On May 8, 2026, the first political consultations between the foreign ministries of Turkmenistan and the Kingdom of Cambodia were held in Phnom Penh. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The Turkmen delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmet Gurbanov, while the Cambodian delegation was led by Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ung Rachana. The sides discussed key areas of bilateral cooperation. It was noted that such consultations help develop partnership relations and identify new spheres of interaction. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of high-level contacts. According to participants, these create a foundation for expanding ties between the two countries. The strengthening of interparliamentary cooperation was also discussed through online meetings and reciprocal visits of friendship groups. The parties agreed on the need to further develop the legal and treaty framework. During the talks, a high level of cooperation within international and regional organizations was noted, primarily within the United Nations. The Cambodian side expressed support for Turkmenistan’s international initiatives and co-sponsored a number of resolutions. Cooperation within the ASEAN framework was also discussed. Cambodia supported Turkmenistan’s initiative to create the “Central Asia + ASEAN” format. In the economic sphere, priority was given to the development of direct contacts between business communities, the organization of business forums, and trade missions. Areas of cooperation include the textile industry, agriculture, processing industries, as well as transport and logistics through international corridors. In the humanitarian field, it was proposed to consider holding reciprocal Days of Culture. The expansion of cooperation in tourism and education was also discussed. At the conclusion of the consultations, both sides confirmed their intention to continue developing bilateral dialogue.
The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, sent a congratulatory message to the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, on the occasion of the 81st anniversary of Victory over fascism. This was reported by TDH. The message notes that the Victory in the Great Patriotic War remains a symbol of courage, resilience, and unity among peoples, as well as a shared struggle for peace and freedom. Special attention is given to the memory of war veterans and home front workers. The President of Uzbekistan expressed gratitude and respect to them. Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized that relations between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are developing on the basis of friendship, brotherhood, and good-neighborliness. According to him, cooperation between the two countries continues to strengthen through high-level contacts and the implementation of previously reached agreements. In conclusion, he wished Serdar Berdimuhamedow good health and success in his state activities, and the people of Turkmenistan peace, stability, and prosperity.
President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory message to the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the occasion of the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. This was reported by TDH. The message notes that on this day in Russia and Turkmenistan, the courage of generations who fought on the front lines and contributed to the victory over Nazism is commemorated. The shared historical experience and the role of veterans and home front workers are emphasized. Putin expressed confidence that preserving the memory of wartime events will continue to contribute to the development of Russian-Turkmen relations in the spirit of strategic partnership. He also separately asked to convey his congratulations to the veterans and home front workers in Turkmenistan, along with wishes for good health, well-being, and long life.
On May 7, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov received Georgia’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Mariam Kvrivishvili. The main topic of the talks was the development of transport infrastructure for freight transportation along the Caspian Sea–Black Sea route, TDH reports. It was noted that this route could provide Turkmenistan with a shorter access to European markets. The sides emphasized that cooperation is developing on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and trust — both in bilateral format and within international organizations, primarily the United Nations. Among the priority areas identified were trade and economic cooperation, energy, industry, healthcare, and cultural and humanitarian ties. Special attention was given to the development of transport and logistics infrastructure.
The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, has received congratulatory letters from leaders of several states and international organizations on the occasion of the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945. This was reported by AsmanNews. Congratulations were sent by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, and President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov. Messages were also received from the Secretary General of the Council of the Interparliamentary Assembly of CIS member states Dmitry Kobitsky, Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission Bakytzhan Sagintayev, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin, and Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev. The messages emphasized the significance of May 9 as a symbol of courage, the unity of peoples, and remembrance of the victims of the war. They highlighted the contribution of soldiers and home-front workers to achieving Victory, as well as the importance of preserving historical memory. Several leaders expressed confidence that the shared history of the war years will continue to serve as a foundation for the development of bilateral and multilateral relations, strengthening friendship and strategic partnership. They also conveyed congratulations and wishes of health, well-being, and peace to the people of Turkmenistan, and expressed special respect and gratitude to war veterans.
The head of Georgian Railway, Lasha Abashidze, stated that the company expects further growth in cargo transportation from Turkmenistan amid a steady increase in trade turnover between the two countries. This was reported by the online publication “Business Turkmenistan”. According to him, Turkmen Railways remains an important partner, and strong transportation figures have already been recorded this year. The parties expect further expansion of cooperation and a significant increase in cargo turnover by the end of the year. Abashidze also took part in negotiations in Ashgabat and attended a meeting of the intergovernmental Turkmen-Georgian commission on economic cooperation together with Mariam Kvrivishvili, Georgia’s Minister of Economy.
On May 7, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the United States, in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), held an event at the Fund’s headquarters in Washington titled “Economic Development of Turkmenistan in the Context of Regional and Global Economic Outlook.” The Turkmen-American Business Cooperation Association acted as a partner, according to the news website Turkmenportal. More than 80 representatives of diplomatic missions, international organizations, and the business community took part in the meeting, including the ambassadors of Turkmenistan and the United States, representatives of the IMF, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the State Department, and the World Bank. Participants discussed Turkmenistan’s economic prospects and the development of trade and investment cooperation between Ashgabat and Washington, as well as the expansion of contacts between the business communities of the two countries. The event also featured a cultural presentation and an introduction to Turkmen national cuisine.
On May 7, the Turkmen-American Business Cooperation Association was inaugurated in Washington, alongside its first business forum, according to the news website Turkmenportal. More than 50 companies from Turkmenistan and the United States participated in the event, operating in logistics, IT, e-commerce, education, consulting, and services. The majority of participants represented small and medium-sized businesses. The forum aimed to develop direct business contacts between entrepreneurs from the two countries. Participants presented their companies, discussed prospects for cooperation, and exchanged experience in doing business in Turkmenistan and the United States. Representatives of the Embassy of Turkmenistan emphasized the importance of launching TABCA as a new platform for expanding economic interaction between the countries, particularly in the small and medium-sized business segment. The event also included a networking session and an award ceremony honoring entrepreneurs who contributed to the development of bilateral business ties.
Chairman of the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan, Amanmuhammet Sazakov, took part in the Second International Migration Review Forum, held from 5 to 8 May at the UN Headquarters in New York. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. In his speech, he reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s commitment to the principles of multilateral cooperation, international solidarity, and a humanitarian approach. It was emphasized that the country is consistently implementing the provisions of the Global Compact for Migration, incorporating them into national programs and legislation through interagency coordination. Special attention was given to measures to modernize the identification document system: Turkmenistan is introducing biometric identity cards and travel documents compliant with ICAO standards, including for refugees and stateless persons. The initiative of the country’s president to create a Global Platform for Digital Integration, announced at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in 2025, was also mentioned. The Turkmen side stated its readiness to expand international cooperation in the field of migration, develop digital data exchange, and participate in global humanitarian and sustainable development programs. The forum served as a key UN platform for assessing the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. It brought together representatives of states, international organizations, UN agencies, as well as experts and civil society.
Turkmenistan has expressed interest in developing warehousing and logistics infrastructure near Georgian ports. This information was announced during a meeting between Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Nokerguly Atagulyev and Georgian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili, according to the online publication “Business Turkmenistan”. During the talks, the sides discussed opportunities to expand economic cooperation, focusing on foreign trade and regional initiatives involving both countries. Special attention was given to cooperation in the digitalization of the maritime sector and the implementation of a National Maritime Single Window (NMSW) system. In addition, the participants addressed issues related to the development of tourism cooperation. The Georgian Minister of Economy visited Ashgabat to take part in the fifth meeting of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Georgian Commission on Economic Cooperation.
Turkmenistan plans to host the forum of the “Sustainable Energy for All” (SEforALL) organization in 2027 on its territory. The initiative was discussed during a meeting between Turkmenistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Vepa Hajiyev, and the Deputy Executive Director of SEforALL, Stefano Marguccio, in New York, according to the news website Turkmenportal.The parties also considered expanding cooperation in the field of sustainable energy, developing energy connectivity, and implementing Sustainable Development Goal 7, which is related to ensuring access to affordable and clean energy. Special attention was paid to the UN General Assembly resolution on the importance of stable energy connectivity, as well as the implementation of the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport for 2026–2035 and the Awaza Programme of Action for landlocked developing countries.
Students from universities in Turkmenistan successfully performed at the 12th International Mathematical Olympiad of Northern Universities (NCUMC-2026), held in St. Petersburg at the ITMO University. More than 500 students from Russia, Uzbekistan, Austria, Poland, the United Kingdom, Germany, and other countries took part in the competition, the IIC reports. Students of the Oguz Khan Engineering and Technology University of Turkmenistan demonstrated strong results. Under the supervision of lecturer Eziz Kakyshev, third-year student Gulovser Gylychmammedova won a silver medal, while first-year student Döwletgeldi Shakirdzhanov earned a bronze medal. Silver awards were also received by representatives of the Yagshygeldi Kakayev International University of Oil and Gas — Islam Khaitymukhammedov and Khalmyrat Myratgeldiyev. In addition, awards were earned by students from the Turkmen State Institute of Economics and Management, the International University for the Humanities and Development, the S.A. Niyazov Turkmen Agricultural University, the Institute of Engineering and Technical Transport Communications, and the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan. The achievements of Turkmen students at the international Olympiad confirmed the level of training and the effectiveness of educational programs aimed at developing scientific and engineering competencies.