The Turkmenistan national team has won its first match in the preliminary round of the Davis Cup U16 Asia/Oceania Qualifying Tournament. The tournament is being held in Colombo. In a Group B match, the Turkmenistan team defeated Oman 3–0, reports IIC. Fifteen teams are taking part in the DCJ Asia/Oceania Pre-Qualifying tournament, divided into four groups. Turkmenistan, seeded sixth, is playing alongside the teams from Singapore, Myanmar and Oman. The top two teams from each group will advance to the play-offs. The Turkmenistan team comprises 14-year-olds Ali Geldiyev, Suleyman Hudayberdiyev and Kerimgeldi Guldurdyev. All three have international victories in the U14 category. The captain is coach Gurbanberdi Gurbanberdiyev. The match against Oman was decided in the singles: Ali Geldiyev defeated Mutaz Al Mazroui 6-1, 6-2, whilst Suleyman Hudayberdiyev beat Abdulrahman Al-rahbi 6-2, 6-0. In the doubles match, Geldiyev and Guldurdyev sealed the victory 6-3, 6-1. The Turkmenistan team will play their next match against Myanmar, who lost 1-2 to Singapore in the opening round. The Davis Cup Junior has been held since 1985. The tournament begins with regional qualifiers, and the winners advance to the final stage, where the title of the world’s strongest team among boys under 16 is contested.
On 23 March, Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Japan, A. Bayramov, met with Komura Masato, Secretary-General of the ‘Green EXPO 2027 Yokohama’ International Horticultural Exhibition Association. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed Turkmenistan’s participation in the exhibition, which will take place in Yokohama from 19 March to 26 September 2027. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan has been appointed as the main commission to coordinate the country’s participation in the event. The Japanese side thanked Turkmenistan for its intention to participate and assured that it would provide all necessary support for the country’s successful representation at the exhibition.
The Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages, with the support of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, is organising three international events in April: an Olympiad and two conferences. This was reported by the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The 5th International Internet Olympiad in English (IIOE-2026) will take place on 10–11 April for students of language and non-language specialisations at universities in Turkmenistan and abroad. Registration is now closed, and the preliminary qualifying round will take place on 1–2 April. During the Olympiad, participants will have 90 minutes to complete 10 tasks covering reading, listening and English grammar. The winners will be announced on 17 April on the institute’s website. The aim of the event is to identify young talent, increase interest in foreign languages and expand international cooperation in this field. On 16 April, the institute will host the International Scientific and Practical Online Conference ‘Youth Scientific Research’. The forum will be held in English with the participation of students and young researchers from Turkmenistan and partner universities abroad. The conference will provide a platform for the exchange of scientific ideas and the strengthening of international youth cooperation. On 23 April, the International Scientific and Practical Online Conference ‘Global and National Experience in Foreign Language Teaching: Scientific Research and New Perspectives’ will take place. It will be attended by lecturers from universities and secondary vocational institutions, school teachers, research institute staff, doctoral students, postgraduates, experts, linguists and IT specialists. They will discuss modern methods and technologies for teaching foreign languages, present research findings and exchange experiences. These events will be key highlights in the fields of linguistics and education, helping to promote the study of foreign languages, foster academic dialogue and strengthen international educational cooperation.
On 24 March, a meeting took place at the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan between Rashid Meredov, Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, and Oryem Henry Okello, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the current state and prospects of cooperation in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres. They noted the development of bilateral relations and high-level contacts. They emphasised the significance of the participation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda, Robinah Nabbanja, in the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in August 2025 at the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone, as well as the Ugandan delegation’s participation in other international events in Turkmenistan. The parties confirmed their interest in holding the first round of political consultations between the foreign ministries in the second half of 2026 in Ashgabat. Separately, issues of cooperation within international organisations, including the UN, were discussed, with a focus on peace, security and sustainable development. Prospects for expanding trade and economic ties were considered, including in agriculture and the oil and gas sector. Cooperation in education, science, culture, sport and tourism was also touched upon. Following the meeting, the commitment to further developing the partnership across all areas was reaffirmed.
The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, has sent a message of congratulations to the President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, on the occasion of the Hellenic Republic’s Independence Day. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The Head of State wished Konstantinos Tasoulas good health, happiness and prosperity. He extended his wishes for peace, further progress and prosperity to the people of the Hellenic Republic.
An event marking ITEC Day 2026 was held at the ‘Ýyldyz’ Hotel on 24 March. It was organised by the Embassy of India in Turkmenistan. The event was attended by ITEC programme alumni, ICCR scholarship holders, representatives of the diplomatic corps and experts, according to IIC. The meeting was opened by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India, Bandaru Wilsonbabu. He noted that the ITEC programme, which has been in operation since 1964, remains a key instrument of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in the field of international cooperation. According to him, over 225,000 civil servants from 160 countries have undergone training since the programme began. Turkmenistan participates actively in the programme. Over 500 civilian specialists and around 100 military personnel have undergone training in India. Furthermore, more than 200 students have studied on grants from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, whilst a further 100 or so enrol in Indian universities each year on a fee-paying basis. The Ambassador called on young people to make greater use of India’s educational opportunities. Graduates of the ITEC and ICCR programmes spoke at the meeting. They shared their experiences of studying and applying the knowledge they had gained. The event concluded with a cultural programme featuring traditional dances, music and a yoga demonstration.
The non-governmental organisation ‘Young Naturalist’ (‘Ýaş tebigatçy’) has launched its official website. The platform aims to broaden access to information about environmental initiatives and projects, according to the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The organisation focuses on environmental well-being, fostering an environmental culture among young people and promoting ‘green’ habits. Its work also includes participation in national environmental programmes and the development of volunteering. As noted by the organisation’s Chairperson Leyli Shyhmedova, the website will serve as a tool for open communication and interaction, as well as a platform for developing international cooperation in the field of ecology. The website features news and materials about the organisation’s activities in Turkmen, Russian and English. Users can apply for membership or join the volunteer movement. It is expected that the launch of the website will strengthen engagement with the public and international partners and support the implementation of the state’s environmental policy.
The Turkmen State Institute of Economics and Management, with the support of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, is organising an International Online Olympiad in Macroeconomics and the 3rd International Scientific and Practical Online Conference. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The Olympiad will take place on 10 April on the institute’s digital platform. Students from Turkmen and foreign universities are eligible to participate — four students per institution. Participants will complete 10 tasks in 120 minutes. Registration is open until 1 April. The jury will consist of lecturers and representatives of academic institutions from the participating countries. The conference ‘Modern Trends of the Development of Financial Markets’ will take place on 24 April across three sections: financial markets and sustainable development, the role of banks, and investment activity. To participate, applications must be submitted by 10 April. The working languages are Turkmen, Russian and English. The organisers hope that the events will serve as a platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience, as well as strengthening cooperation between academics, students and lecturers from Turkmenistan and abroad.
Berkeli Berkeliyev, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Turkmenistan, held a meeting with Ibrohim Abdurahmonov, Minister of Agriculture of Uzbekistan, during the ‘Italy – Central Asia + Azerbaijan’ agribusiness forum in Tashkent. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The parties discussed bilateral cooperation, including the exchange of experience, the introduction of modern agricultural technologies, the digitalisation of the sector and the training of farmers. Particular attention was paid to cotton seed production, the distribution of varieties across regions, and the use of high-yield crops. The interlocutors emphasised that the implementation of pilot projects to improve farmers’ skills could contribute to increased yields and the expansion of agriculture’s export potential.
On 24 March, the 6th International Open Mathematical Olympiad for University Students – ‘OMOUS-2026’ – kicked off in Ashgabat at the International University for the Humanities and Development. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Around 650 students are taking part in the competition: approximately 400 from Turkmenistan and nearly 250 from abroad, including Russia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and the UAE. The Olympiad is being held in Turkmen and English and will last two days. The competition programme includes individual events in Groups A and B and a team tournament for teams of four; mixed teams comprising students from different universities are permitted. The problems were provided by the universities themselves — five from each, without published solutions, 20 days before the start. The jury consists of representatives from Turkmen and international academic circles. OMOUS has been held since 2021 and attracts an increasing number of international participants each year. As part of the programme, international guests also learn about the history and culture of Ashgabat.
On 23 March, a flag-raising ceremony was held at the Embassy of Pakistan in Turkmenistan to mark Pakistan Day. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The event was attended by members of the Pakistani diaspora, Turkmen businesspeople, as well as embassy staff and officials. The ceremony began with a recitation from the Holy Quran. The National Flag of Pakistan was raised by the country’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Faryal Leghari, to the strains of the National Anthem. As part of the celebrations, she also read out messages from the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
Turkmenistan plans to play an active role in the ‘Accelerated Partnership for Renewable Energy in Central Asia’ Investment Forum (APRECA) in Baku, which could strengthen regional dialogue on the energy transition and facilitate new investment projects, reports the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’, citing Director of Country Engagement and Partnerships at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Gurbuz Gonul. The forum, which will take place in June 2026 as part of Baku Energy Week, will bring together governments, investors and developers to promote renewable energy projects and the modernisation of electricity grids in the region. According to IRENA, Turkmenistan has high potential for renewable energy: around 300 days of sunshine per year and up to 40% of its territory suitable for wind energy, which opens up opportunities for diversifying the energy mix and participating in the regional energy transition. Cooperation is taking place within the framework of the ‘APRECA’ initiative, which aims to improve the regulatory framework, attract investment and strengthen regional cooperation. Turkmenistan has been a member of IRENA since 2018 and actively participates in its regional projects.