The Days of European Culture commenced in Ashgabat on November 18, organized by the Delegation of the European Union to Turkmenistan in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan, European Union Member States, including the Embassy of Germany and the Embassy of France in Turkmenistan, and the French Institute in Turkmenistan. From 18 to
Soltan Achilova, a veteran journalist and former RFE/RL correspondent in Turkmenistan, was forcibly hospitalized in Ashgabat on November 20 in what appears to be a move by the government to prevent her from flying to Geneva to receive an international award, RFE/RL’s Current Time reported. According to the Chronicle of Turkmenistan website, four men in medical gowns
Turkmenistan remains the only state in Central Asia with no free economic zones operating in the country. Although the Law on Free Economic Zones (FEZs) was enacted in Turkmenistan in October 2017, no free economic zones are known to be in operation, according to the U.S. Department of State’s 2024 Investment Climate Statements: Turkmenistan. The
On October 24, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution “Zone of Peace, Trust and Cooperation of Central Asia,” initiated by Turkmenistan, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said. Presenting the resolution, Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the UN A. Atayeva expressed gratitude to the UN Member States for supporting the draft resolution initiated by Turkmenistan, as
On October 11, Ashgabat hosted an international conference, entitled “Interconnection of Times and Civilizations – the Basis of Peace and Development,” celebrating the 300th anniversary of the great Turkmen poet and thinker Magtymguly Pyragy (1724-1807). The high-level forum was attended by President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian,
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Turkmenistan on an official visit on October 10. At the International Airport of Ashgabat, the Kazakh leader was welcomed by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. President Tokayev held talks with his Turkmen counterpart, Serdar Berdimuhamedov. Tokayev emphasized
The Turkish Ministry of National Education has announced changes to the history curriculum — the term “Central Asia” will be replaced with “Turkestan”. This was reported by the official website of Turkey’s TRT television and radio company. The report cites Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who emphasized the importance of the unity of the Turkic
Authorities in Turkmenistan have begun confiscating the passports of individuals trying to leave the country if they have outstanding bank loans, RFE/RL’s Turkmen Service reported. The move is seen as a major blow to many who are migrant workers heading abroad to earn badly needed cash to send home. RFE/RL’s Turkmen Service reports that authorities
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,
