22-year-old Turkmenistan national team forward Dayanch Meredov scored his first goal for ‘Arkadag’ football club in a friendly match during a training camp in Antalya (Turkey). This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. In the game against Kosovo's ‘Feronikeli’, D. Meredov opened the scoring, and the second goal was scored by Didar Durdyev, the long-time top scorer of the Turkmenistan championship. ‘Arkadag’ won 2-0. D. Meredov joined the club from ‘Kopetdag’ on 6 January, and this match was his debut. ‘Feronikeli’ is in second place in the Kosovo Super League after 18 rounds. ‘Arkadag’ is preparing for the new season at a training camp in Turkey (12 January – 2 February). The first official match will be on 11 February in the 1/8 finals of the AFC Champions League against Saudi Arabia's ‘Al-Nassr’ at the Olympic Stadium in Ashgabat.
The Japanese company ‘Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ is ready to participate in infrastructure projects in Turkmenistan. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The company considers the country's investment climate to be favourable and intends to support the modernisation of industry by applying international experience and technology. ‘Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ has already implemented major projects in Turkmenistan, including the construction of a gas chemical plant in the Ahal velayat, the world's first plant to produce petrol from natural gas. The above-mentioned plant processes 1.8 billion cubic metres of gas per year, producing 600,000 tonnes of ECO-93 petrol, 12,000 tonnes of diesel fuel and 115,000 tonnes of liquefied gas.
The Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan has approved the ‘Recommendations for calculating and analysing the technological consumption of electrical energy for transmission via the electrical networks of the Turkmenistan power system.’ This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan.’ The document, developed with the support of the European Union's SECCA project, establishes uniform methods for accounting and analysing electricity transmission losses, including the classification of losses and calculations for different voltage levels. The data on the new recommendations will be used for reporting, planning loss reduction and identifying overloaded sections of the network, which will increase the transparency of accounting, reduce inefficient costs and strengthen the reliability of the power system. Previously, with the support of SECCA, five regulatory documents were developed in Turkmenistan, and now, in collaboration with national experts, two more are being prepared for the further development of the energy sector.
In 2025, China imported natural gas worth $8.41 billion. Turkmenistan remains the main supplier, with gas going to China and Uzbekistan. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. Approximately 40 billion cubic metres are supplied annually via the three lines of the ‘Turkmenistan-China’ gas pipeline, and the launch of the fourth line, D, will increase the volume to 65 billion cubic metres. At the beginning of the year, CNPC began commercial development of the fourth phase of the ‘Galkynysh’ gas field with a design capacity of 10 billion cubic metres per year. Trade turnover between the countries from January to November 2025 reached $9.164 billion.
The private company ‘Rysgally nesip’ in Balkan velayat is contributing to the import substitution policy by establishing the production of LED lamps under the ‘Çyrag’ brand. The products have already gained popularity in the domestic market as an alternative to foreign counterparts, according to the IIC of Turkmenistan. The company uses Turkish technology and produces ten types of LED lamps with a power range from 6 to 50 watts. The lamps are adapted to the climatic conditions of Turkmenistan and voltage fluctuations, which increases their reliability and service life. Production is carried out by a team of 40 specialists, with an annual output of 400,000 units. The company plans to expand its product range and increase capacity, confirming the private sector's readiness to supply the domestic market with energy-efficient products manufactured in the country.
The Turkish company ‘GAP Inşaat’ is modernising the Ahal-Teke Horse Complex of the President of Turkmenistan. The facility is being prepared as the main venue for spring events dedicated to the National Day of the Turkmen Horse. The progress of the work was inspected by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, reports Infoportal. The project involves the renovation of stables and riding arenas, as well as the redevelopment of transport and engineering infrastructure. A high-speed motorway with reinforced bridges over mud channels and a lighting system is being built to the complex. Thousands of trees are being planted along the route. The buildings of the complex will house sculptures, paintings and screens for broadcasting competitions. The National Leader of the Turkmen people noted the need to comply with international standards at all stages of construction. After completion, the complex will be used as a multifunctional centre for horse breeding and equestrian sports.
On 19 January, at a working meeting on the development of the agro-industrial complex, Deputy Prime Minister T. Atahallyev reported on the progress of seasonal agricultural campaigns. This was reported by TerraNews. It was reported that wheat fields are being tended in accordance with agricultural standards. In preparation for cotton sowing, ploughing, harrowing and ridging of the land are being carried out. Cotton ginning enterprises are processing and selecting seed material. Preparations for spring sowing are continuing in the velayats. Land plots are being cultivated, potato and vegetable seeds are being prepared, and agricultural machinery is being serviced. After hearing the report, the President of Turkmenistan emphasised the importance of agriculture for the country's economy and instructed that measures be taken to further develop the industry, taking into account scientific approaches and best practices.
The latest issue of the quarterly scientific and applied journal ‘Democracy and Law’, published by the Institute of State, Law and Democracy of Turkmenistan in Turkmen, English and Russian, has been released. This was reported by the news resource AsmanNews. The issue opens with a speech by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the International Forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust, International Neutrality Day and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's Permanent Neutrality. The article highlights the role of the forum in discussing regional and global processes, as well as the importance of the principles of Peace and Trust and dialogue in international politics. Special attention is paid to the Constitutional Law of Turkmenistan ‘On the Legal Foundations of the Policy of Peace and Trust of Neutral Turkmenistan,’ adopted in September last year. The document enshrines the principles of neutrality, equality, good-neighbourliness, non-use of force, peaceful settlement of disputes, respect for international law and human rights. The magazine also published a speech by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, in which neutrality is presented as the basis of the state's foreign policy and worldview. The open nature of the forum and its focus on a long-term strategic vision of world processes are noted. The issue includes articles on the national and international legal foundations of Turkmenistan's Permanent Neutrality, with a list of constitutional laws and UN General Assembly resolutions. An article has been published on the Law of Turkmenistan ‘On the Unified State Register of Voters’, which examines issues of modernising electoral legislation and the role of the Central Commission for Elections and Referendums in Turkmenistan. The section devoted to humanitarian issues reveals the activities of the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan and the development of the volunteer movement within the framework of its strategy for 2021-2025. The issue also features publications on the role of neutrality in international relations, the Awaza Political Declaration adopted at the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, and the development of housing legislation in Turkmenistan. A separate section is devoted to the results of the ‘Creative Work and Human Rights’ competition held by the National Centre of Trade Unions of Turkmenistan in conjunction with the magazine ‘Democracy and Law’ and the announcement of its holding in 2026. The issue concludes with the traditional ‘Chronicle’ section, which provides an overview of international and national events.
On 19 January, a video conference meeting was held between Rashid Meredov, Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, and Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The two ministers discussed issues of bilateral cooperation in the political-diplomatic, trade-economic, and cultural-humanitarian spheres. The cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Austria within international structures, including the UN, EU and OSCE, was noted. The possibilities of organising high-level and senior-level meetings in the current year were considered. Exchanges of views on topical international issues of mutual interest were held as well.
At Ashgabat's Specialized Secondary School No. 135, which specializes in advanced English language learning, the Central Council of the Magtymguly Youth Organization held a ceremony presenting valuable gifts to schoolchildren who won the XXII International Zhautykov Olympiad. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Education. Turkmen schoolchildren won 1 gold, 4 silver and 11 bronze medals. These achievements were the first results in 2026. The International Zhautykov Olympiad for schoolchildren has been held since 2005 by the ‘Daryn’ Scientific and Practical Centre under the Ministry of Education of Kazakhstan. It is held annually in physics, mathematics and computer science and has international status. From 10 to 14 January 2026, the XXII International Zhautykov Olympiad was held in Almaty. Twenty-eight talented schoolchildren from Turkmenistan took part in the competition, competing with more than 600 participants from 16 countries. Our young talents showed high results and won prizes at the international level. Turkmen schoolchildren have been participating in the Olympiad since 2010, and their success on the international arena is growing every year.
On 19 January, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the State of Qatar, Myratgeldi Seyitmammedov, met with the Rector of University of Doha for Science and Technology, Salem Al-Naemi. This was reported by Orient. During the meeting, the Ambassador announced that 2026 in Turkmenistan will be held under the motto ‘Independent Neutral Turkmenistan − the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses’ and presented a plan for celebrations to mark the 35th anniversary of the country's independence. The Diplomat emphasised that the development of the Turkmen education system is closely linked to international cooperation. Work is underway on joint educational programmes, academic exchanges and teacher training with foreign universities and research centres. The parties discussed prospects for further cooperation in science and education. Specific steps will be agreed during the upcoming visit of representatives of Doha University to Turkmenistan.
The Turkmen delegation signed a number of export agreements on textile supplies with foreign partners during the ‘Heimtextil 2026’ international exhibition, which took place from 13 to 16 January at the Messe Frankfurt exhibition centre in Frankfurt am Main. This was reported by ‘Business Turkmenistan’. According to the source, the agreements were reached during negotiations led by Minister of Textile Industry Nurmuhammet Orazgeldiyev with foreign companies and potential buyers. The national stand of Turkmenistan presented products made from natural cotton by domestic manufacturers. The exhibition demonstrated the high quality of Turkmen products, their competitiveness and modern design. ‘Heimtextil’ is one of the world's largest exhibitions in the field of home and contract textiles, bringing together manufacturers, designers, suppliers and buyers. This year, more than 3,000 exhibitors from 65 countries took part, presenting products ranging from decorative textiles to specialised solutions for the hotel sector.