On 11 March, a meeting was held at the Istanbul Governorate between the Consul General of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Turkey, Ovezgeldi Jumanazarov, and the Governor of Istanbul, Davut Gul. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The interlocutors discussed the current state of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Turkey. They noted the development of cooperation in the trade, economic, cultural, scientific, educational, medical and sports spheres. The parties emphasised the importance of further strengthening bilateral partnership based on friendship, mutual respect and mutual benefit. They also discussed preparations for the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan's independence. Special attention was paid to events held under the 2026 motto: ‘Independent Neutral Turkmenistan − the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses’.
Representatives of Turkmenistan are invited to attend the ‘RES 2026 EXPO’ international ‘green’ technology exhibition, which will be held from 22 to 24 April in Astana at the EXPO venue as part of the Regional Environmental Summit in Central Asia. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The event is organised by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and leaders of the region's countries are expected to attend the opening. More than 300 companies from 30 countries, over 1,500 delegates and more than 20,000 visitors, including representatives of government agencies, international organisations, business and science, will take part in the exhibition. The exhibition covers ‘green’ energy, water resources, the circular economy, ‘smart’ cities, climate technologies, biodiversity, agricultural technologies and ESG with ‘green’ financing. There will be an investment forum, ‘GREEN INVEST FORUM,’ an environmental start-up competition, ‘ECO STARTUP COMPETITION,’ a regional eco-film festival, and an art exhibition. The event is of interest to Turkmenistan, which is developing a ‘green’ economy, providing opportunities for business contacts, investment, and the exchange of experience with international experts.
The International University for the Humanities and Development (IUHD) is expanding its participation in the international educational space. As part of the ‘Erasmus+’ programme, students Yhlas Komekov and Soltanmyrat Tairov have been sent to Italy for five months of study at the G. D'Annunzio University of Chieti–Pescara. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. This exchange is the first collaboration between IUHD and an Italian university, opening up new opportunities for educational and cultural exchange. Students study their specialities, improve their foreign language skills, gain practical experience in international politics and diplomacy, and represent the Turkmenistan education system on the international stage. The programme helps to establish scientific and cultural ties with students from different countries.
A series of events dedicated to healthy lifestyles, family values and gender equality has come to an end in Turkmenistan. The initiative was implemented by the UNFPA Representative Office in collaboration with the Institute of State, Law and Democracy of Turkmenistan and the State Committee for Physical Culture and Sport of Turkmenistan, according to the IIC. The programme was conducted in sports schools with the participation of public associations and included educational training on communication, distribution of household responsibilities and conflict resolution, as well as interactive games, self-defence master classes and sports competitions. Particular attention was paid to the involvement of men, boys, girls and people with disabilities. On International Women's Day, two-day training sessions were held in Tejen, Balkanabat, Dashoguz and Turkmenabat, with sessions on gender equality, psychological counselling and sports games to strengthen teamwork. Additional information was disseminated through social media, promoting the image of a modern man who actively participates in family life. The initiative supports national priorities in the field of gender equality and contributes to the creation of a favourable atmosphere for all members of society.
The Yagshygeldi Kakayev International University of Oil and Gas held an open lecture entitled ‘The Digital Future: Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Assets and Start-up Opportunities’, aimed at increasing young people's interest in digital technologies and informing them about current trends in the development of the IT sector. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. The lecture was given by the coordinator of the Centre for Young Entrepreneurs, director of the economic society ‘Döwletli nesibe’ Haknazar Haljanov. He spoke about the development of digital technologies in the world, the possibilities of applying artificial intelligence in various fields, and emphasised the importance of digital literacy for today's youth. Participants were also presented with information about the role of virtual assets in the economy, the prospects for the IT industry, and the possibilities for creating start-up projects. Particular attention was paid to supporting youth entrepreneurial initiatives and the conditions for implementing innovative ideas. The meeting ended with a lively discussion: students asked questions and received recommendations. It was noted that such events contribute to the expansion of knowledge and the development of innovative thinking. The event was organised by the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, the Yagshygeldi Kakayev International Oil and Gas University, the Young Entrepreneurs Centre at the Ashgabat City Committee of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan, and the Center for Information, Consulting, and Volunteer Activities of the Youth Organization of Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan continues to promote initiatives aimed at developing regional and global cooperation. One of these is a proposal to declare 2028 the ‘Year of International Law.’ The initiative was announced by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the 80th session of the United Nations. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. As noted by the Head of State, the country's foreign policy steps are consistent with the UN Charter and its founding documents. Turkmenistan advocates strengthening the central role of the organisation in international affairs and developing the international legal framework. In preparation for the ‘Year of International Law,’ the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with relevant agencies, has developed a plan of events for 2026. It includes scientific and practical conferences, educational programmes for young people, the preparation of training materials, and informational work in the media. Particular attention is paid to revealing the potential of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality as an instrument for strengthening peace and cooperation. Issues related to the implementation of the initiative were discussed at a meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission on Ensuring the Fulfilment of Turkmenistan's International Obligations in the Field of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law. Participants also considered the preparation of new national action plans on human rights and gender equality for 2026-2030. In 2026, Turkmenistan will carry out a number of international missions. The country will chair the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Consultative Meeting of Heads of State ‘Central Asia and Azerbaijan’. As part of its CIS chairmanship, special attention will be paid to regional security, economic cooperation, and the development of transport and energy projects. Turkmenistan has also proposed declaring 2027 the ‘Year of CIS Transport Connectivity’. Humanitarian cooperation remains a priority, including cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture, tourism, sports and youth exchanges. Particular importance is attached to regional dialogue in Central Asia. In 2026, Turkmenistan will chair a Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan. The initiative to include Azerbaijan in this format was proposed by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Transport, energy, trade and industrial cooperation are among the key areas of regional cooperation. Issues of rational use of water resources, the environmental agenda and the development of humanitarian ties are also being discussed. According to the country's leadership, the promotion of such initiatives contributes to the strengthening of international dialogue, the expansion of economic partnership and the development of multilateral cooperation.
On 21–22 March, Turkmenistan will host celebrations to mark International Nowruz Day, the national spring holiday. The main events will take place in ‘Nowruz ýaýlasy’ (Nowruz Valley) in the Ak Bugday etrap of the Ahal velayat, at the ‘Türkmeniň ak öýi’ buildings in the regions, and on the festive square of the city of Arkadag. The programme will be accompanied by musical performances, according to IIC. The holidays symbolise the awakening of nature, abundance and the arrival of spring and will be celebrated in style throughout the country. In Dashoguz velayat, cultural events will be held with the participation of bakhshi and national epic storytellers, who are the bearers of ancient Turkmen traditions. The festival will highlight the rich cultural heritage of the people, the art of epos performance and the national flavour of the holiday. The festive events will be complemented by music and national cuisine, reflecting the unity and peaceful principles of Turkmen society.
Orif Buharakov, Chairman of the ‘Hanmudo’ Martial Arts Federation of Turkmenistan and Honoured Coach of the country, received a 4th dan black belt in hapkido. The certificate was issued after he successfully passed an international exam, according to IIC. The certification was conducted under the supervision of the President of the Global Hapkido Federation, Han Jung Doo (X dan), and included a two-hour strength programme with a demonstration of about 400 technical defence and attack techniques. The new status allows Buharakov to open international schools and independently conduct black belt examinations up to and including III dan. The ‘Hanmudo’ Federation, headed by Buharakov, oversees several disciplines: hapkido, pencak silat, kabaddi, universal combat and MMA. Last year, the organisation held the first ever Turkmenbashi Hapkido Championship in the ‘light’ discipline, bringing together athletes from all regions of the country. Turkmen fighters confirm the high level of the domestic school on the international arena. Last year, they won more than 50 medals at the Asian and World Universal Fighting Championships, including 17 gold medals. Buharakov himself became world champion in the classic programme and vice-champion in the ‘light’ discipline in the weight category up to 90 kg. The new sports season also promises to be intense. On 23–24 March, Ashgabat will host city championships in MMA, universal and hand-to-hand combat. Similar competitions are planned in the Balkan, Lebap and Mary velayats. At the end of the month, the national team will represent Turkmenistan at an international tournament in Uzbekistan.
On 10 March, the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan hosted an interactive dialogue entitled ‘The Role of Women Diplomats in Society and Their Achievements’. The event was held as part of the second regional training for young diplomats and civil servants from Central Asian countries, according to the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The event was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan in conjunction with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in the country. Women from diplomatic missions of foreign states and international organisations, employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, teachers of the institute and female students took part in the dialogue. Presentations were made by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Myahri Byashimova, Palestinian and Pakistani Ambassadors to Turkmenistan Rana Abu Hijleh and Faryal Leghari, Permanent Representative of the United Nations Development Programme Narine Sahakyan, and Executive Secretary of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO Chynar Rustemova. During the discussion, the importance of Turkmenistan's policy of permanent neutrality was emphasised, which contributes to the promotion of peace initiatives and trust-building dialogue in the international arena. It was noted that the principle of ‘Dialogue is a Guarantee of Peace’ supports women's involvement in diplomacy and their contribution to strengthening stability in the region. The seminar provided a platform for young professionals to exchange experiences and reaffirmed the important role of women in Turkmenistan's diplomacy and peacebuilding activities.
The National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov congratulated Ayatollah Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei on his election as Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This was reported by the news agency TDH. In his address, the Hero Arkadag expressed his sincere wishes for good health and success in state activities aimed at ensuring peace, stability and prosperity for the Iranian people.
On 13 March, the Museum of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan will open a themed exhibition entitled ‘Nowruz: The Beauty of Nature in Colours,’ according to the news website Turkmenportal. The opening ceremony will begin at 11:00. The exhibition will be timed to coincide with the International Holiday of Nowruz. The exhibition is organised with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan. The exhibition is open to everyone — admission to the event is free.
‘Asia Trend Market’ has announced the launch of an international B2B platform in Turkmenistan, which brings together manufacturers and service providers from different countries with foreign buyers. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The initiative aims to simplify the search for products in the digital economy and increase business competitiveness. A key element of the platform is the personal pages of companies, which function as full-fledged websites and are managed through a convenient administrative panel. This format allows entrepreneurs to reduce the costs of creating and maintaining their own Internet resources by using the service's ready-made infrastructure. In addition, the project provides for the promotion of registered companies on social networks and the expansion of their presence in international markets. The developers note that the platform is focused on opening up new trading opportunities in the Asian region and provides businesses of all sizes with the tools to enter the global market.