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Turkmenportal reports that prospects for further cooperation in the fuel and energy sector were the focus of recent discussions between Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and the Executive Director of Dragon Oil Company, Ali Rashid Al-Jarwan. According to the publication, Turkmenistan and the UAE are among the richest countries in the world in terms of natural gas and oil reserves and both have extensive experience in developing the oil and gas industry. Dragon Oil has now been operating in Turkmenistan for a number of years. Commenting on the UAE's positive relationship with the country Al-Jarwan expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work in Turkmenistan. Berdimuhamedov in turn, emphasized that the active bilateral interaction enjoyed by the parties was due to the joint efforts of the countries' leaders and expressed Uzbekistan's readiness to further expand productive cooperation with Dragon Oil . Both sides expressed confidence that their existing mutual interests would provide a strong basis for more fruitful cooperation in the oil and gas sector.
On May 3, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan hosted the first meeting of the Turkmenistan-UN Strategic Advisory Council. In addition to its approval of a Roadmap for the development of a new Framework Program for Cooperation in the Field of Sustainable Development between Turkmenistan and the UN for 2026-2030, the council discussed projects concerning youth policy, digitalization, demography, green energy, and climate change. Following the meeting, delegates signed official agreements on several projects. The Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN FAO) pledged their commitment to ‘Enhancing capacities for climate-resilient water management’; the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan and UN FAO, on ‘Developing digital solutions for sustainable pasture management’; and the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan and UN FAO, on ‘Development of the aquafeed value chain and aquatic animal health management capacity’. The Government of Turkmenistan and the UN Development Program also signed an agreement on the procurement of products for the control of infectious diseases in 2024-2025 for the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan has completely overtaken Uzbekistan in the market for greenhouse tomatoes in Tajikistan, according to a report by the EastFruit agricultural news portal. Analysis revealed that Turkmen tomatoes are winning due to competitive pricing and also, their attractive appearance and modern packaging. Despite problems related to the cultivation of tomatoes grown in Tajikistan's greenhouses this season, the price has remained at a record low for this time of the year. The average wholesale price for one kg is currently just $1.46 -- and further price reductions are expected in the near future, notes EastFruit. In Tajikistan, which currently imports the majority of greenhouse tomatoes it consumes, the wholesale price is significantly lower ($1.9 per kg) than in Uzbekistan, which is still the main regional exporter. The EastFruit portal notes that today, greenhouse tomato prices in Central Asian countries are not much lower than in Eastern European countries. It also reports that further development of energy-efficient greenhouse technologies will allow countries with colder climates to remain relatively highly competitive and moreover, local consumers are generally willing to pay more for the fresh taste of greenhouse-grown vegetables.
In Turkmenistan's Balkan province, heads of government agencies are being forced to buy wristwatches with the current president Serdar Berdimukhamedov and his father, the previous president Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov on the face. They cost from 1,500 to 3,000 manats ($430-$860 at the state exchange rate or $75-$150 at the black-market rate), according to a report by Radio Azatlyk. The heads of all departments -- including healthcare, education, law enforcement, transport and communication companies -- at the velayat (regional) and etrap (district) levels are required to buy wristwatches with portraits of the Berdimukhamedov's elder and younger. The heads of higher-level offices were obliged to buy a commemorative watch with double portraits costing 3,000 manats, while the heads of small budgetary organizations will have to shell out 1,500 manats for the watch. According to Azatlyk, several different watches are available. The most expensive one has a portrait of Serdar Berdimukhamedov in a black tie on the left and his father Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov, now chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People's Council), in a red tie on the right. The flag of Turkmenistan is placed at the top of the face, and there is a map of the country at the bottom. Other watches have only the portrait of Serdar Berdimukhamedov and a map, while the third watch has him with the flag and map. During the reign of independent Turkmenistan's first leader Saparmurat Niyazov, watches with his portrait were also produced and given as gifts to schoolchildren and employees of state-run and government agencies. A government worker from the town of Turkmenbashi told Azatlyk's correspondent: "We used to see watches with the president's image during Niyazov's time. It is not surprising that Serdar Berdimukhamedov has also started producing gift watches with his portrait on them. Now all that's left is for him to start installing statues to himself all over the country." "We already can't make ends meet because of constant extortions to buy books and [attend] various events," the frustrated worker added.
Last weekend, young and mid-career professionals in the energy and environment sectors, celebrated their completion of the U.S.-funded regional C5 + Opening Networks through English (C5 + O.N.E.) program. Spread throughout Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, they were the first graduates of a nine-month intensive course in English and professional development implemented by the American Council for International Education with support from U.S. embassies. A total of around 1,100 participants in three cohorts are currently enrolled in the program which operates throughout Central Asia. The US Embassy in Kyrgyzstan reports that 189 professionals throughout the country are currently enhancing their English and professional skills through three weekly classes, supplemental field trips and online seminars. Some participants from Kyrgyzstan’s Cohort One are due to present their advanced, final projects at a regional C5 + O.N.E. conference this September in Tashkent. Cohort Two students will graduate in August 2024, and Cohort Three, will complete their studies later in November. Outlining the objectives of the U.S. government’s unique regional project, U.S. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic, Lesslie Viguerie stated: “C5 + O.N.E. is a testament to the U.S. commitment under the C5 + 1 diplomatic platform to advance shared goals among Central Asian nations. This program builds networks that are essential in today’s globalized world.”
On April 27, Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Serik Zhumangarin, Director General of the Agency of Transport and Communications of Turkmenistan Mammetkhan Chakiyev, and Minister of Trade and Industry of the Afghan Taliban government Nuriddin Azizi met in Kabul. During negotiations, an agreement was made to develop more favourable and competitive tariffs for the passage of container trains from China through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, and further afield to Pakistan, India, and Middle Eastern countries. To support the initiative, Afghan businesses have been invited to use the Kazakh terminal in China’s Xi'an Dry Port to consolidate goods for transport by rail. According to preliminary calculations, the delivery time for goods via the accelerated, uninterrupted route from Xi'an/Urumqi in China to Turgundi and Andkhoy in Afghanistan will be reduced to just 10-12 days, at a cost significantly cheaper than alternative modes of transport. Since the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Afghanistan route could also be used for transporting goods from Russia and Belarus to India and the Middle East, it provides added impetus for the development of the North-South transport corridor.
