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The Mejlis of Turkmenistan and the UN discussed international cooperation
04.03.2026On 3 March, members of the Turkmenistan Mejlis held a meeting with Matilda Bogner, Head of the Regional Office of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Central Asia. This was reported by the press service of the Turkmenistan Mejlis. The parties discussed Turkmenistan's international initiatives, its status of permanent neutrality, and cooperation with the UN. The Turkmen side emphasised the importance of cooperation with the relevant structures of the Organisation in order to fulfil its obligations in the field of human rights and improve national legislation. Particular attention was paid to the work of the UN regional office in strengthening partnerships with Central Asian countries and implementing human rights programmes. Matilda Bogner gave a positive assessment of the current cooperation and expressed her readiness to further develop it, including on issues of gender equality and the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.
A Sergey Karyakin chess school is planned to be launched in Ashgabat
04.03.2026Turkmenistan became the most representative foreign delegation at the ‘Russian Chess Crown’ festival in the Moscow region. Following the visit of the Head of the national federation, Vepa Malikgulyev, to Moscow, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed and an Agreement was reached on opening Sergey Karyakin's chess school in Ashgabat, according to the news agency Orient. Negotiations with the President of the Moscow Region Chess Federation, Sergey Karyakin, and the organisation's Executive Director, Albert Minnullin, gave the partnership a practical character. The new club in Ashgabat will become a training centre for young players and a venue for master classes and international tournaments. The parties also discussed the development of children's and youth programmes, distance learning and the participation of Turkmen chess players in the ‘Asian Chess League’ series and other tournaments in Russia. Sergey Karyakin thanked the Turkmenistan leadership for their support of intellectual sports, noting the active participation of the Turkmen team in the festival.
Turkmen institute holds symposium on inclusive English language teaching
04.03.2026On 3 March, the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages hosted a symposium entitled ‘Accelerating English Language Teaching in Central Asia: Introducing Inclusive Methods into the PRESETT System.’ The forum was held as part of the AELLCA project, according to IIC. The opening ceremony was attended by the Rector of the institute and the British Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Turkmenistan, Stephen Conlon. The importance of educational cooperation for training specialists and developing bilateral relations was discussed. Nottingham Trent University was a partner of the forum. Its representatives, Dr. Sarah Khan and Martin Seviour, presented inclusive methodologies and training modules developed jointly with Turkmen specialists. The programmes are aimed at improving the training of future teachers in the PRESETT system. All sessions were held in English. The practical part included group work and analysis of inclusive education models. The forum ended with a panel discussion involving teachers from different regions of the country and international experts. The organisers announced that cooperation with British partners would continue.
Exhibition dedicated to traditional Turkmen handicrafts for 8 March
04.03.2026The State Museum of the State Cultural Centre of Turkmenistan has opened an exhibition entitled ‘The Craft of Ogulabat Eje – A Model School for Turkmen Women’. The exhibition is timed to coincide with International Women’s Day, according to IIC. The exhibition is dedicated to the creative legacy of Ogulabat Berdimuhamedova, who contributed to the preservation of decorative and applied arts traditions and their transmission to the younger generation. The central place is occupied by the master's personal works — a women's wedding headdress called a ‘kurte’ and traditional woollen socks. The ‘kurte’, made in 1971, attracts particular attention. It took 20 days to make. The complexity of the work is compared by the people to ‘digging a well with a needle,’ which reflects the high level of skill of the author. The exhibition also features professional tools, including devices for weaving ‘alaja’, national woven amulets made of multicoloured threads. A tool made of elm wood, which the master used in her work, is also on display. According to the organisers, the project demonstrates the continuity of generations in traditional handicrafts.
Scientists from Turkmenistan are studying the unique source ‘Hojagaynar’
04.03.2026Koytendag remains one of the most remarkable natural regions of Turkmenistan. It is home to dinosaur footprints on high mountain plateaus, mountain caves and gorges — Daraydere, Tutlydere, Umbardere and Kyrk Gyz, an underground lake with blind fish, a grove of unabi trees and the highest point in the country — the Ayrybaba ridge. These sites attract travellers from Turkmenistan and other countries, according to the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. Among the region's natural attractions, the ‘Hojagaynar’ spring, known to locals as ‘Gaynarbaba’, stands out. It is located south of the village of Garlyk on the western slope of the mountain range. The reservoir is about 40 metres long, almost 30 metres wide and up to three metres deep in places. The spring is formed by the confluence of two streams. One has clear water, while the other has a cloudy white tint due to its hydrogen sulphide content. Locals call them ‘ak suw’ (white water) and ‘gök suw’ (blue water). The name ‘Gaynarbaba’ is associated with the fact that the water coming out at the foot of the mountain visually resembles boiling. Studies show that the water contains hydrogen sulphide, minerals and other chemical elements. Thanks to this, it is used in the treatment of skin diseases, digestive disorders and a number of other ailments. The water temperature remains at around 22°C all year round. A distinctive feature of the spring is the presence of fish despite the absence of any connection to rivers or other bodies of water. According to experts from the scientific department of the Koytendag State Nature Reserve, the eggs may have been brought there by birds. The fish swim freely towards people, as fishing is prohibited here and the place is considered sacred. There are no predatory species in the reservoir. Molluscs, earthworms and other invertebrates have also been found, which scientists consider to be ancient forms. For this reason, the spring is called a unique natural museum. An endemic species of snail, Melania, measuring 3–4 centimetres, also lives here. These white shells with a speckled pattern are found nowhere else. The ‘Gaynarbaba’ spring, like other sites in Koytendag, remains the subject of further scientific research.
Turkmen students actively participated in a seminar on Japanese grammar
04.03.2026An online seminar for Japanese language teachers and students was held at the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages. The topic of the class, ‘Methodology of Teaching Japanese Language Concepts,’ was presented by Hidaka Shinsuke, associate professor at the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at Tsukuba University. This was reported by the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age.’ During the seminar, the Japanese expert familiarised participants with scientific and methodological developments dedicated to the peculiarities of teaching Japanese and the functioning of its case system. Students actively participated in discussions, demonstrating a high level of training and language proficiency. Iwai Yufu, a linguist and lecturer at the institute from Japan, noted that the interest of Turkmen youth in learning Japanese is growing rapidly, which contributes to the strengthening of humanitarian ties between Turkmenistan and Japan. The event was another bilateral initiative aimed at studying, teaching and promoting the Japanese language in Turkmenistan. The seminar was held within the framework of the Agreement on Cooperation and Academic Exchange between the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages and Tsukuba University.
Turkmenistan has increased the number of border crossings for the evacuation of foreigners from Iran
04.03.2026Turkmenistan has opened additional border crossings for the evacuation of foreign citizens from Iran. This was reported by the IIC with reference to the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Turkmenistan. According to published data, the following checkpoints are available for the evacuation of citizens of the Russian Federation: — Serahs (previously operational); — Artyk – Lutfabad; — Gaudan – Bajgiran; — Akyayla – Incheburun; — Altyn Asyr – Incheburun. It is noted that Turkmenistan already has experience in conducting such humanitarian operations. Last summer, against the backdrop of the previous escalation of the situation around Iran, the Turkmen side ensured the safe transit of more than 4,000 foreign citizens. At that time, representatives of 52 states appealed to the Turkmen authorities with a request to evacuate their compatriots.
Russia and Uzbekistan coordinate evacuation of citizens via Turkmenistan
04.03.2026Turkmenistan has become a key transit hub for Russian and Uzbek citizens leaving Iran amid the escalating situation in the region. Officials from the diplomatic departments of both countries have announced coordinated measures to organise a land corridor, according to IIC. With air travel restricted, Turkmenistan has become a strategic humanitarian hub, ensuring the safe and unhindered transit of foreign citizens through its territory. The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Iran has developed a procedure for citizens who are unable to use direct flights to leave by car. Border crossing is organised through the Serahs checkpoint. To coordinate transit with the Turkmen side, Russians must send a package of documents in advance to the Russian diplomatic mission in Iran. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan has ensured close cooperation between the embassy in Ashgabat and the authorised bodies of Turkmenistan. Employees of the Uzbek diplomatic mission are organising a meeting with compatriots directly at the border in the city of Serahs. The embassy's motor transport in Ashgabat is being used to ensure prompt and safe transit.
Turkmen entrepreneurs are focused on building large-scale facilities
04.03.2026Members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan intend to invest in several key projects in 2026. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’, citing the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’. In Ashgabat, there are plans to build two-storey shopping centres in the Gurtly district and retail and service complexes in Parahat-7. In the Ak Bugday etrap of the Ahal velayat, construction will begin on an 11-hectare site for a factory producing a wide range of textile products. In the agro-industrial sector, priority is given to the creation of new livestock and poultry farms, the expansion of greenhouses, and the establishment of orchards and vegetable plantations using water-saving technologies. Turkmenistan's socio-economic development programme for 2026 aims to support small and medium-sized businesses, with the private sector's share of GDP projected at 72.9% (excluding the fuel and energy complex). In addition, it is planned to create 5,245 new jobs through the construction and modernisation of production facilities in various industries.
Turkmenistan will be represented at the sports programming championship
03.03.2026Programmers from Turkmenistan will take part in the final of the ‘Central Asia Programming Championship 2026’ International Programming Competition, according to the Orient news agency. The final competition will take place on 27 March in Shymkent (Kazakhstan) as part of the ‘Digital Qazaqstan 2026’ forum. The tournament will feature the best developers from Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. After online selection held on 28 February, the finalists will solve complex algorithmic problems at the ICPC (International Collegiate Programming Contest) level. The prize fund for the championship is 3 million tenge: 1.5 million for first place, 1 million for second place, and 500,000 for third place. The organisers (Alem.ai Foundation, Astana Hub and the Kazakhstan Competitive Programming Federation) will cover the finalists' travel and accommodation expenses. In addition to the competition, participants will enjoy an educational programme with presentations by senior developers from Meta, Google, Booking and other IT companies, creating opportunities for networking and career contacts.
Turkmenistan and Greece discussed expanding cooperation
03.03.2026Sapar Palvanov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Belgium, met with Ioannis Vrailas, Permanent Representative of Greece to the European Union. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The parties discussed the current state and prospects of bilateral relations. They noted the positive dynamics of trade turnover and the development of political dialogue, which is becoming more stable and substantive. Cooperation in the ‘European Union-Turkmenistan’ format was considered separately. The need to intensify cooperation, strengthen the legal framework and further institutionalise relations was emphasised. Following the meeting, mutual interest in expanding the partnership and taking it to a qualitatively new level was confirmed.
Applications are now being accepted for the television competition ‘The Flight of the Horse: Strength and Grace’
03.03.2026Turkmenistan has begun accepting applications for the Interstate Television Film Competition of the Commonwealth of Independent States, entitled ‘The Flight of the Horse: Strength and Grace.’ This information comes from IIC. The project aims to strengthen cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the CIS countries and uses the art of cinema to reveal the beauty, grace and unique role of horses in world history and culture. The competition is expected to become a platform for professional exchange of experience between filmmakers and television journalists of the Commonwealth. It is noted that the competition contributes to the international promotion of Ahal-Teke horses as an important element of Turkmenistan's national cultural heritage, as well as the development of humanitarian cooperation within the CIS.
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