The gastronomic festival “Taste Diplomacy” was held on June 13 in Minsk at the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus. The main theme of the event was the culinary traditions and cultural heritage of the peoples of the world. Diplomatic missions from more than 25 countries took part in the festival, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, Maksim Ryzhenkov, according to the news agency Orient. The program included presentations of national cuisines, tastings, chef masterclasses, and a fashion show based on traditional costumes. The Embassy of Turkmenistan presented its own exhibition, which became one of the most visited venues of the festival. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Belarus, Nazarghuly Shaguliyev, presented guests with a Turkmen dastarkhan and national dishes. As part of the presentation, participants also learned about the history and preparation methods of traditional dishes. Turkmen diplomats and diaspora representatives worked in national costumes, highlighting the country’s cultural traditions. The participation of the Turkmen diplomatic mission in the festival is connected to preparations for the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence, which will be celebrated in 2026. In the country, this year is being held under the motto: “Independent, neutral Turkmenistan — the homeland of determined winged horses.” The festival became a platform for strengthening cultural interaction between Turkmenistan and Belarus and promoting folk traditions. The Embassy of Turkmenistan in Minsk continues its work on developing bilateral humanitarian and diplomatic relations.
The national chess team of Turkmenistan took part in the international tournament “Vladimir Dvorkovich Memorial – Aktobe Open 2026”, which was held in Aktobe as part of a training camp in Kazakhstan. This was reported by the news agency Orient. The competition brought together 210 chess players from 21 countries, including 23 international grandmasters. The tournament was played in a nine-round Swiss system and was divided into Masters and Open categories. The most successful result among Turkmen athletes was achieved by 16-year-old Myakhri Agamuradova. In the Open section, she scored 6 points out of 9, finished 15th overall, and became the best female participant. As a result, she gained 83.2 rating points and fulfilled the norm for the title of FIDE Woman FIDE Master (WFM). Positive rating progress was also shown by Jahan Rejepova (+26.8), Ogulsuray Bayrambaeva (+8.2), and Leila Shokhradova (+5.2). In the Masters category, Turkmenistan was represented by Amanmuhammet Khommadov. He increased his rating by 10.6 points and moved closer to achieving the International Master norm. The Masters tournament was won by American grandmaster Andrew Hong, while the Open section was won by Kazakh FIDE Master Alan Petukhov. The tournament in Aktobe was one of the preparation stages for the 46th World Chess Olympiad, which will take place in September in Samarkand.
The final bouts and the closing ceremony of the 14th annual Taekwondo (WT) tournament for the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Cup in Turkmenistan were held at the Martial Arts Sports Complex in the capital’s Olympic City. The competition took place on 13–14 June 2026 and was organized by the National Taekwondo Center in cooperation with the diplomatic mission of the Republic of Korea, according to the IIC. The tournament has been held since 2010. This year, more than 110 athletes participated, including children, cadets, and juniors from the capital and all five regions of the country. The competition was held in the Kyorugi (sparring) discipline. Medals were awarded across 25 weight categories in both individual and team events. The final day concluded with intense bouts, during which the athletes demonstrated their training level and competitiveness in their respective categories. As part of the closing ceremony, the importance of such tournaments in promoting a healthy lifestyle among young people and developing the country’s sports reserve was emphasized. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to Turkmenistan, Lee Won-jae, presented medals to the winners and prize-winners. Athletes also received diplomas and commemorative gifts from the organizers. Based on the results of the competition, the best teams in the overall standings were identified and awarded tournament cups.
Turkmen school students will participate in the cultural and educational project “Train of Memory.” This was reported by the Russian Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Ivan Volynkin, in an article published in the newspaper Neutral Turkmenistan on the occasion of Russia Day, according to the news website Turkmenportal. According to the diplomat, the project will involve school students from 18 countries, including Turkmenistan. The two-week journey to sites of military glory from the times of the Great Patriotic War will begin on the eve of the 85th anniversary of its outbreak. The “Train of Memory” project was initiated by the heads of the upper chambers of the parliaments of Russia and Belarus. Its goal is to preserve the historical memory of the heroism of wartime generations, develop youth dialogue, and introduce participants to the culture and traditions of different countries. This year, the route will cover eight cities in Belarus and five cities in Russia. Tenth-grade students will take part in the project.
A Turkmen-Uzbek business forum was held in the Dashoguz region with the participation of a delegation of entrepreneurs from Uzbekistan’s Khorezm region. This was reported by the press service of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan. The event was organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and local authorities and aimed at developing trade and economic cooperation between border regions. Within the framework of the forum, bilateral meetings between business communities took place, resulting in agreements on cooperation. The Uzbek delegation also visited the Dashoguz cotton spinning mill and the private enterprise “Amantay,” where they familiarized themselves with production processes, technologies, and working conditions. The forum became another step toward strengthening business ties and expanding practical cooperation between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov has signed resolutions authorizing the state concerns “Türkmengaz” and “Türkmennebit” to conclude contracts with companies from the People’s Republic of China for the purchase of pipes for various purposes. The relevant documents were published on June 13 in Turkmenistan’s central media, AsmanNews reports. According to the resolution, the State Concern “Türkmengaz” is permitted to conclude a contract at its own expense with the company “Julong Steel Pipe Co., Ltd” (PRC) for the purchase of steel pipes in the required volume for construction works at facilities of subordinate institutions and enterprises. Another resolution instructs the State Concern “Türkmennebit” to conclude a contract with “Wuxi SP Steel Tube Manufacturing Co., Ltd.” (PRC) for the supply of casing and drilling pipes. The products are intended for drilling operations at production and exploration wells and will be purchased using the company’s own funds. The resolutions note that the contracts are aimed at fulfilling the tasks set for Turkmenistan’s oil and gas sector in the era of the Renaissance of a new epoch of a powerful state.
On June 10, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Pakistan, Atajan Movlamov, visited the National University of Modern Languages and held a meeting with the university’s leadership. This was reported by the press service of the Turkmen diplomatic mission. The two sides discussed the current state and prospects of cooperation in the fields of education, science, and culture, with particular attention paid to the expansion of academic ties and joint projects. The importance of educational and cultural exchanges for strengthening mutual understanding between countries was emphasized, as well as the development of language training and scientific cooperation. Following the meeting, both sides confirmed their intention to develop partnerships between educational institutions of Turkmenistan and Pakistan.
The Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the United Nations, Vepa Hajiyev, spoke at the opening ceremony of the 2026 United Nations Games, held on 12 June in a virtual format. This was reported by the press service of the Permanent Mission of Turkmenistan to the UN. V. Hajiyev noted the growing role of sport in strengthening friendship, trust and mutual understanding between peoples. Representatives of UN member states, the Organization’s Secretariat and specialized agencies took part in the event. The ceremony officially launched the third UN Games — an initiative established by the General Assembly in resolution 78/325 at the proposal of Turkmenistan. The Games are seen as a platform for developing sports diplomacy, strengthening peace and international cooperation. Assistant Secretary-General of the UN and Executive Director of the Pension Administration, Rosemary McClean, also addressed the participants. In her speech, she emphasized the importance of sport in promoting inclusivity, well-being and solidarity within the UN community. As part of the ceremony, a video presentation was shown highlighting the results of the 2025 Games. More than 800 athletes from over 100 countries and organizations participated in those competitions, which featured ten sports disciplines. The 2026 Games program includes competitions in football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, table tennis, badminton, pickleball, chess, running and yoga. The tournament provides diplomats, international staff and their families with an opportunity to interact through sport and strengthen interpersonal ties. The closing ceremony and award presentation for the winners of the 2026 UN Games are scheduled for 17 July and will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
On June 12, transactions involving entrepreneurs from Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkey were concluded on the external and domestic markets of Turkmenistan as part of exchange trading. This was reported by the press service of the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan. On the external market, businessmen from Afghanistan and Uzbekistan signed contracts with the State Concern “Turkmengas” for the purchase of liquefied natural gas. Turkish businessmen, in turn, reached agreements with local suppliers for the purchase of cotton yarn. On the domestic market, Turkmen businessmen concluded deals with the Ministry of Textile Industry for the purchase of similar products — cotton yarn. As a result of the trading session, 14 deals were formalized for a total value of 63 million manats and 14 million US dollars.
The implementation of one of the largest international energy projects — the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline — is currently underway. The project was initiated by the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and is being carried out under the leadership of the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, according to the electronic newspaper “Nebit-Gaz”. Construction is progressing actively on the key 153-kilometer Serhetabat–Herat section, known as “Arkadagyň ak ýoly” (“The White Road of Arkadag”). The general contractor is Turkmengaz, while construction works are being carried out by Turkmengazgurlushyk. Around 700 specialists and more than 250 units of modern equipment are involved in the project. Seventeen international contracts have been signed for the supply of pipes and equipment. A significant portion of the materials has already been manufactured and delivered through the ports of Poti, Alat, and Turkmenbashi before being transported to construction sites in Afghanistan. Geodetic surveys have been completed along the route, the territory has been handed over to contractors, and work is underway on route clearing, pipe welding and laying, joint insulation, and trench excavation. In parallel, more than 107 kilometers of service roads have been constructed. The project is regarded as an important economic factor for Afghanistan. Expected transit revenues could exceed 1 billion dollars annually, potentially stimulating infrastructure development and job creation. TAPI is positioned as a strategic initiative reflecting Turkmenistan’s commitment to regional cooperation and economic development.
On June 12, a Russia Day celebration organized by the Russian House took place at the Arkach Shopping and Entertainment Center in Ashgabat. The event featured a concert, folk performances, and a variety of creative activities, according to the IIC. Renowned performers, including Mansur Sharipov and Bahar Durdiyeva, took the stage with popular songs and traditional national melodies. The concert also included dance performances, contests, and concluded with a rendition of the famous Russian folk song “Kalinka.” A handicrafts fair and creative workshops were held alongside the concert. Visitors had the opportunity to explore traditional crafts, purchase souvenirs, and create handmade items of their own. The celebration was marked by a warm and festive atmosphere and attracted a large number of participants.
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov sent congratulations to the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, on the occasion of his 80th birthday. The state news agency TDH reported this. In his message, the head of state noted that Turkmenistan highly values its friendly relations with the United States of America and expressed confidence in their further development and strengthening in the interests of the peoples of both countries. The President of Turkmenistan also wished Donald Trump good health, happiness, well-being, and success in his activities aimed at the progress and prosperity of the people of the United States of America.