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Turkmenistan to begin modernisation of Ashgabat–Turkmenbashi railway line
18.01.2026The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, has approved a project to modernise the Ashgabat-Turkmenbashi railway line, according to the state news agency TDH. The initiative was presented on 16 January at a government meeting by Mammethan Chakyev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan. The railway line connects various regions of the country with the Turkmenbashi International Sea Port and plays a key role in integrating the national railway network into the ‘Lapis Lazuli’, ‘TRACECA’, ‘North-South’ and ‘East-West’ international transport corridors. The Head of State emphasised the positive dynamics of the development of Turkmenistan's transport and logistics system and the growth of its transit potential. The Deputy Prime Minister was instructed to organise the implementation of the modernisation project.
Independent Neutral Turkmenistan − the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses
18.01.2026In Turkmenistan’s development strategy, the preservation of national values and their promotion at the international level remains one of the priority directions of state policy. In this regard, special attention is paid to Turkmen Ahal-Teke horses. The President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov regard noble horses not merely as a historical heritage, but as an important symbol of national spirit, statehood, and international prestige. Throughout the historical development of the Turkmen people, the harmonious integration of national values with the principles of statehood has always held particular significance. The motto of 2026 — ‘Independent Neutral Turkmenistan − the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses’ — serves as a vivid expression of this unity. Approved by a Resolution of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan on December 26, 2025, the motto brings together the nation’s historical experience, its current development path, and its lofty aspirations for the future into a single conceptual framework. Its meaning goes far beyond a simple combination of words, revealing the ideological foundations of Turkmen statehood, the national spirit, and the philosophy of sustainable progress. The history of Turkmen Ahal-Teke horses spans thousands of years. Since ancient times, the Turkmen people have lived side by side with horses, relying on their strength, endurance, and loyalty in shaping their way of life. Situated along the routes of the Great Silk Road, Turkmen lands regarded horses not merely as a means of transportation, but as an essential element of economic, military, and political relations. The image of ‘purposeful winged horses’ used in the motto is deeply rooted in this historical experience. It symbolizes a dynamic, confident, and goal-oriented development path. Victories achieved on horseback, vast deserts crossed, and states established throughout history have formed the spiritual foundation of the Turkmen people’s enduring belief in progress. The concept of ‘Independent Neutral Turkmenistan’ constitutes the core of the motto’s political meaning. Independence reflects the sovereign right of the nation to determine its own development path, while neutrality demonstrates Turkmenistan’s commitment to peace, stability, and constructive international cooperation. The elevation of Turkmen Ahal-Teke horses to the status of a national symbol and their representation of Turkmenistan on the global stage serve as a cultural expression of this policy. Noble, peace-oriented, yet powerful and resilient, the Turkmen horse embodies the essence of the country’s neutral stance. In the Turkmen worldview, the concept of ‘at-myrat’—the unity of the horse and aspiration—represents not merely a linguistic expression, but a philosophy of life. The horse symbolizes movement and action, while aspiration signifies purpose, dreams, and the future. The inclusion of this concept in the motto reflects the nation’s determination to move steadily toward clearly defined goals. In social life, the relationship between humans and horses has traditionally carried strong educational value, fostering patience, responsibility, diligence, and purposefulness among younger generations. Today, the development of horse-breeding facilities and national equestrian sports continues to strengthen the spiritual unity of society. In Turkmen traditions, horses have long been accorded special respect. They have been perceived as pure-spirited, loyal companions and guiding beings. Beliefs emphasizing humane treatment and protection of horses form an integral part of the national moral code. These spiritual values remain relevant today, with Ahal-Teke horses regarded not only as material heritage, but also as a profound spiritual asset. The spiritual dimension of the horse’s image within the motto stems directly from these deeply rooted cultural beliefs. Turkmen literature also glorifies Ahal-Teke horses as symbols of heroism, freedom, and loyalty. In the epic ‘Gorogly’, horses such as Gyrat and Durat are portrayed as literary embodiments of the Turkmen people’s ideals of justice and bravery. This rich literary heritage further enriches the meaning of the motto, demonstrating that the horse continues to live in the national consciousness not only historically, but also culturally and spiritually. Another important reason for adopting this motto is its coincidence with the Year of the Horse according to the Eastern calendar. The Year of the Horse symbolizes movement, progress, and new opportunities, fully aligning with the essence of the motto and further elevating the role of Ahal-Teke horses in Turkmen society. Under the leadership of Hero Arkadag, comprehensive efforts have been undertaken to preserve the pure lineage of Turkmen purebred horses, develop them on a scientific basis, and promote them internationally. Measures such as safeguarding the genetic pool of Ahal-Teke horses, establishing modern horse-breeding complexes, and expanding international cooperation in the equestrian field have acquired a systematic, state-level character. These initiatives are being successfully continued under the leadership of the President of Turkmenistan, with Ahal-Teke horses becoming an integral component of the national development strategy. The advancement of equestrian sports, the organization of international competitions and events, and the prominent presence of horses at state celebrations and official ceremonies clearly attest to this commitment. The international recognition of Turkmen Ahal-Teke horses as an integral part of world cultural heritage represents one of the most significant outcomes of state policy in this area. The Art of breeding Turkmen horses and the traditions associated with it have been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, receiving official international recognition. This event confirms that the national heritage of the Turkmen people is acknowledged not only at the national level, but also as a value of universal significance. This achievement is the result of the consistent policy pursued by the President of Turkmenistan and Hero Arkadag to preserve national heritage and promote it worldwide. UNESCO’s recognition serves as clear evidence that the historical, cultural, and spiritual significance of Turkmen renowned horses is highly valued by the international community. Thus, the motto ‘Independent Neutral Turkmenistan − the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses’ comprehensively reflects the historical path of the Turkmen people, the essence of current state policy, and the nation’s confidence in the future, presenting the purebred horse as a living symbol of national spirit, purposeful progress, and statehood.
The waters of Koytendag: natural springs and their role in the valley
17.01.2026Koytendag has preserved many natural springs, rivers, waterfalls and lakes that are important to local residents and tourists. This was reported by the news website Asmannews. The springs feed the Koytenderya River, which flows through a fertile valley. Some springs bubble up in spring during the snowmelt, but dry up by summer. The Aksuw spring near the village of Koyten is famous for its clean water. In the Umbar-dere gorge, tourists are attracted by a waterfall associated with the legend of the Umbar tribal hero. The stream with the Summul waterfall in the Hojagarawul gorge preserves the memory of life in mountain settlements. The small springs of Bash Bulak and Murze Bedil Ata form the Koytenderya River, once a right tributary of the Amu Darya, collecting water from other springs and supplying the fields of the valley. Daray-dere, the longest gorge in the region (29 km), begins at an altitude of about 3,000 metres. At its bottom flows a stream with ten waterfalls, which the locals use for irrigation, reinforcing the bed with clay. At an altitude of more than 2,000 metres, there is a spring that feeds the garden of the village of Gurshun magdanly with more than 2,000 fruit trees. Of particular value is the Chilon-Ata unabi grove, which is cool even in the heat and has crystal-clear springs, including a hydrogen sulphide spring. The Gul-gul spring provides water to Koyten, and the spring opposite the unabi grove created the Aygyr Kel reservoir, which supplies drinking water to residents and a local enterprise. In winter, these springs fill Lake Kete-Kol, and in summer and autumn, they are used for irrigation.
The ‘Guwlyduz’ enterprise produced 97,000 tonnes of salt in 2025
17.01.2026On the shores of the Caspian Sea, in the village of Guwlymayak, lies the ‘Guwlyduz’ enterprise, the largest and oldest salt producer in Turkmenistan. In 2025, production exceeded 97,000 tonnes, which was 102.2% of the plan, according to the Orient news agency. The ‘Guwly’ deposit is one of the largest in the world. Here, salt is formed naturally: seawater evaporates in the estuaries under the sun and wind, leaving pure crystals. Due to this, the salt does not require deep chemical purification and retains microelements that are useful for both food and industry. In 2025, 97,053 tonnes of salt were produced: 86,270 tonnes of coarse industrial salt and 23,000 tonnes of packaged food-grade salt, which is supplied throughout the country. Production is carried out in compliance with environmental standards, preserving the natural balance of the region. ‘Guwlyduz’ products are used not only in cooking. Pure salt is in demand in the textile industry, medicine, balneotherapy and the oil and gas sector. The entire extraction process requires almost no electricity — the main ‘worker’ is the sun, which turns seawater into crystals that are collected by special harvesters.
Turkmenistan to host UN Special Programme for Central Asian Economies Week
17.01.2026Turkmenistan will host the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) Week, which will include an economic forum, meetings of relevant working groups and bilateral meetings, according to the state news agency TDH. This was announced on 16 January during a government meeting by the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, Hojamyrat Geldimyradov. During the events, participants will discuss expanding cooperation in the fields of economics, energy, water resources and environmental protection. Particular attention will be paid to improving the efficiency of energy and transport connectivity in the region. In addition, the programme includes discussions on improving digital trade and economic corridors using UN standards. SPECA brings together five Central Asian countries and operates under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
Russian Ambassador: Agreement on Turkmen-Russian university nears completion
17.01.2026The draft inter-governmental agreement on the establishment of a Turkmen-Russian university in Ashgabat is in its final stages. This was announced by Russian Ambassador to Turkmenistan Ivan Volynkin, according to Turkmenportal. According to him, the document defines the conditions for the creation and operation of the Russian-Turkmen university in the capital of Turkmenistan. Ivan Volynkin noted that more than 54,000 students from Turkmenistan are studying at Russian universities. In 2025, the Russian Federation government's quota for Turkmen applicants was 500 state-funded places. Also on the agenda is a project to build a new building for the lower grades of the A.S. Pushkin Joint Turkmen-Russian Secondary School, which has been operating since 2002. The Ambassador said that in 2025, Russian-Turkmen cooperation in the cultural sphere remained active. More than 190 humanitarian events were held, attended by about 16,000 people. He separately noted the interest of the Ashgabat audience in the Russian Embassy's musical project ‘Diplomaticheskiye notki’ (Diplomatic musical notes), which included concerts featuring works by Russian classics.
Turkmenistan and Armenia discussed the development of business cooperation in Yerevan
17.01.2026On 15 January, a business meeting was held in Yerevan with the participation of representatives of government agencies and business circles of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Armenia. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The meeting was attended by companies operating in the textile and food industries, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, transport and logistics, jewellery and tourism. Speeches were made by N. Karamanukyan, Vice-President of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Armenia, B. Arazov, member of the board of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan, and Edgar Zakaryan, Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia. They touched upon issues of bilateral trade, business conditions and investment attraction. Participants were also given presentations on business and investment opportunities in Turkmenistan and Armenia. During the meeting, bilateral negotiations were held between company representatives on expanding cooperation.
The ‘Made in Turkmenistan’ brand presented textiles at an exhibition in Germany
17.01.2026From 13 to 16 January, Germany hosted the world's largest textile exhibition, ‘Heimtextil 2026’. For the Ministry of Textile Industry of Turkmenistan, participation in the event marked a strong international start to the year: the Made in Turkmenistan brand confirmed its competitiveness, according to the Orient news agency. Digital printing, which allows complex patterns and designer images to be applied with high precision, attracted particular attention at the Turkmenistan stand. This opens up opportunities for personalised textiles and interiors with long-lasting designs. Among 3,000 participants from 65 countries, Turkmen manufacturers held successful negotiations with buyers and designers, demonstrating the industry's readiness for global integration. The Frankfurt experience will be followed by ‘TurkmenTextile Expo 2026’ in Ashgabat (4–6 June), where foreign partners are invited to implement global trends in Central Asia.
Badhyz Nature Reserve recorded a female leopard with her cub
16.01.2026The second female Near Eastern leopard with a cub has been spotted in the Badhyz State Nature Reserve. This was reported by the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan. A camera trap captured the cub following the female across the reserve. The Near Eastern leopard is one of the rarest predators and is listed in the Red Book. According to experts, the appearance of a second female with offspring indicates the formation of a stable breeding population in the region. Previously, leopards could only be seen here occasionally. Monitoring of rare species is carried out in collaboration with Conservation X Labs. Material from camera traps is used to assess the effectiveness of nature conservation measures. The Badhyz Nature Reserve was established in 1941 in southern Turkmenistan, between the Tejen and Murgab rivers. Its territory is home to caracals, striped hyenas, urials, gazelles and rare bird species.
Ashgabat discussed cooperation between universities in Turkmenistan and Iran
16.01.2026On 14 January, a meeting was held at Magtymguly Turkmen State University with the participation of the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Cultural Advisor Abdolreza Abbasi, the university rector and university management. This was reported by the university's press service. The parties discussed the development of cooperation between higher education institutions in Turkmenistan and Iran. The agenda included issues related to holding a Persian language competition, participation in international events, implementation of joint cultural projects, as well as cooperation in the fields of science, education and culture. During the visit, the guests met with students and teachers of the Persian language programme. The Cultural Centre of the Islamic Republic of Iran presented the university with textbooks and books by Iranian poets translated into Turkmen and Persian.
UNICEF has published the results of its ‘Generation 2050’ study on Turkmenistan
16.01.2026UNICEF in Turkmenistan presented a regional report entitled ‘Generation 2050 in Central Asia’ and a special supplement on the country. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. Representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan, the Mejlis and social sectors participated in the discussion, considering how investments in children can contribute to long-term development. The document contains a Roadmap for utilising the country's demographic potential until 2050. The study shows that a focus on quality education, healthcare and social protection could increase economic growth by 9% by 2050, as well as prepare future generations for global challenges, including climate change and economic transformation.
Turkmenistan competed in the international stage of the Chinese Motocross Championship
16.01.2026The international stage of the Chinese Motocross Championship (CMX), held in Chongqing, was a significant event for world motorsport. Turkmenistan was represented at the competition by the ‘Kämil’ motorsport club, according to IIC. The team's participation was made possible due to state support for high-performance sports and allowed the athletes to gain valuable international experience. The competition took place on the challenging Jiangjin speed track with the participation of leading factory teams ‘QJMotor’, ‘CFMoto’ and ‘KAYO’. In the 250cc petrol class, Serdar Mollamyradov and Begench Annayev competed for ‘Kämil’, demonstrating a competitive level. In the electric motorcycle races, the club was represented by Konstantin Fedorychev and Karen Avagyan, emphasising the team's focus on modern and environmentally friendly technologies. The athletes' work was coordinated by the club's director, Master of Sports of Turkmenistan Shamyrat Gurbanov. The experience gained in China will be used in preparation for new international competitions, including open championships in neighbouring countries, in conjunction with the Automobile Sports Federation of Turkmenistan.
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