AGP Executive Report

Young Musicians: Turkmen violinist Seyran Atanyazov won silver at the CIS Youth Delphic Games in Dushanbe for the second time. Conservatory students also exchanged music and ideas with performers from across the region. Chess for All: The 2026 second-league qualifiers drew a record 401 players across four cities, including 126 women and girls, with many young competitors taking part. Arts and Heritage: A concert of CIS performers in Avaza brought regional artists together during the leaders’ summit. Turkmen children welcomed visiting leaders with bread wrapped in saçak, a traditional camel-wool cloth associated with hospitality and abundance. Education and Dialogue: An Ashgabat forum on healthcare, education and sport opened with participants from more than 45 countries and new university cooperation agreements. Earlier in Avaza, an international women’s dialogue focused on women’s roles in peace and sustainable development.

Youth Arts: Turkmen violinist Seyran Atanyazov won silver at the CIS Delphic Games in Dushanbe for the second time. Conservatory students also swapped music with peers from across the region, bringing new works into their repertoires. Young Competitors: A record 401 players, many of them children and teenagers, took part in the 2026 Turkmenistan Chess Championship’s second-league qualifiers across four cities. Education Links: An international forum in Ashgabat brought universities together to sign new cooperation agreements, including student exchanges and joint research. Culture in Avaza: A concert featuring artists from CIS countries accompanied the regional summits, while Turkmen children welcomed visiting leaders with bread wrapped in a traditional camel-wool cloth—a gesture of hospitality and respect. Women and Peace: Participants at an international dialogue in Avaza discussed women’s roles in peacebuilding and sustainable development.

Healthcare: Mary opened Health Centre No. 1, with diagnostic departments, a day hospital and modern medical equipment, marking Turkmenistan’s Healthcare and Medical Industry Workers Day. Education and Sport: An international exhibition and conference opened in Ashgabat for three days, showcasing medical technology, digital learning tools and sports equipment. Cultural Heritage: CIS leaders visiting Awaza were welcomed with bread wrapped in saçak, a traditional camel-wool cloth associated with hospitality and household abundance. A festival of national cuisine and culture and a concert featuring artists from CIS countries accompanied the summit. Women and Society: An international dialogue in Awaza brought together regional representatives to discuss women’s roles in peacebuilding and sustainable development.

Turkic Cultural Ties: Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan praised the shared history and culture of Turkic nations at a youth gathering on Oct. 11. Health and Lifestyle: An international exhibition and conference opened in Ashgabat on Oct. 10, showcasing developments in healthcare, education and sports through Oct. 12. Women and Cooperation: Turkmen and UN officials discussed gender equality and social policy, while an Oct. 7 women’s dialogue in Avaza focused on women’s role in peace and sustainable development. Avaza’s Cultural Showcase: A CIS arts concert and national food festival brought regional performers, cuisine and traditions to the Caspian resort. Guests were welcomed with bread wrapped in saçak, a camel-wool cloth symbolizing hospitality and abundance.

Health and Lifestyle: Ashgabat’s international exhibition and conference on healthcare, education and sports opened on October 10, bringing together local and international participants to share research and showcase new technologies. Wellness: A new building complex has opened at Archman Sanatorium, one of Turkmenistan’s major health-treatment centres. Culture and Cuisine: Awaza hosted a concert by CIS artists and a festival of national food and traditions, where visitors explored participating countries’ heritage. Turkmen Hospitality: Leaders were welcomed with bread wrapped in a saçak, a traditional camel-wool cloth valued for keeping bread fresh and symbolizing respect and abundance. Women’s Dialogue: A forum in Awaza on October 7 focused on women’s role in peace and sustainable development.

Health & Lifestyle: An international exhibition and conference on healthcare, education and sport opened in Ashgabat, marking Turkmenistan’s Healthcare and Medical Industry Workers Day with performances by local arts groups. Cultural Exchange: A CIS culture and national cuisine festival in Avaza brought regional traditions to the fore, alongside a concert by artists from member states. Visiting leaders were welcomed with bread wrapped in a traditional camel-wool cloth, a gesture of hospitality and prosperity. Women & Development: An international dialogue in Avaza on October 7 focused on women’s roles in peacebuilding and sustainable development. Wellness: A new building complex opened at Archman Sanatorium, expanding facilities at one of Turkmenistan’s major health resorts.

Cultural Welcome: At the Avaza summit, Turkmen children greeted visiting leaders with bread wrapped in saçak, a traditional camel-wool cloth. The custom reflects hospitality and the belief that bread and its covering bring abundance to the home. Arts and Heritage: A CIS culture festival and concert showcased member countries’ food, crafts and performances. Turkmenistan also presented awards for film and cultural competitions. Women and Development: An international dialogue in Avaza focused on women’s roles in peace and sustainable development, with delegates from Turkmenistan and abroad. Health and Leisure: A new building complex has opened at Archman Sanatorium, expanding a major destination for treatment and rest.

Cultural Exchange: Avaza hosted a concert by artists from CIS countries, alongside awards for a film celebrating Turkmenistan’s Akhal-Teke horse and the “Tatar Kyzy 2026” contest. Food & Heritage: Leaders visited the CIS festival of national cuisine, where pavilions showcased traditional dishes, costumes, music and crafts, including Azerbaijan’s carpet weaving and ceramics. Women & Development: An international dialogue in Avaza on October 7 focused on women’s role in peace and sustainable development. Wellness: A new building complex opened at Archman Sanatorium, expanding a popular destination for health treatments and leisure.

CIS Food and Heritage: Avaza’s national cuisine festival brought together displays of regional dishes, traditional dress and music. Azerbaijan’s pavilion also featured carpet weaving, ceramics and mugham performances, while Armenia showcased folk dancers and national specialties. Women’s Leadership: A regional dialogue in Avaza focused on women’s role in peace and sustainable development, with participants discussing women’s rights, opportunities and contributions to public life. Cultural Ties: Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan’s leaders also highlighted closer cultural and humanitarian cooperation, including exchanges among young people, universities and creative communities.

Regional Culture and Tourism: At the Awaza summit on 8 October, Azerbaijan joined the Central Asian leaders’ consultative format as a full participant. Turkmenistan’s president highlighted shared cultural ties, while Kyrgyzstan’s president proposed multi-country travel routes linking the region’s historic cities, mountains and Caspian coast. Women and Sustainable Development: A regional dialogue in Avaza explored women’s roles in peacebuilding, diplomacy and development, with participants focusing on climate, water and food security. Demographic Change: An international conference in Avaza adopted a final document calling for stronger cooperation on population change, family policy, migration and human-capital development. Cultural Memory: A play and a performance in Turkmenistan honored victims of the 1948 Ashgabat earthquake.

Women & Public Life: An international dialogue opened in Avaza on Oct. 7, bringing regional voices together to discuss women’s leadership in peacebuilding, climate resilience and development. Ashgabat Dining: The capital’s first Slavic cuisine restaurant has opened, pairing traditional dishes and costumes with locally made decorative details. Remembrance & Theatre: On the 78th anniversary of the 1948 Ashgabat earthquake, the Alp Arslan National Drama Theatre presented “Halk hakydasy,” a play honoring victims; memorial ceremonies were also held across the country. Coming Up: Ashgabat is set to host European Culture Days, while a UNFPA and EU seminar on breast cancer awareness is scheduled for Oct. 16.

Women’s Leadership: The International Women’s Dialogue opened in Avaza on October 7, bringing regional voices together to discuss women’s roles in peacebuilding and decision-making, alongside climate and development challenges. Remembrance and Theatre: Turkmenistan marked the 78th anniversary of the 1948 Ashgabat earthquake on October 6 with ceremonies at the Halk hakydasy Memorial Complex. The Alp Arslan National Drama Theatre also staged Halk hakydasy, a play about the disaster. Fashion and Heritage: Turkmenistan is represented at Turkic World Women’s and Ethnic Fashion Week events in Türkiye, running October 7–11 and showcasing traditional design and cultural heritage. Women’s Health: UNFPA and the EU delegation will hold a breast cancer awareness seminar in Ashgabat on October 16, with expert advice on prevention and self-examination. European Culture Days: The EU delegation and Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Culture plan a November programme in Ashgabat, including an Italian jazz performance on November 20.

CIS in Avaza: Russian FM Sergey Lavrov is set to join a CIS Foreign Ministers Council meeting in Turkmenbashi’s Avaza zone, with plans for 2026 activity reviews and decisions expected on cultural, humanitarian, and law-enforcement cooperation ahead of the CIS summit where Vladimir Putin will attend. Cultural memory on stage: On the eve of the 78th anniversary of the 1948 Ashgabat earthquake, the Alp Arslan National Drama Theatre staged “Halk hakydasy,” a documentary-style play honoring victims and bringing the tragedy’s impact to the present. European Culture Days: The EU Delegation in Turkmenistan announced European Culture Days for November 2026, featuring Italian jazz singer Simona De Rosa at the Magtymguly National Music and Drama Theatre in Ashgabat. Health & women’s awareness: UNFPA and the EU-backed seminar for Breast Cancer Awareness Month will run Oct. 16 at the UN building, with expert talks, psychology session, and Q&A for women 20+. Sports spotlight: Turkmen judokas begin the World Judo Championships in Baku, while Turkmen weightlifter Shahzadbek Matyakubov won silver at the Asian Games in Nagoya. Lifestyle & learning: 10 Turkmen agricultural students completed internships at John Deere facilities in Germany and the Netherlands, training on modern machinery and production processes.

Ashgabat Earthquake Remembrance in the Spotlight: On the 78th anniversary of the 1948 Ashgabat earthquake, the Alp Arslan National Drama Theatre staged “Halk hakydasy,” a Grand Prix-winning production that recreates the tragedy with documentary accuracy, while the capital’s museums and theatres also marked the day with exhibitions and performances. European Culture Days Return to Turkmenistan: The EU Delegation announced European Culture Days in November 2026, featuring Italian jazz singer Simona De Rosa at Magtymguly National Music and Drama Theatre in Ashgabat on 20 November. Health & Women’s Awareness: UNFPA and the EU are set to hold a Breast Cancer Awareness Month seminar on 16 October at the UN building, with expert medical guidance, psychological support, and Q&A for women 20+. Sports & National Pride: Turkmen athletes kept momentum at major events, including a new silver medal for Shahzadbek Matyakubov at the Asian Games and Turkmen judokas preparing for the World Championships in Baku. Learning Abroad for Future Skills: 10 Turkmen agricultural students completed internships at John Deere facilities in Germany and the Netherlands, training on modern machinery and production processes. Regional Diplomacy with a Cultural Edge: Avaza will host major CIS and Caspian-focused meetings from 7–9 October, with discussions spanning transport, water, healthcare, women’s participation, media, and culture.

Ashgabat Earthquake Remembrance: The Alp Arslan National Drama Theatre staged “Halk hakydasy” on the eve of the 78th anniversary, honoring victims with a documentary-accurate portrayal of the 1948 tragedy. Weekend Culture Calendar: Museums and theatres across Ashgabat are marking International Day of Older Persons and earthquake memory with new exhibitions and a full slate of performances. Avaza Diplomacy & Culture: From Oct. 7–9, Turkmenistan’s Avaza hosts dense talks linking CIS, Central Asia–Azerbaijan formats, and Caspian environmental cooperation—covering transport, water, healthcare, women’s participation, media and culture. Food & Farming Innovation: A look at Xinjiang’s freshwater crayfish aquaculture highlights how Turkmenistan could diversify food and rural income using difficult water and existing fisheries know-how. Education & Skills Abroad: 10 Turkmen agricultural students completed internships at John Deere facilities in Germany and the Netherlands, training on modern machinery and production processes. Health Awareness: UNFPA and the EU-backed seminar for Breast Cancer Awareness Month is set for Oct. 16 at the UN building in Ashgabat. Sports Spotlight: Turkmen judokas head to the World Judo Championships in Baku, while weightlifting news notes Shahzadbek Matyakubov’s Asian Games silver. International Culture Exchange: European Culture Days are scheduled for Nov. 20 in Ashgabat, featuring Italian jazz singer Simona De Rosa.

Asian Games roundup: Central Asia’s athletes won 186 medals in Japan, with Uzbekistan finishing fifth (70 medals, 21 gold) and Kazakhstan taking the region’s biggest haul (84 medals). Turkmen sports spotlight: Turkmen weightlifter Shahzadbek Matyakubov added a second silver for Turkmenistan at the Asian Games, while Turkmen judokas are set for the World Judo Championships in Baku. Fashion & heritage abroad: Azerbaijani designer Gulnara Khalilova’s collections will be showcased in Türkiye during the 9th Women’s and Ethnic Fashion Week of the Turkic World and Bursa Fashion Week, with Turkmenistan among participating countries. Health & community: UNFPA and the EU delegation in Turkmenistan announced a Breast Cancer Awareness seminar on Oct. 16 at the UN building in Ashgabat, aimed at women 20+ and women’s community leaders. Culture calendar: Ashgabat museums and theatres are hosting exhibitions and performances for International Day of Older Persons and ancestral remembrance, including displays tied to the 1948 Ashgabat earthquake. European Culture Days: The EU delegation will bring European Culture Days to Turkmenistan in November 2026, featuring Italian jazz singer Simona De Rosa at Magtymguly National Music and Drama Theatre on Nov. 20.