News
Experts from Turkmenistan are studying AI and ‘green’ technologies in Germany
05.08.2026Experts from the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan, the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan, the Yagshygeldi Kakayev International University of Oil and Gas, and the Natural Gas Research Institute of the State Concern ‘Türkmengaz’ are taking part in an international research internship in Germany, according to the IIC of Turkmenistan. The programme is taking place from 25 July to 16 August 2026 at Clausthal University of Technology. Its aim is to study leading international expertise in the fields of renewable energy, reducing methane emissions, and the implementation of artificial intelligence in industry, as well as to develop scientific and technical cooperation and digital technologies. During the first few days of the internship, the Turkmen specialists, together with German scientists, took part in practical sessions on artificial intelligence, machine learning, neural networks and data normalisation. The participants also carried out laboratory research on well integrity, the drilling of highly deviated wells and the prediction of photovoltaic plant performance using artificial intelligence algorithms. To conclude the programme, the delegation will visit a German sulphur-containing gas processing plant and power stations utilising renewable energy sources. The internship is being held as part of the European Union and GIZ strategic project ‘European Union for a Green Turkmenistan: Policy Dialogue and Climate Action 2024–2029’.
Cyclists from Turkmenistan and Abu Dhabi are holding a training camp in Ashgabat
05.08.2026A joint training camp involving the Abu Dhabi cycling club and the Turkmenistan national team is taking place in Ashgabat from 4 to 20 August. This has been reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. Twenty-eight representatives of the UAE club are taking part in the event, including management, the coaching staff, a technical specialist and 24 athletes. Training sessions are taking place at the Olympic Village facilities, as well as on the streets and cycle routes of the capital. The training camp programme includes road races along Ataturk, Archabil and Kopetdag avenues and in the Gokdere area. The cyclists will cover distances ranging from 60 to 150 kilometres, with the total training distance amounting to approximately 1,270 kilometres. Six training sessions and three instructional seminars are scheduled to take place at a dedicated velodrome. The sessions are being organised in collaboration with relevant state bodies, which are providing safety and medical support. Cooperation between the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club and the Turkmen Cycling Federation has been developing since 2023 and includes joint training camps and participation in international competitions. Fifteen athletes from the Turkmenistan national team are taking part in the current training sessions under the guidance of head coach Kakabay Atayev and his assistant, Igor Yoldashev. Following the conclusion of the training camp in Ashgabat, the Turkmenistan national team will take part in the Track Asia Cup in Thailand, which will take place on 28–30 August. The highlight of the season will be the Asian Games in Japan.
Freight and passenger transport in Turkmenistan showed growth over the first seven months
04.08.2026A meeting was held at the administrative building of the Ministry of Rail Transport of Turkmenistan to review the performance of the transport and communications sector over the first seven months of this year. This was reported by the press office of the ministry. The growth rate in the volume of work carried out and services provided stood at 114 per cent. Freight transport by road, rail, air, sea and river increased by 103.6 per cent compared with the same period last year, whilst passenger transport rose by 102.4 per cent. The Ministry of Rail Transport met its target for services provided by 107 per cent, the Ministry of Road Transport by 118.8 per cent, the State Service ‘Türkmenhowaýollary’ by 118.5 per cent, the State Service for Maritime and River Transport by 102.1 per cent, and the Ministry of Communications by 115.5 per cent.
The ‘Melody’ Orchestra is to present a concert entitled ‘Heart of the East’ in Ashgabat
04.08.2026On 29 August, the ‘Watan’ Cinema and Concert Hall in Ashgabat will host a festive concert by the ‘Melody’ Youth Orchestra, entitled ‘Heart of the East’. This was reported by the news agency Orient. The programme will feature new orchestral arrangements of well-known Eastern compositions, combining traditional motifs with a contemporary sound. The musicians will perform pieces reflecting the cultural heritage of the peoples of the East. The repertoire will include Turkmen, Uzbek, Azerbaijani, Armenian, Tajik, Kazakh and Arabic melodies. Each piece will be presented in a contemporary orchestral interpretation whilst retaining its national character. The ‘Melody’ Orchestra, led by cellist Annaoraz Dovletov, is renowned for its performances of classical, contemporary and folk pieces in original arrangements. The organisers note that the event is aimed at a family audience. Seating in the auditorium is limited.
Turkmenistan and Iran are strengthening their cooperation in the study of manuscripts
04.08.2026Ali Mojtaba Rouzbahani, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Iran to Turkmenistan, discussed the history of cultural and scientific ties between the two countries and current areas of cooperation in an article for the Turkmen media. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. According to the diplomat, the shared civilisational heritage of Iran and Turkmenistan is deeply rooted in the region’s history. The Ambassador cited Greater Khorasan, as well as Merv, Nisa, Sarahs, Nishapur and Abiverd. During the Seljuk era, Merv was one of the centres of literature, astronomy and mathematics. Among the authors who wrote in Persian, Arabic and Turkmen, Rouzbahani mentioned Anvari Abiverdi, Zamakhshari, Fakhr al-Din Razi and Magtymguly Pyragy. According to the Ambassador, libraries in Turkmenistan hold thousands of manuscripts in Persian and Arabic, whilst Iran’s archives contain texts in Turkic, Arabic and Turkmen relating to the region’s history. Cooperation continues in the study and cataloguing of ancient manuscripts, the joint publication of books, translation and scholarly research into these works. In June 2023, Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, presented Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, with a two-volume edition of the revised divan of Magtymguly Pyragy. Through the efforts of the Iranian Embassy in Ashgabat, several works by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, have been translated into Persian and published, including the book ‘Worshipping Mother — Worshipping a Sacred Person’. The translation of one of the volumes of the encyclopaedia ‘Medicinal Plants of Turkmenistan’ is ongoing, as is the translation of Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s book ‘Neutrality of Turkmenistan — A Bright Way of Peace and Trust’; its presentation is scheduled for a later date.
Turkmen athletes have won 471 medals since the start of the year
04.08.2026Athletes from Turkmenistan won 471 medals at international competitions between January and July this year. This was announced by B. Mammedov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, at a government meeting where the country’s socio-economic development over the first seven months of 2026 was reviewed. It was noted that during this period, work was carried out to develop physical education and sport, and to train professional athletes. Turkmen athletes, having achieved excellent results at major competitions, won 56 medals in July. Thus, over the seven-month period, the national team’s medal tally rose to 471. Having heard the report, the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, emphasised the importance of effective work in the fields of science and education, healthcare and sport. The need to improve the quality of teaching and to modernise the healthcare system in a systematic manner was also highlighted. The Head of State instructed the Deputy Prime Minister to pay particular attention to the development of sport.
Turkmenistan’s experience in social work is being presented at an international forum
04.08.2026A delegation from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of Turkmenistan presented its experience of reforming the social assistance system at an international forum on social work in Dushanbe. This was reported by the news agency Orient. Participants at the event learnt about Turkmenistan’s approaches aimed at preventing social problems, the early identification of risks and the provision of targeted support to families and children. As part of the implementation of the Law ‘On Social Services’, the country is developing training programmes for social workers, pilot support programmes at local level and inter-agency cooperation between relevant services. The forum also featured measures to develop juvenile justice and psychosocial support. A pilot project in Ashgabat demonstrated mechanisms for alternative dispute resolution, rehabilitation and the social reintegration of minors. It is planned to roll out these approaches across all regions of the country in 2026–2027. The forum was organised by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of Tajikistan with the support of UNICEF. It was attended by representatives from Central Asian countries, Austria, Iran and Japan, as well as UN agencies, academic institutions and civil society organisations.
Turkmen students are taking part in a study programme in Kuala Lumpur
04.08.2026Students from the International University for the Humanities and Development are taking part in a summer study programme at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur. The placement runs from 19 July to 15 August 2026, according to the news agency Orient. The trip marks a continuation of the collaboration between the two universities following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. As part of the programme, Turkmen students are attending lectures, seminars and interactive training sessions, as well as representing Turkmenistan’s culture at international events. The programme aims to broaden their professional knowledge, familiarise them with the academic environment abroad and enable them to gain practical experience.
FC ‘Arkadag’ have won the Turkmenistan Super Cup three times
04.08.2026‘Arkadag’ Football Club has won the Turkmenistan Super Cup for the third year running. In the final, the team beat ‘Ahal’ 3–0, according to the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The match took place at the ‘Nusaý’ Stadium in Ashgabat. The goals were scored by Rahman Myratberdiyev (19th minute), Begench Akmammedov (57) and Shanazar Tirkishov (79). The Turkmenistan Super Cup, established by the Turkmenistan Football Federation, has been contested between the league champions and the national cup winners since 2005. Last season, ‘Arkadag’ won both the Turkmenistan league title and the national cup, whilst ‘Ahal’ earned the right to compete for the trophy as cup finalists. FC ‘Arkadag’, founded in 2023, has won the national championship every season since its inception. In the last two seasons, the team has completed the treble, winning the Turkmenistan championship, the Cup and the Super Cup. The team is managed by Vladimir Bayramov. Last May, ‘Arkadag’ won the 2024/25 AFC Challenge League Cup, and in the 2025/26 AFC Champions League season, they reached the round of 16. ‘Arkadag’s next international match will be on 12 August at home against the Indian club ‘Goa’ in the preliminary round of the 2026/27 AFC Champions League 2.
An international centre for legal affairs is to be established in Ashgabat
04.08.2026The Ashgabat International Platform on ‘International Law’ is to be established at the Institute of International Relations of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. It will serve as a permanent academic and diplomatic centre for discussing topical issues in international law, according to the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The initiative is being implemented as part of the UN Resolution ‘International Year of International Law, 2028’, adopted at the initiative of Turkmenistan. The Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Head of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, R. Meredov, presented the project at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers. The platform will bring together domestic and foreign experts to exchange experience and conduct research. As part of this initiative, it is planned to hold the annual ‘Ashgabat International Legal Dialogue’, as well as educational programmes for young lawyers, diplomats and researchers.
Turkmenistan is to draw up a policy paper on international law and neutrality
04.08.2026Turkmenistan is to draw up a National Concept entitled ‘International Law and the Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan’, which will be submitted to UN Member States as an official document of the Organisation. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. R. Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Affairs Minister, reported on the preparation of the document at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers as part of a report on the implementation of the UN General Assembly resolution ‘Year of International Law, 2028’. The concept paper will reflect the interconnection between international law and Turkmenistan’s legal status of permanent neutrality. Between 2026 and 2028, a series of forums and expert meetings involving national and international specialists are planned in the country to prepare the programme and finalise the list of participants for the 2028 international forum.
Ashgabat will host the World Forum on International Law in 2028
04.08.2026In 2028, Ashgabat will host the High-Level World Forum on International Law, at the conclusion of which it is planned to adopt the Ashgabat Declaration. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. At a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Foreign Affairs Ministry R. Meredov reported on preparations for the event, presenting to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov plans for the Year of International Law, proclaimed by the UN. The forum will take place with the support and participation of the United Nations. It will be attended by state representatives, diplomats and legal experts. Participants will consider the draft Ashgabat Declaration, which aims to reaffirm the role of international law in ensuring peace, security and sustainable development.
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