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Turkmenistan and Malaysia are strengthening their partnership in the field of education
23.04.2026On 22 April, Minister of Education of Turkmenistan Jumamyrat Gurbangeldiyev met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Malaysia to Turkmenistan, Mohd Suhaimi bin Ahmad Tajuddin, as well as representatives of ‘Petronas’ and its University of Technology. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. The main topic of the negotiations was the expansion of cooperation in training specialists for the oil and gas industry. The development of links between vocational and higher education institutions in Turkmenistan and ‘Petronas’s educational and scientific bodies was discussed. The company emphasised its commitment not only to resource development but also to the development of human capital in partner countries through the exchange of expertise and educational programmes, including vocational training and professional development courses. The parties reviewed cooperation with a number of ‘Petronas’s educational and research centres. It was noted that Turkmen students are already studying at Petronas University of Technology on scholarships provided by the company, whilst lecturers and students from a relevant university in Turkmenistan are undertaking internships there. It was also emphasised that the documents signed during the visit of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov to Malaysia in 2024 confirm the steady development of educational cooperation between the two countries.
Turkmenistan took part in an anti-drug forum in Samarkand
23.04.2026A delegation from Turkmenistan, led by Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs O. Kakalyev, took part in the International Forum ‘Countering Transnational Drug Threats to Public Health and Security’, which took place on 20–21 April in Samarkand. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The event was organised by the Agency for the Control of Narcotics and Firearms under the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan, in conjunction with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Forum participants discussed key global and regional trends in the illicit drug trade, as well as preventive measures targeting young people. Particular attention was paid to the development of treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration systems, as well as the introduction of digital technologies and artificial intelligence-based solutions to counter drug-related threats. During the discussions, the importance of further strengthening international cooperation in this area was emphasised.
Turkmenistan has outlined its priorities for climate investment in the region
23.04.2026Ovezgeldi Goshjanov, Turkmenistan’s Minister for Environmental Protection, spoke at the ministerial-level round table on climate investment in Central Asia, held as part of the ‘RES 2026’ Regional Ecological Summit in Astana. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Heads of environmental agencies from countries across the region also took part. The main topics were the coordination of policy decisions and the mobilisation of funding for climate projects in Central Asia. Participants discussed how to translate climate commitments into concrete investment programmes, identify priorities and strengthen inter-agency cooperation. In his speech, O. Goshjanov noted that Turkmenistan attaches great importance to climate and sustainable development. Among the priorities, he cited the creation of early warning systems for risks, the development of a portfolio of climate projects, as well as cooperation in the areas of adaptation, environmental monitoring and sustainable natural resource management. The Minister also confirmed the country’s interest in partnership support for the preparation of regionally significant projects and its readiness to work actively on specific climate investments. Following the summit, it is planned to identify key areas for climate investment in Central Asia and, possibly, to develop a common regional strategy.
A three-stage show jumping cup was held at the Ashgabat equestrian arena
23.04.2026Show jumping competitions dedicated to the National Day of the Turkmen Horse were held in the open arena of the Ashgabat Equestrian Complex. Ten riders from three organisations took part in the competition: the Ahal-Teke Equestrian Complex of the President of Turkmenistan, the Equestrian Sports Federation of Turkmenistan and the National Equestrian Sports Centre. This was reported by IIC. The competition took place in three stages. In the first stage, the riders cleared 12 obstacles 110 cm high; in the second, 15 barriers 120 cm high. In the final, the participants cleared five obstacles 130 cm high at speed. The winner was Mergen Gurbanlyev on his horse Gudratly, who cleared all the obstacles flawlessly. The prize-giving ceremony will take place on 26 April as part of the celebrations marking the National Day of the Turkmen Horse.
A seminar on the protection of ecosystems in the Aral Sea basin was held in Ashgabat
23.04.2026An educational seminar on ecology for young people was held in Ashgabat. The event was organised by the non-governmental organisation ‘Young Naturalist’ (‘Ýaş tebigatçy’) as part of a UNDP and GEF project on the conservation of land resources and ecosystems in the Aral Sea basin, reports ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The seminar took place at the offices of ‘Bouygues Turkmen’, whose specialists delivered training using the ‘Climate Fresk’ methodology. Participants studied the causes and consequences of climate change and acquired the skills to pass on this knowledge to others. The seminar discussed the role of state nature reserves in protecting biodiversity. Using the Amu darya State Nature Reserve as an example, they examined how the disappearance of a single species affects the entire ecosystem. The use of innovative technologies in the fight against climate change was also considered separately. The event, which began in Lebap, formed part of the initiatives marking World Earth Day.
Lecturers from a Turkmen university are undertaking a placement at a university in Romania
23.04.2026Lecturers from the Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technology of Turkmenistan are undertaking a training placement at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca in Romania. The programme includes lectures, seminars and practical sessions on artificial intelligence, innovative educational technologies and sustainable development, reports the online publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. Participants are familiarising themselves with cutting-edge teaching methods and modern approaches to curriculum development. During bilateral meetings, lecturers from both universities discussed the training of specialists in the field of ‘smart’ technologies and innovative sciences. The Turkmen lecturers also visited the university’s research laboratories, which are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. Following the visit, meetings are planned to discuss new joint educational initiatives. These placements take place on a regular basis under the Cooperation Agreement between the two universities, signed in 2019.
The Turkish magazine ‘Business Türk’ has dedicated an issue to Turkmenistan’s motto of the year
23.04.2026The Turkish magazine ‘Business Türk’ has published a special issue dedicated to Turkmenistan’s 2026 motto. The initiative for the publication came from the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Turkey. This was reported by the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The issue highlights the country’s history of independence and its achievements in the political, economic, social, legal, scientific and cultural spheres. The authors of the articles — Turkish statesmen, political scientists and university leaders — particularly emphasised the uniqueness of Turkmen neutrality and its role in regional stability. The magazine also features articles on the prospects for Turkmen-Turkish cooperation and Turkmenistan’s international initiatives in the fields of energy, transport and water diplomacy. The publication coincides with the upcoming celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence.
The Turkmen company ‘Aýdyň gijeler’ plans to supply equipment to Azerbaijan
23.04.2026The Turkmen company ‘Aýdyň gijeler’ is exploring the possibility of supplying tablets and computer equipment manufactured in-house to meet the needs of Azerbaijan’s energy sector. This was announced by Ruslan Tashov, the company’s head of supply and procurement, according to the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. He noted that the company already has experience of cooperating with Azerbaijani partners in the field of digitalisation and the supply of electronic products. Furthermore, ‘Aýdyň gijeler’ is considering prospects for expanding cooperation, including working with enterprises in the country’s oil and gas sector. The company was founded in 2016. Today, its production base covers more than 5 hectares and comprises over ten workshops. Its product range includes more than 30 items, including LED lighting, cable and wire products, computer equipment and telecommunications equipment.
Turkmenistan has called for the IFAS to play a greater role in addressing ecological issues
23.04.2026The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, addressed a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Founding Members of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) in Astana on 22 April. This was reported by TDH. The Head of State described the rescue of the Aral Sea as a matter of political and moral responsibility for all countries in the region and called for these tasks not to be allowed to take a back seat. The President of Turkmenistan recalled Turkmenistan’s role during its chairmanship of the IFAS in 2017–2019. At that time, on Ashgabat’s initiative, two UN General Assembly resolutions on cooperation with the IFAS were adopted, a draft UN Special Programme for the Aral Sea Basin countries was presented, and the fourth phase of the Programme of Action to assist the Aral Sea Basin countries was developed. The President also announced that the UN Regional Centre for Climate Technologies would soon begin operations in Ashgabat. The Head of State proposed three steps. The first is to harmonise national approaches to environmental challenges and strengthen the coordinating role of the IFAS. The second is to accelerate the modernisation of the Fund’s legal framework in order to more actively engage international financial institutions and donors. The third is to jointly draft a new UN General Assembly resolution on IFAS’s cooperation with the UN, taking into account current geopolitical and economic realities. In conclusion, the President congratulated the Head of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, on assuming the chairmanship of IFAS and thanked Kazakhstan for hosting the meeting.
Serdar Berdimuhamedov spoke at the eco-summit and announced a meeting on the Caspian Sea
23.04.2026The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, addressed the Regional Ecological Summit in Astana on 22 April. This was reported by the website AsmanNews. The Head of State described the forum as an extraordinary event – for the first time, countries in the region are discussing the environmental agenda at the highest level in a comprehensive and pan-regional context. Serdar Berdimuhamedov identified the main challenges: climate change, dwindling water resources, land degradation, desertification, loss of biodiversity and increased migration from disadvantaged areas. According to him, the response must be to consolidate the efforts of the region’s states and expand cooperation with the UN. Turkmenistan put forward two initiatives: to establish a Regional Centre for Climate Technologies and a Regional Centre for Combating Desertification for the countries of Central Asia. Ashgabat also proposed setting up a Regional Council on Water Use under the auspices of the UN. Regarding transboundary rivers, Turkmenistan insists on three principles: compliance with international conventions, equal consideration of the interests of all riparian states, and broad UN participation. Regarding the Caspian Sea, the President of Turkmenistan recalled the environmental initiative addressed to all Caspian littoral states and announced the next high-level meeting on the ecology of the Caspian Sea in early October. In conclusion, the Head of State expressed the hope that the summit would serve as a platform for developing coordinated solutions and would provide impetus for systematic work in the region.
The President of Turkmenistan concluded his working visit to Kazakhstan by attending an eco-summit
23.04.2026During a working visit to Kazakhstan on 22 April, the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, took part in the Regional Ecological Summit and a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Founding Members of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) in Astana. This was reported by TDH. The summit took place at the EXPO International Exhibition Centre. The theme of the forum was ‘Shared vision for resilient future’. It was attended by Heads of State, leaders and representatives of international organisations. Before the meeting, the delegations visited the ‘RES 2026 EXPO’ exhibition, which showcased developments in the fields of energy transition and environmental protection. Turkmenistan presented its own pavilion with an exhibition on the country’s environmental initiatives. At the plenary session, the President of Turkmenistan put forward a number of initiatives. Turkmenistan proposed the establishment of a UN Regional Centre for Climate Technologies and a Regional Centre for Combating Desertification for the countries of Central Asia. Regarding transboundary water resources, Ashgabat advocates the creation of a Regional Council on Water Use under the auspices of the UN. The President also announced a high-level meeting on the ecology of the Caspian Sea in early October. Following the summit, the Declaration of the Heads of State of Central Asia, ‘Environmental Solidarity in Central Asia’, was adopted. In the afternoon, a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the IFAS founding members took place at the Akorda Palace. The President of Turkmenistan called for strengthening the coordinating role of the Fund and modernising its legal framework. Turkmenistan proposed jointly drafting a new UN General Assembly resolution on cooperation between the IFAS and the UN. Following the meeting, a number of documents were signed, including the Astana Statement of the Heads of State of the IFAS Founding Member States. The chairmanship of the Fund passed to Uzbekistan. A decision was also taken to declare 26 March as International Day of the Aral Sea, the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya. Following the conclusion of the visit’s programme, the Head of State flew to Ashgabat. The visit reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s commitment to active participation in the regional ecological agenda and the country’s readiness to promote specific initiatives at the international level.
Arkadag city has announced the results of the tournament held as part of the ‘Football for Schools’ programme
23.04.2026The closing ceremony of a school football tournament, held as part of the Turkmenistan Football Federation’s ‘Football for Schools’ programme, took place in the city of Arkadag. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The competition was held under the slogan of school unity and strengthening friendship through sport, and was organised jointly by the departments of education, physical culture and sport of the city of Arkadag, as well as the city council of the Magtymguly Youth Organisation of Turkmenistan. The award ceremony for the winners took place at the Second Secondary School with an in-depth English language programme. The young athletes were presented with trophies and commemorative prizes, and players from FC ‘Arkadag’ took part in the ceremony. The tournament was timed to coincide with April and World Health Day, and the organisers highlighted its social significance in bringing young people together.
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