AGP Executive Report

Halk Maslahaty Prep: Turkmenistan is stepping up preparations for the upcoming Halk Maslahaty, with velayat, city and etrap officials, Mejlis deputies, political parties and public groups coordinating events ahead of Independence Day. International Coverage Push: The foreign ministry says Turkmenistan’s embassy in Türkiye is backing the “Turkic World” portal to run a dedicated section tracking preparations and proceedings for the Halk Maslahaty, including speeches and decisions. Education & Youth: Turkmen schoolchildren won 10 awards (6 gold, 4 silver) at the IWISE Global Final London 2026, competing in robotics events like line-follower, maze-solving and mini-sumo. Sports Spotlight: Turkmenistan’s athletes also continue to rack up results, including football and martial arts updates, while the wider region’s youth tournaments keep featuring Turkmenistan in qualification pots. Regional Connectivity Watch: Russia’s deputy PM Marat Khusnullin floated an overland rail route toward the Indian Ocean that could run through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan—framed as a hedge against disruptions at Hormuz and the Bosphorus. Water Diplomacy: Central Asian states approved steps to automate water accounting for the Syrdarya basin and discussed 2026 reservoir limits, with Turkmenistan’s water committee represented.

Russia-India Rail Plan: Russia’s deputy prime minister Marat Khusnullin says Moscow should explore a railway route to the Indian Ocean, potentially routing freight through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan to bypass risks around the Strait of Hormuz and the Bosphorus. Education & Youth Wins: Turkmen schoolchildren took 6 gold and 4 silver at the “IWISE Global Final London 2026,” competing in robotics events. Green Schools Expansion: UNICEF and Turkmenistan’s education ministry added 100 new schools to the Green School Programme, aiming to make campuses safer and more climate-resilient. Inclusive Education Push: A UNICEF-supported technical mission reviewed progress on inclusive education and set next steps for expanding support for children with diverse needs. Emergency Preparedness Training: UNICEF and partners trained frontline responders in Ashgabat on protection in emergencies, including child protection and referral systems. Water Cooperation: Central Asian states approved plans to automate Syrdarya water accounting and discussed limits for 2026 growing-season reservoirs. Afghanistan Transit Talks: Afghan traders met in Ashgabat to discuss a proposed Turkmenabat–Mazar-i-Sharif transit corridor and a delegation exchange. US-Turkmen Diplomacy: Turkmenistan’s deputy foreign minister met the US chargé d’affaires to review cooperation, especially in the UN and humanitarian education/sports exchanges.

Turkmen-Afghan Trade Talks: Afghan traders met in Ashgabat to discuss a proposed Turkmenabat–Mazar-i-Sharif transit corridor, with Turkmenistan invited to send a delegation of traders and investors to Afghanistan. Water Management: Central Asian water ministers approved a draft plan to automate Syrdarya water accounting for the 2026 growing season, setting up a working group by September and reaffirming the Interstate Coordination Water Commission’s role. Education & Child Safety: UNICEF and Turkmenistan’s education authorities expanded the Green School Programme by adding 100 new schools, while UNICEF and partners ran a three-day emergency protection training for frontline responders. Inclusive Schooling: A week-long technical mission supported Turkmenistan’s inclusive education push, focusing on teacher capacity and better support for children with diverse needs. Diplomacy: Turkmenistan’s deputy foreign minister met the U.S. chargé d’affaires to review cooperation, especially via the UN, and plan upcoming humanitarian, education, and sports exchanges. Culture in Ashgabat: Russian theatre workers held a creative laboratory in Ashgabat using Pushkin’s “Little Tragedies,” as part of a program supporting Russian theatres abroad. Sports: A 14-year-old Turkmen tennis player, Ali Geldiyev, earned a first-time spot in the Roland-Garros Junior Series qualifiers in Almaty.

Iraqi Security Shake-Up in Kirkuk: Iraq’s military plans to dissolve the East Tigris Operations Command, covering security between Kirkuk and Tuz Khurmatu, as part of a wider reorganization—while Turkmen leaders warn against any pullback that could revive tensions. Afghan–Turkmen Trade Push: Afghan traders met Turkmen officials in Ashgabat to discuss a proposed Turkmenabat–Mazar-i-Sharif transit corridor, with an invitation for Turkmenistan to send a large business delegation. Water Management in Central Asia: Ministers from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan approved steps for automated water accounting in the Syrdarya basin and set up a working group by September. Halk Maslahaty Coverage Plan: Turkmenistan’s MFA says the international portal “Turkic World” will run a dedicated section tracking preparations for the Halk Maslahaty meeting on 23 September. Inclusive Education and Emergency Preparedness: UNICEF-backed efforts expand Green School participation to 100 new schools, while a three-day workshop trains Turkmen frontline responders on protection in emergencies. Sports and Youth: A Turkmen junior tennis player earned a first-time spot in Roland-Garros junior qualifiers in Almaty, and Ashgabat hosted joint cycling training with Abu Dhabi.

Halk Maslahaty Prep Coverage: Turkmenistan’s MFA says the “Turkic World” portal will run a dedicated section tracking preparations for the Halk Maslahaty meeting, with updates on speeches, decisions, and initiatives as the event approaches. International Law 2028 Push: A conference at Turkmenistan’s embassy in Azerbaijan highlighted the upcoming Halk Maslahaty session and the UN-backed “Year of International Law, 2028” initiative. Inclusive Education Boost: UNICEF and Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Education expanded the Green School Programme by adding 100 new schools, aiming to make schools safer, healthier, and more climate-resilient. Emergency Readiness Training: UNICEF and partners trained 30 frontline responders in Ashgabat on protection in emergencies, including child protection and referral practices. Inclusive Education Mission: A week-long technical mission supported Turkmenistan’s push to expand inclusive education, focusing on teacher preparation and better support for children with diverse needs. Diplomatic Outreach: Turkmenistan’s deputy foreign minister met the US Chargé d’Affaires a.i. to discuss UN cooperation and humanitarian exchanges, including education and sports. Sports & Youth: A 14-year-old Turkmen tennis player, Ali Geldiyev, will debut at the Roland-Garros junior qualifiers in Almaty.

Turkmenistan–US Diplomacy: Deputy Foreign Minister Myahri Byashimova met U.S. Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Christine Hawkins, focusing on UN cooperation, humanitarian projects, and expanding educational and sports exchanges. Caspian Security & Water Stress: Turkey warned that the Russia-Ukraine war can’t be “exported” into the Black Sea and Caspian, while separate reporting highlights the Caspian’s worsening crisis tied to falling river inflows and heavy withdrawals across the basin. Fuel Shock in Central Asia: A Russia fuel crunch linked to Ukraine strikes is spilling into the region, with Tajikistan sharply increasing imports from Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan as Russian supplies drop. Regional Trade & Transit: Afghanistan’s chamber delegation met Turkmenistan’s business bodies to discuss a new Turkmenabat–Mazar-i-Sharif transit corridor and a proposed investor mission to Kabul. Sports & Youth: Turkmenistan’s fire-applied sports competition in Gokdere drew young teams, and a cycling camp with Abu Dhabi’s club began in Ashgabat. International Law Agenda: Turkmenistan’s leadership met OSCE/Switzerland officials, reiterating priorities on energy, transport, environment, and water cooperation.

Caspian Sea Crisis: A new study links the Caspian’s shrinking to sharply lower river inflows, including major losses from the Volga, as water withdrawals across bordering states push the sea toward collapse. Regional Security: A separate analysis says Ukraine’s strike activity in the Caspian signals that the Russia-Iran military link may no longer stay “contained,” raising escalation concerns. Diplomacy: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov met Swiss OSCE chair Ignazio Cassis, stressing OSCE cooperation on energy security, transport, environment, water management, and human rights. Public Health: Turkmenistan’s breastfeeding roundtable, backed by UNICEF and the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Foundation, called for stronger mother-to-mother counseling and expanded breastfeeding support systems. Sports & Culture: A Turkmen cycling team began a joint training camp with Abu Dhabi in Ashgabat, while Turkmen specialists are set to take part in an AI film festival and Turkmen athletes continue regional competition momentum. Consular Update: Belarus will introduce an online appointment system for visas and consular services starting 7 August.

Health & Families: Ashgabat hosted a national roundtable on strengthening exclusive breastfeeding, with UNICEF and the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation pushing practical support for mothers, including peer-to-peer counseling and training for local volunteers. Diplomacy: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov met Ignazio Cassis, Switzerland’s vice president and OSCE chair-in-office, as Turkmenistan highlighted ongoing OSCE cooperation in Ashgabat and said it wants to expand partnership on human rights, energy security, transport, and water management. Regional Connectivity: Turkmenistan’s communications ministry took part in a CAREC Digital Corridor consultative meeting in Islamabad, reaffirming plans to modernize telecoms, expand digital government services, and improve cross-border digital connectivity. Agriculture: Mary velayat is preparing for cotton harvest across 162,000 hectares, with irrigation, fertilization, and boll formation underway. Sports & Youth: Bahrain’s 3x3 U23 teams will compete in Singapore alongside Turkmenistan in the FIBA Youth Nations League, with the event also serving as a qualifier for the U23 World Cup. International Law Agenda: Turkmenistan’s push to promote the UN-backed “Year of International Law, 2028” continues through planning for a national action plan.

OSCE and Swiss ties: Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov met OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ignazio Cassis and Switzerland’s top diplomat to review OSCE cooperation, including plans for high-level regional events in Ashgabat and further work with the OSCE Centre. Public health: The WHO warns that extreme heat in Turkmenistan is becoming more frequent and longer, stressing heat-health action plans, early warnings, and protection for outdoor workers and people with chronic conditions. Humanitarian tragedy: A report highlights the death of Afghan migrant Hayatullah in Iran-bound desert conditions, framing it as a grim indictment of forced migration and debt. Education and culture: Four Turkmen French teachers completed a two-week internship in Nice, training in modern methods for teaching French as a foreign language. Regional connectivity: Turkmenistan’s communications ministry took part in a CAREC Digital Corridor consultative meeting in Islamabad, reaffirming plans to modernize telecoms and expand digital government services. Health program: Turkmenistan approved a 2026–2030 national program “Healthy Mother – Healthy Child – Healthy Future,” with phased implementation and a focus on maternal and child healthcare workforce upgrades.

Diplomacy & Neutrality: A new analysis revisits how Turkmenistan’s UN-backed “permanent neutrality” has shaped its foreign policy—strong as a diplomatic venue (notably for Tajik peace talks), but with more limited economic payoff. Regional Connectivity: Turkmenistan took part in a CAREC Digital Corridor consultative meeting in Islamabad, stressing digital transformation, modern telecom upgrades, and cross-border digital services. International Law Push: Ashgabat is set to host a UN-supported high-level forum on international law in 2028, with plans for an “Ashgabat declaration” to reaffirm the primacy of international law. Health Policy: Turkmenistan approved the 2026–2030 national program “Healthy Mother – Healthy Child – Healthy Future,” focusing on maternal and child healthcare, workforce strengthening, prevention, and early diagnosis. Energy Project Update: Turkmennebit says work on the TAPI pipeline’s Serhetabat–Herat main section must continue to international standards, while Afghanistan reports rapid progress on the Torghundi–Herat stretch. Sports & Education: Turkmen students won 6 gold and 3 silver at the IMC-2026 in Bulgaria; FC “Arkadag” claimed the Turkmenistan Super Cup again, beating Ahal 3–0.

Health Policy: Turkmenistan has approved a new national program “Healthy Mother – Healthy Child – Healthy Future” for 2026–2030, with a two-phase rollout focused on maternal and child healthcare, prevention, early diagnosis, and upgrading medical training and staffing. International Law Agenda: Ashgabat is moving to mark the UN’s 2028 “Year of International Law” with an “International Law” platform at the foreign ministry, a national concept on international law and permanent neutrality, and a 2026–2028 action plan plus a joint UN calendar of legal events. Equestrian & Culture: A Turkmen delegation inspected Peelbergen in the Netherlands ahead of the World Championship for Equestrian Sports and the Beauty of Akhal-Teke Horses (Sept 4–6), reviewing arenas, safety, logistics, and training exchanges. Education & Youth: Turkmen students won 6 gold and 3 silver at the 33rd International Mathematical Olympiad IMC-2026, and the country is also rolling out new physics teaching materials for grades VII–X. Energy & Regional Links: Turkmenistan reiterated its push to accelerate the TAPI gas pipeline, while Uzbekistan reported record gas imports from Russia and Turkmenistan in June. Diplomacy & Connectivity: Turkmenistan took part in a CAREC Digital Corridor consultative meeting in Islamabad, stressing digital transformation and cross-border connectivity.

OSCE & Peace Talks: OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ignazio Cassis wrapped up an official visit to Azerbaijan, urging progress toward a lasting Azerbaijan-Armenia peace agreement and offering OSCE support for dialogue and confidence-building. International Law in Ashgabat: Turkmenistan is pushing the UN-backed “Year of International Law, 2028,” with a Cabinet-level initiative and a foreign ministry conference outlining plans for an Ashgabat forum and a draft “Ashgabat declaration.” TAPI Update: Ashgabat reviewed progress on the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India gas pipeline, stressing faster work on the Serhetabat–Herat section and continued commitment to expanding hydrocarbon production. Maternal & Child Health Roadmap: UNFPA and Turkmenistan’s health authorities drafted a 2026–2030 roadmap for the “Healthy Mother – Healthy Child – Healthy Future” programme, focusing on maternal and reproductive health indicators and monitoring. Economy & Trade Signals: Turkmenistan reported 6.3% GDP growth in the first half of 2026, while SCRMET auctions logged over $4.755 million in transactions for textiles and raw materials.

Health Policy: UNFPA and Turkmenistan’s health ministry drafted a 2026–2030 roadmap for “Healthy Mother – Healthy Child – Healthy Future,” focusing on maternal and reproductive health indicators, monitoring, and inter-agency coordination in Ashgabat. Social Services: Turkmenistan shared its approach to strengthening family-oriented social services and professional social work at a regional forum in Dushanbe, aiming to improve early support and child protection. Energy & Regional Trade: Ashgabat reviewed progress on the TAPI gas pipeline, urging faster work on the Serhetabat–Herat section and renewed exploration and drilling to boost output. Economy: Turkmenistan reported 6.3% GDP growth in the first half of 2026, while noting that official figures should be treated cautiously amid IMF skepticism. International Law Agenda: Turkmenistan held a foreign ministry conference on the UN General Assembly’s “Year of International Law, 2028,” tied to Ashgabat’s planned national action steps. US Travel Rules: The US made its visa bond program permanent, with Turkmen citizens among those potentially required to post a refundable bond up to $20,000 for B1/B2 visas.

TAPI Update: Turkmenistan’s oil and gas leadership reviewed progress on the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline, stressing that work on the Serhetabat–Herat section must follow international standards and pushing for faster exploration and production. Trade & Finance: At Turkmenistan’s SCRMET auctions, 14 deals were registered last week, with foreign-currency purchases totaling more than $4.755 million, while domestic buyers took up polypropylene, cement and other goods worth over 511.7 million manats. US Visa Policy: The United States made its visa bond programme permanent, effective Aug. 3, raising the refundable deposit ceiling to $20,000 for certain B1/B2 business and tourist applicants from 50 countries, including Turkmenistan. International Law Push: Turkmenistan is stepping up preparations for the UN General Assembly’s “Year of International Law, 2028,” with a national action plan and related initiatives discussed in Ashgabat. Economy Watch: Turkmenistan reported 6.3% GDP growth in the first half of 2026, with fuel and energy still driving the numbers. Regional Energy/Connectivity: A separate report highlights how Eurasian rail and transport investment is reshaping Asia–Europe logistics, with Central Asia accounting for a growing share of projects.

Turkmenistan–Netherlands Ties: A Turkmen delegation met Dutch officials in Maastricht and The Hague to line up the first World Akhalteke Equestrian Championship and Beauty Contest, set for Sept 4–6, 2026, in Limburg’s Peelbergen Equestrian Centre, with the goal of showcasing Akhal-Teke horses and strengthening cultural links. U.S. Visa Policy: The U.S. is making its visa bond programme permanent from Aug 3, requiring some B1/B2 applicants from 50 countries—including Turkmenistan—to post refundable deposits up to $20,000 before visas are issued. UNESCO Recognition: UNESCO added “Tashkent Modernist Architecture: Modernity and Tradition in Central Asia” to the World Heritage List, highlighting how 1960s–early 1990s modernist planning was adapted to local traditions and seismic risks. Regional Diplomacy: Turkmenistan’s deputy foreign minister took part in Astana’s senior officials meeting for the first “Central Asia–Republic of Korea” summit, coordinating the draft “Seoul Declaration” and flagship cooperation areas. Education & Youth: Ten Turkmen schoolchildren will compete in the international iWISE STEM/robotics contest in London (Aug 2–7).

U.S. Visa Policy: The U.S. is making its refundable visa bond program permanent for applicants from 50 countries, with consular officers able to require deposits of $10,000–$20,000 for B1 business and B2 tourism visas; the money is returned if travelers follow visa conditions and leave on time, but can be forfeited for overstays. Regional Diplomacy: Turkmenistan’s Serdar Berdimuhamedov is in the middle of a Central Asia–Azerbaijan push, with the next summit set for Oct. 8 in Avaza and a draft agenda focused on security, diplomacy, economy/logistics, environment, and humanitarian ties. Central Asia–Korea Summit Prep: Turkmenistan’s deputy foreign minister took part in Astana talks to finalize the “Seoul Declaration” for the first Central Asia–Republic of Korea summit. Culture & Sports: Ten Turkmen schoolchildren will compete in the international iWISE STEM/robotics contest in London, while Arkadag’s “Arkadag” club will play a qualifying match in the AFC Champions League Two on Aug. 12. International Engagement: Switzerland’s foreign minister Ignazio Cassis will visit Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan (Aug. 3–5), including meetings in Ashgabat on OSCE priorities.