News
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan discussed cooperation with Georgia
30.01.2026On 29 January, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Myahri Byashimova met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to Turkmenistan Konstantin Sabiashvili at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the press service of the MFA of Turkmenistan. The parties exchanged views on topical issues on the bilateral agenda and noted the high level of political and diplomatic relations. During the meeting, issues of expanding trade and economic cooperation and prospects for the development of interparliamentary ties were discussed.
Ashgabat to host IFT 2026 international investment forum
30.01.2026On 18 March 2026, Ashgabat will host the International Forum ‘Investing in the Future of Turkmenistan’ (IFT 2026). The organisers are the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in partnership with TMT Consulting Group, according to the state news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. According to the official calendar, the forum will open a series of international business events in the country. It will also feature a multidisciplinary exhibition dedicated to the 18th anniversary of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. The organisers say that IFT 2026 will be a platform for dialogue between business representatives, investors and financial institutions. Participants will discuss prospects for cooperation and investment projects. The agenda for IFT 2026 includes issues related to industry, logistics, transport, agribusiness, digital technologies and attracting foreign direct investment. A separate section will be devoted to presentations of investment projects by national companies. Delegations from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America are expected to attend. The forum will take the form of plenary sessions, expert panels and business negotiations.
Representatives of the Foreign Ministries of Turkmenistan and Russia held talks in Ashgabat
30.01.2026On 29 January, Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov met with Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Mihail Galuzin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The parties confirmed their commitment to deepening the Turkmen-Russian strategic partnership and noted the role of regular high-level contacts in the development of bilateral relations. During the talks, issues of political-diplomatic, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian cooperation were discussed. Special attention was paid to cooperation in international forums, including within the UN and the CIS, which is chaired by Turkmenistan this year. The parties also exchanged views on topical issues on the international and regional agenda.
Social and housing projects have become a priority for Turkmenistan in 2026
30.01.2026Turkmenistan continues to implement programmes for the development of social and residential infrastructure. The working plans for 2026 were approved on 9 January at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers. They cover all sectors of the economy and social sphere, according to the state news agency TDH. Turkmenistan's President Serdar Berdimuhamedov previously reported that GDP growth since the beginning of the year has remained at 6.3 per cent. New modern villages and settlements have been put into operation in the country. Dovletli Mekan and Bagtly Zamana were opened in the Ahal velayat, and the settlement of Bitaraplyk in the Dashoguz velayat. Construction was carried out as part of long-term state programmes for socio-economic development. In the svillage of Bitaraplyk in the Koneurgench etrap, 400 residential buildings, social and administrative facilities, schools and kindergartens have been built. All buildings are connected to utility networks, and the territories have been landscaped. Similar infrastructure has been created in Dovletli Mekan in the Ak Bugday etrap and in Bagtly Zamana in the Kaka etrap. The projects include housing, educational and medical facilities, as well as utility networks. At the same time, new residential areas are being built throughout the country. The system of preferential mortgage lending is being expanded, including for young families. The rapid pace of construction continues in the city of Arkadag, where the second phase of the project is being implemented. On 10 January 2026, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visited the city to familiarise himself with the progress of the work. During a meeting with representatives of foreign companies, the construction of a medical cluster and quality control of materials were discussed. The construction of large medical facilities is also continuing in the country. New international centres are being built in Ashgabat, and modern hospitals and clinics are being built in the regions. In 2025, a number of medical facilities were commissioned and foundations were laid. The development of social infrastructure also affects the field of education. New university buildings, dormitories and educational complexes are being commissioned in the country, and the construction of buildings for specialised institutes is continuing. According to data announced at a meeting of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, in 2025, 65.6 per cent of investments were directed to production facilities and 34.4 per cent to social and cultural facilities. These funds were used to develop construction, healthcare, education and infrastructure. The implementation of projects is seen as one of the key instruments of the country's socio-economic policy.
Turkmen referees work at the Asian Futsal Cup in Indonesia
30.01.2026The final round of the 18th AFC Futsal Championship is taking place in Indonesia and will continue until 7 February. Representatives of the Turkmenistan Referees' School are participating in the tournament, according to IIC. FIFA referee Timur Ramazanov officiated the Group C match between Japan and Australia. The match ended with a score of 6:2 in favour of Japan. His partner was referee Abdulrahman Al-Dosari from Bahrain. In the second round of Group A, Timur Ramazanov will be the third referee in the match between Iraq and South Korea. Another representative of the Football Federation of Turkmenistan, Vadim Baratov, is involved in the tournament as a referee inspector. He monitors the work of the refereeing teams and compliance with international standards.
A film about Magtymguly Pyragy's childhood, ‘Arzyman’, is being prepared for release
30.01.2026Turkmenistan is completing work on the feature film ‘Arzyman’, dedicated to the childhood of Magtymguly Pyragy. The film is being shot by the ‘Mekanfilm’ studio. The author of the project is director and screenwriter Charyyar Seyidov, according to the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The film is being made against the backdrop of international interest in the poet's legacy following the celebration of his 300th anniversary in 2024. The project is not a biographical chronicle. It focuses on Magtymguly's early years, when the future poet lived in a village, herded cattle and took his first steps in creativity. To prepare for the film, the director studied archival materials and visited the Balkan velayat, the village of Gerkez, the poet's historical homeland. Filming took place in the mountains of the Lesser Balkan, in hard-to-reach locations, including natural caves. The film is titled ‘Arzyman’, which translates from Turkmen as ‘The Desired One.’ The film features a national melody of the same name. The film stars People's Artist of Turkmenistan Ovez Gelenov, Gulnabat Abdullayeva, Mekan Jumabayev and other actors. The role of Magtymguly as a child was played by schoolboy Denizhan Abdyrahmanov. The film is scheduled to be completed on 27 June, which is Culture and Art Workers' Day, as well as Magtymguly Pyragy’s Poetry Day.
The Embassy of Turkmenistan in the PRC hosted a presentation of a book on neutrality
30.01.2026On 28 January, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the People's Republic of China hosted a presentation of the book by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, entitled ‘Neutrality of Turkmenistan – A Bright Way of Peace and Trust’. The event was timed to coincide with the announcement of 2026 as the year of ‘Independent Neutral Turkmenistan − the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses’ and the 30th anniversary of the country's Permanent Neutrality, according to the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The event was attended by embassy staff, the Secretary General of the Horse Breeding Association of the People's Republic of China, representatives of the Turkmen-Chinese Cultural Centre, journalists from Psearcher and Lookwe, teachers from Beijing universities and Turkmen students. The Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the PRC, Parahat Durdyev, delivered the opening remarks. He spoke about the theme of 2026 and presented the main provisions of the book by the Head of State. The participants noted the scientific, political and practical significance of the publication, which examines the historical foundations of Turkmenistan's neutrality and its role in international law and world politics. In conclusion, Wei Huakai, a specialist at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Inner Mongolia University, received a certificate of membership in the International Association of Turkmen Alabay dogs.
Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan strengthen cultural and scientific cooperation
30.01.2026Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Turkmenistan Gismet Gozalov met with Davut Orazsahedov, Director of the Magtymguly Institute of Language, Literature and National Manuscripts of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the Orient news agency. The parties emphasised that relations between the countries had reached a new level in 2025 due to the political support of the leadership. They noted the intensification of mutual visits and high-level contacts, as well as the expansion of cultural and humanitarian cooperation within the framework of the joint inter-governmental commission. Particular attention was paid to science and education as key areas of bilateral cooperation. The importance of joint research on the heritage of the poet Magtymguly Pyragy, translations of his works into Azerbaijani, the work of the Centre for Turkmen Literature in Azerbaijan and the presentation of the collection ‘Fell in Love’ in Ashgabat were noted. Joint scientific programmes, conferences, exchanges of young scientists and publications were discussed, as well as cooperation between the Institute of Manuscripts named after Muhammad Fuzuli of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences and the Turkmen institute. In the future, the parties plan to develop projects within the framework of UNESCO, TURKSOY, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation and the Turkic Academy.
Turkmenistan and Germany outline prospects for business partnership
30.01.2026The Consulate of Turkmenistan in Frankfurt am Main held negotiations on expanding economic cooperation with Germany. This was reported by IIC. The Consul of Turkmenistan in Germany discussed with Andreas Jahn, Chairman of the German-Turkmen Forum and Executive Director of the German Federal Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (BVMW), the strengthening of ties between the private sectors of the two countries and the development of economic diplomacy. The dialogue was a continuation of the Days of Turkmenistan's Economy in Germany and focused on practical steps, primarily the organisation of mutual business missions and the study of the experience of the German Mittelstand. Particular attention was paid to the introduction of management and technological solutions in Turkmen industry. The BVMW, which brings together more than 900,000 companies, is seen as a key partner in the modernisation of Turkmenistan's economy. German business, in turn, sees the country as a promising partner in the field of processing and logistics. Specific agreements are planned to be discussed in March 2026 in Ashgabat as part of the anniversary events of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan and the IFT 2026 investment forum, which should give the cooperation a practical and long-term character.
Approximately 200,000 citizens of Turkmenistan visited Turkey in 2025
30.01.2026In 2025, approximately 200,000 citizens of Turkmenistan visited Turkey. This was announced on 28 January at a press conference in Ashgabat by Ahmet Demirok, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkey to Turkmenistan, according to the news website Asmannews. According to information from the Turkish embassy, approximately 120,000 visas were issued to Turkmen citizens during this period. The Diplomat noted the importance of cultural cooperation in the development of bilateral relations. According to A. Demirok, there is still a high level of interest in Turkish culture in Turkmenistan, which contributes to the strengthening of humanitarian ties between the two countries. In addition, there are plans to open a Turkish cultural centre named after Yunus Emre in Ashgabat in 2026. Similar centres are already operating in many countries around the world.
A new UNICEF country programme has been launched in Turkmenistan
30.01.2026UNICEF, in collaboration with the government of Turkmenistan, has officially launched a Country Programme for 2026–2030 aimed at ensuring the health, education, protection and well-being of every child. This was reported by the IIC. The programme was presented with the participation of representatives of state bodies, civil society, international partners and children. The new programme is based on national development priorities, the National Action Plan for Realisation of Children's Rights and the Sustainable Development Goals. Its key areas are health and nutrition for mothers and children, inclusive and quality education, protection of children from violence, development of data-driven social policy, and improving climate resilience and risk preparedness. The event also summarised the results of the 2021–2025 Programme. The results include high levels of child immunisation (over 95%), improved nutrition through flour fortification, expanded early development services, support for families and children with disabilities, the development of alternative forms of care, and the implementation of climate initiatives, including the ‘Green School’ project. The 2026-2030 Programme will be implemented under the leadership of the government of Turkmenistan with a focus on reducing inequality, scaling up effective solutions and strengthening national systems with the support of UNICEF and partners.
Trade between Turkmenistan and Turkey amounted to $2 billion
29.01.2026The volume of trade between Turkmenistan and Turkey in January–November 2025 approached $2 billion. This was announced on 28 January by Ahmet Demirok, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkey to Turkmenistan, according to the news website Asmannews. According to the Diplomat, bilateral relations are consistently developing in all areas on the principles of mutual benefit, which has a positive impact on trade and economic cooperation. ‘Turkey remains one of Turkmenistan's largest trading partners,’ Demirok said. The Diplomat stressed that the existing potential for cooperation significantly exceeds current indicators. In this regard, the parties intend to increase trade volumes, and reaching the level of $5 billion is considered a realistic goal. The Ambassador also expressed confidence that upcoming exhibitions and joint economic events will provide an additional impetus for expanding bilateral cooperation.
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