President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov has announced the final stage of construction of a key section of the Ashgabat–Turkmenabat–Mary–Turkmenabat motorway, according to the news website Asmannews. The 600-kilometre project, which is part of the restoration of the Great Silk Road, is nearing completion, with two of the three stages already finished. The completion of the motorway will provide a direct high-speed link between the capital and the east of the country, as well as opening up new transit routes to Uzbekistan and further afield in the region. The highway will be equipped with modern traffic management and maintenance systems that meet international standards. In parallel with infrastructure development, Turkmenistan is investing in social, educational and industrial projects, confirming its commitment to industrialisation and improving living standards.
A delegation from the H. Turner National Medical Research Centre for Paediatric Traumatology and Orthopaedics (St. Petersburg) visited Ashgabat to strengthen cooperation with the Turkmenistan healthcare system. This was reported by the online news resource TerraNews. During the visit, a Roadmap for 2026 was agreed upon for the introduction of Russian technologies in paediatric orthopaedics. The director of the National Medical Research Centre, Sergey Vissarionov, met with the Minister of Health of Turkmenistan, Myrat Mammedov, and the Head of the Scientific and Clinical Centre for Maternal and Child Health, Altymuhammet Annayev. Turkmen specialists will undergo training in Russia, and Russian doctors will hold a seminar in Ashgabat with demonstrations of operations on complex spinal deformities. A Memorandum of Cooperation is being agreed upon by the Turkmen Ministry of Health. Russian specialists also examined patients and recommended high-tech treatment for several children. The partnership is aimed at training personnel and introducing modern standards in paediatric orthopaedics.
A delegation from Turkmenistan took part in the Regional Ministerial Conference on ending violence against children, which was held on 13–14 October in Bucharest. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The delegation was led by the Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection; and included representatives from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Education and UNICEF in Turkmenistan. The conference was organised by the Romanian Ministry of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity in conjunction with UNICEF and the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative on Violence against Children. Turkmenistan presented its key achievements: the implementation of the National Action Plan on Children's Rights for 2023-2028, the development of inter-agency cooperation, and the creation of comprehensive family support and child-friendly justice services. The Head of delegation emphasised that protecting children is a state responsibility and an investment in a secure future for society, and that international partnerships help to improve legislation and social programmes.
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov held a meeting with Jung Won-ju, Chairman of the Board of South Korean company ‘Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.’ This was reported by the news website Asmannews. The guest thanked the Head of State for the reception and noted that it was a great honour for him to participate in the ceremony of laying the foundation for a mineral fertiliser production complex at the Turkmenabat Chemical Plant. The President of Turkmenistan expressed his gratitude for the warm words and emphasised the high level of relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea. Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that cooperation is developing on the basis of mutual respect and trust, and that leading Korean companies are making a significant contribution to the implementation of major projects in the country's oil, gas and chemical industries. Jung Won-ju confirmed the company's readiness to faithfully fulfil its obligations and expressed gratitude for the favourable conditions created for working in the Turkmen market. Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted the steady development of the chemical industry and emphasised that the priority is the production of goods for domestic consumption and export based on local raw materials. The Head of State also recalled the large-scale work on modernising and diversifying the economy. At the end of the meeting, the President of Turkmenistan wished the management and employees of ‘Daewoo’ success in the implementation of the mineral fertiliser complex construction project.
In his speech at the ceremony to lay the foundation stone for a mineral fertiliser production complex at the S.A. Niyazov Turkmenabat Chemical Plant, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted the importance of this project for the development of the national economy and the chemical industry. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The Head of State stressed that the chemical industry is one of the key sectors of the economy, where large investment projects are implemented and modern technologies are introduced. According to the President of Turkmenistan, the programmes being implemented contribute to strengthening the economy and improving the well-being of the people, with particular attention being paid to environmental requirements and innovative solutions. The President of Turkmenistan announced that the new complex will be built by the South Korean company ‘Daewoo’. The plant is expected to produce 350,000 tonnes of superphosphate and 100,000 tonnes of ammonium sulphate per year, which will fully meet the domestic demand for phosphate fertilisers and improve the country's food security. The Head of State noted that the construction of the new complex will create additional jobs, and training is planned to be organised at foreign universities. The President of Turkmenistan recalled other major projects in the chemical industry — the construction of complexes in the Balkan, Ahal and Mary velayats. Serdar Berdimuhamedov stressed that great attention is being paid to the development of the Lebap velayat, where industrial and social facilities are being built, including a section of the Ashgabat-Turkmenabat motorway and a new building for the pedagogical institute. In conclusion, the President of Turkmenistan congratulated the participants of the ceremony on the laying of the foundation stone for the new production complex, wishing everyone good health and success in their work.
At an international exhibition dedicated to Healthcare and Medical Industry Workers' Day, students from the Oguzhan Engineering and Technology University of Turkmenistan presented their developments in the field of alternative food products, according to the online news resource TerraNews. Amandursun Jumayeva, a student at the Faculty of Biotechnology and Ecology, said that young researchers had created dietetic sweets from camel milk using a sugar substitute, making them suitable for people with diabetes and lactose intolerance. In addition, the project participants developed jelly-like teas from plants, syrup from saffron flowers, natural alcohol-free perfumes, scrubs, scented candles and powdered flavourings. According to Jumayeva, Turkmenistan has all the conditions necessary for the development of biotechnology and scientific innovation. She expressed her gratitude to the country's leadership for supporting young scientists and noted that their developments are intended to contribute to the prosperity of the national economy.
Twelfth-grade students from Specialised School No. 97 in Ashgabat, Begench Annaorazov, Ayhan Bayramov, and Salyh Annanepesov, took second place in the ‘Firebase Studio Championship Central Asia 2025’ competition. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Their project, TerraVibe, was among the top ten teams and was awarded special certificates and cash prizes from Google. The application uses cameras and AI to analyse the condition of plants and identify damaged areas. To create the project, the students consulted with teachers from the computer department of the ‘Kämil Bilim Erjeller’ educational centre.
The IV International Chemistry Olympiad for university students has opened in Ashgabat and will run from 15 to 17 October at the Magtymguly Turkmen State University. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The competition is held in person in Turkmen, Russian and English. Participants compete individually in two categories: ‘A’ for chemistry students and ‘B’ for students of other specialities. Each university is allowed to send up to four students and one supervisor. Based on their individual results, the winners will receive diplomas and medals. At the opening ceremony, TSU Vice-Rector Durdymyrat Annayev emphasised that the Olympiad reflects the country's successes in the development of education and the training of qualified personnel under the leadership of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The competition involves 100 students from 24 foreign universities (including Russia, China, Italy, Iran, Great Britain, Belarus, Kazakhstan and other countries) and 150 students from 23 Turkmen universities. The jury is made up of teachers and experts from Turkmenistan and other countries, including scientists from Japan. The organisers expect the Olympiad to strengthen international cooperation and allow students to exchange experiences in the field of chemistry.
On 15 October, Atajan Movlamov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, held a meeting with Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture of Pakistan. This was reported by the Orient news agency. The Pakistani side confirmed its readiness to sign a cooperation programme in the field of culture until 2026, which, according to the minister, will become a “new chapter” in relations between the two countries. The minister noted the importance of strengthening humanitarian ties alongside economic cooperation and expressed hope that the successful example of the TAPI project will be continued in the field of culture. He also stressed the importance of direct air links for the development of tourism and proposed organising joint cultural festivals. Pakistan invited Turkmenistan to participate in the ‘Lok Mela 2025’ festival, which will be held on 7–16 November in Islamabad, as well as in a special cultural evening at the National Council of the Arts. The parties agreed to speed up the preparation of a Memorandum of Understanding and to appoint coordinators. The Ambassador of Turkmenistan confirmed his readiness for active cultural interaction and the strengthening of tourist ties. According to Secretary Asad Rehman Gilani, the future programme will mark the beginning of a new era of friendship and will include exchanges of artists, writers and cultural delegations, exhibitions, conferences and joint projects on heritage preservation.
The International University for the Humanities and Development held a series of events as part of Italian Language Week under the slogan ‘Italofonia: Language Beyond Borders.’ This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The initiative aims to promote the Italian language and culture, as well as to develop educational cooperation between Turkmenistan and Italy. The week was organised with the support of the Italian Embassy and brought together diplomats, teachers, students and renowned Italian professors. Maria Giovanna Farci and Francesco Giommoni gave lectures to participants, and an exhibition dedicated to Italian culture and literature was opened. The programme included discussions on international cooperation, academic exchanges, seminars and specialised Italian language courses. The project provided an opportunity for young Turkmen to learn more about the history, art, cinema and other aspects of Italian heritage. The university also employs an Italian professor.
Turkmenistan continues to modernise its maritime infrastructure on the Caspian Sea with the help of international technologies. This was reported by IIC. On 14 October, Kim Jun-chul, Chargé d'Affaires of the Republic of Korea, visited the Balkan shipbuilding and ship repair plant, where a joint project is being implemented to build two multi-purpose cargo ships with a carrying capacity of 6,100 tonnes with the participation of the South Korean company ‘Koryo Shipbuilding Industry Technology Co., Ltd.’ (KSIT). During the meeting with the company's CEO, Guychmyrat Amanov, the parties discussed the development of cooperation in the shipbuilding sector. The visit confirmed Turkmenistan's desire to use advanced global experience to strengthen its position as a key transit hub in the Caspian region. Kim Jun Chol expressed his gratitude to KSIT specialists for their high professionalism and contribution to the implementation of the project.
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov today took part in a ceremony to lay the foundation stone for a new mineral fertiliser production complex at the S.A. Niyazov Chemical Plant in Turkmenabat. This was reported by TerraNews. The presidential airliner landed at Turkmenabat International Airport, where Serdar Berdimuhamedov was met by parliamentary leaders, Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, and the Governor of Lebap velayat. The solemn atmosphere of the arrival was complemented by musical performances and speeches by cultural figures. In the conference hall, where the main part of the ceremony was held, Serdar Berdimuhamedov delivered a speech, noting the strategic importance of the new project for the further development of the national economy. The President congratulated the participants on the start of construction of the complex, emphasising that the chemical industry plays a key role in the diversification and industrialisation of the country. The project is being implemented by the State Concern ‘Türkmenhimiýa’ in cooperation with the South Korean company ‘Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.’ The new production complex is designed to produce 350,000 tonnes of superphosphate and 100,000 tonnes of ammonium sulphate per year, which will significantly increase the capacity of the Turkmen chemical industry and strengthen its export potential.