The International Dance and Folklore Festival ‘Avaza – the land of friendship’ has begun in Turkmenistan's Avaza National Tourist Zone. This was reported by the internet portal MIR24. Representatives from Iran, India, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan took part in the event. Together with Turkmen groups, 56 artists celebrated the opening of the festival with a spectacular concert held at the water park. Well-known dance and folk groups from Turkmenistan, as well as popular performers of folk songs and dances, demonstrated their skills, presenting the richness of Turkmen culture to the audience. The festival programme includes creative meetings, master classes in choreography, and performances by ethnographic and folk ensembles. A rich cultural programme with excursions and boat trips has been prepared for foreign participants.
A new alley of saxaul, kandym and tamarisk trees has been planted in northern Turkmenistan. The environmental campaign was timed to coincide with World Environment Day. This was reported by the information and analytical internet portal ‘MIR 24’. Residents of the Dashoguz velayat took part in the event. The work was carried out in the Botendag hills, where a large-scale project to create a ‘green shield’ has been underway for more than ten years. Previously, this was a desert area, which is gradually being greened with drought-resistant plant species. They help protect against the spread of sand, dust and salts rising from the dry bed of the Aral Sea. Soyun Hallyev, a resident of Dashoguz velayat, noted that the velayat's forestry department is actively involved in the implementation of the national greening programme. Specialists are planting trees in Botendag and caring for them. The creation of a forest area in this region is of great importance for improving the ecological situation and purifying the air from harmful salts. Special channels have been laid to supply fresh water for watering the trees. The total area of the greening project is more than 20,000 hectares.
On 7 June, the ‘Fili’ Children's Park in Moscow hosted the ‘All-Russian Festival of National Cultures’, which attracted thousands of spectators. The event, organised with the support of the Moscow Department of Culture, brought together folk-art exhibitions, master classes and a concert programme featuring more than 70 groups from across the country. This was reported by the news agency Orient. One of the highlights was the performance by Darya Guseynova, representative of the ‘Zvuki Dutara’ Foundation. She performed the Turkmen song Bibijan, known in Russia since the 19th century and used by Tchaikovsky in his ballet ‘The Nutcracker’. The artist received a first-degree diploma for her contribution to the preservation of national culture. The festival highlighted Moscow's cultural diversity and became a platform for dialogue between peoples, receiving a positive response from guests of all ages.
The Fine Arts Exhibition Centre is hosting a personal exhibition dedicated to the 70th birthday of renowned Turkmen sculptor Abdymuhammet Oramadov. The exhibition showcases the artist's versatility, including both his sculptures and paintings. This was reported by the online publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. Oramadov, a graduate of the Saint Petersburg Repin Academy of Arts, has taught at the Children's Art School named after Bashim Nuraly for over 25 years. The artist gained international recognition after participating in sculpture symposia in China (2001, 2011) and exhibitions in France, Finland, Russia, and Kazakhstan. Among the most notable works in the exhibition are a three-metre-tall sculpture titled ‘Hormatly’ (‘Honourable’), small monuments such as ‘Näbelli adam’ (‘Unknown Person’) and ‘Abstraction,’ as well as a photographic collage of sculptural works. A special place in the exhibition is occupied by the socially significant painting ‘Pandemic,’ which symbolises humanity's unity in the fight against the virus.
During the 113th session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, a delegation from Turkmenistan led by Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the population Muhammetseyit Sylapov held a series of important meetings with international partners. This was reported by the IIC. On 5 June, talks were held with the leadership of key organisations in the field of labour relations. During a meeting with Roberto Suarez-Santos, Secretary-General of the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), the prospects for expanding cooperation were discussed, including issues of technical support and the integration of Turkmen employers into international processes. A separate meeting was held with Luc Triangle, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), where the main focus was on developing tripartite cooperation between the state, employers and trade unions. The parties considered the possibility of Turkmenistan's trade unions joining the ITUC and discussed their participation in shaping the country's social policy.
During the 113th session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Turkmenistan's Minister of Labour and Social Protection, Muhammetseyit Sylapov, extended an official invitation to Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The high-ranking ILO representative has been invited to attend the December celebrations in Ashgabat dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality. This was reported by the IIC. The ILO chief expressed his gratitude for the invitation and noted the fruitful cooperation with Turkmenistan, highlighting the effectiveness of the partnership in the cotton sector. Houngbo stressed the importance of continuing work to implement the ILO's recommendations and did not rule out his participation in the upcoming anniversary events. During the conference, which is taking place in Geneva from 3 to 14 June, the Turkmen delegation also held working meetings with ILO Deputy Director-General and Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia Beate Andres, discussing prospects for further cooperation.
On 5 June, a meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Independent States was held in Dushanbe, attended by a delegation from Turkmenistan led by Deputy Prime Minister Hojamyrat Geldimyradov. This was reported by the IIC. Speaking at the event, the Turkmen representative conveyed warm greetings on behalf of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, thanking the host side and the CIS Executive Committee for the excellent organisation of the meeting. In his speech, H. Geldimyradov emphasised the importance of economic cooperation within the Commonwealth, confirming Turkmenistan's commitment to developing multilateral partnerships based on mutual respect and mutual benefit. During the visit, the heads of government also met with President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, where they discussed prospects for deepening trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation, as well as issues of strengthening trust between the CIS member states.
From 4 to 7 June, events were held in Beijing as part of the Year of Culture of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. One of the key events marking the end of the year was a concert organised with the participation of the chamber orchestra of the Maya Kulieva Turkmen National Conservatory, teachers, students and masters of the arts. The programme opened with Aman Agajikov's ‘Solemn Overture’. The concert featured performances by renowned Turkmen artists: dutar player Aygul Yagshiyeva, singer Gozel Annahanova, vocalists Atajan Berdiyev, Amangeldi Amanov and Atageldi Garyagdiyev, as well as bakshy Almagul Nazarova. Both Turkmen and Chinese pieces were performed, including arias from the operas ‘Shasenem and Garib’ and ‘Kemine and Kazy’ (‘The Poet and the Judge’), the songs “Jasmine” and ‘Mother’ as well as compositions by Rovshen Nepesov and other composers. The concert concluded with a performance of Rossini's ‘Aria of Figaro’ and a joint performance by all participants of the song ‘Gel, Türkmenistana!’ (‘Come to Turkmenistan!’) The audience warmly received the performances of the artists, and the concert ended with prolonged applause.
From 4 to 6 June 2025, the 71st session of the UN Tourism Commission for Europe was held in Baku. The event was attended by a delegation from Turkmenistan led by Berdimurat Rejepov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Federal Republic of Germany and Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the World Tourism Organisation. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. Representatives from 38 countries took part in the meeting. Key issues in the development of tourism in Europe, challenges facing the industry and measures to strengthen cooperation were discussed. According to reports by representatives of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), in 2024, international tourism reached 99% of 2019 levels: approximately 1.4 billion trips were recorded, which is 11% more than in 2023. The growth is due to the recovery of demand, the revival of outbound tourism and the revival of destinations in the Asia-Pacific region. It was also emphasised that between 2009 and 2019, tourism in Europe grew by an average of 4.5% per year. The figures for 2024 indicate a return to a sustainable growth trajectory. Turkmenistan is actively participating in the UN Tourism initiative, developing the tourism industry, strengthening international partnerships and promoting the country's cultural and natural heritage at the global level.
The digital technology and electronics industry is rapidly developing in Turkmenistan. The economic society ‘Aýdyň Gijeler’ has become a leader in this field, demonstrating its achievements at the XXIV International Exhibition ‘White City Ashgabat.’ This was reported by the online news resource TerraNews. The company has signed several major agreements with international partners, marking a new stage in the development of the country's digital industry. The ‘Aýdyň Gijeler’ stand stood out for its innovations: smart traffic lights, energy-efficient lighting, bank and SIM cards, new tablets and an AI robot capable of analysing data in real time. The company signed investment agreements with Chinese corporations, including ‘Inspur Software and Unilumin Group’, as well as agreements on the assembly of computer equipment and LED products. The projects are scheduled to run until 2030 and include the localisation of production and the introduction of new technologies. As a Gold Partner of the conference, ‘Aýdyň Gijeler’ confirmed its leading role in the digital development of Ashgabat and the implementation of the ‘smart city’ concept, contributing to the sustainable development and technological modernisation of Turkmenistan.
Turkmen athletes immediately showed impressive results at the World Sambo Cup, which started in Yerevan, winning six medals on the first day of competition. The prestigious tournament, held from 7 to 8 June, brought together the strongest wrestlers from different countries, and the Turkmenistan national team confidently entered the ranks of the leaders. This was reported by IIC. Three silver medals were won by Babamurat Bayramov in the men's weight category up to 58 kg (sport sambo), Madina Aydogdyeva (up to 59 kg) and Sabina Agajanova (over 80 kg), who competed in women's combat sambo. The bronze medallists were Sapar Dovletov (men, up to 64 kg), Zarina Abdyrahmanova (women, up to 54 kg) and Ziba Orunova (women, up to 65 kg), all three in combat sambo. The competition will end on 8 June.
A delegation from the capital's Hakimlik (City Hall) took part in the Tbilisi Regional Forum ‘The Role of Peace in Sustainable Social-Economic Development,’ held on 5-6 June 2025. The event brought together leading experts, government officials and business representatives to discuss pressing issues of modern development. This was reported by IIC. Over the course of two days, forum participants engaged in intensive dialogue on key areas of sustainable development. Particular attention was paid to issues of green energy, digital transformation of the financial sector and the creation of favourable conditions for entrepreneurship. A significant part of the discussions focused on the prospects for introducing the principles of the circular economy and energy-efficient technologies in urban planning. The forum provided a unique opportunity to establish business contacts between representatives of different countries. The participation of the Ashgabat delegation in this prestigious event contributes to strengthening international cooperation and opens up new prospects for the exchange of best practices in the field of sustainable development.