News
Turkmen judge joins Qatar Cup weightlifting board
25.12.2025The 10th International Weightlifting Cup was held in Qatar. Osmanguly Handurdyev, an international referee from Turkmenistan, took part in the tournament, according to IIC. He was part of the judging panel for the competition, which was held under the auspices of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). His participation ensured impartiality and professional judging at the tournament, which has qualifying status for the world rankings. The presence of a Turkmen judge at a competition of this level confirms the trust of the IWF and the country's participation in the international sports system. Turkmen athletes also competed in the tournament. The team won six medals. In the 67 kg weight category, Bunyat Rashidov won gold in the snatch (145 kg), silver in the clean and jerk (169 kg) and became the winner in the total — 314 kg. In the 45 kg category, Ogulshat Amanova lifted 77 kg in the snatch and 93 kg in the clean and jerk. She won three bronze medals, including the award for the total of 170 kg.
Delegation from Turkmen university visited ITER in France
24.12.2025From 17 to 21 December, a delegation from Magtymguly Turkmen State University visited the French city of Saint-Paul-lès-Durance. This was reported by the news website Asmannews. The group included A. Amanmadov, a lecturer at the Department of Theoretical and Experimental Physics, and M. Kakamyradova, a first-year student majoring in radio physics and electronics. During the visit, the Turkmen specialists familiarised themselves with the work of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), one of the largest scientific projects in the field of energy. The participants were told about the principles of controlled thermonuclear fusion and the prospects for its application in the production of safe and environmentally friendly electricity.
‘Sony’ to support Turkmenistan's transition to 4K television broadcasting
24.12.2025‘Sony’ Corporation has been cooperating with the State Committee of Turkmenistan for Television, Radio Broadcasting and Cinematography for several years, supplying equipment for the television broadcasting system. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. ‘Sony’ CEO Toshihiro Takami said that the company is working on transitioning television from Full HD to 4K, which provides higher image quality. Under the signed agreement, ‘Sony’ plans to develop a basic project, implement it in technical equipment and scientific research, and organise training for Turkmen specialists.
Turkmenistan expands transport services by modernising locomotives
24.12.2025The Ministry of Rail Transport of Turkmenistan has signed a contract with the Chinese company ‘CRRC Ziyang Co., Ltd.’ through the joint-stock company ‘Demirýollary’ for the overhaul of locomotives with the aim of increasing passenger and freight traffic, according to the online news resource TerraNews. Under the agreement, 20 freight locomotives (40 units) are to be overhauled. Eleven locomotives have already been put into operation, which has made it possible to increase train speeds, reduce downtime at stations and increase the length and weight of trains. The modernised locomotives are equipped with modern systems that meet safety requirements and ensure efficient freight transport.
Scientists have recorded the manul in the Kopetdag Nature Reserve in Turkmenistan
24.12.2025The manul is a rare wild cat that inhabits the Kopetdag and the Great Balkan Mountains of Turkmenistan and is rarely seen due to its secretive lifestyle. Recently, the animal was spotted in the Dogrydere area of the Kopetdag Nature Reserve, giving scientists new opportunities to study its distribution and ecology, according to the news website Asmannews. In December, experts found traces of manuls and other wild cats at various altitudes in the Ruhabat Valley, including marks at around 1,500 metres. The manul is listed in the Red Book of Turkmenistan, the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List, and is protected by the CITES Convention. Large groups of wild boars were also spotted in the observation area.
Cooperation between Turkmenistan and the UN expands in the humanitarian sphere
24.12.2025Turkmenistan considers its strategic partnership with the United Nations to be one of its foreign policy priorities. In the International Year of Peace and Trust, which coincided with the 30th anniversary of the country's Permanent Neutrality and the 80th anniversary of the UN, cooperation has been further developed, according to TDH. In October 2025, the fourth meeting of the ‘Turkmenistan - UN’ Strategic Advisory Council was held in Ashgabat. Joint projects in the socio-economic and humanitarian spheres are being implemented, and a number of long-term documents have been signed. On 23 October 2025, a Framework Programme for Cooperation in the Field of Sustainable Development between the Government of Turkmenistan and the UN for 2026-2030 was signed. UNDP, UNICEF and UNFPA country programmes for Turkmenistan for this period were also approved. Cooperation with UNICEF continues. Work plans for 2026–2027 have been signed with the Mejlis, the Ombudsman's Office, and relevant ministries and agencies. The documents cover issues of child rights protection, education, social support, statistics, and information work. Turkmenistan is a member of the UNICEF Executive Board for 2024–2026. The Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship plays an active role in humanitarian cooperation. The Foundation implements medical and social programmes, cooperates with UNICEF and other international partners, and provides humanitarian assistance, including abroad. International contacts and visits were held in November and December 2025, including events in St. Petersburg and Doha, where issues of health protection, inclusive development, and child protection were discussed. Memoranda of Cooperation with foreign foundations and organisations were signed. A partnership with UNFPA is being developed. The Country Programme for 2026-2030 and the Work Plans for the implementation of the national gender policy have been adopted. Turkmenistan is a member of the UN Commission on Population and Development for 2024-2028. Cooperation with UNESCO covers the fields of education, science and culture. In 2025, the art of breeding Turkmen alabay dogs was included in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Ashgabat is part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, and a number of schools and universities participate in the Organisation's relevant programmes. Turkmenistan reaffirms its commitment to expanding cooperation with the UN and its specialised agencies on issues of sustainable development, humanitarian cooperation and international dialogue.
Turkmenistan increases container transport along the North-South corridor
24.12.2025The Ministry of Rail Transport of Turkmenistan is increasing freight traffic on the North-South international corridor and expanding transit and international routes. This was reported by TerraNews. Work is underway to improve the quality of rail services and create competitive tariff conditions for carriers. Container transport is actively used on the North-South, Lapis Lazuli and East-West corridors. In January–November 2025, 19,000 container shipments were completed, including 9,250 transits, 5,650 export and 4,100 import shipments. This is 9,405 containers more than in the same period in 2024. Following the negotiations on international multimodal routes Russia–Kazakhstan–Turkmenistan–Iran, Turkmenistan–Azerbaijan–Georgia–Turkey–Europe, as well as routes through Uzbekistan, 63 container trains were transported during the reporting period.
Turkmenistan assessed the effectiveness of South Korea's advanced recycling technologies
24.12.2025Central Asia is actively studying South Korea's experience in recycling used solar panels, recognised as a world leader in the handling of complex waste. A webinar bringing together environmentalists from Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan discussed technologies that allow up to 95% of useful materials — aluminium, glass and rare metals — to be extracted with minimal CO₂ emissions, according to the Orient news agency. Mergen Kepbanov, director of the CAREC project office in Turkmenistan, noted that the Korean model combines high technology and economic efficiency, which is important for the formation of a circular economy in the region. The Kazakh office of CAREC is ready to expand cooperation by introducing Eastern innovations alongside existing German projects. For Turkmenistan, these recycling systems make it possible to build a ‘clean’ energy production cycle at hybrid solar-wind stations without accumulating environmental damage.
Turkish manufacturers will present their products at an exhibition in Ashgabat
24.12.2025An exhibition of export goods from the Republic of Turkey will be held in Ashgabat from 10 to 12 February 2026. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The exhibition will feature construction technologies and equipment, doors and windows, heating and air conditioning systems, heat and sound insulation materials, roofing, facade coatings, electrical and lighting equipment, tools, plumbing and ceramics. In addition, the exhibition will cover agricultural and packaging products, cosmetics and chemical goods, milling equipment, food products and equipment for the food industry, furniture, home textiles, accessories and equipment for hotels, according to the Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Board. The previous exhibition of this kind was held in Ashgabat from 4 to 6 December 2024.
The Turkmenistan national team won six medals at the Qatar Cup in weightlifting
23.12.2025Athletes from the Turkmenistan national weightlifting team won six medals at the 10th International Qatar Cup, which is being held in Doha from 19 to 27 December. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Bunyat Rashidov won two gold medals in the 67 kg category (snatch – 145 kg, total – 314 kg) and a silver medal in the clean and jerk (169 kg). Ogulshat Amanova in the 45 kg category won three bronze medals — in the snatch, clean and jerk, and total. The Qatar Cup combines three tournaments at once, including the international cup, the Arab and West Asian weightlifting championships.
Turkmen athlete wins six gold medals at Spartakiad
23.12.2025Turkmen athlete Ragitbek Bekchanov won six gold medals at the 21st International Martial Arts Spartakiad in Russia. The tournament took place from 18 to 22 December 2025, according to TerraNews. Ragitbek Bekchanov competed in the mas-wrestling discipline in the weight category up to 70 kg. He became the winner in several competitive programmes. The athlete's results added to Turkmenistan's medal count at international competitions. The Spartakiad brought together martial arts representatives from dozens of countries.
Trade turnover between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan exceeded $1 billion in 11 months
23.12.2025In January–November 2025, trade turnover between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan reached US$1.064 billion. This is US$33 million more than in the same period last year, according to AsmanNews. Over 11 months, Turkmenistan supplied goods worth $926.2 million to the Uzbek market. The country ranked 8th in terms of the volume of imports to Uzbekistan. Imports of goods and services from Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan amounted to $138.2 million. This figure increased by $27.8 million year-on-year. Earlier it was reported that in January-October, trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $876.8 million. In November, the volume of mutual trade increased by $187.6 million.
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