News
Turkmenistan took part in a conference on museology in Ankara
11.02.2026Ismail Orazov, Director of the Saparmyrat Turkmenbashi Museum of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan, took part in a conference on archaeometry and museology, which was held on 9 February in Ankara. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. During the conference, issues related to the restoration and preservation of cultural values were discussed, as well as the creation of digital copies of historical artefacts as part of projects to pass on historical and cultural heritage to future generations. The event was organised as part of a programme to exchange experience with Turkey in the field of restoration and conservation laboratories and is being held from 9 to 13 February in Ankara and Istanbul.
In Turkmenistan, the population of the Near Eastern leopard numbers 60–80 individuals
11.02.2026In 2025, Turkmenistan showed significant progress in wildlife conservation: the population of the Near Eastern leopard is estimated at 60–80 individuals, according to the annual report on wildlife and specially protected natural areas in the country. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. Leopards mainly inhabit mountainous and foothill areas – Kopetdag, Greater Balkan, Badhyz and Sunt-Hasardag nature reserves, the southern coast of Garabogaz Bay and certain areas of the Balkan Range. In 2025, control measures were strengthened in protected areas, the use of camera traps was expanded, and the SMART system was introduced, which increased the effectiveness of monitoring and patrolling. Turkmenistan has strengthened international cooperation in the field of nature conservation by becoming a party to CITES, the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and the updated CAMI Programme for 2026-2032. The report emphasises that the recovery of large predators depends on the status of ungulate populations — gazelles and mountain goats — which remain under pressure from poaching and habitat degradation. In addition to leopards, the country's protected areas support populations of caracals, manuls, gazelles, mountain goats, ground squirrels, badgers and rare birds.
A four-party meeting on the development of the Middle Corridor was held in Ashgabat
11.02.2026On 10 February, a four-party meeting of the Heads of the railway departments of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Georgia was held in Ashgabat. Turkmenistan was represented by Minister of Rail Transport M. Akmammedov, Azerbaijan by Chairman of ‘Azerbaijan Railways’ CJSC Rovshan Rustamov, Uzbekistan by Zufar Narzullayev, and Georgia by Lasha Abashidze, according to Turkmenportal. During the meeting, they discussed the development of the Middle Corridor, one of the key transit routes in the region, opportunities for expanding cooperation and increasing the competitiveness of transport. Particular attention was paid to the digitalisation of operations to speed up freight transport. Following the negotiations, a Protocol was signed covering digitalisation, the development of freight transport and diagnostics for the Middle Corridor.
Trade turnover between Turkey and Turkmenistan reached $2.2 billion
11.02.2026The 12th Exhibition of Turkish Export Goods has opened in Ashgabat. Turkish Minister of Trade Omer Bolat and Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Nokerguly Atagulyev took part in the ceremony, according to Turkmenportal. Omer Bolat said that trade turnover between Turkey and Turkmenistan reached $2.2 billion in 2025. The target is $5 billion. According to him, despite global economic difficulties, bilateral trade continues to grow. The minister noted that the task of increasing trade volume was set by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and work in this direction is continuing. The Turkish side is represented at the exhibition by 87 stands of companies and exporters' associations. The total exhibition area is 1,396 square metres.
IFT 2026: Ashgabat opens its doors to international business
10.02.2026In spring 2026, Ashgabat will host the International Forum on Investment in the Private Sector ‘Investments in the Future of Turkmenistan’ (IFT 2026), which will take place on 18 March. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The event will be held in the building of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and is being organised jointly with the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs with the support of ‘TMT Consulting Group’. Registration for participants is already open, allowing businesses to prepare presentations in advance and invite foreign partners. The forum reflects the state strategy for developing the private sector and attracting investment. IFT 2026 will bring together capital, expertise and business initiatives, covering industry, agribusiness, livestock, logistics, innovation and private investment projects. Continuing the traditions of IFT 2025, the forum expects active participation from the international community: last year, more than 500 delegates from 25 countries and hundreds of companies gathered, 21 agreements were signed and 187 business meetings were held.
Turkmenistan expands international fibre optic network
10.02.2026Turkmenistan is implementing a programme to modernise its telecommunications infrastructure, which will see the number of international fibre-optic lines increase from eight to eleven by 2028. This was reported by the Orient news agency. The country's Ministry of Communications plans to build a cross-border line to Afghanistan, which will expand transit capabilities and provide access to South Asian markets. At the same time, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan are jointly laying an underwater fibre-optic cable along the bottom of the Caspian Sea and developing land-based trunk lines in western directions. The implementation of these initiatives is expected to significantly increase the capacity of the national network and strengthen Turkmenistan's role as a transit telecommunications hub between the regions of Eurasia.
The 12th Exhibition of Turkish Goods has commenced in Ashgabat
10.02.2026The 12th Exhibition of Turkish Export Goods has opened in Ashgabat, with around 100 companies and business associations taking part. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The grand opening of the event was conducted by the Minister of Trade of the Republic of Turkey, Omer Bolat, who arrived in the capital of Turkmenistan with an official delegation. The exhibition will run from 10 to 12 February. The event provides Turkish manufacturers and exporters with an opportunity to present their products on the Turkmen market, as well as to establish new business contacts. The exhibition features products from a wide range of industries. The organisers invite Turkmen companies to visit the exhibition to familiarise themselves with the range of Turkish brands and consider the prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation. During his visit, Minister O. Bolat will hold a series of negotiations with representatives of Turkmen government agencies and business circles aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and economic ties.
New environmental research programme approved in Turkmenistan
10.02.2026The National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan has approved a programme of scientific and practical research for the period 2026–2030. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The programme covers ecology, forestry and rational nature management. The focus is on the impact of climate change on ecosystems, monitoring of flora in the ‘Altyn Asyr’ lake area and assessment of the condition of pastures important for livestock breeding. A separate block of work is devoted to protecting infrastructure from sand drifts, including the development of methods for stabilising sand along roads and pipelines, primarily in the Balkan velayat. At the same time, the institute will continue its research on biodiversity conservation, pest control and the cultivation of rare plant species to strengthen the country's forest ecosystems.
The Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan spoke at a festival in Taxila
10.02.2026Turkmenistan's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Pakistan, Atajan Movlamov, took part in the annual Orange Festival, which was held on 7 February at the Zaildar House complex in the historic city of Taxila (Punjab province) with the participation of diplomats, officials and representatives of civil society. This was reported by the press service of the Turkmen diplomatic mission. The event was organised by the Chairman of the International Relations Committee of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association, Zaildar Ahsan Shah, in conjunction with the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Pakistan and the deans of the diplomatic corps and military attaché corps. The guest of honour at the festival, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, emphasised the importance of cultural diplomacy for the development of international cooperation. The Ambassador of Turkmenistan noted the historical role of Taxila as the centre of Gandhara civilisation and the importance of preserving cultural heritage. The festival featured a cultural programme with national cuisine, traditional crafts, horse dances and sports competitions, and guests were particularly interested in the local variety of oranges called ‘Khanpur’.
Turkmen Ambassador attends anniversary of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and EU
10.02.2026The Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Kingdom of Belgium, Sapar Palvanov, took part in an event organised by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Brussels to mark the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and the European Union, according to AsmanNews. The event was attended by diplomats, representatives of EU institutions and official bodies, which provided an opportunity to discuss current issues of cooperation and strengthen professional contacts. Sapar Palvanov congratulated the Kazakh side and expressed hope for further development of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU based on trust, respect and common interests.
Turkmenistan expands cooperation with Eswatini in the field of technology and digitalisation
10.02.2026The ‘Aýdyň Gijeler’ business association has reached agreements to supply one million SIM cards and 30,000 aluminium LED lamps to the Kingdom of Eswatini. This was reported by ‘Business Turkmenistan’, citing the ‘Rysgal’ newspaper. During the working visit of the Turkmen delegation, the parties discussed the prospects for strategic cooperation, exchange of experience and implementation of modern technological solutions within the framework of comprehensive projects. Particular attention was paid to the use of national ID passport systems, the digitisation of state registers and ‘Aýdyň Gijeler’s technological solutions in the field of passportisation and identity verification. The discussion confirmed the mutual interest in continuing cooperation and strengthening international partnerships.
Italian Design Days kicked off at the Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan
10.02.2026The State Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan has launched Italian Design Days, according to a press release from the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan. As part of the event, teachers and students of the university took part in a seminar conducted by Silvia Formentin, Vice-President of the well-known Italian company iDOGI, and architect Sergio Ferrandi. Participants learned about contemporary trends in Italian design and architecture, as well as the activities of iDOGI, a Venice-based company that produces Murano glass lamps, illuminated tables and walls, door frames and fountains.
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