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Turkmenistan took part in an informal consultative meeting in Kyrgyzstan
01.08.2026On 31 July, the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, paid a working visit to the Kyrgyz Republic, where he took part in an informal consultative meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan. This was reported by the news agency TDH. The summit took place at the Congress Centre of the State Residence of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in the city of Cholpon-Ata. The President of Turkmenistan was welcomed by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Zhaparov. Opening the meeting, Sadyr Zhaparov thanked the participants for their visit and noted that Turkmenistan will hold the chairmanship of the ‘Central Asia–Azerbaijan’ format in 2026. The President of the Kyrgyz Republic also expressed his gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for the invitation to take part in the forthcoming summit at the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone. The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, thanked Turkmenistan for acceding to the Treaty on Friendship, Good-Neighbourliness and Cooperation for the Development of Central Asia in the 21st Century. In his address, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov thanked the Kyrgyz side for their hospitality and the high standard of organisation of the meeting, and also conveyed greetings to the participants from the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The Head of State noted that on 8 October 2026, a Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan will take place in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone. According to him, Turkmenistan has already sent the participating states a draft agenda covering issues of regional security, political and diplomatic cooperation, trade and economic cooperation, energy, transport, the environment, water resources, the restoration of the Aral Sea, as well as the development of cultural, educational and scientific ties. The President of Turkmenistan emphasised that, as part of the preparations for the summit in Awaza, a number of international forums and cultural events are also planned. Following the meeting, the Heads of State signed the Cholpon-Ata Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to further strengthening cooperation, relations of friendship, good neighbourliness, mutual respect and trust. Following the conclusion of the summit, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, together with the other heads of state, took part in the opening ceremony of the ‘Baku’ hotel in the village of Kara-Oy in the Issyk-Kul region and toured the new hotel complex. Upon completion of the working visit programme, the President of Turkmenistan returned to Ashgabat.
Turkmenistan will host the first ‘Central Asia–Azerbaijan’ summit
01.08.2026The first ‘Central Asia–Azerbaijan’ summit will take place on 8 October in Turkmenistan. This was announced by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, at an informal meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Kyrgyz Republic, according to IIC of Turkmenistan. The Head of Turkmenistan stated that the draft agenda for the summit had been prepared and sent to all participants in this new cooperation format. The document covers issues of regional and international security, the development of political and diplomatic cooperation, and collaboration in the energy, transport and logistics sectors. The parties also plan to discuss joint environmental protection activities, adaptation to climate change, the rational use of water resources, measures to save the Aral Sea, as well as the development of cultural, humanitarian, educational and youth exchanges.
Turkmenistan has conducted naval exercises to prevent environmental emergencies in the Caspian Sea
01.08.2026The State Service for Maritime and River Transport of Turkmenistan has conducted comprehensive emergency response exercises in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea. This was reported by the news agency Orient. According to the scenario, a simulated oil spill occurred on the ‘Zhdanov-A’ platform, following which the emergency services promptly organised a response. During the exercises, specialists carried out environmental surveys, assessed the extent of the pollution and took water samples. Rescue units deployed oil booms, contained and cleared up the simulated spill. Following the manoeuvres, the actions of all services were deemed successful, and their readiness to respond was rated as ‘Ready’.
Preparations for the final of the ‘Tatar Kyzy’ competition were discussed in Turkmenbashi
01.08.2026The delegation from Tatarstan is continuing its working visit to Turkmenbashi. Vasil Shaikhraziyev, Deputy Prime Minister of Tatarstan and Chairman of the National Council of the World Tatar Congress, met with Nyyazjan Nyyazjanov, the governor of the city. This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. The main topic of the negotiations was the preparations for the final of the ‘Tatar Kyzy’ International Competition, which will take place in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone. The parties discussed organisational matters, and the Head of Turkmenbashi confirmed his readiness to provide comprehensive support for the event.
A delegation from Turkmenistan discussed joint projects with its Dutch partners
31.07.2026During a visit to the Netherlands, a delegation from Turkmenistan, led by Tanryguly Atahallyev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, held meetings with representatives of ‘Royal IHC’, ‘Damen Shipyards Group’ and the international water education institute ‘IHE Delft’. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The parties discussed prospects for cooperation in the fields of water resource management, shipbuilding, maritime infrastructure and professional training, according to the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Belgium. During the talks, the Turkmen delegation also presented preparations for the World Equestrian Games and the Ahal-Teke Horse Beauty Contest, which are due to take place in September 2026 in the Dutch province of Limburg, and invited company representatives to take part in the events. In addition, the possibility of holding a Turkmen-Dutch business forum was discussed.
The President of Turkmenistan has arrived in Kyrgyzstan for a meeting of Central Asian leaders
31.07.2026On 31 July, the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, arrived in Kyrgyzstan to take part in an informal consultative meeting of the heads of state of Central Asia and the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which is being held in Cholpon-Ata on Lake Issyk-Kul. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The Turkmen leader was met at Issyk-Kul Airport by Adylbek Kasymaliyev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan. The meeting is taking place from 30 July to 1 August. The leaders will discuss the development of cooperation in the fields of trade, energy, tourism, transport corridors and cultural and humanitarian ties. Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s visit to Kyrgyzstan will continue over the coming days.
The Ambassador of Turkmenistan held a meeting with the Executive Secretary of UNESCAP
31.07.2026On 30 July 2026, as part of an official visit to the Kingdom of Thailand, M. Mashalov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Malaysia, met with Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of UNESCAP. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The parties discussed issues relating to cooperation between Turkmenistan and ESCAP in the fields of sustainable development, economic cooperation, adaptation to climate change and combating desertification. Particular attention was paid to the initiative of the President of Turkmenistan to establish a Regional Centre for Combating Desertification for the countries of Central Asia in Ashgabat. They also discussed the participation of the Turkmen delegation in COP17 in Mongolia in August 2026 and the 83rd session of ESCAP, which will take place in April 2027 in Shanghai.
The customs authorities of Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan are strengthening their cooperation
31.07.2026On 30 July 2026, a videoconference took place between representatives of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan and the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan. This was reported by the press office of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the application of preferential treatment during customs clearance of imported goods under the Agreement on the Organisation of the Exchange of Advance Information. During the meeting, issues relating to electronic data exchange, the improvement of customs procedures and the acceleration of trade flows were considered. The event followed on from the agreements reached in June 2026 during an official visit, when the text of the Agreement and the Protocol on Cooperation were finalised and signed. The participants reaffirmed their readiness for further cooperation and the implementation of joint initiatives in the field of customs administration.
A UNDP seminar in Ashgabat focused on the financing of environmental projects
31.07.2026On 30 July, a consultative workshop was held in Ashgabat as part of the UNDP project ‘Umbrella Programme to Support Development of Biodiversity Finance Plans’, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. Participants discussed the findings of the Policy and Institutional Review (PIR) on biodiversity financing and the preliminary results of the Biodiversity Expenditure Review (BER) in Turkmenistan. The project applies the methodology of the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), which aims to assess funding needs, analyse current expenditure and identify opportunities to mobilise additional resources for the conservation of natural ecosystems. The workshop addressed issues relating to public and private investment in biodiversity conservation, the state of the regulatory framework, and a preliminary assessment of expenditure in this area. Participants’ suggestions will be taken into account when preparing further analytical materials. The findings will form the basis for developing a National Biodiversity Finance Plan and determining the resources required to achieve national targets in this area. The project also aims to improve environmental governance and enhance the effectiveness of investments in the conservation of natural capital. According to Farhat Orunov, programme analyst for the UNDP’s environmental portfolio in Turkmenistan, the materials submitted will help to provide a deeper understanding of current expenditure on biodiversity conservation and the existing public policy mechanisms in this area.
The Speaker of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan met with the EU Ambassador
31.07.2026On 30 July 2026, the Chairwoman of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, D. Gulmanova, held a meeting with Beata Peksa, the European Union’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Turkmenistan. This was reported by the press office of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the development of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the European Union in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres. During the meeting, the prospects for cooperation in the fields of sustainable development, energy, the environment, science and education, the creation of transport corridors and the expansion of trade and economic ties were highlighted. The importance of the ‘Central Asia–European Union’ format in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals was also emphasised. Particular attention was paid to the ‘Turkmenistan–European Union’ inter-parliamentary dialogue as a mechanism for strengthening cooperation and exchanging views on topical issues. Beata Peksa noted the role of Turkmenistan’s policy of neutrality and its participation in international cooperation in the fields of security, the rule of law, the protection of human rights, gender equality, environmental protection, digitalisation and water resource management. At the conclusion of the meeting, D. Gulmanova expressed her gratitude to the Ambassador for her contribution to the development of friendly relations between Turkmenistan and the European Union, as well as to inter-parliamentary cooperation.
Turkmenistan and Romania are strengthening their cooperation in the energy and logistics sectors
30.07.2026On 29 July, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Romania, Annamammet Annayev, met with Mihai Daraban, President of the Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This was reported by the Orient news agency. The parties discussed the development of economic cooperation, focusing in particular on the energy sector and port logistics. Mihai Daraban expressed interest in resuming the ‘AGRI’ project, which would enable the supply of Turkmen natural gas to the European market via the port infrastructure of Turkmenbashi and Constanța, using a route through Azerbaijan, Georgia and the ‘BRUA’ gas pipeline. Annamammet Annayev highlighted the potential of Turkmenistan’s economy and proposed establishing a regional distribution centre for Turkmen products at the port of Constanța, which, he said, would help to expand trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.
There are plans to build a tourist complex called ‘Little Turkmenistan’ in Bukhara
30.07.2026There are plans to establish the ‘Little Turkmenistan’ cultural and tourist complex in Bukhara. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The prospects for the project’s implementation were discussed by the Deputy Chair of Uzbekistan’s Committee on Tourism, representatives of the Turkish company ‘Finwest Finance Company’, the Eurasian Union of Local Authorities, and the joint venture TURKMEN HALY LLC. During the meeting, the parties discussed issues relating to attracting investment, developing modern hotel and tourism infrastructure, and promoting national crafts, gastronomy and cultural heritage, the source notes.
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