On 31 August, The President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov has left for a working visit to China to participate in the SCO summit and events marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in World War II, according to the state news agency TDH. He was seen off at Ashgabat airport by officials of the country. The visit reflects Turkmenistan's foreign policy course based on neutrality and cooperation, and continues the initiatives of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, the President of Turkmenistan will attend the summit as a guest of honour. The Head of State's plane landed in Tianjin, where he was met by representatives of the Chinese leadership and the Turkmen delegation.
In a telephone conversation, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov invited President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae-myung to participate in the International Forum on Peace and Trust, which will be held on December 12 in Ashgabat. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The event will serve as a platform for meetings between Heads of state and government, as well as representatives of major international organizations. It should be recalled that, at the initiative of Turkmenistan, the UN General Assembly unanimously proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust.
On 30 August, a reporting meeting on the results of the industry's work for the first eight months of 2025 was held in Ashgabat at the Turkmenistan Oil and Gas Complex building. This was reported by the news website Asmannews. Under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Batyr Amanov, the meeting was attended by the heads of the State Concerns ‘Türkmengaz’ and ‘Türkmennebit’, the ‘Türkmengeologiýa’ Corporation, heads of enterprises, as well as Ashyrguly Begliyev, advisor to the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov on oil and gas issues. The main focus was on increasing oil and gas production, introducing digital technologies, developing new fields, developing cooperation with foreign partners, and ensuring uninterrupted energy supplies to the country. B. Amanov emphasised the need for strict control over large projects, timely fulfilment of production plans, accelerated construction of the ‘Serhetabat-Herat’ gas pipeline, preparation for the winter season, and modernisation of Turkmenistan's fuel and energy system.
On 30 August, the Mejlis of Turkmenistan held a meeting dedicated to the results of its work for January–August of this year. The main focus was on improving legislation in accordance with national principles and international standards, according to the press service of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan. During this period, 15 laws were adopted, including the Civil Code, the Law on the Court, on the establishment of the Unified State Register of Voters, the anniversary medal ‘Türkmenistanyň Bitaraplygynyň 30 ýyllygyna’ (30 Years of Neutrality of Turkmenistan), as well as on accession to international agreements. In addition, 11 Resolutions of the Mejlis were approved. The work of working groups on the protection of citizens' rights, improving living standards, and modernising legislation in the fields of economics, science, education, health care, and foreign policy was discussed. The meeting also touched upon preparations for the 34th anniversary of Independence and the meeting of the Halk Maslahaty, as well as issues of inter-parliamentary cooperation. The importance of international events held in the ‘Avaza’ National Tourist Zone in promoting the principles of neutrality and peacemaking in Turkmenistan was particularly emphasised. The participants assured the country's leadership of their commitment to further strengthening the legal framework and supporting the ongoing political, economic and social reforms.
More than 18,000 first-graders will start their first school year in Ashgabat. This was reported by IIC Turkmenistan. In Turkmenistan, first-graders are traditionally presented with laptops on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The authorities emphasise their focus on developing the education system and supporting young people. On 1 September, schoolchildren in Turkmenistan and other Central Asian countries will start classes, while in Japan, the school year begins in spring, and in Australia, in January. The history of education is full of interesting facts: in Russia, children used to write on birch bark, in Bangladesh there are still ‘boat schools,’ and in some countries, instead of bells, melodies or birdsong are used to signal the start of lessons.
Korean companies have implemented a number of large investment projects in Turkmenistan, according to the state news agency TDH. Among the largest projects are a gas chemical complex in Balkan velayat worth more than $3.4 billion, a commercial gas purification plant at the ‘Galkynysh’ field worth $1.48 billion, and a chemical complex in Turkmenabat worth $682 million. On 29 August, a telephone conversation took place between the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and the President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jae-myung. During the telephone conversation, the parties noted the successful cooperation and positive experience of Korean companies, including ‘Hyundai’, ‘Daewoo’ and ‘LG’. The President of South Korea thanked the President of Turkmenistan for creating favourable conditions for their activities.
At a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov announced the events that will be held in the country in honour of Knowledge and Student Youth Day. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The holiday will be celebrated on 1 September. On this day, the International University of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs will open in Ashgabat, and a new academic building of the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan will open in the city of Mary. In addition, a number of schools and kindergartens are planned to be put into operation in the capital and regions. The opening of the International University of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs has been called a significant event for the country. In this regard, the Head of State asked the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, to take part in the opening ceremony of the university. At the end of the meeting, the President of Turkmenistan congratulated teachers, students and schoolchildren on Knowledge Day and the start of the new academic year.
On 30 August, a new programme and methodological guide for pre-school institutions dedicated to climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction was presented in Ashgabat. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The initiative was implemented by the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan in collaboration with UNICEF. The materials will help educators introduce children to the basics of environmental literacy and sustainable development through play-based methods. The programme includes topics such as respect for nature, adaptation to climate change, and basic knowledge about renewable energy sources. Thirty-six specialists from the Ministry of Education, the National Institute of Education, universities, teacher training colleges and kindergartens across the country took part in the presentation. According to Alexander Nartea, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Turkmenistan, the programme reflects the country's desire to build a climate-resilient society, starting from an early age. The project continues initiatives to integrate climate issues into the primary and secondary education system with the support of UNICEF.
Deputy Prime Minister Mammethan Chakiyev presented a report on the activities of subordinate structures for the first eight months of this year at a government meeting on 29 August. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. During this period, the volume of work performed and services provided increased by 113.6%. The plan for freight transportation by road, rail, air, sea and river transport was fulfilled by 101.5%, and for passenger transportation – by 103.6%. According to the results of January-August 2025, the growth rates of services provided were as follows: 105% in the Ministry of Rail Transport, 111.9% in the Ministry of Road Transport, 114.4% in the State Service ‘Türkmenhowaýollary’, 107.3% in the State Service of Sea and River Transport, and 120% in the Ministry of Communications. After hearing the report, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasised the importance of the phased and modern development of the transport and communications complex for the full implementation of the tasks set before it. In this regard, the Head of State instructed the Deputy Prime Minister to take measures to increase the volume of freight and passenger traffic, as well as to create favourable conditions for international transport and transit communications.
On 30 August, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Myahri Byashimova met with Madhumita Hazarika Bhagat, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Turkmenistan, who is completing her diplomatic mission in Ashgabat. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. During the meeting, the parties noted the positive dynamics of Turkmen-Indian cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres. M. Byashimova expressed her gratitude to the diplomat for her personal contribution to strengthening bilateral ties and wished her success in her future endeavours. In turn, the Ambassador thanked the Government of Turkmenistan for its support and assistance during her tenure in Ashgabat.
On 30 August, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan held a briefing on the priority areas of the country's participation in the 80th anniversary session of the UN General Assembly. The event was attended by the leadership and employees of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, heads of diplomatic missions and international organisations accredited in Ashgabat, as well as representatives of the media. This was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. Speaking to the participants, Turkmenistan's Foreign Affairs Minister Rashid Meredov noted the special significance of the upcoming anniversary session as an important event confirming the stability and relevance of multilateral diplomacy. It was emphasised that Turkmenistan considers a policy of positive neutrality, based on the principles of trust and mutual respect, to be an effective tool for strengthening stability, preventing conflicts and developing international cooperation. The participants in the event confirmed the importance of coordinating efforts to implement the tasks within the framework of the upcoming session. The significant role of Turkmenistan in promoting peacekeeping initiatives and sustainable development at the regional and global levels was noted.
On 30 August, the Turkmenistan national football team competed for the main trophy of the CAFA-2025 Nations Cup. In the first round, the players faced the team from Kyrgyzstan. The match began at 16:50 Ashgabat time. This was reported by IIC. The CAFA tournament is being held for the second time - this year it brought together eight national teams from Central Asia, along with invited teams from Oman and India. Turkmenistan is in Group A, whose matches will be held in Uzbekistan. In addition to the Kyrgyz team, Turkmenistan's opponents will be the teams from Uzbekistan and Oman. The next games will be held on 2 and 5 September against Uzbekistan and Oman, respectively. The winners of each group will advance to the final, while the teams that finish second will compete for the bronze medals. The current champion of the tournament is the Iranian national team. This tournament is of particular importance for the Turkmen national team as a stage of preparation for upcoming international competitions. The team intends to demonstrate a decent game and show high results.