On 31 July, during a working visit to the Kingdom of Thailand, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Malaysia, Muhammetniyaz Mashalov, held a meeting with Ms Urasa Mongkolnavin, Director-General of the Department of South Asian, Middle Eastern and African Affairs at the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Thailand. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden Age’. The parties discussed the development of political and diplomatic cooperation, the preparation of high-level visits, the holding of political consultations, as well as cooperation in the fields of trade and economics, transport and logistics, investment, culture and humanitarian affairs, education and tourism. Following the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their readiness for further cooperation within the framework of the UN and other international organisations.
The website of the State Information Agency TDH has published the text of the UN General Assembly resolution ‘International Year of Law, 2028’, adopted at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The document emphasises the role of international law, including the UN Charter, in maintaining peace, security and fostering cooperation between states. The Resolution proclaims 2028 as the Year of International Law and calls on UN Member States to organise activities aimed at promoting legal education, knowledge-sharing and capacity-building in this field. It also highlights the need to expand access to information on international law through digital platforms and multilingual resources, as well as to engage young people and women in relevant initiatives. The document reflects Turkmenistan’s initiative to host the High-Level World Forum on International Law in Ashgabat in 2028. It is planned that the Ashgabat Declaration will be adopted following the forum.
Fourteen transactions were recorded at the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan over the past week. This was reported by the news agency TDH. Foreign companies from the UAE, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan purchased terry towelling, cotton fabrics and yarn, cotton fibre and raw silk. The total value of the transactions in foreign currency exceeded 4 million 755 thousand US dollars. On the domestic market, local businesses purchased polypropylene produced by the State Concern ‘Türkmennebit’, Portland cement, liquorice root extract, cotton yarn, cotton lint and purified cotton spinning waste. The value of these transactions amounted to over 511,698,000 manats.
Workers in Turkmenistan’s oil and gas sector are increasing production volumes in line with the targets set by the President of Turkmenistan at an extended meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers to prepare for the 35th anniversary of independence. This was reported by AsmanNews, citing the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’. The ‘Goturdepe’ Drilling Department of the ‘Nebitgazburawlaýyş’ trust, part of the ‘Türkmennebit’ State Concern, commissioned five new productive wells at the ‘Goturdepe’ field during the first half of the year. Modernisation work is continuing at the field. Modern equipment, new technologies and developments from the ‘Nebitgazylmytaslama’ Institute are being introduced into production. Gas injection remains one of the main methods for increasing production. Due to the ‘Goturdepe’ gas compressor station, this method is being applied to more than 500 wells. The ‘Goturdepenebit’ Oil and Gas Production Department and the ‘Nebitgazdüýpliabatlaýyş’ mobile operations teams monitor well production rates and carry out timely repairs. The rational use of mineral resources and the extension of well life help to maintain production levels, as well as to strengthen Turkmenistan’s export potential and energy independence.
Beata Peksa, the European Union’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan, and Nazar Agahanov, the Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan, discussed the development of bilateral cooperation. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The parties noted the positive momentum and mutually beneficial nature of the relationship between the EU and Turkmenistan, particularly in the areas of trade, economic development and business relations. Following the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their interest in further strengthening the partnership and expanding opportunities for cooperation. It was previously reported that Beata Peksa is concluding her tenure as EU Ambassador to Turkmenistan.
In Maastricht, a delegation from Turkmenistan, led by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers T. Atahallyev, held a meeting with the King’s Commissioner and Governor of the Province of Limburg, Emile Roemer. This was reported by the press office of the Turkmen diplomatic mission. During the meeting, the Turkmen side presented the concept and the stages of preparation for an international event to be held on 4–6 September 2026 at the Peelbergen Equestrian Centre in the province of Limburg. The parties discussed organisational matters relating to the event dedicated to Ahal-Teke horses, as well as issues concerning cooperation with local authorities and relevant provincial bodies. T. Atahallyev invited Emile Roemer and representatives of the Limburg administration to attend the event as guests of honour. The governor confirmed his willingness to assist with its organisation. Particular attention was paid to the development of inter-regional cooperation between the province of Limburg and one of Turkmenistan’s velayats. Potential areas for cooperation included trade, the economy and investment, industry, agriculture, science, education, culture and tourism. The parties expressed their interest in further strengthening ties between Turkmenistan and the province of Limburg, as well as in implementing joint projects and exchanging expertise.
As part of a working visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, a delegation from Turkmenistan, led by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers T. Atahallyev, held meetings with the management of the shipbuilding companies ‘Royal IHC’ and ‘Damen Shipyards’, as well as with Professor Graham Jewitt, Rector and Managing Director of the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education. This was reported by the press office of the Turkmen diplomatic mission. During the talks, the parties discussed prospects for cooperation in the field of water resources management, the implementation of water-saving and engineering technologies, and the exchange of experience and knowledge. The Turkmen delegation toured ‘Royal IHC’s production facilities in Kinderdijk. During meetings with company representatives, opportunities for collaboration in the fields of dredging, infrastructure modernisation, shipbuilding and the application of modern technical solutions for water management projects were discussed. Particular attention was paid to establishing direct contacts between Dutch companies and relevant state bodies and enterprises in Turkmenistan. The Turkmen side expressed an interest in studying the best practices and developments of their Dutch partners. At IHE Delft, the parties discussed cooperation in the fields of education, scientific research and the training of water resources management specialists. Issues relating to the organisation of joint educational programmes, the exchange of lecturers and researchers, and the holding of thematic seminars were considered. T. Atahallyev noted his willingness to facilitate the development of direct links between IHE Delft and relevant institutes and universities in Turkmenistan. Representatives of Dutch organisations and companies were invited to take part in international events to be held on 4–6 September 2026 at the Peelbergen Equestrian Centre in the province of Limburg. The parties also discussed the possibility of holding joint business events in the Netherlands involving representatives of government bodies, the business sector and leading companies from both countries. Following the meetings, interest in further developing cooperation in the water, education, scientific, technical and industrial sectors was confirmed.
During January–July 2026, development continued in the fields of education, science, healthcare and sport in Turkmenistan. This was reported on 1 August at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers B. Mammedov, according to the news agency TDH. In the field of education, work continued on improving the education system and introducing modern teaching methods. Pupils and students took part in international subject Olympiads and achieved excellent results. During the summer, holiday programmes for children were organised at the Gokdere Children’s Holiday Camp, in the velayats and in Awaza. Entrance examinations have also begun at higher education and secondary vocational institutions. In the scientific sphere, international scientific and practical conferences were held. A ‘Digital Science’ department has been established at the International Science and Technology Park of the Academy of Sciences. In the healthcare sector, measures have been implemented to introduce modern treatment methods. Through the funding of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation, children have undergone operations and received treatment. Modern health-improvement methods have been applied and specialised medical services provided at the country’s sanatoriums. In the field of physical education and sport, the training of professional athletes has continued. Turkmen athletes won 471 medals at major international competitions. Having heard the report, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov instructed that work should continue on developing the scientific and educational sectors, improving the quality of teaching, modernising the healthcare system and further developing sport.
On 2 August, a conference was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan to mark the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the Resolution ‘International Year of Law, 2028’, which was initiated by Turkmenistan. This was reported by the press office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The event was attended by senior officials and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, representatives of the academic community and higher education institutions – including the Turkmenistan Institute of State, Law and Democracy, the Magtymguly Turkmen State University, the International University for the Humanities and Development, and the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – as well as students. Participants noted that the resolution was adopted by consensus on 24 July at the 106th plenary meeting of the current session of the UN General Assembly. The document was co-sponsored by 78 states. The initiative to declare 2028 the Year of International Law had previously been put forward by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, at the anniversary session of the UN General Assembly. R. Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, emphasised in his address the significance of the adopted resolution and called for the implementation of the measures it envisages. It was reported that the relevant proposals had been submitted to the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers and had been approved. As part of the implementation of the resolution, it is planned to draw up a draft National Action Plan for 2026–2028 and a National Concept on ‘International Law and the Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan’. Speakers highlighted Turkmenistan’s commitment to the principles of international law, permanent neutrality, peaceful coexistence and good-neighbourliness, as well as its contribution to strengthening regional and global stability. During the conference, congratulations were also extended to the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and to the National Leader of the Turkmen people, the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Hero-Arkadag, on the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the resolution ‘Year of International Law, 2028’.
At an informal consultative meeting of the leaders of the Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan in Cholpon-Ata, the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, outlined the main points of the agenda for the forthcoming summit, which is to be held on 8 October 2026 in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. According to the Head of State, Ashgabat has already sent a draft agenda to its partners. The document includes five main areas of cooperation. The first concerns regional and international security, political and diplomatic cooperation, trade and the economy, energy and transport. The second area relates to the environment. Discussions are planned on environmental protection, adaptation to climate change, the rational use of the waters of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, and the restoration of the Aral Sea. A separate section will be devoted to humanitarian cooperation. This will cover cultural, educational and scientific ties, as well as youth and student exchanges. Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted the relevance of the proposed topics for all participating states. The summit at ‘Awaza’ is also set to be accompanied by international forums and cultural events.
The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, took part in an informal consultative meeting of the leaders of the Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan, which took place in Cholpon-Ata (Kyrgyz Republic). This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. During the meeting, the Head of State announced that the next summit in this format would take place on 8 October 2026 in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone. Serdar Berdimuhamedov stated that Turkmenistan was ready to ensure the necessary organisational standards for the upcoming event. Appropriate measures are already being taken in the country to prepare for it. The summit in Awaza will aim to further strengthen cooperation between the countries of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, develop political dialogue and expand economic ties.
At a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan on 1 August, the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Rashid Meredov, presented a report on the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for January–July 2026. This was reported by TDH. Over the course of seven months, the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, undertook visits to the United States, China, Austria, the Republic of Tatarstan in the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, as well as Iran. The President of Turkmenistan paid visits to Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan. As part of Turkmenistan’s chairmanship of the CIS in 2026, meetings of the Commonwealth’s relevant bodies were held in the country, including a meeting of the heads of government of the CIS states on 22 May in Ashgabat. During the reporting period, 428 foreign delegations arrived in Turkmenistan, whilst 761 delegations were sent abroad. A total of 287 meetings at various levels were held via video conferencing, and 1,376 official negotiations and meetings involving foreign states and international organisations were organised. The international legal framework was expanded with the addition of 137 documents. Work also continued on holding political consultations with the foreign ministries of other countries. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan held talks with the heads of the UN, the FAO, the EBRD, the International Maritime Organisation and the Organisation for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. Between January and July 2026, Turkmenistan accepted the credentials of new Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary from a number of states, as well as those of the UN Resident Coordinator in the country. Diplomatic representatives of Turkmenistan also took up their duties following the presentation of their credentials in foreign states and international organisations. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasised the importance of further developing Turkmenistan’s cooperation with countries around the world and international organisations. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has been instructed to continue work on expanding external relations and to ensure preparations for upcoming international events.