News
Turkmenistan and Japan discussed cooperation in the field of waste management
31.03.2026A meeting between representatives of Japanese companies, relevant Turkmenistan government departments and waste management experts took place at the ‘Arçabil’ Hotel in Ashgabat. The meeting focused on cooperation between the state, academia and business in the field of environmental protection, reports IIC. The event was opened by Hiroshi Sasaki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan, and Hidehiko Ishii, Head of Department at the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The keynote address was delivered by Koji Arizono, Honorary Professor at Kumamoto Prefectural University. The main topics were Turkmenistan’s state policy on waste management and the potential for applying Japanese technologies. The parties discussed cooperation with Japanese companies and the integration of environmental solutions into production processes. The meeting concluded with the identification of priority areas for further partnership.
Delegations from Turkmenistan and Georgia have agreed on steps to strengthen ties
31.03.2026On 30 March in Tbilisi, as part of an official visit by a Turkmen delegation, a meeting took place between N. Atagulyev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, and I. Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Georgia. This was reported by the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. N. Atagulyev conveyed greetings and best wishes from the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The parties noted the steady development of bilateral relations and constructive cooperation, including interaction within the framework of the UN. Prospects for expanding trade and economic, transport and energy, and cultural and humanitarian ties were discussed. Particular attention was paid to the role of high-level visits in building trust and deepening political dialogue. Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their intention to maintain regular contacts and consistently implement the agreements reached.
Turkmenistan and UNICEF discussed projects in the fields of education and social protection
31.03.2026On 30 March, Myahri Byashimova, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, met with Jalpa Ratna, Head of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) office in Turkmenistan. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed areas of cooperation in the fields of education, social protection and sustainable development. Particular attention was paid to the implementation of the objectives of the UNICEF Country Programme for Turkmenistan for 2026–2030. Issues relating to the development of pre-school education and the social work system were discussed, including the training of specialists, the creation of new jobs and the improvement of institutional mechanisms. The importance of adopting the National Strategy for Early Childhood Development for 2026–2030 was emphasised. In addition, projects on the development of inclusive educational infrastructure and the preparation of the National Programme on Child Protection and Child Justice were reviewed.
Ashgabat discusses the development of cooperation between Turkmenistan and Belgium
31.03.2026On 30 March, Myahri Byashimova, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, held a meeting with Julien De Fraipont, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Belgium to Turkmenistan (resident in Baku). This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed key areas of bilateral cooperation, including political and diplomatic dialogue, interaction between foreign ministries, and the improvement of the legal framework for relations. Particular attention was paid to strengthening Turkmenistan’s partnership with European countries and Belgium’s role in developing cooperation with the European Union. Issues of cooperation on international platforms, primarily within the framework of the UN, were also discussed. In the trade and economic sphere, the interlocutors supported the intensification of business contacts and the holding of joint events involving the business community. The prospects for cultural and humanitarian cooperation, including the development of inter-university ties, were considered separately.
53 transactions were concluded on the SCRMET in the domestic and foreign markets
31.03.2026Last week, 53 transactions were conducted on the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan. This was reported by TDH. Foreign buyers from the UAE, Turkey, Afghanistan, Georgia and Uzbekistan purchased polypropylene, base oil and motor petrol produced by the State Concern ‘Türkmennebit’. Businessmen from Singapore purchased urea from the ‘Türkmenhimiýa’ State Concern. Wheat flour, plain-dyed and jacquard terry products, terry cloth, medical cotton wool, cotton buds and cotton yarn were also sold for foreign currency. Purchasing countries: UAE, Turkey, Azerbaijan. The total value of export transactions exceeded US$350.7 million. On the domestic market, local businesses purchased polypropylene, base oil, furnace fuel and packaging film (‘Türkmennebit’ State Concern), as well as wheat flour. The value of domestic transactions amounted to 269 million 30 thousand manats.
The Charitable Foundation of Turkmenistan has helped more than 2,400 children
31.03.2026The Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship has helped more than 2,400 children since its establishment. This was announced by Oguljahan Atabayeva, the Foundation’s Vice-President for Medical Activities, at a Board meeting in Arkadag, according to TDH. According to her, 2,467 children have received treatment at the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre, which combines modern technology with natural remedies of local origin. During this time, 758 operations have been performed. Atabayeva highlighted the development of the Foundation’s international cooperation. In 2025, memoranda were signed with the UNICEF Office in Turkmenistan, the Chinese Soong Ching Ling Foundation and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Working visits were also made to Monaco, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, China, Russia and Qatar. The final document of the international conference in Arkadag was translated into the official languages of the UN and submitted to the 79th session of the General Assembly.
The US President has sent a message of congratulations to the President of Turkmenistan
31.03.2026The President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, has sent a message of congratulations to the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, on the occasion of the Nowruz holiday. This was reported by AsmanNews. In his message, Mr. Trump conveyed his best wishes and noted that Nowruz symbolises peace both in the US and throughout the world. He expressed the hope that the coming year would be filled with noble deeds and offered his congratulations on the holiday.
The Turkmenistan Badminton Federation has been awarded a prestigious international prize
31.03.2026The Turkmenistan Badminton Federation has received international recognition: at a ceremony held on 28 March in Bali under the auspices of the Badminton Asia Confederation, the organisation was awarded a special certificate in recognition of its contribution to the development of sport and humanitarian values. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The document highlights the federation’s role in nurturing future champions and strengthening community spirit. The award was presented by the Confederation’s President, Kim Jong Soo. Among all Asian federations, only 13 organisations have received such recognition. Experts emphasised Turkmenistan’s systematic approach to sports infrastructure and the involvement of young people in an active lifestyle. Founded in November 2024, the federation has, in a short space of time, established training programmes and strengthened the country’s position as a promising participant in the international Olympic movement in Asia.
The UNDP Resident Representative in Turkmenistan highlighted the achievements of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Foundation
31.03.2026Narine Sahakyan, UNDP Resident Representative in Turkmenistan, congratulated the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship on its fifth anniversary, noting that children in the country are provided with healthcare, education and a peaceful life due to the government’s policies. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The Foundation’s anniversary was celebrated in the central square of Arkadag, where representatives of international organisations, including N. Sahakyan and the UNICEF Representative in Turkmenistan, Jalpa Ratna, were awarded the ‘Arkadag’ medal. N. Sahakyan emphasised that the award was a credit to the entire UNDP team, which has been working in Turkmenistan for over 30 years, and noted the importance of working together for the benefit of children, which strengthens faith in a bright future.
UNICEF aims to develop cooperation with the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Foundation
31.03.2026UNICEF’s Representative in Turkmenistan, Jalpa Ratna, congratulated the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship on its fifth anniversary, highlighting its contribution to the protection of children’s rights and expressing a willingness to continue cooperation. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Ms Ratna emphasised the importance of the partnership between UNICEF and the Foundation, based on care for children in need of special support, and noted that the aim of the cooperation is to create conditions for the full development of every child. An important step was the signing on 10 December 2025 of a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening joint efforts. In honour of the Foundation’s anniversary, J. Ratna received the ‘Arkadag’ medal on behalf of all partners working for the benefit of children.
Turkmenistan and the EU have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation
30.03.2026Sapar Palvanov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan, held a meeting in Brussels with Sylwia Kosinska, Diplomatic Adviser to the President of the European Parliament. This was reported by the press service of the diplomatic mission of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the current state and prospects of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the European Union, emphasising the importance of high-level contacts, the development of bilateral cooperation and the ‘EU–Central Asia’ format. Particular attention was paid to the international agenda, including climate issues. It was noted that Turkmenistan, as an energy producer, has joined the Global Methane Pledge. The participants also gave a positive assessment of the inter-parliamentary dialogue held in Brussels in March, describing it as an important platform for discussing economic and humanitarian issues. Energy, transport, critical raw materials and climate were identified as priority areas for cooperation. The need to further modernise the legal framework for cooperation was also emphasised. Furthermore, the parties noted the growing role of Turkmenistan and the Central Asian region as a consistent transport bridge between Europe and Asia. Following the meeting, mutual interest in continuing the dialogue and expanding practical cooperation was reaffirmed.
The Ambassador of Turkmenistan held a meeting with Japan’s Minister for Economic Security
30.03.2026On 26 March, a meeting took place in Tokyo between Atadurdy Bayramov, Turkmenistan’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Japan, and Kimi Onoda, Minister of State for Economic Security. This was reported by the press service of the Turkmen diplomatic mission. During the negotiations, the Turkmen diplomat expressed his gratitude to the Japanese side for its contribution to the strengthening and development of Turkmen-Japanese relations. The interlocutors discussed the current state and prospects of bilateral cooperation, paying particular attention to areas such as artificial intelligence and digital transformation, scientific and innovative cooperation, ‘green’ technologies, the development of education and support for talented young people, the expansion of contacts between universities and relevant organisations, as well as issues of economic and cyber security. It is noted that K. Onoda also holds the post of Minister of State responsible for the ‘Cool Japan’ strategy, intellectual property policy and scientific and technological development. Furthermore, she is a member of the Japan–Turkmenistan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group.
Read also
Advertising
Read us in Zen
