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President of Turkmenistan Highlights the Importance of Cooperation with Malaysia
21.06.2026During talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized the importance of developing partnership relations between the two countries. According to the head of state, cooperation with Malaysia, one of the founding states and respected members of ASEAN, occupies an important place in Turkmenistan’s foreign policy strategy, the news agency “Turkmenistan: Golden Age” reported. The parties discussed issues of bilateral cooperation and the international agenda. In particular, they highly praised Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025. Special attention was given to protecting the interests of developing countries and ensuring their participation in global decision-making processes. Serdar Berdimuhamedov reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s support for Malaysia’s initiatives aimed at strengthening the position of the Global South and promoting a culture of dialogue. The President of Turkmenistan also stated his readiness to work jointly with Malaysia to advance initiatives in the field of international security and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Turkmenistan and Malaysia Expand Cooperation in Key Areas
21.06.2026During talks in Ashgabat between the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, agreements were reached to expand cooperation in the economic, cultural, and humanitarian spheres. This was reported by the “Turkmenistan: Golden Age” news agency. The parties confirmed their intention to continue strategic cooperation with Petronas in the oil and gas sector. Prospects for further partnership development in industry, agriculture, and the textile sector were also outlined. Among the priority areas identified were high technologies, engineering and technical cooperation, banking and finance, and urban development. Special attention was given to the transport and logistics sector. Turkmenistan and Malaysia intend to strengthen cooperation in the development of the East–West international transport corridor. The sides also discussed issues related to cultural and humanitarian cooperation. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov confirmed the continuation of the practice of educating Turkmen students at Malaysian universities and expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for supporting this initiative.
Turkmenistan and Petronas Plan Joint Operations in the Caspian Sea
21.06.2026During talks in Ashgabat, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim discussed cooperation in the oil and gas sector, which remains one of the key areas of bilateral partnership. This was reported by the “Turkmenistan: Golden Age” news agency. The head of state highly praised the activities of Petronas, describing the company as one of Turkmenistan’s main partners in the energy sector. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov announced that a number of bilateral documents are being prepared to implement long-term projects in the oil and gas industry. In the near future, with the participation of Petronas, work is planned to begin on the development of new hydrocarbon fields and the exploration of promising oil and gas complexes in Turkmenistan’s sector of the Caspian Sea.
President of Turkmenistan Meets with Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan
21.06.2026On June 20, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov received Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjaev, who arrived in Turkmenistan to participate in the regular meeting of the Joint Turkmen-Uzbek Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical, and Cultural Cooperation. This was reported by the online news outlet AsmanNews. At the beginning of the meeting, Jamshid Khodjaev expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and noted the high regard in Uzbekistan for Turkmenistan’s achievements across all sectors, as well as its authority on the international stage. The Deputy Prime Minister conveyed greetings and best wishes from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Serdar Berdimuhamedov and to the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The Head of State conveyed his best wishes in return to the leadership of Uzbekistan and emphasized the significance of the delegation’s participation in the 19th meeting of the joint commission. Confidence was expressed that the exchange of views would contribute to the further development of interstate cooperation. The parties underscored the priority of strengthening friendly and good-neighborly relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan, based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and trust. The steady development of trade and economic ties was noted. Energy, transport, agriculture, and trade were identified as promising areas of cooperation, along with the implementation of major infrastructure and investment projects. Special attention was paid to the role of the Intergovernmental Commission in coordinating cooperation and developing joint decisions. It was emphasized that the opening of the Turkmen-Uzbek Border Trade Zone in November last year provided an additional impetus to the growth of bilateral trade. The importance of expanding cultural and humanitarian cooperation, as well as organizing joint events and meetings of cultural figures from both countries, was also highlighted. At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the strategic partnership between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Ombudsman of Turkmenistan participates in AI summit in Baku
20.06.2026On June 18, 2026, the Human Rights Representative in Turkmenistan, Ombudsman Yazdursun Gurbannazarova, took part in the international ombudsman summit in Baku. The forum was dedicated to the theme “Human Rights in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities, Risks and Responsibilities,” according to the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The summit brought together ombudsmen and experts from more than 30 countries, representatives of national human rights institutions, international organizations and government bodies. Within the framework of the event, thematic discussions were held on the protection of human rights in the digital environment. Issues such as personal data protection, privacy and countering disinformation were considered. Participants exchanged views on the impact of artificial intelligence on human rights, as well as on the ethical and legal challenges of digital development. In her speech, the Human Rights Representative of Turkmenistan presented the country’s experience in protecting human rights in the digital sphere, developing digital literacy and strengthening the role of ombudsman institutions. It was noted that Turkmenistan places special emphasis on expanding opportunities for women in the technology sector. Support for the education of girls and women in technical fields contributes to the formation of a more balanced society. The summit concluded with the adoption of the Baku Declaration on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights.
OSCE held a seminar in Ashgabat on strategic communications
20.06.2026The OSCE held a training seminar on strategic communications and public relations in state institutions of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat on June 16–17. This was reported by the news website AsmanNews. The event brought together representatives of government agencies responsible for media and public relations, including press attachés of Turkmenistan’s embassies abroad who joined online. Opening the seminar, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, William Leaf, recalled the organization’s long-standing commitments in the field of freedom of information and access to information. He noted that transparency and openness are key factors for stable governance and dialogue between the state and society. Experts from Kazakhstan and Lithuania presented modern approaches to the work of press services. The focus was on strategic communication planning, audience engagement, crisis communications, media relations, and the use of artificial intelligence in public communication. Measures to counter disinformation and strengthen cooperation between government bodies and the public were also discussed. William Leaf emphasized that the information environment is changing rapidly, creating new opportunities and challenges. According to him, the OSCE promotes the introduction of digital tools and AI while simultaneously strengthening transparency, accountability, and public trust. After the seminar concluded, a separate training course on public speaking skills for civil servants was held on June 17–18. Participants studied the preparation of official statements, the structure of public speeches, and the adaptation of messages for different audiences. Practical sessions focused on OSCE-related topics, including law enforcement, environmental protection, and gender equality.
Turkmen Ambassador met with Georgia’s Minister of Internal Affairs
20.06.2026On June 19, 2026, a meeting took place between the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Georgia, D. Seiyitmammedov, and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia, S. Tamazashvili. This was reported by the IIC. At the beginning of the meeting, the Turkmen Ambassador congratulated S. Tamazashvili on his appointment as Minister of Internal Affairs and wished him success in his work. The parties discussed cooperation in the fields of public security, strengthening the rule of law, and developing interagency collaboration. D. Seiyitmammedov emphasized the importance of strengthening a trust-based dialogue between the relevant structures of the two countries and developing practical cooperation in the law enforcement sphere as part of bilateral relations. The Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia confirmed readiness to deepen cooperation and implement joint initiatives aimed at improving the effectiveness of the agencies’ work. At the end of the meeting, the sides highlighted the need for regular contacts and further development of cooperation in the interests of both countries.
Turkmenistan represented at the latest UNESCO session in Paris
20.06.2026From June 17 to 18, the 11th session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. A delegation from Turkmenistan participated in the event, the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs press service reported. The delegation included the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the French Republic and Permanent Delegate of Turkmenistan to UNESCO M. Charyev, Executive Secretary of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO Ch. Rustemova, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, as well as national experts on the protection of intangible cultural heritage. Participants discussed the implementation of the Convention’s provisions, the development of international cooperation, and the improvement of mechanisms for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. Reports from the Intergovernmental Committee and the Secretariat were presented, and issues related to the use of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund were also reviewed. During the discussions, delegations exchanged views on strengthening protection systems, documentation, and the promotion of cultural heritage. The importance of expanding international cooperation in this field was emphasized. The Turkmen delegation reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of the Convention and highlighted the importance of the state policy in preserving and promoting national cultural heritage, as well as developing cooperation with UNESCO. Turkmenistan’s participation in the session confirmed its contribution to international efforts aimed at preserving cultural heritage and strengthening intercultural dialogue.
Islamic Development Bank increases support for projects in Turkmenistan
20.06.2026The total volume of approved financing for projects in Turkmenistan by the Islamic Development Bank Group has reached USD 1.38 billion across 30 operations. This was reported by the online publication “Business Turkmenistan”. The information was announced following a meeting between the Chairman of the Board of the State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs of Turkmenistan, Rahimberdi Jepbarov, and the President of the Islamic Development Bank Group, Muhammad Al-Jasser. The meeting took place in Baku on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the Islamic Development Bank Group. The parties discussed prospects for further expanding cooperation in the areas of transport connectivity, trade finance, and support for Turkmenistan’s long-term socio-economic development priorities. The annual meeting of the Islamic Development Bank Group is being held in Baku and brings together representatives of member states, international financial institutions, and the business community to discuss issues of sustainable development, investment, and regional cooperation.
Turkmenistan participated in the CIS Chiefs of Staff Committee meeting in Astana
20.06.2026A delegation from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan took part in a regular meeting of the Committee of Chiefs of Staff of the armed forces of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member states, which was held in Astana. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Before the start of the event, participants laid flowers at the “Defenders of the Fatherland” monument in the capital of Kazakhstan. In addition to the Turkmen delegation, representatives of the General Staffs of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan also took part in the meeting. During the meeting, the sides discussed the military-political situation, issues of regional and Eurasian security, as well as prospects for further military cooperation within the CIS framework.
Turkmenistan and Qatar outline prospects for transport cooperation
20.06.2026On June 16, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Qatar, Muratgeldi Seyitmammedov, met with the Minister of Transport of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Thani. This was reported by the Orient news agency. During the talks, the Turkmen side presented upcoming events in the country related to 2026, which has been declared the Year of “Independent, Neutral Turkmenistan – the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses,” as well as the 35th anniversary of the country’s independence. The priorities of Turkmenistan in the development of international and regional transport links and the modernization of infrastructure were also presented. Particular attention was given to the country’s initiatives within the framework of UN General Assembly resolutions and the holding of international transport forums. The sides discussed prospects for expanding cooperation and exchanging experience in the field of transport and logistics.
Turkmenistan and Belarus Discuss Expanding Partnership in Transport and Logistics
20.06.2026On June 18, a meeting was held in Ashgabat between Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Batyr Annayev and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Turkmenistan, Stanislav Chepurny. This was reported by the Orient news agency. The parties discussed the development of their strategic partnership, with particular attention given to strengthening logistics links across Eurasia. The talks continued the agreements reached following the visit of the Prime Minister of Belarus to Ashgabat in May. Expanding regular air services to stimulate business and tourism contacts was also among the key topics discussed. In addition, the parties reviewed opportunities for cooperation within international transport corridors and for increasing bilateral trade. They also agreed on the agenda for the upcoming meeting of the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation.
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