The European Union and Turkmenistan held a high-level event on October 3 in Ashgabat that launched the Coordination Platform of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. This Corridor aims to strengthen connectivity by developing transport routes between Central Asia and the European Union. The event brought together the European Union, representatives of the countries along the Trans
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the British Embassy in Turkmenistan are partnering to promote sustainable economic growth by supporting the development of the creative and innovative economy. This new initiative aims to diversify Turkmenistan’s economy, empower women and youth, and enhance global competitiveness, UNDP Turkmenistan reported. The purpose of the project is
On September 18, Kazakhstan Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held the first meeting of the Board of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) under the chairmanship of Kazakhstan. The meeting with the heads of delegations of the participating countries of the Fund considered the issues of joint use of transboundary water resources, as
The 2nd summit of Central Asian countries and Germany was held on September 17 in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana. Chaired by Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the meeting was attended by Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat
In the first five months of the current solar year (which begins on March 21), Afghanistan has conducted trade worth nearly $700 million with Central Asian countries, TOLOnews reported with reference to the Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesperson for the ministry, said that trade between Afghanistan and Central Asian
The Government of Japan and UN Development Programme (UNDP) have agreed upon a new $4.9 million project, “Enhancing Urban Resilience to Disaster Risk and Climate Change in Central Asia”. The signing ceremony was held on September 11 in Astana, Kazakhstan. The project aims to enhance urban resilience to climate-driven risks in Central Asia by utilizing regional collaborative mechanisms and national transformational strategies, fostering sustainable
Construction work has been launched on the Afghan section of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) natural gas pipeline. A ceremony to start works on the pipeline’s Serhetabat-Herat section was held on September 11 at a checkpoint on the Turkmen-Afghan border. It was attended by the Chairman of the People’s Council of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Mullah Mohammad
At the award ceremony of the World Smart City Expo (WSCE) held last week in Goyang, Republic of Korea, the Turkmen city of Arkadag received three awards: the Smart City Excellence Award, the Foreign Smart City Award, and the WSCE 2024 Contribution Award, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan reported. Built from scratch 30 km
On August 30, a meeting was held in Ashgabat between the Turkmen and Afghan delegations. The Afghan delegation was headed by Acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan Hidayatullah Badri. The Turkmen delegation included the country’s Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers. The delegations discussed partnership in key economic sectors. Turkmenistan reiterated its
On 28 August, the National Leader and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visited Iran. He met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and conveyed an invitation from Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to pay an official visit to Turkmenistan. During the talks, the two leaders discussed the current state and prospects
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on August 28 launched a new country partnership strategy for Turkmenistan designed to help the Central Asian nation develop a competitive, diversified, and knowledge-based economy driven by an innovative private sector. Under the new strategy, covering 2024-2028, ADB’s assistance will focus on three strategic priorities — supporting the green transition to a
The year 2024 is marked by the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the birth of the great Turkmen poet and philosopher Magtymguly Pyragy. In the row of activities to mark the anniversary of the outstanding Turkmen classical poet, special attention is given to publication of collections of poems, research works, scientific articles, monographs, special editions,
The only mobile network operator in Turkmenistan, Altyn Asyr, has stopped selling SIM cards to clients, citing a limited capacity for new telephone numbers, RFE/RL’s Turkmen Service reported. Residents of the Turkmen capital, Ashgabat, told RFE/RL that many teenagers who became eligible to purchase telephones and SIM cards after they reached 16 and obtained their
On August 12, the scientific and practical conference “The Caspian Sea: Cooperation for Sustainable Development” dedicated to the Caspian Sea Day was held in the Avaza National Tourist Zone in Turkmenistan. The conference was attended by heads and representatives of relevant ministries and departments of Turkmenistan, heads of diplomatic missions of foreign states, experts of
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Turkmenistan, as part of the Country Component for Turkmenistan of the regional project “Promoting Resilient Communities to Prevent Violent Extremism in Central Asia,” hosted a series of mentoring trainings for youth on the fundamentals of sustainable agriculture. These trainings, held from July 22 to July 30, 2024, in the
Elizabeth Rood was sworn in as the United States Ambassador to Turkmenistan on July 15 and presented her credentials to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on July 31. According to the U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan, Ambassador Rood looks forward to strengthening the partnership, rooted in government and people-to-people ties, between the United States and Turkmenistan during her tenure. Ambassador
Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on July 31 in Ashgabat met with the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Türkiye, Alparslan Bayraktar. During the meeting, the Turkmen president said that Turkmenistan is ready to continue cooperation with Türkiye in the energy sector, particularly in the transportation of Turkmen natural gas to Türkiye and on to
The Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres held a meeting on July 6 in Ashgabat with the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and attended the opening ceremony of the new UN Office building in the Turkmen capital. The Turkmen president emphasized that this visit is regarded as a qualitatively new stage of interaction to
The Government of Turkmenistan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on 6 July signed several strategic agreements aimed at strengthening and advancing a long-term partnership in achieving national development priorities, UNDP Turkmenistan reported. More specifically, UNDP and the Government of Turkmenistan have launched new initiatives to support the country in accelerating progress towards the
The U.S. Air Force Central Command (AFCENT) Band arrived in Ashgabat on June 28 as part of a five-day visit to Turkmenistan. During their visit, AFCENT musicians taught a master class at the Maya Kuliyeva Turkmen National Conservatory, gave a short performance for children with disabilities, and drew a crowd of over 1,000 at a
