News
The Japanese Ambassador presented the chess club in Ashgabat with sets for playing ‘Go’
08.07.2026Hiroshi Sasaki, the Japanese Ambassador to Turkmenistan, visited the chess club at the French Institute of Turkmenistan, where he met with Vepa Malikgulyev, President of the Chess Federation of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. During the visit, the diplomat presented the club with two sets for playing ‘Go’ and introduced the participants to its basic rules, as well as talking about the history and cultural significance of this ancient strategic game. The chess club, organised jointly by the Chess Federation of Turkmenistan and the French Institute, holds meetings on Saturdays. Its members will now be able to play not only chess but also Go, thereby developing their strategic thinking and planning skills.
Armenia intends to expand its cooperation with Turkmenistan in the gas sector
08.07.2026Armenia is keen to expand energy cooperation with Turkmenistan, including in the gas sector. This was stated by Arsen Avagyan, Armenia’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan, in an interview with the news website Turkmenportal. According to him, Yerevan is pursuing a policy of diversifying its energy supply sources and regards Turkmenistan, which possesses large reserves of natural gas, as an important partner in ensuring energy security. The diplomat noted that energy issues are regularly discussed within the framework of the inter-governmental commission and through contacts between the relevant ministries. He recalled that in the 1990s, Turkmenistan was one of Armenia’s main gas suppliers, and the experience gained at that time provides a foundation for the further development of cooperation. A. Avagyan also emphasised that cooperation between the two countries is not limited to gas supplies and may include the exchange of expertise, the introduction of modern energy technologies and the implementation of joint projects.
The ‘Kids Expo: Everything for Children’ exhibition is to be held in Ashgabat
07.07.2026From 19 to 22 August 2026, Ashgabat will host the ‘Kids Expo: Everything for Children’ International Universal Exhibition and Fair. This was announced by the press office of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan. According to the source, the event is aimed at developing the children’s goods and services industry and will provide companies with an opportunity to showcase their products and solutions. ‘Kids Expo: Everything for Children’ will serve as a platform for showcasing innovative products and services in the children’s sector. The exhibition will also open up further opportunities to enter the Turkmenistan market and attract international partners, investors and industry representatives from various countries.
Hero Arkadag spoke about cooperation between Turkmenistan and Iran
07.07.2026The National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, gave an interview to Seyed Mohsen Hosseini, a journalist with the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), during his visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran at the request of the Iranian side. This was reported by the online news site AsmanNews. According to the source, the conversation touched upon issues relating to Turkmen-Iranian relations, recollections of meetings with the late Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as topics such as peace, regional cooperation and humanitarian interaction. Hero Arkadag noted that Turkmenistan and Iran have maintained good-neighbourly and fraternal relations for many years, based on mutual respect, historical ties and shared spiritual and cultural values. Speaking about his meetings with Iran’s Supreme Leader, the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan stated that he first met him in 1998 during a visit to Iran whilst serving as the Minister of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. These meetings continued subsequently whilst he held other government posts, including the office of Head of State of Turkmenistan. “In my view, all our discussions were very important. On the political front, we often discussed peace and prosperity not only for the two countries, but also for the region and the whole world. As you know, Turkmenistan is the only country in the world whose neutral status has been recognised three times by the UN. That is precisely why we frequently exchanged views on issues relating to peacekeeping and sustainable development,” emphasised Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. As noted, particular attention was paid to the development of joint infrastructure. Over the years of cooperation, projects have been implemented to build roads and railways, bridges, gas pipelines and power lines. Issues relating to the study of our shared cultural heritage, cooperation within the scientific community and the preservation of spiritual values were also discussed. The Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan emphasised that Turkmenistan is a secular state, whilst at the same time attaching great importance to the preservation of national traditions and religious values. Hero Arkadag also noted the significance of the guidance provided by Iran’s Supreme Leader on matters of the spiritual and moral upbringing of the younger generation. Responding to a question about contemporary international challenges, Hero Arkadag stated that Turkmenistan consistently adheres to a policy of neutrality, openness and humanism. The Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan recalled that during difficult periods, the country had kept its borders open and provided humanitarian aid. “There are no winners in war. After all, a bullet does not choose its target — whether it is a child or a soldier,” emphasised the National Leader of the Turkmen people. At the end of the interview, the IRIB journalist, in turn, thanked the National Leader of the Turkmen people for the interview, as well as for the condolences and support expressed to the Iranian people.
Turkmenistan outlined initiatives to protect the Caspian Sea in Seoul
07.07.2026Turkmenistan presented environmental initiatives aimed at preserving the Caspian Sea at the fifth session of the Global Dialogue on Sustainable Ocean Initiative, held from 30 June to 3 July in Seoul. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The delegation was led by Myrat Atajanov, Director of the Caspian Institute of Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan’s representative on Caspian Sea issues and the country’s representative on the Inter-governmental Commission on the Conservation and Rational Use of Aquatic Biological Resources and the Management of Shared Stocks in the Caspian Sea. During the forum, Turkmenistan highlighted its efforts to protect the Caspian ecosystem, develop regional cooperation, ensure the rational use of biological resources and fulfil its international environmental obligations. Separately, the delegation held a series of meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea, the Global Green Growth Institute and the Korea Maritime and Ocean University. Discussions centred on issues such as capacity building, maritime policy, the ‘blue economy’, the sustainable use of coastal resources and the exchange of expertise in the field of maritime governance and research.
The Turkmenistan national team performed well at the ‘Samarkand Open – 2026’
07.07.2026Turkmen athletes performed successfully at the ‘Samarkand Open – 2026’ international mixed martial arts tournament in Uzbekistan, winning several gold medals and championship belts. More than 300 athletes from 14 countries took part in the competition, according to the IIC of Turkmenistan. Shohrat Orazgeldiyev became champion in the ‘light’ and classical styles, whilst his son Seyran Orazgeldiyev won both disciplines in his age category. Orazgeldi Orazgeldiyev secured another victory in the classic style, whilst Vepa Hojamammedov won the championship belt, as well as a gold and a bronze medal. In July, the Turkmenistan national team will take part in the MMA Fight World Championships in Andijan, where 13 athletes will represent the country.
Turkmenistan continues to develop its oil and gas fields at a rapid pace
06.07.2026The ‘Nebitdag’ Drilling Operations Department of the ‘Nebitgazburawlaýyş” Trust, part of the “Türkmennebit” State Concern, has been exceeding its production targets since the start of 2026. In the first five months, 7,387 metres were drilled against a target of 7,191 metres, representing 102.7 per cent of the planned volume. Four new wells have also been commissioned, according to the online newspaper ‘Nebit-Gaz’. Work is currently underway at the ‘Nebitdag’, ‘Goturdepe’, ‘Barsagelmez’, ‘Demirgazyk Goturdepe’, ‘Günbatar Goturdepe’, ‘Gündogar Çeleken’ and ‘Mydar’ fields, using 12 Chinese-made drilling rigs. At the same time, the construction and equipping of new wells is continuing, as is the drilling of a further seven sites. The Department, founded in 1971 and having recently celebrated its 55th anniversary, remains one of the key divisions of the ‘Türkmennebit’ State Concern, ensuring the fulfilment of production targets.
A Turkmen wrestler has been crowned Asian champion in the under-20 category
06.07.2026Turkmen freestyle wrestler Dovletgeldi Myradov won gold at the Asian Under-20 Championships in Pattaya (Thailand). In the final of the under-92kg weight class, he defeated Kazakhstani wrestler Beibarys Yergali by a score of 10–2, according to the news website Turkmenportal. Alp Arslan Begenjov secured another medal for Turkmenistan. He took silver in the under-86kg weight category, losing in the final to Iran’s Abolfazl Shamsipour (2–9). Earlier, Greco-Roman wrestler Aslan Agadadayev won silver in the under-20 tournament. In the under-15 age group, the Turkmenistan team also won two medals. Mamed Kuliyev took bronze in the under-68 kg category, whilst Ybrayym Durdyev won silver in the under-38 kg category. At the end of the competition in Pattaya, the Turkmenistan national team finished the tournament with five medals: one gold, three silver and one bronze.
Turkmen specialists have undergone training in branding in Paris
06.07.2026Representatives from Turkmenistan took part in an educational programme on branding in Paris. Over the course of several days, they attended masterclasses and practical sessions focusing on modern branding methods, the promotion of national brands, the development of marketing strategies and the implementation of creative projects at an international level, according to the news website Turkmenportal. The programme served as a platform for exchanging experiences with foreign experts and learning about international practices in the creative industries. At the end of the training, participants were awarded certificates of professional development. The organisers noted that the knowledge and skills acquired would contribute to the development of creative potential and the promotion of Turkmenistan’s cultural heritage on the international stage.
An increase in cross-border transport has been recorded in Turkmenistan
06.07.2026The volume of cross-border transport passing through Turkmenistan continues to grow. The phased modernisation of customs infrastructure and the introduction of digital technologies are strengthening the country’s role as a regional transport and logistics hub, according to the press office of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan. In the first six months of this year, cargo turnover through border crossing points exceeded 10.5 million tonnes, which is 10 per cent higher than the figure for the same period last year. The volume of foreign trade shipments, including exports and imports, rose by 6 per cent. The most significant growth was recorded in the transit transport segment. More than 3.5 million tonnes of cargo were transported in transit through the country, representing a 15 per cent increase year-on-year. The cargo was destined for 94 countries, indicating an expansion in the geographical scope of transit flows. Modern customs posts, equipped with inspection and screening facilities, provide digital monitoring at all stages of cargo movement. This speeds up customs procedures, increases throughput and reduces the time taken to clear vehicles at the border.
The prospects for Turkmen-Korean partnership were discussed at the offices of ‘Nebit-Gaz’
06.07.2026In the run-up to the first ‘Central Asia–Republic of Korea’ summit, which is due to take place on 16–17 September 2026 in Seoul, information cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea is intensifying. This was reported by the news website Asmannews. In this context, Song Do-hyun, a correspondent for the South Korean news agency ‘Yonhap’, visited Turkmenistan to prepare reports on the development of the bilateral partnership. At the offices of the newspaper ‘Nebit-Gaz’, Editor-in-Chief Ussa Ussayev gave an interview to ‘Yonhap’, discussing the development of the country’s oil and gas sector. A meeting was also held with the editorial team, during which the results and prospects of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea were discussed. Among the most significant joint projects highlighted were ‘Hyundai Engineering’s involvement in the development of the ‘Galkynyş’ field, the modernisation of the Turkmenbashi Oil Refinery Complex with the participation of ‘LG International Corporation’, and the construction of the gas chemical complex in Gyyanly. Particular attention was paid to cooperation in the field of personnel training. As part of a joint project between the ‘Türkmengaz’ Group and ‘KOICA’, a modern training block for the oil and gas college, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, has been built in Mary. The meeting participants expressed their confidence that the forthcoming summit in Seoul would give new impetus to the development of Turkmen-Korean cooperation in industry, energy, education and other sectors.
Seven athletes are representing Turkmenistan at the World Championships in Colombia
06.07.2026The Turkmenistan national team is taking part in the World Under-17 Weightlifting Championships, which are being held in Cali (Colombia). Seven athletes will represent the country at the tournament, according to the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden Age’. Competing in the boys’ events are Kerem Gurbandurdyev and Atabek Azamatov (up to 60 kg), Shahin Hudaybergenov (up to 65 kg) and Davut Kakageldiyev (up to 79 kg). In the women’s section of the tournament, Turkmenistan will be represented by Shabnam Kerimbayeva, Ogulshat Amanova (up to 53 kg) and Gulzada Berdimuhammedova (up to 58 kg). At the previous World Junior Championships, held in Lima (Peru), the Turkmenistan team won 10 medals — 7 silver and 3 bronze. Kakamyrat Annamyradov, Didarbek Jumabayev and Islam Akmyradov each won three medals. Ogulshat Amanova won another bronze medal in the clean and jerk in the under-55 kg weight category. In the combined event, she finished fourth, 2 kg behind the bronze medallist.
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