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The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, has left for Kazakhstan
22.04.2026On 21 April, the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, departed for Astana on a working visit. He was seen off by officials at the capital’s International Airport. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. In Kazakhstan, the Head of State will take part in the Regional Ecological Summit and the regular meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Founding Members of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea. He was met at Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport by the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Olzhas Bektenov, and members of the Turkmen delegation. The central theme of the summit is the region’s environmental problems, primarily the situation surrounding the Aral Sea. Turkmenistan has consistently promoted this issue at the international level. At the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov proposed the development of a comprehensive UN environmental strategy for Central Asia. The working visit is continuing.
Turkmen businessmen are preparing for a business visit to London
21.04.2026Businesspeople from Turkmenistan will visit London from 9 to 16 May 2026. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The trip is being organised at the invitation of the West London Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UK). During the visit, talks are planned on developing business cooperation in sectors such as the textile industry, agriculture, construction, education, tourism and attracting investment. According to official statistics, trade turnover between Turkmenistan and the UK for the period from September 2024 to September 2025 amounted to £102 million.
The Turkmenistan women's team will take part in the Asian Beach Games in China
21.04.2026The Turkmenistan women’s beach handball team will compete at the 6th Asian Beach Games, which will take place from 22 to 30 April in the Chinese city of Sanya. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The competition programme includes 14 sports, including beach versions of handball, football and volleyball, as well as jiu-jitsu, rock climbing and sailing. Athletes from 45 countries will take part. The Asian Beach Games have been held every two years since 2008, and Sanya will be the second Chinese city to host the tournament.
Turkmenistan is strengthening its role as a transit hub between Europe and Asia
21.04.2026An event entitled ‘Bridging Continents: Turkmenistan’s Evolving Transit and Logistics Potential’ was held in Brussels, focusing on the country’s role in strengthening transport links between Europe and Asia. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The discussion was attended by diplomats, representatives of European institutions, the business community and the media, and was moderated by Alberto Turkstra, Project Director of ‘Diplomatic World’. The Turkmen delegation presented achievements in modernising the customs system, digitalisation and the streamlining of freight procedures. It was noted that the introduction of modern standards enhances the efficiency of transit and the transparency of logistics. Sapar Palvanov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Belgium, emphasised that transport and logistics are becoming a key element of the global economy’s resilience, and that the country’s geographical location obliges it to play the role of a reliable transit hub. He also highlighted infrastructure development, including the port of Turkmenbashi and transport corridors. European participants, including representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament, highlighted the growing interest in cooperation with Central Asia, particularly in the context of supply chain resilience and the development of the Trans-Caspian route. Participants agreed that the effectiveness of transport corridors depends not only on infrastructure, but also on the quality of procedures, digitalisation and predictability. In this context, Turkmenistan’s efforts were positively assessed. The event served as a platform for dialogue between diplomats, experts and the business community on issues relating to the development of the Eurasian transport system.
A delegation from Turkmenistan took part in the election of the Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
21.04.2026On 19 April, representatives of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan took part in the election of the Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The procedure took place during the organisation’s 152nd Assembly, held in Istanbul. Following the vote, the post of Secretary General was taken up by the representative of Romania, Anda Cristina Filip. The participation of the Turkmen parliamentary delegation in this process demonstrates the country’s active involvement in international parliamentary and legislative activities.
Turkmenistan and Iran are strengthening ties against a backdrop of active dialogue
21.04.2026On 20 April, a telephone conversation took place between Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, and Farzaneh Sadegh, Minister of Roads and Urban Development of Iran. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. During the conversation, the parties discussed the progress made in implementing the agreements reached at the 18th meeting of the Joint Turkmen-Iranian Inter-governmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, held in May 2025 in Tehran. In addition, the participants reviewed the current state of bilateral cooperation and the prospects for its further development during the negotiations process. Separately, the interlocutors noted the importance of the cultural and humanitarian dimension of Turkmen-Iranian relations, emphasising its priority status on the overall agenda of bilateral dialogue. The Iranian side expressed its sincere gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, for the humanitarian aid provided to the Iranian people on 14 March 2026 on behalf of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation. This gesture was regarded as a genuine expression of friendship and fraternal ties between the two nations.
Ashgabat and the WHO aligned their positions ahead of the Geneva Assembly
21.04.2026On 20 April, Myahri Byashimova, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, held a meeting with Egor Zaitsev, Head of the WHO Country Office in Ashgabat. A delegation from the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan, led by Deputy Minister Azat Ovezov, also took part in the negotiations, according to the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties reviewed the current state of Turkmen-NATO cooperation and identified priority areas for its further development. Separately, they discussed the promotion of bilateral and multilateral project documents, as well as preparations for upcoming international events in the field of healthcare. Among the key topics was preparation for the event in Geneva, which will take place as part of the 79th session of the World Health Assembly. Following the negotiations, both sides confirmed their readiness to deepen their partnership and expand regional cooperation in the field of public health.
A delegation from Turkmenistan discussed cooperation with the World Bank
21.04.2026During the annual meetings of the World Bank Group, the Turkmenistan delegation held a series of bilateral negotiations aimed at expanding international economic cooperation and strengthening ties with leading development institutions. This was reported by IIC. One of the key events was a meeting with Antonella Bassani, World Bank Vice-President for Europe and Central Asia. During the negotiations, the parties noted the dynamic nature of the partnership and discussed prospects for its further development. Particular attention was paid to strategic areas in which the World Bank can support Turkmenistan’s national development priorities, including assistance in implementing socio-economic reforms and modernising key sectors of the economy. The parties also discussed the adoption of international best practice and the use of modern financial instruments to support national development programmes. Following the meetings, mutual interest was reaffirmed in continuing active cooperation aimed at strengthening economic stability and achieving the country’s long-term goals.
18 trades were concluded on the Turkmenistan Stock Exchange over the course of the week
21.04.2026Last week, 18 transactions were recorded at the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. Turkish business representatives purchased technical sulphuric acid produced by the ‘Türkmenhimiýa’ State Concern in exchange for foreign currency, whilst businesses from Uzbekistan purchased base oil produced at the processing facilities of the ‘Türkmennebit’ State Concern. In addition, cotton yarn and fabrics, muslin, dyed and printed satin, liquorice root extract, undistilled fatty acids from cotton soapstock, children’s denim products, terry towelling and wheat flour were sold for foreign currency. Among the buyer countries were the United Arab Emirates, India and Kyrgyzstan. The total value of foreign trade transactions exceeded 28 million 74 thousand US dollars. On the domestic market, Turkmen entrepreneurs purchased cotton fibre, raw silk and cotton yarn worth 20 million 955 thousand manats.
Ashgabat Zoo has welcomed four lions from Kazakhstan
21.04.2026Four lions have arrived at the National Museum of Living Nature of Turkmenistan from the Shymkent State Zoological Park in the Republic of Kazakhstan. This was reported by the museum’s press office, according to Turkmenportal. It is specified that the Kazakhstani side donated two males and two females. The transfer of the animals took place as part of the development of professional cooperation following the National Museum of Living Nature of Turkmenistan’s accession to the Eurasian Regional Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EARAZA) in 2024. Membership of the association involves the exchange of expertise in the care of rare species, the expansion of the zoological collection and the implementation of modern scientific approaches to biodiversity conservation. Previously, Ashgabat Zoo had already received animals as part of international cooperation: a brown bear named Sumbar was transferred from the Volokolamsk Centre for the Reproduction of Rare Species, and later a female bear named Aydere was transferred from Moscow Zoo.
Filming for the international film ‘Hodja Nasreddin’ took place in the Ahal velayat
21.04.2026Filming has been completed in Turkmenistan for the international feature film titled ‘Hodja Nasreddin: My Friend in Hard Times’. The project is being carried out under the auspices of TURKSOY, with the participation of filmmakers from Azerbaijan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. This news was announced by the ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. Filming took place in the village of Gavers and the settlement of Bokurdak in the Ahal velayat. Here, caravan scenes were filmed using the Karakum Desert as a backdrop. The locations were chosen for their natural colours. The work was carried out with the participation of the “Türkmenfilm” Association named after Oguzhan. The project featured Turkmenistan People’s Artist Chary Seyitliyev. Students studying various art forms took part in the group scenes. The film tells the story of Hodja Nasreddin. The plot highlights the shared values and traditions of Turkic peoples through humour. The director and screenwriter is Vagif Mustafayev. According to him, the image of Nasreddin combines humour with social satire. The project is supported by TURKSOY. The decision to implement the project was taken at the 40th meeting of the Council of Culture Ministers of member states, held as part of the 1st Turkic World Culture Forum in Shusha in October 2023. The production is being carried out by ‘Nasreddin Production MMC’ with the support of the relevant ministries. Post-production will commence once filming is complete. The film’s premiere and participation in international festivals are planned for this summer.
An exhibition has opened in Turkmenistan to mark the Horse Festival
21.04.2026An exhibition marking the National Day of the Turkmen Horse has opened in the exhibition hall of the State Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan. The exhibition centres on works by People’s Artists of Turkmenistan Ada Gutlyev and Babasary Annamyradov. This was reported by IIC. Cultural figures spoke at the ceremony. Teachers, students of the academy and residents of Ashgabat attended. Ada Gutlyev presented a series of carpet canvases created between 2011 and 2026. The works are dedicated to Ahal-Teke horses — a symbol of the Turkmen people. Babasary Annamyradov displayed around 50 sculptures. The works carry philosophical meaning, lean towards abstraction and touch upon eternal values. The exhibition combines tradition with a contemporary perspective on national heritage.
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