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Turkmen student wins international competitions
29.12.2025Gadyr Orazberdiyev, a fourth-year student at the Faculty of Biotechnology and Ecology of the Oguz Han University of Engineering and Technology of Turkmenistan, demonstrated high results at international competitions, confirming the competitiveness of Turkmen student youth. This was reported by IIC. In the 2025–2026 academic year, he took part in the international competition ‘Leader of the 21st Century’, organised by the Innovative Research Centre ‘Bilim-orkenieti’. Based on the results of the assessment of academic achievements and leadership skills, Gadyr Orazberdiyev became the winner, receiving a first-degree diploma, an honorary badge and a cup. His potential was further confirmed by his participation in the international competition ‘Best Student of the CIS’, held by the ‘Bilim-orkenieti’ National Innovative Research Centre in conjunction with the ‘Žana Kazakhstan’ Republican Innovative Centre. The student was awarded a first-class diploma for his active public stance and contribution to the development of youth policy. As part of his achievements, the work of his academic supervisor, Dovletmyrat Porrykov, was also recognised, and he was presented with a letter of appreciation for his high level of mentorship and training of the winner of international intellectual competitions.
Visa procedures in China will become easier for residents of Turkmenistan
29.12.2025The Chinese Embassy in Turkmenistan has announced the extension of a measure exempting applicants from providing fingerprints when applying for visas to the country. The new practice, aimed at simplifying visa procedures, comes into force immediately and will remain in effect until 31 December 2026, according to the Orient news agency. According to the diplomatic mission, the exemption from the biometric procedure applies to all applicants for short-term visas for up to 180 days. However, for visas of categories D, J1, Q1, S1, X1 and Z, which involve the subsequent obtaining of a residence permit in China, fingerprinting remains mandatory and will be carried out in the usual manner. The embassy noted that the innovation is aimed at increasing the convenience and accessibility of obtaining a Chinese visa.
Turkmen student receives diplomas for ‘Best Student of the CIS’ and ‘Leader of the 21st Century’
29.12.2025Rovach Annaseyidov, a fourth-year student at the International University for the Humanities and Development, won an international competition in Astana. He received diplomas for ‘Best Student of the CIS’ and ‘Leader of the 21st Century’, according to the news website Turkmenportal. The competition was organized by the ‘Bilim-orkenieti’ National Innovative Research Centre and the ‘Žana Kazakhstan’ Republican Innovative Centre. Students from CIS countries participated in the competition with projects in the fields of science, art and social initiatives. R. Annaseyidov was also awarded commemorative medals and cups, and information about the winners will be included in the international compilations ‘Best Student of the CIS’ and ‘Leader of the 21st Century’.
Semicenk will perform in Ashgabat for the first time as part of the pre-New Year concerts
29.12.2025Turkish singer Semicenk has arrived in Ashgabat and will perform at the Winter Sports Complex arena, continuing the series of pre-New Year's holiday concerts. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The artist's real name is Cenk Bash. He became famous after participating in the show ‘O Ses Türkiye’ in 2019, and his popularity was cemented by the hits ‘Düşer Aklıma’, ‘Al Sevgilim’ and ‘Yana Yana’. In 2023, Semicenk became the most listened to Turkish artist on Spotify and won the ‘Golden Butterfly Awards’. The singer expressed his joy at his first visit to Turkmenistan and invited everyone to the concert. The New Year's Eve celebrations in Ashgabat include performances by artists from different countries: on 27 December, Iranian-Swedish singer Arash gave a concert, and on 28 December, Russian performer Mot performed.
The experience and scientific achievements of Turkmen researchers in studying the Darwaza phenomenon
29.12.2025One of the priorities of the Natural Gas Research Institute of the State Concern ‘Türkmengaz’ is scientific support for the development of gas fields in Eastern and Central Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news website Asmannews. For more than 40 years, the Institute has been engaged in geological exploration, reserve estimation, drilling design, gas preparation, transportation and processing, as well as environmental and technical-economic justification of projects. Particular attention is paid to the Darwaza crater (‘Shining of Karakum’), located in the Central Karakum Desert. It was formed in 1963 after an emergency collapse of an exploration well, after which the escaping gas was set on fire to prevent poisoning. It was expected that the burning would quickly stop, but it continues to this day. Studies have shown the complex geological structure of the Zeagli-Darwaza group of deposits with a large number of interconnected gas-bearing strata at depths of 200–950 metres. Nine fields are currently in commercial production, with gas being extracted from 45 wells. The prolonged burning of the crater is due to gas flows between the layers, rather than the reserves of a single deposit. To solve the problem, the Institute's specialists proposed drilling an appraisal well at the Chaljulba field. Intensive gas extraction has made it possible to change the direction of the flows and reduce the amount of gas entering the crater, creating conditions for the complete elimination of uncontrolled emissions, reducing environmental damage and making more rational use of resources.
China has extended visa privileges for citizens of Turkmenistan until the end of 2026
29.12.2025China has extended the temporary reduction in visa fees for citizens of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news website Asmannews. The relevant statement was published on 27 December by the Chinese Embassy in Turkmenistan. The preferential rates will remain in effect until 31 December 2026. Visa fees: single entry – $41, double entry – $56, multiple entry for six months – $206, multiple entry for one year – $386.
Mot shared his impressions of the warm welcome he received in Ashgabat
28.12.2025Russian rapper Mot (Matvey Melnikov), who arrived in Ashgabat for a concert on 28 December, said that he felt ‘at home’ in Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. ‘We already felt your hospitable, warm embrace when we were greeted with loaves of bread in traditional attire,’ the artist said. He also emphasised that in 15 years of creative activity, this was his first visit to Ashgabat and he was glad to rectify that. Mot promised the audience a vivid musical experience at his upcoming performance at the Winter Sports Complex.
‘Arkadag’ Football Club wins the Turkmenistan Cup
28.12.2025The ‘Arkadag’ football club won the Turkmenistan Cup for the third time, finishing the season with maximum results and securing a treble. This was reported by the IIC. The team, led by Vladimir Bayramov, had previously become the national champion and Super Cup winner, and now added to its trophy collection with a cup victory. In the final match, ‘Arkadag’ defeated ‘Ahal’ with a score of 2:1. This final was the third in the history of the ‘Arkadag’ football club. After the final whistle, an award ceremony was held. In addition to the Turkmenistan Cup, the club's players were awarded medals for winning the national championship. The awards were presented to the winners by the Chairman of the Turkmenistan Football Federation, Guvanch Ovekov, Deputy Chairman Nazar Choliyev and representative of the State Committee for Physical Culture and Sports, Juma Jumayev.
Arash performed his first solo concert in Ashgabat
28.12.2025The first solo concert of popular Iranian singer Arash took place at the Winter Sports Complex in Ashgabat. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Hundreds of fans gathered to listen to the author of such famous hits as ‘Boro Boro,’ ‘Broken Angel,’ ‘Pure Love,’ ‘One Night in Dubai,’ as well as the songs ‘Vostochnye skazki’ (Eastern fairy tales) and ‘Na morya’ (To the seas). The sports complex hall was overflowing with people: the audience enthusiastically welcomed the world-class artist.
The President of Turkmenistan announced consistent development of the country in 2025
28.12.2025At an expanded meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers and the State Security Council chaired by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the results of 2025 – the International Year of Peace and Trust – were summarised and development priorities for the near future were outlined. This was reported by the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. Speaking at the meeting, the Head of State emphasised that the outgoing year was a landmark one and ‘will forever go down in the history of independent, neutral Turkmenistan.’ According to the President of Turkmenistan, the key international event was the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the country's Permanent Neutrality. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov reported that in 2025, 44 meetings of the Cabinet of Ministers, 11 meetings of the State Security Council and 24 state meetings were held, during which strategic issues of domestic and foreign policy were discussed. He noted that during this period, new laws were adopted aimed at further prosperity of the state. The Head of State also announced the maintenance of high growth rates in all sectors of the national economy. According to him, salaries, pensions, social benefits and student scholarships were financed in full and on time. ‘The life of the people has become more prosperous and happier,’ the President noted, emphasising that the construction of industrial, social and cultural facilities and large residential complexes continues in all regions of the country.
WHO national meeting on pandemic influenza held in Awaza
28.12.2025The World Health Organisation's country office in Turkmenistan held its annual national meeting on the implementation of the ‘Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Mechanism’. This was reported by the news resource Turkmenportal. The event was held in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone with the support of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. The key objective of the meeting was to strengthen national capacity for epidemiological surveillance of influenza and to increase preparedness for possible pandemic threats. The meeting was attended by representatives of relevant medical institutions, specialists in epidemiology and virology, as well as experts from veterinary services. Participants discussed the results of the Mechanism's implementation for 2025 and the current indicators of its implementation. Particular attention was paid to issues of improving pandemic preparedness, updating national response plans, and exchanging experience on the development of surveillance systems and the improvement of influenza monitoring programmes. The meeting was held as part of the Partnership Contribution to the Implementation of the ‘Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Mechanism’ project.
Hero Arkadag congratulated the President of Turkmenistan on the announcement of the motto for 2026
28.12.2025The National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov sent congratulations to the President of Turkmenistan on the proclamation of 2026 as the Year of ‘Independent Neutral Turkmenistan − the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses’. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The message emphasises that the Turkmen people are welcoming the new year in a spirit of spiritual uplift and with the results achieved in 2025. Among the key events mentioned are the celebration of the 34th anniversary of Turkmenistan's independence and the 30th anniversary of its permanent neutrality, as well as the results of the International Year of Peace and Trust. The greeting also notes the role of the Ahal-Teke horse as an important element of national heritage. It refers to the opening of the Aba Annayev International Academy of Horse Breeding in the city of Arkadag, as well as the successes of the ‘Galkynysh’ National Equestrian Games Group at international festivals. In conclusion, Hero Arkadag expressed confidence in the further development of the country and wished the President of Turkmenistan good health and success in his activities for the benefit of the state.
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