AGP Executive Report

Iran Airspace Denied: Turkmenistan refused an Iranian overflight permit for a Tehran–Dushanbe flight, forcing it to turn back to Imam Khomeini Airport, as Iran’s civil aviation authorities said. UAE Joins Sanctions on Iranian Airlines: The UAE suspended all flights operated by Iranian carriers to and from Dubai, citing US sanctions that block Iranian airlines from using airports worldwide—another blow to Tehran’s aviation links. Regional Energy and Transit: A new analysis highlights how Central Asia’s growing role in global supply chains is driven by energy, minerals, and transport corridors, with analysts expecting competing geoeconomic models rather than any single power dominating. Agriculture Push: Turkmenistan says it will lay the foundation for a 60,000-ton cottonseed processing plant in Dashoguz to produce vegetable oil, alongside new agricultural research support. Policy Updates: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov approved a state youth policy program to 2031 and a national concept on international law and Turkmenistan’s neutrality, and set Sept. 28 as a non-working day for the Independence Day celebrations. Sports Diplomacy: Qatar Olympic Committee chief Jassim Al-Buainain met Turkmenistan’s Olympic officials in Nagoya to discuss sports cooperation.

Turkmen-Iran Airspace Tensions: Iran says Turkmenistan denied an overflight permit for a Tehran–Dushanbe flight, forcing it to return to Imam Khomeini Airport; the same period also saw Iranian airlines cancel UAE-bound services after new US “economic D-Day” sanctions. State Policy Push: Turkmenistan approved a youth policy program through 2031 and a national concept on “International law and neutrality,” with ministries and security bodies tasked to implement both. Independence Holiday Reshuffle: A decree sets Sept. 28, 2026 as a non-working day and moves the day off from Sept. 27 to Sept. 29 for the 35th Independence anniversary. Industrial and Food Security Plans: At the Halk Maslahaty, leaders highlighted industrialization and energy priorities, including a planned 60,000-ton cottonseed processing plant in Dashoguz and further gas-field processing expansion. Diplomacy and EU Talks: Turkmenistan’s deputy foreign minister met the EU ambassador to discuss bilateral cooperation and UN General Assembly priorities. Sports & Culture: Turkmenistan marked Turkmen National Language Day in Afghanistan, while the country’s diplomatic service received state awards at the MFA.

Halk Maslahaty & Industrial Push: Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov used the 23 September People’s Council meeting to lay out a new long-term agenda on industrialization, energy, tech progress, workforce training and youth policy, including Phase 4 at the Galkynysh gas field to add 10 billion cubic meters of processed commercial gas annually. National Strategies Adopted: The session also approved major state strategies covering industry, neutrality and youth policy, with resolutions signed by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. Akhal-Teke Protection Law: Turkmenistan adopted a law giving Akhal-Teke horses national-treasure status, requiring genetic control and digital microchipping and guaranteeing lifelong state protection after sporting or breeding careers. Independence Holiday Calendar: A decree set 27–29 September as non-working days for the 35th Independence Anniversary. Transport & Transit with Afghanistan: Talks in Herat agreed on visa facilitation for traders and drivers, a joint road transport commission, and around-the-clock operation of the Afghanistan–Turkmenistan transit railway. Smart Construction: New reporting highlights digitalized construction and urban development, including Arkadag’s smart-city approach and plans for commissioning over 900,000 square meters of housing and social facilities. TIF 2026 Momentum: Preparations for the Turkmenistan Investment Forum 2026 in Ashgabat (1–2 October) are expanding, with major international institutions and a large Saudi delegation among confirmed participants.

Turkmenistan Investment Forum 2026: Ashgabat is gearing up for TIF 2026 on Oct. 1–2, with more than 800 delegates from 45 countries expected, including a major Saudi delegation led by Prince Mansour bin Mohammed Al Saud, plus World Bank and other development institutions and multinational firms. Smart Construction: The government says housing and infrastructure development is moving into a more “intelligent” phase, with over 900,000 sq. meters of housing and new schools and social facilities planned for commissioning, and projects in Arkadag highlighted as a smart-city model. Regional Diplomacy: Serdar Berdimuhamedov marked his birthday with calls and messages from Vladimir Putin and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, while Uzbekistan and Russia reaffirmed cooperation and friendship. Transport and Transit: Afghanistan and Turkmenistan agreed to set up a joint road transport commission and ease transit, including operationalising the Lapis Lazuli corridor. Energy and Trade Corridors: Commentary and reporting continue to frame Turkmenistan’s options beyond China, with TAPI and Trans-Caspian pipeline ideas tied to broader “Middle Corridor” ambitions. Environment: Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, via RECCA, discussed expanding Caspian-focused climate and biodiversity cooperation, including a methane-reduction conference planned for late October in Ashgabat. Sports: Turkmen chess teams climbed into the top 30 at the Samarkand Olympiad, outperforming their seeds.

UN Health Capacity: UNFPA and Turkmenistan’s health ministry rolled out a cervical cancer programme, updating national clinical protocols and training 30 specialists in Ashgabat, with international expert Dr. Alexey Shevchuk. Diplomatic Calls: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov spoke by phone with Vladimir Putin and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, exchanging birthday greetings and reviewing CIS and regional cooperation, including trade and the “Shavat-Dashoguz” zone. Regional Energy & Transit: Turkmenistan’s TAPI pipeline push continues, with officials saying the Serhetabat–Herat section could be finished by end-2026 to enable gas deliveries to Afghanistan in 2027. Caspian Environment: Iran warned Caspian Sea level decline could damage most coastal ecosystems by 2050, as COP7 in Tehran tackles pollution, habitat loss and conservation. Customs Modernization: Turkmen customs specialists trained on using AI for risk management as Ashgabat advances EU-backed trade facilitation along the China–Central Asia–Europe transit corridor. Sports & Culture: Turkmenistan marked its 35th independence anniversary with events and ongoing coverage of changing leisure and sports access.

Energy & Security: Escalation in the Middle East is again shaking global oil flows, with attacks near key chokepoints and Saudi energy infrastructure raising uncertainty over when markets will stabilize. Environment: Iran warns the Caspian Sea’s falling levels could damage most coastal ecosystems, with the Tehran Convention COP7 opening in Tehran and Turkmenistan among the littoral states. Diplomacy (Turkmenistan-Russia): President Serdar Berdimuhamedov spoke by phone with Vladimir Putin, who congratulated him on his birthday; both sides also discussed preparations for upcoming CIS meetings. Diplomacy (Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan): Berdimuhamedov also received a birthday call from Uzbekistan’s Shavkat Mirziyoyev, with both leaders highlighting trade growth and the “Shavat-Dashoguz” trade zone. Regional Energy Project: Turkmenistan says the Serhetabat–Herat section of the TAPI pipeline should be completed by end-2026, enabling gas deliveries to Afghanistan in 2027. Public Life & Education: An ozone-layer preservation seminar at the Turkmen Agricultural Institute focused on green technologies and using digital tools to boost environmental awareness. Sports (Asian Games): Turkmen athletes are competing at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games as China leads the medal table after day three.

Customs Modernization: Turkmenistan’s State Customs Service held an Ashgabat seminar on using artificial intelligence for risk management, training about 30 specialists under an EU-funded project tied to the China–Central Asia–Europe transit corridor. Energy & Regional Links: Turkmenistan says it expects to start natural gas supplies to Pakistan via the TAPI pipeline in 2027, with the Serhetabat–Herat section completion this year aimed at enabling the next phase. Transport Connectivity: Turkmenistan’s ambassador in Islamabad highlighted TAP power transmission progress and broader efforts to improve transit routes and trade links with Pakistan and Central Asia. Sports & National Pride: Turkmen athletes are competing at the XX Asian Games in Japan, with the national team entering the opening ceremony under number 40. Diplomacy: Foreign leaders sent birthday congratulations to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on turning 45, including Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. Business: The State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange recorded 93 transactions worth over $9.9 million, including petroleum coke and cotton yarn. Weather: Forecasts call for mostly warm conditions up to +37°C, with a gradual cooling toward the weekend.

TAPI Gas Push: Turkmenistan says the Serhetabat–Herat section of the TAPI pipeline is expected to be completed this year, setting up natural gas supplies to Afghanistan in 2027, with the project aimed at diversifying Ashgabat’s gas exports. Energy Expansion: The Lebap Cement Plant is ramping up output after commissioning its second phase, boosting capacity to 2 million tons annually and enabling production of higher-grade S-600 cement. Trade at SCRMET: Turkmenistan recorded 93 transactions at the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange, totaling over $9.918 million, with foreign buyers purchasing petroleum coke, cotton yarn and sheet glass. Regional Connectivity Watch: Uzbekistan is studying participation in a railway linking Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan to Türkiye, with access to Samsun and Istanbul ports, and reviewing logistics links involving Turkmenbashi and other regional hubs. Diplomacy: A meeting at Turkmenistan’s MFA discussed EU-Turkmenistan cooperation priorities ahead of the UN General Assembly. Local Development: Ashgabat continues road-safety upgrades, including installing a convex mirror at a blind intersection to improve visibility for drivers and pedestrians.

Mobility in Focus: A new installment of “Turkmenistan at 35” looks at how everyday travel has changed—more cars, modern buses, and a growing urban taxi culture reshaping commutes and city life. Local Safety: Ashgabat installed a convex mirror at a blind residential intersection to improve visibility for drivers and pedestrians, part of wider neighborhood road-safety measures. Infrastructure Watch: Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov inspected upgraded highways and interchanges near the Kopetdag foothills, including works around the Yanardag monument and the Atly aýlaw ring road, built to “international standards.” Regional Trade: Central Asia’s intra-regional trade rose 25.4% in Jan–July 2026 to $8.1 billion, with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan driving most of the growth and Turkmenistan also increasing exports. Culture & Diplomacy: Turkmen culture featured in Seoul after the Korea–Central Asia summit, with Turkmen instruments and performances presented as a “human dimension” to relations. Environment Education: Turkmenistan marked World Ozone Day with schoolchildren’s awareness events on protecting the ozone layer. Cotton Harvest Coercion Allegations: Reports say public employees pay monthly fees to avoid forced cotton-field labor, with quotas and “voluntary” paperwork used to pressure staff.

UN Diplomacy: Turkmenistan laid out its priorities for the 81st UN General Assembly, stressing restoring trust, preventive diplomacy, transport connectivity, depoliticized energy dialogue, climate action, humanitarian cooperation and international law. Foreign Ministry Briefing: An MFA briefing in Ashgabat also highlighted cooperation with international organizations and economic partners ahead of the General Debate. Cotton Harvest Coercion: Reports say public employees are paying monthly fees—20 to 380 manats—to avoid forced work in cotton fields, with “voluntary” letters and disciplinary pressure used to enforce quotas. Education & Scholarships: China’s embassy in Turkmenistan handed admission notifications to students entering Chinese universities under a state scholarship program, underscoring education ties. Regional Energy: Afghanistan’s power utility says talks with the TAPI project team focused on progress on a 500-kV transmission line to expand electricity imports from Turkmenistan. Culture & Sports: Turkmen designers showcased collections at Paris’s Who’s Next exhibition, while Turkmen chess players notched wins at the Samarkand Olympiad and Turkmen athletes are set for the Asian Games opening ceremony in Japan.

Turkmenistan–UN diplomacy: Ashgabat laid out its priorities for the 81st UN General Assembly, stressing trust-building, preventive diplomacy, neutrality, transport connectivity, depoliticized energy dialogue, climate action, humanitarian cooperation and international law. Cotton forced-labor claims: Reports say public employees in all four provinces pay monthly fees to avoid being sent to cotton harvest work, with quotas and pressure reportedly enforced through “voluntary” paperwork and disciplinary threats. WTO and energy talks: At an MFA briefing, officials discussed progress toward WTO accession and said Turkmenistan views the Energy Charter Treaty as still relevant amid shifting European approaches. Regional connectivity: Afghanistan’s power utility says it met Turkmenistan officials on the 500-kilovolt transmission project under TAPI, including progress on the Herat substation. Culture and education ties: Turkmenistan’s delegation took part in a UN regional seminar in Tokyo on youth empowerment and digital resilience, while Ashgabat hosted World Ozone Day activities for schoolchildren. Sports: Turkmen athletes will join the opening ceremony of the Asian Games in Japan, with Turkmenistan sending a delegation of 57. Turkic arts: The Turkic Union of Composers was founded in Baku with Turkmen participation, formalized by the Baku Declaration.

Turkmenistan–UN diplomacy: Ashgabat laid out its priorities for the 81st UN General Assembly, stressing restoring trust, preventive diplomacy, transport connectivity, depoliticized energy dialogue, climate and humanitarian cooperation, and a responsible approach to new technologies including AI. Cotton forced-labor pressure: Reports say public employees in Turkmenistan are paying monthly fees (20–380 manats) to avoid being sent to cotton fields, with “voluntary” paperwork and disciplinary threats used to enforce quotas. WTO and global trade: The MFA updated diplomats on Turkmenistan’s WTO accession push, noting observer status since 2020 and a 2026 acceleration of preparations, including plans for a national negotiating group and a designated chairing state. Customs modernization: More than 30 customs specialists trained in Ashgabat on advanced risk management for the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, including pre-arrival data analysis and post-clearance audits. Energy cooperation: Afghanistan’s power utility reported progress on the 500-kilovolt Turkmenistan-linked transmission project under TAPI talks, aimed at boosting electricity supplies. Regional culture and ties: Turkmenistan joined the wider Turkic cultural push as the Turkic Union of Composers was established in Baku under the Baku Declaration.

UN Diplomacy in Ashgabat: Turkmenistan briefed diplomats on its priorities for the 81st UN General Assembly, stressing peace and neutrality, preventive diplomacy, transport connectivity, depoliticized energy dialogue, climate action, and humanitarian cooperation. Cotton Forced-Labor Claims: Reports say public employees in Turkmenistan are paying monthly fees (20–380 manats) to avoid being sent to the cotton harvest, with “voluntary” paperwork and disciplinary pressure for noncompliance. WTO Accession Update: The MFA said Turkmenistan’s WTO path has accelerated in 2026, including plans for a national negotiating group and a designated chairing state for the working party. Energy Charter Stance: Turkmenistan reiterated that the Energy Charter Treaty remains relevant, framing European reassessments as a normal evolution of multilateral energy institutions. Customs Modernization: A three-day OSCE/ITC-backed training in Ashgabat focused on advanced customs risk management, including pre-arrival data, post-clearance audits, and digital tools. Gender Equality Consultations: UNFPA and the Mejlis held talks to align Turkmenistan’s legislation with CEDAW recommendations for 2026–2030. UN Nuclear Cooperation: Turkmenistan’s delegation attended the IAEA General Conference, highlighting cancer care cooperation and the “Atoms for Landlocked Developing Countries” initiative.

UN Diplomacy Briefing: Turkmenistan’s MFA held a briefing on priorities for the 81st UN General Assembly, centering on peace and permanent neutrality, sustainable transport and development, energy, climate and the environment, and humanitarian cooperation. MFA on Finance: Another MFA briefing update focused on Turkmenistan’s long-term partnerships with international financial institutions, including regular expert dialogue with the IMF and cooperation with the World Bank. Nuclear Cooperation: A Turkmen delegation took part in the 70th IAEA General Conference in Vienna, highlighting nuclear non-proliferation, safety, and peaceful uses in healthcare, including cancer diagnosis and treatment support in Ashgabat. Customs Modernization: More than 30 customs specialists trained in Ashgabat on advanced customs risk management, including pre-arrival data analysis, post-clearance audits, and the use of digital tools and AI. Gender Equality Lawmaking: UNFPA and the Mejlis convened consultative talks to align Turkmenistan’s legislation with CEDAW recommendations and strengthen mechanisms under the 2026–2030 gender equality plan. Environment Education: Ashgabat hosted World Ozone Day activities for schoolchildren, using games and quizzes to teach why the ozone layer matters and how daily choices affect it. UN Foresight Pilot: Turkmenistan’s UN Country Team became the first globally to pilot the UN Women G-PESTLE strategic foresight framework to spot emerging risks and opportunities for long-term planning. Energy Charter Position: Turkmenistan reiterated its view of the Energy Charter Treaty as still relevant, while noting European partners are reassessing participation. Regional Safety Drills: Caspian 2026 rescue exercises wrapped up in Astrakhan with participation from Caspian littoral states including Turkmenistan. WTO Accession Update: MFA also provided a progress update on Turkmenistan’s WTO accession, noting observer status since 2020 and renewed acceleration in 2026.

Korea-Central Asia Summit in Seoul: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov joined the first “Central Asia – Republic of Korea” summit, pushing new science and education ties, including joint double degrees and youth digital-literacy programs, plus “smart cities” cooperation to modernize urban infrastructure. Business & infrastructure deals: Daewoo E&C used the Korea-Central Asia business push to secure a memorandum with Turkmenistan’s State Committee for Water Management on modernizing the Karakum Canal’s lower section, while Turkmenistan also positioned itself for major matchmaking at the upcoming Turkmenistan Investment Forum 2026. Media training in Ashgabat: The OSCE Centre trained Turkmen journalists and content creators on environmental reporting, including how to use AI tools for research and online work. Migration pressure: A report says more Turkmen school graduates are leaving for study and work, with a notable rise in young women using visas as a fast route abroad. Cybersecurity watch: New analysis links SilkParasite-related infrastructure to SpiceRAT activity targeting Central Asian governments and energy firms. Regional context: OSCE and other partners continue to expand digital and AI cooperation formats, including a C5+1 seminar on trusted AI and secure digitalization held in Ashgabat.

Central Asia–Korea Summit: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov used the first “Central Asia – Republic of Korea” summit in Seoul to push deeper science and education ties, including joint double-degree programs, digital skills for youth, and new research and project work for young scientists. Smart Cities & Digitalization: He also backed Ashgabat’s “Smart cities diplomacy” idea, calling for shared digital infrastructure research and joint technical solutions for urban modernization. Cybersecurity Seminar in Ashgabat: A “C5+1: Trusted Artificial Intelligence and Digitalization” seminar brought Central Asian and U.S. participants to discuss AI, cybersecurity, protection of critical information infrastructure, satellite communications, and data centers. Migration Pressure: Turkmenistan is seeing more school graduates leave for study and work abroad, with a sharp rise in young women using student visas or short tourist visas to enter foreign labor markets. Culture Diplomacy: “Days of Culture of Turkmenistan” opened in South Korea’s Gwangju with concerts and exhibitions, timed to Berdimuhamedov’s visit. Trade & Logistics: South Korea’s KOTRA hosted a Korea–Central Asia business partnership in Seoul that produced 16 export contracts worth about $14m, including talks involving Turkmen firms. Health Research: A new observational study reports omalizumab improved antihistamine-resistant chronic urticaria in 30 patients, cutting UAS7 scores and inflammatory markers after three months.