News
A book fair for children and families is to be held in Ashgabat
14.08.2026The International Book Fair will be one of the highlights of the KIDS EXPO 2026 exhibition — books, literary discoveries and interactive activities await children and adults alike. This is reported by the news agency Orient. From 19 to 22 August 2026 in Ashgabat, visitors can look forward to a large book area for children and adults, where they will be able to discover new publications, choose books for the whole family and take part in literary events. The fair will feature a wide selection of books in various languages — fiction, educational, informative and developmental literature, books on child-rearing and child development, as well as publications for family reading and self-education. Libraries, bookshops and international cultural organisations – the French Institute in Turkmenistan and the Iranian Cultural Centre in Turkmenistan – will be taking part. Their involvement will enable visitors to experience a variety of literary traditions, languages and cultures, as well as introducing the audience to new publications and works from different countries. The book zone will appeal not only to book lovers: visitors will be able to buy books, discover new releases and take part in an interactive programme for children. Literary readings, quizzes, educational games and other activities are planned for young guests. Particular attention will be paid to family reading and fostering an interest in literature among children and teenagers. Parents will be able to choose books for their children, explore literature on child-rearing and child development, and find books for their own reading and self-education. The International Book Fair will form part of the KIDS EXPO 2026 cultural and educational programme, which brings together books, education, creativity and family leisure. The international exhibition and fair ‘KIDS EXPO: Everything for Children’ will take place from 19 to 22 August at the Exhibition Centre of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat. The exhibition is organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and TurkmenExpo.
Ashgabat is set to host its first international children’s chess tournament
14.08.2026On 19–20 August, Ashgabat will host the first-ever ‘Kids Expo Chess Cup 2026’ international chess tournament — a rapid and blitz competition for young chess players in the U8, U10 and U12 categories from more than 15 countries. The tournament will form part of the business and sports programme of the international exhibition and trade fair ‘KIDS EXPO: Everything for Children’, which will take place in the Turkmen capital from 19 to 22 August, according to the news website Turkmenportal. Young players from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Iran and other countries will compete at the chessboards. The competitions will be held in accordance with the rules of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). In addition to the young participants, representatives of international and national chess federations, grandmasters and champions from Turkey, Jordan, Cambodia, Nepal, Pakistan, Japan, Sri Lanka, Syria and Libya will be travelling to Ashgabat. The organisers hope to bring together young chess players, professional players and representatives of the international chess community in one venue to exchange experiences and foster connections within the field of children’s chess. A supporting programme has been organised for participants and visitors to the exhibition: a free-play area, masterclasses, educational events, presentations and a chess quiz. A separate programme of events has been arranged for teachers, coaches and organisers of chess programmes. The tournament is organised and supported by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, the International School Chess Federation (ISCF), the Turkic Chess Association (TCA), the Freedom Asian Chess Initiatives (FACI) programme of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, the Chess Federation of Turkmenistan and TurkmenExpo. The tournament will take place at the Exhibition Centre of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and will be the first official international chess competition organised in the country.
A student from the IIR MFA of Turkmenistan attended language courses in Germany
14.08.2026Myahri Guzychiyeva, a fourth-year student at the Faculty of International Economic Relations of the Institute of International Relations under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, has completed an international intensive German language course programme, ‘Hochschulsommerkurse’, in the Federal Republic of Germany. This was reported by the press office of the Turkmen university. The programme is designed to improve students’ language proficiency and familiarise them with German culture, socio-political structure, economy and education system. The classes covered grammar and vocabulary, academic writing, phonetics, listening comprehension and the development of speaking skills. As part of the programme, participants visited historical and cultural sites, museums and other institutions. In this educational environment, students from around 150 countries had the opportunity to forge international contacts and broaden their knowledge of other cultures. Participation in the ‘Hochschulsommerkurse’ provided the student with an opportunity to improve her language skills and gain international academic experience.
The Ambassador of Turkmenistan held a meeting with the Secretary-General of the Benelux Union
14.08.2026A meeting took place in Brussels between the Ambassador of Turkmenistan, Sapar Palvanov, and the Secretary-General of the Benelux Union, Ariadne Petridis. The parties discussed the prospects for Turkmenistan’s engagement with the Benelux countries and the strengthening of cooperation between Central Asia and Europe, according to the press office of the Turkmen diplomatic mission. Particular attention was paid to the development of Turkmenistan’s relations with the European Union. In this regard, the possibility of working together to mutually exempt holders of diplomatic and service passports from visa requirements was considered. The representative of the Benelux Union provided information on current procedures and expressed her willingness to facilitate further dialogue. The parties also discussed the exchange of experience in the field of regional cooperation and institutional interaction. The Secretary-General expressed her willingness to share the Benelux’s experience in inter-state coordination and the functioning of regional mechanisms. During the meeting, Sapar Palvanov provided an update on the preparations for an international equestrian event to be held on 4–6 September 2026 at the Peelbergen Equestrian Centre in Kronenberg, the Netherlands. Representatives of the General Secretariat of the Benelux Union were invited to attend the event.
The ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone celebrated Caspian Sea Day
14.08.2026On 12 August, events marking Caspian Sea Day were held in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone. The main event was a scientific and practical conference entitled ‘Preserving the Ecosystem of the Caspian Sea: Regional Cooperation and Sustainable Development’, according to the TDH news agency. The forum was attended by members of the national government, representatives of ministries and departments, scientific institutions, diplomatic missions, and international and regional organisations. Participants discussed issues relating to the conservation of the Caspian Sea ecosystem, the protection of biodiversity, the rational use of natural resources and the development of regional cooperation. Particular attention was paid to Turkmenistan’s ‘Caspian Environmental Initiative’ and the proposal to hold the Caspian Environmental Forum in 2026. An address by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, was read out at the opening of the conference. The Head of State noted the priority of preserving the Caspian’s unique ecosystem and emphasised the need for the Caspian states and international organisations to join forces. During the forum, participants reviewed the implementation of the Framework Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea, which entered into force on 12 August 2006. This year marks the 20th anniversary of its entry into force. The document serves as the legal basis for cooperation among the Caspian littoral states in the field of environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources. Particular attention was paid to the falling water level of the Caspian Sea, climate change, the monitoring of the marine environment and biological resources, the development of scientific research, and the introduction of modern technologies. Participants called for an expansion of information exchange and the establishment of a Caspian scientific partnership. Turkmenistan’s international environmental initiatives were also discussed, including the establishment of a Regional Centre for Climate Change Technologies in Central Asia and a Regional Centre for Combating Desertification. As part of the event, an exhibition was held dedicated to the nature of the Caspian Sea and the country’s achievements in the field of environmental protection. Following the conference, the participants adopted an Appeal to the President of Turkmenistan. The document emphasised the importance of further developing cooperation among the Caspian states with a view to preserving the Caspian ecosystem and strengthening regional collaboration. On the same day, the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Affairs Minister, R. Meredov, held meetings with Serhan Aktoprak, the International Organisation for Migration’s Regional Coordinator for Central Asia; Beata Peksa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the European Union to Turkmenistan; Xiaojun Grace Wang, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan; and William Leaf, Head of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Centre in Ashgabat. The parties discussed the sustainable development of the Caspian region, environmental protection, environmental diplomacy, the transition to a ‘green’ economy and energy security. Opportunities for implementing joint projects to preserve the Caspian ecosystem were considered separately. Representatives of international and regional organisations reaffirmed their readiness to support Turkmenistan’s environmental initiatives and projects aimed at achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As part of the events marking Caspian Sea Day, sporting competitions were also held among forum delegates, with the participation of representatives from foreign diplomatic missions and international organisations in Turkmenistan.
Iran has praised Ashgabat’s initiatives to protect the Caspian Sea
14.08.2026The ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone hosted a scientific and practical conference entitled ‘Preserving the Ecosystem of the Caspian Sea: Regional Cooperation and Sustainable Development’, held to mark Caspian Sea Day. Ali Mojtaba Rouzbahani, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Turkmenistan, took part in the forum, according to the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The diplomat stated Iran’s readiness to support initiatives by the Caspian littoral states aimed at addressing the problem of falling water levels and mitigating its impact on the region’s population and infrastructure. The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran emphasised the need for practical measures, the exchange of data between countries and the establishment of an early warning system. Ali Mojtaba Rouzbahani also spoke highly of the initiative by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, to hold a Special Summit on the Environment of the Caspian Sea. The diplomat emphasised the importance of five-party cooperation and the principle of the indivisibility of security in the region. According to him, cooperation between the Caspian states is based on the provisions of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea. Caspian Sea Day is celebrated in Turkmenistan every year on 12 August to mark the entry into force of the Framework Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea.
Turkmen specialists are studying AI and ‘green’ energy in Germany
14.08.2026An international research internship on the application of artificial intelligence, the reduction of methane emissions and the development of renewable energy is taking place at Clausthal University of Technology (Germany). The programme, organised by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), will run until 16 August 2026, according to the news website Turkmenportal. Participants include staff from the country’s Ministry of Energy, lecturers and researchers from the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan and the Yagshygeldi Kakayev International University of Oil and Gas, as well as representatives from the Natural Gas Research Institute and the State Concern ‘Türkmengaz’. Participants are studying the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in industry and the energy sector, as well as methods for working with neural networks and detecting anomalies. The sessions are being held jointly with German professors and researchers. The internship programme also includes research into well integrity, deep drilling and the modelling of photovoltaic systems, as well as visits to solar and wind power facilities and a sulphur dioxide gas processing plant. The programme aims to facilitate the exchange of expertise in the fields of digital technologies, the ‘green economy’ and alternative energy, as well as to strengthen international scientific cooperation.
The Head of the MFA of Turkmenistan met with the IOM’s Regional Coordinator for Central Asia
14.08.2026On 12 August 2026, Rashid Meredov, Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, met with Serhan Aktoprak, Head of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Mission in Kazakhstan and IOM Regional Coordinator for Central Asia. This was reported by the press office of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties identified priorities for cooperation in the areas of migration management, the protection of migrants’ rights and regional cooperation. Particular emphasis was placed on the need to take into account environmental factors and the principles of sustainable development in the Caspian region within the framework of international and regional cooperation.
The Ambassador of Turkmenistan addressed a conference marking Caspian Sea Day in Iran
13.08.2026On 11 August 2026, the Department of Environment of Iran hosted a conference to mark Caspian Sea Day. The Ambassador of Turkmenistan attended the event, according to the press office of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The conference addressed issues relating to environmental protection and the preservation of the ecological condition of the Caspian Sea. The event was also attended by the Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Head of Iran's Department of Environment, Shina Ansari, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of the Majlis, ambassadors from the Caspian states, and the governors of Golestan and Gilan provinces. The Ambassador of Turkmenistan noted the importance of the Caspian Sea in the country’s foreign policy agenda and emphasised the need for further international cooperation in its protection, including within the framework of the United Nations. Particular attention was paid to the forthcoming meeting of Heads of State on environmental issues relating to the Caspian Sea, which is to take place on 9 October 2026 at the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone. The participants expressed their gratitude to the Government of Turkmenistan for its initiative in organising the meeting.
Turkmenistan and the OSCE discussed key areas of cooperation
13.08.2026On 12 August 2026, Rashid Meredov, Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, met with William Leaf, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. This was reported by the press office of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the main areas of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the OSCE, including regional security, economic, environmental and humanitarian cooperation. Particular attention was paid to environmental protection and ensuring environmental security in the Caspian region.
Turkmen weightlifters won 14 medals at the Asian and Central Asian Championships
13.08.2026The Turkmenistan weightlifting team has won 14 medals at the Asian Youth and Junior Championships in Tashkent. The tournament is taking place from 7 to 14 August, with over 300 athletes from 29 countries taking part. At the same time, the winners of the Central Asian Championships are being decided, according to IIC. In the under-60 kg category, Atabek Azamatov from the ‘Olimp’ sports school won two silver medals at the Asian Championships. He lifted 113 kg in the snatch and totalled 245 kg in the total. Shabnam Kerimbayeva from Dashoguz velayat, competing in the under-53 kg category, won gold in the clean and jerk with a lift of 103 kg and two silver medals – in the snatch (83 kg) and the total (186 kg). In the junior competition, she won two silver and one bronze medal. At the Central Asian Championships, she won three gold medals. Gulzada Berdimuhammedova from the Mary velayat, competing in the under-57kg category, secured three silver medals for the national team at the Central Asian Championships. Her results were 67kg in the snatch, 85kg in the clean and jerk, and 152kg in the total. In total, Turkmen athletes won 8 medals at the Asian Championships — 1 gold, 6 silver and 1 bronze — and 6 medals at the Central Asian Championships — 3 gold and 3 silver. The competitions are still ongoing.
Serdar Berdimuhamedov has sent his condolences to the President of Colombia
13.08.2026The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, has sent his condolences to the President of the Republic of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella, following the earthquake in the west of the country, which has resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries. This was reported by the online news site AsmanNews. On behalf of the people and Government of Turkmenistan, as well as on his own behalf, the Head of State conveyed words of support to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
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