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Turkmenistan’s largest oil and gas forum has announced its main partner
19.07.2026SOCAR has become the main partner of the 31st International Conference and Exhibition ‘Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan’ (OGT 2026), the event organisers have announced. This was reported by the news website Asmannews. The participation of the Azerbaijani state-owned company will strengthen the forum’s role as a platform for investment, dialogue and cooperation in the energy sector. OGT 2026 will be attended by representatives of oil and gas companies, investors and technology leaders from various countries. More than 100 delegates from 20 countries have already signed up for the forum. Key topics include the development of offshore production, gas monetisation, the digitalisation of the industry, reducing methane emissions and sustainable energy. The OGT 2026 conference will take place in Ashgabat from 21 to 23 October 2026.
A Turkmen company presented an infrastructure project at a business forum in Tbilisi
19.07.2026From 16 to 17 July, as part of the visit to Georgia by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the Turkmen-Georgian Business Forum and an exhibition of Turkmen products and services took place in Tbilisi, attended by representatives of government bodies and the business community from both countries. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The company ‘Ojar Aziýa’, a member of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan, presented a project for the construction of the ‘Sarahs–Mary–Serhetabat’ high-speed motorway, aimed at developing the country’s transport infrastructure and strengthening its transit potential. During the forum, particular attention was paid to the development of international transport corridors, including the Middle Corridor and the ‘Turkmenistan–Azerbaijan–Georgia–Romania’ route. The project presented is in line with the objectives of expanding logistics links along the Lapis Lazuli, North–South and East–West routes. ‘Ojar Aziýa’s participation provided an opportunity to showcase the company’s capabilities in the fields of construction and infrastructure, as well as to discuss new avenues for international cooperation.
Turkmenistan was represented at the UN meeting on sustainable urban development
19.07.2026From 16 to 17 July, a high-level meeting of the General Assembly dedicated to the mid-term review of the implementation of the New Urban Agenda took place at the UN headquarters in New York. Participants discussed the achievements of the decade since 2016 and measures to develop sustainable cities up to 2036, according to the news agency Orient. The forum took place against a backdrop of growing global challenges: around 58 per cent of the world’s population already lives in cities, more than 3 billion people face housing problems, and urban areas account for over 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. The Turkmenistan delegation presented its approach to the development of urban infrastructure. Abdylla Geldiyev, Minister of Construction and Architecture, noted that creating a safe and comfortable urban environment is one of the country’s strategic priorities. The city of Arkadag – Turkmenistan’s first ‘smart city’, built from scratch – attracted particular attention from participants. The project combines digital technologies, intelligent transport systems, environmental standards and energy-efficient solutions. Following the forum, the participants adopted a Political Declaration aimed at strengthening international cooperation and developing sustainable, inclusive and technologically advanced cities by 2036. Turkmenistan reaffirmed its readiness to continue cooperating with the UN in the field of urban development.
An e-sports tournament was held in the Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan
18.07.2026Open friendly Counter-Strike 2 matches were held in Turkmenistan in the Karakum Desert. This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. The event was organised by the LevelUp cyber club and the country’s National Esports Federation (TMESF). A gaming area with carpets and an off-grid power supply was set up on the sand dunes for the tournament. The organisers noted that this format combines esports with outdoor recreation. The LevelUp club has previously held outdoor gaming events, including one at the Darwaza gas crater.
The Ambassador of Turkmenistan visited the Shanghai Art Museum
18.07.2026Parahat Durdyev, Turkmenistan’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the People’s Republic of China, visited the Shanghai Art Museum, where he discussed the development of cultural cooperation between the two countries. This was reported by the Orient news agency. The museum’s management noted the contribution of the Turkmen diplomatic mission to the organisation of joint exhibitions, forums and projects aimed at preserving cultural heritage. The parties discussed new initiatives, including artist exchanges and the development of academic programmes. The Ambassador emphasised the importance of cultural and educational ties in strengthening mutual understanding between the peoples of Turkmenistan and China. As part of his visit, the diplomat also met with Turkmen students studying in Shanghai and urged them to help foster friendly relations between the two countries.
Ashgabat and Tbilisi are expanding their cooperation in the field of education
18.07.2026As part of the President of Turkmenistan’s state visit to Georgia, a meeting took place between the Minister of Education of Turkmenistan, J. Gurbangeldiyev, and the Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, Givi Mikanadze. This was reported by the press office of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed expanding cooperation in the fields of education, science and youth policy, including the development of direct links between universities, academic mobility, joint research, conferences, internships and educational programmes. Promising areas for cooperation were identified as medicine, energy, the oil and gas sector, architecture and construction, transport, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, STEAM education and cybersecurity. A number of bilateral memoranda of cooperation were also signed between the relevant ministries and higher education institutions of Turkmenistan and Georgia. These documents are aimed at strengthening the legal framework for cooperation, developing links between universities, expanding academic exchanges and implementing joint educational and research projects.
A Turkmen delegation visited the Tbilisi State Conservatoire
18.07.2026As part of the Days of Turkmenistan Culture in Georgia, a meeting between representatives of music universities from the two countries took place at the Vano Sarajishvili Tbilisi State Conservatoire. This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. The meeting was attended by the rector of the Georgian conservatoire, Giorgi Vachnadze; the Deputy Minister of Culture of Turkmenistan, Nursahet Shirinov; and the Vice-Rector of the Maya Kuliyeva Turkmen National Conservatoire. The parties discussed the development of cooperation in the field of music education, including the exchange of experience, the organisation of joint concerts and the holding of masterclasses. A tour of the conservatoire was also organised for the Turkmen delegation. The visit concluded with a performance by the Turkmen musician Ashir Ashirov, who performed a piece by Chary Nurymov in the conservatoire’s Grand Hall.
An evening in memory of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei was held in Ashgabat
18.07.2026A commemorative event dedicated to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, was held at the Cultural Centre of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The event was attended by Ali Mojtaba Rouzbahani, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Turkmenistan; Abdolreza Abbasi, the Embassy’s Cultural Counsellor; teachers and students of Persian language courses; and representatives of the media. The Head of the diplomatic mission expressed his gratitude to the President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, and the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, for their efforts to develop bilateral cooperation. He also noted the participation of the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, in the farewell ceremony in Tehran. Abdolreza Abbasi, Adviser on Cultural Affairs, spoke about the leader’s role in Iran’s state policy and public life, his spiritual legacy and his contribution to strengthening good-neighbourly ties between Iran and Turkmenistan. The event featured the reading of commemorative texts and poems, the screening of documentary footage, the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, and joint prayers.
Turkmen footballers have won the ‘Gothia Cup’
18.07.2026From 12 to 16 July, Sweden hosted the ‘Gothia Cup’, an international 7-a-side football tournament for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Turkmenistan was represented by a delegation of 18 people, including 14 athletes, three coaches and a team manager, according to the IIC. The Turkmenistan men’s team emerged as the winners of Group II. During the tournament, the team beat India 6–0, Finland 7–0 and Estonia 7–3. In the final on 16 July, the Turkmen footballers faced Estonia once again and secured a 4–3 victory, taking first place. The Turkmenistan women’s national team competed in Group V. The team lost to Uzbekistan 1–6, Finland 0–1, Latvia 0–1, Germany 1–7 and Lithuania 0–1. Germany were crowned group winners.
The Ambassador of Turkmenistan held a meeting with the management of the ESSEC Business School
18.07.2026On 16 July 2026, a meeting took place at the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Paris between M. Charyev, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the French Republic, and Julien Malaurent, Executive Vice-President and Dean of Post-Experience Programs and Corporate Relations at the ESSEC Business School. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed prospects for cooperation between ESSEC and educational institutions in Turkmenistan in the fields of higher education, science and staff training. Possible areas of cooperation include joint educational programmes, academic exchanges of students and lecturers, professional development for senior management, and the exchange of expertise in the management of educational institutions. Julien Malaurent outlined the activities of the ESSEC Business School and expressed interest in developing cooperation with Turkmenistan. Ambassador M. Charyev emphasised the priority of international partnerships in the field of education and provided information on the activities of the International University of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan, which opened in 2025. Following the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their interest in a long-term partnership and agreed to maintain contact on specific areas of cooperation.
Turkmenistan exports around 80 per cent of its textile products
18.07.2026Turkmenistan produces more than 130,000 tonnes of finished textile products annually, around 80 per cent of which is exported. The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, made this statement at the Georgian-Turkmen Business Forum in Tbilisi, according to the news agency TDH. According to the Head of State, the country is also expanding production of building materials, metal, plastic, cable and electrical products. The development of investment and the private sector is helping to increase the export potential of the agricultural sector. Turkmenistan is one of the major suppliers of environmentally friendly food products.
The President of Turkmenistan laid a wreath at the memorial in Tbilisi
18.07.2026As part of his state visit to Georgia, the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, visited Heroes’ Square in Tbilisi. The Head of State laid a wreath at the memorial honouring the defenders who died for the country’s freedom and unity, reports IIC, citing the newspaper ‘Turkmenistan’. The central monument of the memorial complex, standing 51 metres tall, consists of 16 marble slabs bearing the names of more than 4,000 citizens who died in the struggle for Georgia’s independence. The memorial was unveiled in May 2010.
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