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Cooperation with ‘PETRONAS’ was discussed at Turkmenistan’s oil and gas university
28.04.2026A meeting was held at the Yagshygeldi Kakayev International University of Oil and Gas with a delegation from ‘PETRONAS Çarigali (Turkmenistan) Sdn Bhd’ and PETRONAS University of Technology, focusing on the development of academic cooperation. This was reported by the online newspaper ‘Nebit-Gaz’. The university’s rector, Bayrammyrat Atamanov, presented the university’s structure, educational programmes and achievements, highlighting the integration of modern scientific developments into the teaching process. Students and lecturers undertake online courses on cutting-edge oil and gas technologies, as well as participating in internships in Malaysia. It was noted that the Memorandum of Understanding, signed in November 2024, was the fourth agreement between the parties and is aimed at expanding cooperation in science and education. The PETRONAS delegation confirmed its interest in joint research, proposing the development of scientific projects and publications. There are also plans to continue educational programmes involving PETRONAS University professors in relevant fields.
Turkmenistan and TASS discussed cooperation during Turkmenistan’s year as chair of the CIS
28.04.2026Representatives of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Russia and the CIS Executive Committee met with Alexander Kopnov, Deputy Director General of TASS. This was reported by the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Moscow. The parties discussed cooperation between the Turkmen media and the agency, as well as interaction with the Council of Heads of CIS State News Agencies, which is chaired by TASS Director General Andrey Kondrashov. The topic of coverage of upcoming events was also raised: the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence, the 35th anniversary of the CIS, and Turkmenistan’s chairmanship of the Commonwealth.
Turkmenistan presented its partnership priorities at the UNECE forum
28.04.2026A delegation from Turkmenistan is taking part in the 10th International Forum on Public-Private Partnership, which is being held from 27 to 29 April in Barcelona. The forum is organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The Turkmen side will present information on the development of the market economy and the private sector in the country. Participants will be briefed on promising areas for partnership: transport and logistics infrastructure, energy, the agro-industrial complex, the digital economy, urban infrastructure and tourism. The ‘Awaza’ National Tourism Zone will be presented separately as a platform for private investment. As a landlocked country, Turkmenistan emphasises the importance of partnership in the interests of the LLDC group and promotes the Awaza Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for 2024–2034.
The MFA of Turkmenistan discussed oil cooperation with Malaysia
28.04.2026On 27 April, Turkmenistan’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Rashid Meredov, received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Malaysia, Mohd Suhaimi bin Ahmad Tajuddin. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed bilateral cooperation in the political, trade, economic and humanitarian spheres. It was noted separately that this year marks the 30th anniversary of ‘Petronas’s operations in Turkmenistan. The diplomats also touched upon the topic of education: hundreds of Turkmen students are studying at universities in Malaysia, and under an agreement with ‘PETRONAS Charigali (Turkmenistan) Sdn Bhd’, cooperation is underway with the Petronas University of Technology. Turkmen specialists are taking part in training courses under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme. The meeting also addressed issues relating to forthcoming contacts at the highest state and government levels.
The President of Turkmenistan has sent a message of greeting to the participants of the business forum
28.04.2026The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, has sent a message of greeting to the participants of the Turkmen-Chinese Business Forum and Exhibition, which opens on 28 April. This was reported by the website AsmanNews. In his address, the Head of State noted that China is a major trade and economic partner of Turkmenistan. The priority areas of cooperation are the oil and gas sector, transport and logistics, digital technologies, science and education, and tourism. The President emphasised that the alignment of the ‘Revival of the Great Silk Road’ strategy with China’s ‘Belt and Road’ initiative serves as a key factor in the development of both countries’ economies. Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed his confidence that the forum and exhibition would help unlock the potential for bilateral cooperation in the fields of science, technology and high technology.
Turkmen artist awarded a special prize by TURKSOY
28.04.2026Turkmen artist Gurban Babatajov has been awarded a special TURKSOY prize following a competitive exhibition of young artists from Turkic-speaking countries, which took place in Tashkent. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The exhibition ‘One Spirit – Different Colours’ took place from 19 to 25 April and was organised by TURKSOY in collaboration with Uzbek art organisations as part of an international festival of fine and applied arts. By decision of the jury, the award was also presented to the Uzbek artist Kamoliddin Hazratulov. G. Babatajov teaches at the Turkmen State Art School attached to the Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan.
TURKSOY opera stars will perform in Ashgabat to mark the 110th anniversary of Veli Muhatov
27.04.2026A gala concert featuring leading opera soloists from TURKSOY member states will take place in Ashgabat on 2 and 3 May. The event marks the 110th anniversary of composer Veli Muhatov, the founder of Turkmen academic music, according to the IIC of Turkmenistan. The concert will serve not only as a tribute to the master, but also as a platform for cultural exchange among Turkic-speaking countries. Artists from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkey, as well as leading vocalists from Turkmenistan, will perform on stage at the ‘Mukam’ Palace. They will be accompanied by the State Symphony Orchestra of Turkmenistan, performing world classics and national works. The programme will highlight the continuity between generations and the high calibre of contemporary performers, as well as the unifying role of Muhatov’s legacy.
Last week, 28 transactions were recorded on the Turkmenistan Stock Exchange
27.04.2026Last week, 28 transactions were concluded on the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan, covering products from the oil and gas and light industries. The foreign trade segment saw active purchases of base oil by businesses from China and Uzbekistan, according to the IIC. Exports also included building materials and textiles. Buyers from China, the UAE, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan purchased Portland cement, denim clothing, cotton yarn and wheat flour. The total value of foreign exchange contracts exceeded $20 million, indicating stable external demand. On the domestic market, Turkmen enterprises purchased technical sulphur, polypropylene, road bitumen, as well as raw silk and cotton fibre. The volume of investment by domestic businesses amounted to over 529.8 million manats.
Turkmenistan has studied Europe’s experience in energy-efficient construction
27.04.2026UNDP and the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan held a training seminar on energy efficiency in the construction sector. The event was attended by lecturers, students, academics, as well as international experts from UNDP and the EU project ‘Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia’. This was reported by Turkmenportal. The seminar examined the experience of European countries in developing a regulatory framework for the construction of nearly zero-energy buildings, as well as international practices in energy-efficient design. The event took place as part of the joint UNDP and GEF project ‘Developing National Capacity of Turkmenistan through Improving Regulatory Environment towards Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building Sector (TEESB)’. The project aims to introduce energy-efficient technologies in construction, develop renewable energy sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of Turkmenistan’s fulfilment of its commitments under the Paris Agreement.
Young engineers from Turkmenistan will compete in the World Championship in 2026
27.04.2026The ‘Young Engineer – 2026’ intellectual competition took place in Ashgabat. Around 200 school pupils and young programmers from across the country took part. This was reported by the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The event was organised by the Ashgabat City Committee of the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan, the Ashgabat City Department of Education of the Ministry of Education, and the Ashgabat City Council of the Magtymguly Youth Organisation. The competition took place at the premises of the private enterprise ‘Ojar Aziýa’. Students in grades 7–12 competed in team and individual categories across four disciplines: smart production and service technologies, robotics, Scratch programming, and BattleBots robot combat. The top five in the ‘Robotics’ category earned the right to represent Turkmenistan at the ‘First Global Challenge – 2026’ World Championship. Last year, at a similar event in Panama, Turkmen schoolchildren won the ‘Skills Challenge’ category.
European Immunisation Week has kicked off in the Turkmen capital
27.04.2026European Immunisation Week 2026 has opened in the Turkmen capital. This year, the initiative marks its 20th anniversary in the WHO European Region. This was reported by IIC. Since 21 April, seminars for doctors, immunologists and epidemiologists have been taking place at Ashgabat Polyclinic No. 11. The theme of the training sessions is the role of healthcare workers in building trust in vaccination. The events are organised with the support of the European Union. The week’s motto is: ‘For every generation, vaccines work’.
Turkmenistan celebrates National Horse Day
27.04.2026Turkmenistan is celebrating the National Day of the Turkmen horse. Concerts, exhibitions and horse races are taking place across all the velayats, as well as in Ashgabat and Arkadag cities, according to Turkmenportal. In his congratulatory message, the President of Turkmenistan stated that Ahal-Teke horses are recognised as one of the finest thoroughbred breeds in the world and a treasure of humanity. The day before, the Ashgabat Racecourse hosted the international beauty contest ‘Best Ahal-Teke Horse of the Year’, attended by Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as well as the awards ceremony for the winners of the creative competition.
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