AGP Executive Report

Turkmen Pop on Russian TV: Singer Tachnabat Yomudova made a surprise appearance as a special guest on Andrey Malakhov’s “Hello, Andrey!” in Moscow, where she’s known for her Bollywood-style performances despite having no formal music-school training. State Culture & Arts Recognition: In Ashgabat, ceremonies honoring workers across production, ministries, and “culture and the arts” highlighted the lead-up to Turkmenistan’s Independence Day and the 35th-anniversary celebrations. Akhal-Teke Heritage Gets Legal Muscle: Turkmenistan adopted a law protecting Akhal-Teke horses as a national treasure, requiring genetic control and digital microchipping, and guaranteeing lifelong state protection after sporting or breeding careers—also safeguarding traditional training and national horse-adornment practices. Smart Urban Development: Reports on Turkmenistan’s construction push spotlight digital planning and “smart city” approaches, with Arkadag cited for intelligent transport, smart-home tech, and modern utilities. Sports, With a Turkmen Thread: At the Asian Games, Turkmen chess players drew with Austria in Samarkand, while Turkmen athletes also appear in combat brackets and team results across the wider Games coverage.

State Arts & Culture: Ahead of Turkmenistan’s 35th independence celebrations and the Halk Maslahaty forum, Ashgabat rolled out festive installations, patriotic displays, and cultural events—museum exhibitions, film screenings, and gala performances at major theatres and concert venues. Heritage & Animals: Turkmenistan adopted a new Law “On State Protection of Akhal-Teke Horses,” locking in lifelong state protection, mandatory genetic control, and digital microchipping—plus support for traditional training and UNESCO-listed horse-adornment practices. Sports & Youth Culture: Turkmen athletes are competing at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan; boxing coverage highlights a Turkmen boxer’s bout, while broader reports show the Games’ scale and Turkmen participation. Equestrian Spotlight: Separate features continue to frame the Akhal-Teke as a living national symbol—beauty, endurance, and deep cultural ties—linking heritage to modern preservation. International Education Link: Malaysia’s higher-education minister visited Astana to strengthen Central Asia ties, with Turkmenistan included in the student-mobility and research cooperation agenda.

Turkmen Culture & Independence Celebrations: Ashgabat and Arkadag are rolling out festive installations, patriotic slogans, and Akhal-Teke-themed displays ahead of Turkmenistan’s 35th independence anniversary and the Halk Maslahaty forum, with museums, libraries, and a gala concert at Mukams Palace anchoring a packed cultural program. State Recognition in Arts & Work: Ceremonies presented state awards and honorary titles to outstanding workers across ministries and agencies, including figures in culture and the arts, as Independence Day approaches. Akhal-Teke Heritage Gets Legal Protection: Turkmenistan adopted a Law “On State Protection of Akhal-Teke Horses,” making the breed a national treasure with mandatory genetic control, digital microchipping, and lifelong state protection after sporting or breeding careers. Smart Urban Development: Coverage highlights Turkmenistan’s push toward “smart” construction and urban management, including digital tools and intelligent systems, with Arkadag cited as a flagship example. Sports & Culture Crossovers: Turkmen female chess players scored a major upset over Argentina at the World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, while Turkmen athletes continue appearing across the Asian Games spotlight.

Akhal-Teke Horse Law: Turkmenistan has adopted a new “On State Protection of Akhal-Teke Horses” law, making the breed a national treasure with mandatory genetic control, digital microchipping, and lifelong state protection after horses finish sporting or breeding careers—also safeguarding traditional training and national-style adornment. Halk Maslahaty Culture & Cities: Ahead of the 35th independence anniversary, Ashgabat and Arkadag rolled out festive installations, museum and library visits, and gala performances, while smart-city upgrades and digital construction methods keep featuring in national development messaging. Sports Diplomacy at Asian Games: On the sidelines of the Nagoya Asian Games, Qatar Olympic Committee chief Jassim Al-Buainain met Turkmenistan’s Olympic leadership to discuss sports cooperation and joint programs. Turkmen Fashion in Paris: Turkmen brands (including Desert Heritage, Binaym, Mukaddes, and AyMahri) showcased collections at Paris’s Who’s Next exhibition. Chess Olympiad Upset: Turkmenistan’s women’s team notched a standout win over Argentina at the Samarkand World Chess Olympiad, powered by strong performances across multiple boards.

Halk Maslahaty Culture & Policy: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov set out 2026–27 priorities—industrialization, oil-and-gas and chemicals, power engineering, plus new healthcare, education and social infrastructure—flagging 6.3% GDP growth and 41.2 billion manats in capital investment. National Strategy Focus: Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized a new industrialization push (2030–2045 strategy), workforce and youth support, and Phase 4 expansion at the Galkynysh gas field adding 10 billion cubic meters of commercial gas yearly. Heritage Law: Turkmenistan adopted a Law on State Protection of Akhal-Teke Horses, introducing mandatory genetic control, digital microchipping, and lifelong state protection for horses after sporting or breeding careers, alongside safeguarding traditional training and horse-adornment arts. Urban Arts & Smart Cities: Construction and urban development coverage highlights Arkadag’s smart-city model—digital utilities, intelligent transport, smart-home tech, and electric transport—plus plans for over 900,000 square meters of new housing and new social facilities. Equestrian Arts Spotlight: A profile of People’s Artist Ishanguly Ishangulyev links his desert-inspired art and Akhal-Teke horse paintings to national identity and enduring legends. Fashion on the Move: Turkmen fashion brands (Desert Heritage, Binaym, Mukaddes, AyMahri) showcased collections at Paris’s Who’s Next exhibition. Sports & National Pride: Turkmen athletes at the Asian Games in Japan included boxing and chess updates, with Turkmen teams competing in Samarkand’s World Chess Olympiad and Turkmen horse culture continuing to feature in independence-era celebrations.

Halk Maslahaty & National Development: Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov used the 23 September meeting to push a new industrialization push (strategy for 2030–2045), expand energy processing at Galkynysh (extra 10bn cubic meters of commercial gas processing annually), and back electronics, the private sector, and youth-focused programs. Akhal-Teke Heritage Law: Turkmenistan adopted a law on state protection of Akhal-Teke horses, introducing mandatory genetic control and digital microchipping, state registration in the stud book, and lifelong protection for horses after sporting or breeding careers—also safeguarding traditional training and UNESCO-listed horse-adornment practices. Independence-Era Energy Forum: A conference at the State Energy Institute marked the 35th anniversary with talks on digital economy in energy management, education tech, and renewable/“green” economy priorities. Smart Cities & Construction: Reports highlight Turkmenistan’s shift toward digital construction and smart urban development, with Arkadag cited for intelligent transport, smart-home tech, and modern city services. Cultural Diplomacy in Seoul: Turkmen instruments and performers featured at “Days of Turkmen Culture” in South Korea, pairing music and handicrafts with summit-era relationship building. Fashion on the Move: Turkmen brands showcased collections at Paris’s Who’s Next, while designers and entrepreneurs pursued new European buyers and textile-industry know-how. Turkic Music Network: The Turkic Union of Composers was established in Baku, with a Baku Declaration aimed at long-term professional cooperation across Turkic countries, including Turkmenistan. Chess & Sport Culture: Turkmen teams posted strong results at the World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, including a women’s win over Argentina, adding to the week’s sports-and-leisure momentum.

Smart Urban Upgrade: Turkmenistan is pushing “smart city” construction forward, rolling out digital design and management tools like BIM, digital twins, AI monitoring and automated control as it plans over 900,000 sq m of new housing plus schools and social facilities, with Arkadag highlighted as the flagship model. Neutrality Under Pressure: A new analysis looks at Turkmenistan’s balancing act between China, Azerbaijan and wider regional ambitions, noting how energy pipeline plans could test Ashgabat’s neutrality. Independence in the Spotlight: Ahead of the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence and the Halk Maslahaty meeting, Ashgabat is decorated with festive installations, patriotic art and Akhal-Teke horse displays, while a cultural program is set to welcome delegates with museum visits, theatre, concerts and film screenings. Turkmen Fashion Abroad: Turkmen brands showcased collections at Paris’s Who’s Next exhibition, aiming to meet European buyers and align with current textile trends. Turkic Music Network: The Turkic Union of Composers was founded in Baku with Turkmen participation, backed by the Baku Declaration to build long-term professional cooperation across the Turkic world. Chess at Samarkand: Turkmen women scored a sensational win over Argentina at the World Chess Olympiad, while the men’s team also notched strong results.

Childhood in Turkmenistan, 35 years on: A new installment of “Turkmenistan at 35” looks at how everyday life has expanded for kids—from school supplies and packaged foods to cinemas, sports centers, and even smartphones and digital content. Turkmen fashion in Paris: Turkmen brands Desert Heritage, Binaym, Mukaddes and AyMahri showcased their collections at Who’s Next, with designers also scouting European textile fairs and retail trends. National costume spotlight: Gulnara Khalilova presented her collection at Azerbaijan’s first National Costume Day festival in Baku, framing traditional dress as a living cultural language. Music diplomacy in Seoul: “Days of Turkmen Culture” brought Turkmen instruments, dance and handicrafts to Korea, pairing performances with summit-era relationship building. Equestrian heritage: A profile on the Akhal-Teke horse ties the breed’s endurance and legends to Turkmen identity. Sports culture on the move: Turkmen athletes continue at the Asian Games in Japan, while Turkmen chess teams keep winning at the World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand. Arts & institutions: The Turkic Union of Composers was established in Baku, with Turkmen participation helping formalize long-term professional cooperation across the Turkic world.

Asian Games boxing: Bahrain’s Ali Abdalla beat Turkmenistan’s Bayramdurdy Nurmuhammedov 4-1 in the 70kg prelims, booking a last-16 spot as Turkmenistan’s ring campaign continues. Equestrian heritage: A new profile spotlights the Akhal-Teke horse as a living national symbol, tracing legends and the breed’s desert-bred endurance. Sports & everyday fitness: A Turkmenistan “at 35” installment looks at how leisure has broadened—from gyms and running to expanded facilities like Ashgabat’s Olympic Village—showing sport becoming part of daily life. Art spotlight: Ishanguly Ishangulyev’s work is framed through his desert landscapes and Akhal-Teke subjects, linking personal creativity to Turkmen horse mythology. Culture diplomacy: Turkmen melodies and instruments featured in Seoul during the Days of Turkmen Culture, pairing performances with summit-era cultural exchange. Fashion abroad: Turkmen brands showcased collections at Paris’s Who’s Next, with designers gaining buyer interest and learning European retail standards. Chess on the move: Turkmenistan’s teams notched wins at the World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, keeping momentum in both men’s and women’s events.

Sports & Fitness in Turkmenistan: A new installment of “Turkmenistan at 35” looks at how leisure is changing—from everyday physical education to gyms, swimming, martial arts, and sneaker culture—highlighting how big facilities like Ashgabat’s Olympic Village help sport become visible in daily life. Asian Games spotlight: Turkmen athletes have begun competing at the XX summer Asian Games in Japan, with the Turkmen team entering the parade under number 40 and the delegation set at 57 people (34 athletes, 15 coaches). Fashion on the international stage: Turkmen brands Desert Heritage, Binaym, Mukaddes, and AyMahri showcased collections at Paris’s Who’s Next exhibition, while Turkmen designers also presented at the event as they seek buyers and partnerships. Music diplomacy: The Turkic Union of Composers was established in Baku, with Turkmen participation, formalized through the Baku Declaration to build long-term professional cooperation across Turkic countries. Chess success: Turkmenistan’s men’s and women’s teams notched more wins at the World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, including a 4:0 men’s victory over Mozambique and a 3-1 women’s win over Suriname.

Turkmen Fashion in Paris: Turkmen brands Desert Heritage, Binaym, Mukaddes and AyMahri showcased their latest collections at Who’s Next in Paris (Sept 5–7), aiming to meet European buyers and explore new textile trends. National Costume Spotlight: Designer Gulnara Khalilova presented her collection at Azerbaijan’s first National Costume Day festival in Baku, framing traditional clothing as a living cultural language. Music Diplomacy in Seoul: Turkmen melodies filled a Seoul concert hall during the Days of Turkmen Culture, with instruments like the gargy tuyduk and dutar alongside singers and dancers. Turkic Composers Take Shape: The Turkic Union of Composers was founded in Baku, with a Baku Declaration to create a long-term professional platform for composers and music institutions across Turkic countries, including Turkmenistan. Chess on the Rise: Turkmenistan’s men’s and women’s teams notched more wins at the World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, extending a strong start. Sports Culture Watch: Turkmen athletes are set for the Asian Games opening ceremony in Japan, with the wider Games running Sept 19–Oct 4.

Turkmen Culture in Seoul: Turkmen melodies, instruments and handicrafts took center stage at the Embassy of Turkmenistan’s “Days of Turkmen Culture” event in Prugio Art Hall, adding a warm arts layer to summit diplomacy with Korea. Equestrian Heritage & Public Works: Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov inspected upgrades at the Akhal-Teke Equestrian Complex, including new roadworks and a new art installation featuring a globe formed by butterflies. Fashion Exports: Turkmen designers showcased collections at Paris’s Who’s Next, with brands like Desert Heritage and Aýna Denim seeking European buyers and partners after study tours to major textile fairs. Music Diplomacy Across the Turkic World: The Turkic Union of Composers was founded in Baku, with the Baku Declaration setting up long-term professional cooperation that includes Turkmenistan. Chess on the International Stage: Turkmenistan’s teams started strong at the 46th World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, with the men beating Mozambique 4-0 and the women defeating Suriname 3-1. Theatre for Independence: Lebap’s Seytnazar Seydi theatre premiered “Oguz ýigidi,” a new stage adaptation celebrating Turkmen traditions and family values.

Turkic music diplomacy: The Turkic Union of Composers was officially established at a founding congress in Baku, with representatives from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Hungary signing the Baku Declaration to create a long-term professional platform for composers, musicologists and conservatories. Fashion exports: Turkmen designers showcased collections at Paris’s Who’s Next, while a study tour to Texworld and Première Vision helped brands sharpen presentation and find European partners. Stage spotlight: Lebap’s Seytnazar Seydi theatre premiered “Oguz ýigidi,” a new production blending national history and family values with performances by honoured artists. Sports culture: Turkmenistan’s chess teams opened strong at the 46th World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, and Turkmen athletes are set to join the opening ceremony of the 20th Asian Games in Japan. Korea–Turkmenistan cultural ties: “Days of Culture of Turkmenistan” opened in Gwangju alongside President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s state visit, featuring concerts and a decorative arts exhibition.

Turkic music diplomacy: The Turkic Union of Composers (TUC) was officially established in Baku, with representatives from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Hungary signing the Baku Declaration to create a long-term professional platform for composers, musicologists and conservatories. Turkmen theatre spotlight: Lebap’s Seytnazar Seydi musical and drama theatre unveiled the stage novelty «Oguz ýigidi», a new production built on national epic themes and family values, starring Gulalek Jumayeva and other honoured artists. Sports with cultural reach: Turkmen athletes will join the opening ceremony of the XX Asian Games in Japan, while Turkmen club «Arkadag» kicked off the AFC Champions League Two group stage with a 1–0 win over Bahrain’s Al-Muharraq. Culture abroad: “Days of Culture of Turkmenistan” opened in South Korea in Gwangju, featuring concerts and a decorative arts exhibition as part of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s state visit. Digital life, local taste: A Turkmen “at 35” series piece traces how everyday consumer culture shifted—from scarcity to a fuller retail and personal-care landscape, including the rise of domestic cosmetics and hygiene products.

Turkic music diplomacy: Azerbaijan hosted the inaugural congress of the Turkic Union of Composers, where representatives from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Hungary signed the Baku Declaration to create a permanent professional platform for composers, musicologists and conservatories. Theatre spotlight: In Turkmenistan, the Lebap state musical and drama theatre staged «Oguz ýigidi», a new production drawing on national epic themes and family values. Cultural ties with Korea: Days of Culture of Turkmenistan opened in Gwangju with concerts and a decorative-arts exhibition, while Turkmenistan also pushed “smart city diplomacy” and digital education cooperation at the Central Asia–Republic of Korea summit in Seoul. Sports & culture in motion: Turkmenistan’s «Arkadag» kicked off the AFC Champions League Two group stage with a 1–0 win over Bahrain’s Al-Muharraq.

UN diplomacy: Turkmenistan outlined its priorities for the 81st UN General Assembly, stressing restoring trust, preventive diplomacy, transport connectivity, depoliticizing energy flows, climate action, humanitarian cooperation, international law, and responsible use of new technologies including AI. Theatre & culture: Lebap’s Seytnazar Seydi musical-drama theatre premiered “Oguz ýigidi,” a stage adaptation rooted in Turkmen epic traditions and family values, with standout performances by Gulalek Jumayeva and other honoured artists. Turkmen-Korea cultural diplomacy: “Days of Culture of Turkmenistan” opened in Gwangju with concerts and an exhibition of national decorative arts and costumes, as Turkmen and Korean officials discussed expanding cultural ties. Sports: Turkmenistan’s “Arkadag” kicked off the AFC Champions League Two group stage in Samarkand with a 1–0 win over Bahrain’s Al-Muharraq. Tech & everyday life: A new piece on Turkmenistan’s consumer shift highlights how cosmetics and personal care have expanded through both imports and growing domestic production. Digital transformation: Another feature traces how Turkmenistan’s move from fixed lines to smartphones reshaped daily life and access to information.