientists, representatives of public organisations and leading media outlets. Particular emphasis was placed on the symbolic significance of laying the foundation stone for the mosque in Fizuli on the initiative of Turkmenistan within the framework of the 12th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States. For the first time in the history of Turkic-speaking states, the foundation stone of a mosque, a blessed place for Muslims, was laid jointly. Participants in the event noted that the initiative will strengthen friendly relations between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, as well as contribute to the development of cooperation among all Turkic-speaking countries. It was emphasised that the Azerbaijani people highly appreciate this gift, which symbolises the unity of the two nations.
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov sent a congratulatory message to King Felipe VI of Spain on the occasion of the National Day of the Kingdom of Spain. This was reported by TDH. On behalf of the people and Government of Turkmenistan, as well as on his own behalf, the Head of State expressed his sincere congratulations to the King and wished Felipe VI good health, happiness and prosperity, and the people of Spain peace, stable development and well-being.
In Ashgabat, as part of the international scientific conference and exhibition ‘Healthcare, Education and Sports in the Renaissance Era of a New Epoch of a Powerful State,’ the presentation of the 17th volume of the book ‘Medicinal Plants of Turkmenistan’ and the publication ‘Achievements in public health services system’ was held, authored by Academician of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The event was attended by Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, representatives of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, relevant departments, state and public organisations, the media, as well as students. The new, seventeenth volume of Hero Arkadag's scientific encyclopaedia continues the series of works that introduce readers to the rich natural resources and medicinal plants of Turkmenistan used in medical practice. The publication traditionally consists of two sections – ‘Characteristic of herbs’ and ‘Instructions on application’ – and includes detailed information on 107 species of plants with high medicinal properties. The publication examines in detail the properties of medicinal herbs and fruits, including rare endemic species, and describes methods for their collection, storage and preparation of medicinal infusions. A special place is given to a systematic dictionary of plant names, which makes the work an indispensable source of knowledge for specialists and researchers. The new volume of Hero Arkadag's book reflects the continuity of the experience of Eastern medicine and Turkmen folk phytotherapy, carefully preserved and passed down from generation to generation.
On 10 October, an official reception was held in Baku to mark the 34th anniversary of Turkmenistan's independence. This was reported by AsmanNews. Gurbanmammet Elyasov, Turkmenistan's Ambassador to Azerbaijan, noted that relations between the two countries are based on the principles of brotherhood, good neighbourliness and mutual respect. He stressed that cooperation in international organisations has become a stable practice and that mutual support on international platforms continues. Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov noted that Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan share common historical, cultural and linguistic roots. According to him, these ties contribute to the successful implementation of joint projects and initiatives. He also highlighted the potential for expanding cooperation in the energy sector. According to the minister, SOCAR is interested in participating in projects to develop oil and gas fields in Turkmenistan. Jabbarov added that cooperation between the two countries contributes to the development of the Middle Corridor, through which the volume of transit traffic is growing steadily every year. The reception, organised by the Turkmenistan Embassy in Azerbaijan, was attended by representatives of state and government structures, as well as diplomats accredited in the country.
On 10 October, at the international exhibition and scientific conference ‘Healthcare, Education and Sports in the Renaissance Era of a New Epoch of a Powerful State,’ the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages signed agreements with a number of recognised foreign educational institutions, according to the news resource TerraNews. The following agreements were signed as part of the cooperation: - Memorandum of Understanding between the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages and the Norwich Institute for Language Education (United Kingdom); - An Agreement on academic and cultural cooperation with the Faculty of Education – Philosophy III of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (Germany). The documents are aimed at exchanging experience, expanding educational programmes, developing joint scientific and educational projects, and intensifying the integration of the parties into the international scientific community. These steps mark a new stage in the implementation of the institute's strategic objectives, the training of highly qualified specialists and the improvement of the national education system in accordance with international standards.