Turkmenistan-Qatar Relations - News Central Asia (nCa)

nCa Report

Key Points on Turkmenistan-Qatar Relations

Diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and Qatar were established on November 22, 1996, laying the foundation for cooperation in energy, trade, and international forums.
Embassies were opened reciprocally: Qatar’s embassy in Ashgabat in 2014, and Turkmenistan’s in Doha on March 20, 2023, signaling strengthened direct engagement.
High-level visits have been frequent, including the Qatari Emir’s visit to Turkmenistan in 2016 and the Turkmen President’s state visit to Qatar in March 2023, often resulting in agreements on energy and investment; recent interactions in 2025 focused on trade and regional stability.
Over 36 bilateral and multilateral documents have been signed, covering politics, economics, culture, and sports, with key signings tied to visits like March 2023 and November 2025.
Promising mid- and long-term partnerships emphasize energy, transport, and investment, including gas projects like TAPI, with potential for growth in renewables, logistics, and cultural exchanges, though geopolitical factors may pose challenges.

Historical and Diplomatic Overview

Turkmenistan and Qatar, both energy-rich nations, have built ties based on mutual interests in natural gas and regional stability. The relationship has evolved steadily since independence-era engagements.

Key Exchanges and Outcomes

Visits at presidential and ministerial levels have driven progress, with outcomes often including signed protocols and commitments to joint projects.

Future Prospects

Partnerships are poised for expansion in strategic sectors, supported by shared goals in sustainable development.

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Turkmenistan and Qatar have developed a multifaceted relationship since the establishment of diplomatic relations on November 22, 1996, as confirmed by official records from Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UN documents. This joint communiqué marked the start of formal ties, aligning with Turkmenistan’s policy of positive neutrality adopted in 1995 and Qatar’s emergence as a key player in global energy markets.

Early interactions were handled through non-resident ambassadors, but the partnership deepened with the opening of Qatar’s embassy in Ashgabat in 2014, celebrated in its 10th anniversary in 2024, and Turkmenistan’s reciprocal embassy in Doha, inaugurated on March 20, 2023, during a state visit.

These developments reflect a commitment to enhanced diplomatic presence, facilitated by shared memberships in organizations like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and mutual support for UN initiatives on neutrality and sustainable development.

High-level visits have been pivotal in advancing the relationship. The Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s first official visit to Turkmenistan occurred in March 2016, focusing on energy partnerships and marking the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties, with outcomes including commitments to joint ventures in gas production and infrastructure.

Earlier, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s visit to Qatar in 2010 emphasized bilateral cooperation in trade and energy. In 2017, Berdimuhamedov returned to Qatar to review progress in political, economic, and cultural spheres.

More recently, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s state visit to Qatar on March 19-20, 2023, featured extensive talks on global issues, the inauguration of the Turkmen embassy, and proposals for a businessmen’s council and collaborations with the Qatar Foundation in education and research. Discussions highlighted fuel-energy, industry, trade, transport, high technologies, investments, construction, and tourism, culminating in signed bilateral documents.

Ministerial engagements have continued to build momentum. In September 2025, Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov visited Doha for the Arab-Islamic Summit, discussing energy, investment, transport, and the TAPI gas pipeline’s Afghan segment with Qatari counterparts. Earlier meetings in March and August 2025 reinforced these ties, including Qatar’s participation in Turkmenistan’s UN conference on landlocked developing countries.

The third session of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Qatari Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, held on November 26-27, 2025, in Doha, resulted in a signed protocol outlining cooperation in trade, oil and gas, transport, agriculture, investment, banking, science, education, culture, healthcare, sports, tourism, and environmental protection.

The most recent visit by Oguljahan Atabayeva, Vice-President for Medical Activities of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Supporting Children in Need of Guardianship, to Qatar took place in early December 2025, coinciding with her participation in the Doha Forum starting December 6. During this working visit, she led a Turkmen delegation and held meetings with key Qatari officials to enhance humanitarian cooperation, particularly in health, education, and child welfare. Discussions included exchanges on best practices for child protection and invitations extended to Qatari representatives for the International Conference on the Role of Women in Modern Society in Turkmenistan. Atabayeva participated in a Doha Forum session on protecting children in humanitarian responses, visited the Museum of Islamic Art and Sidra Medical Center, and emphasized long-term partnerships in education and science. Outcomes focused on strengthening bilateral ties in these areas, with expressions of mutual appreciation for ongoing humanitarian initiatives. Source Source

In a reciprocal engagement, a Qatari delegation, led by HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Dr. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, visited Turkmenistan to participate in the International Conference “The Role of Women in Modern Society: Developing International Cooperation on the Path to Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” held from 8-10 December 2025 in the Avaza National Tourist Zone. The conference gathered female leaders globally to discuss women’s empowerment and sustainable development. In Qatar’s address, Al Misnad highlighted Qatar’s achievements in women’s education (70% of graduates in STEM fields), labor participation (63.3%), and leadership roles, while stressing support for women in conflict zones through initiatives like the Women in Conflict Zones program. Outcomes included appreciation for Turkmen hospitality, commitments to gender equality, and calls for global collaboration to advance women’s rights and well-being. Al Misnad also met with Atabayeva during the event to discuss bilateral cooperation. Source Source Source

Regarding bilateral and multilateral documents, sources vary slightly: Qatar’s embassy reports 17 agreements and MoUs, while recent analyses indicate over 36, spanning politics, economics, trade, culture, and sports. Key examples include investment promotion pacts, air services agreements, and cultural exchange MoUs, often signed during visits such as March 2023 and November 2025. Multilateral frameworks involve UN resolutions on sustainable transport and neutrality, with Qatar supporting the Group of Friends of Neutrality.

Bilateral trade volumes between Turkmenistan and Qatar have historically been modest but show potential for growth amid regional trends. Available data indicates low figures in recent years: for instance, Qatar’s exports to Turkmenistan were approximately US$34.82 thousand in 2019, with imports from Turkmenistan at QAR 58.4 thousand in a recent period, resulting in a negative trade balance for Qatar.

More broadly, Turkmenistan’s trade with GCC countries, including Qatar, increased nearly tenfold from 2020 to 2024, reaching about $2 billion in 2024 for Turkmenistan-Gulf trade overall, though specific Qatar-Turkmenistan shares remain small (Qatar’s total trade with Central Asia was US$3.43 million in 2023).

Recent intergovernmental commissions aim to boost volumes through enhanced economic partnerships. Source Source Source Source

Promising areas for mid- and long-term partnerships center on energy, investment, and transport.

Both nations, as major gas exporters, see potential in joint ventures for petrochemicals, renewables, and infrastructure, including Qatar’s interest in the TAPI pipeline for access to South Asian markets.

Mid-term opportunities include investments in agriculture, water management, and logistics corridors like Caspian routes and Afghan links.

Long-term prospects extend to healthcare, education exchanges (e.g., with the Qatar Foundation), environmental protection, tourism (such as developments in Turkmenistan’s Awaza zone), and cultural initiatives like sports and youth programs.

Additional details encompass economic dynamics, with trade favoring Turkmenistan in earlier years but untapped potential in sectors like textiles and chemicals. Humanitarian efforts highlight Qatar’s support for landlocked nations and Turkmenistan’s neutrality in peace dialogues. Recent updates as of December 2025 show ongoing engagements, such as the November 2025 commission meeting and ambassadorial discussions emphasizing priority sectors.

Key High-Level Visits	Date	Key Participants	Main Outcomes
Turkmen President to Qatar	2010	Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Qatari Emir	Enhanced economic cooperation; initial MoUs on trade and energy.
Qatari Emir to Turkmenistan	March 2016	Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Turkmen President	Commitments to gas joint ventures; cultural and sports MoUs. Source
Turkmen President to Qatar	2017	Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Qatari Emir	Strengthened political and investment ties.
Turkmen President to Qatar	December 2022	Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Qatari Emir	Discussions on regional stability and trade diversification.
Turkmen President State Visit to Qatar	March 19-20, 2023	Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani	Embassy opening; bilateral documents on energy and logistics; business council proposal. Source
Turkmen Foreign Minister to Qatar	September 14-15, 2025	Rashid Meredov, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani	Summit participation; energy and transport ties; TAPI discussions. Source
Intergovernmental Commission Meeting	November 26-27, 2025	Turkmen and Qatari delegations	Protocol signed; priorities in oil/gas, agriculture, tourism. Source

Promising Partnership Areas	Mid-Term Focus (1-5 Years)	Long-Term Focus (5+ Years)	Key Examples/Challenges
Energy and Natural Resources	Joint gas exploration, petrochemical projects	Renewables and sustainable extraction	TAPI pipeline; geopolitical risks. Source
Transport and Logistics	Infrastructure investments, Caspian routes	Regional connectivity hubs	Awaza developments, Afghan links; stability issues. Source
Trade and Investment	Business councils, banking ties	Diversified portfolios	Textiles, agriculture; trade imbalances. Source
Cultural and Humanitarian	Education exchanges, sports events	Healthcare, tourism	Qatar Foundation partnerships; cultural leveraging. Source
Environment and Science	Water management, protocols	Climate resilience	Joint research; energy transition pressures. Source

Bilateral Trade Volumes (Selected Years)	Year	Qatar Exports to Turkmenistan (USD)	Turkmenistan Exports to Qatar (USD/QAR equivalent)	Total Trade Volume (USD approx.)	Notes
2019	2019	34,820	Not specified	Low	Qatar exports minimal; negative balance for Qatar. Source
Recent (e.g., May 2019 example)	2019	127,000 QAR	Not specified	Low	Monthly snapshot; annual low. Source
2023 (Qatar-Central Asia aggregate)	2023	92,470	3,340,000 (imports to Qatar)	3,430,000	Specific to Turkmenistan not disaggregated; low share. Source
2024 (Turkmen-GCC aggregate)	2024	Not specified	Not specified	2,000,000,000 (Turkmen-Gulf total)	Turkmenistan leads Central Asia-Gulf trade; Qatar’s portion small but growing. Source Source

Key Citations

/// nCa, 14 December 2025