It only took one day — June 19 — for four separate but clearly linked events to play out in Turkmenistan, each touching on the place Islam holds in the country's public life. A memorial meal hosted by the National Leader. A community clean-up at a village cemetery. A proposal to name a new mosque after him. And, capping it off, a leadership reshuffling at the top of the … [Read more...]
President of Turkmenistan Leads Mass Cycling Rally in Ashgabat to Mark World Bicycle Day
On 3 June 2026, Turkmenistan widely celebrated World Bicycle Day, an international holiday established by the UN General Assembly at the initiative of Turkmenistan. Following the established tradition, on this day mass cycling rallies took place in Ashgabat, led by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as reported by the State News Agency of Turkmenistan (TDH). The event … [Read more...]
Festive Events in Honor of International Children’s Day Held in Ashgabat (UPDATED)
On 1 June 2026, festive events dedicated to International Children's Day were held throughout Turkmenistan. In Ashgabat, the main celebrations took place in the capital's "Ashgabat" Culture and Leisure Park, reports the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The event was organized by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Education, Healthcare, and Medical Industry, and … [Read more...]
President of Turkmenistan Congratulates Citizens on International Children’s Day
Today, on 1 June, Turkmenistan joins the global community in celebrating International Children's Day. To mark the occasion, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov addressed the nation’s youth and citizens in a festive message published by state media. In his address, the Head of State emphasized the global significance of the date, noting its role in uniting efforts to protect the … [Read more...]
National Leader of Turkmen People Attends Eid al-Adha Celebrations
On 27 May 2026, the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, took part in festive events marking the beginning of the holy holiday of Eid al-Adha (Kurban Bayram). The itinerary for the day included religious observances, visits to memorial sites, and discussions with members of the Council of Elders and … [Read more...]
Bani Adam: Saadi Shirazi’s Eternal Call for the Unity of Humankind
Tariq Saeedi There is a particular kind of poem that refuses to stay in its own century. It gets copied, memorized, quoted at funerals and summits and protests, stitched into carpets and set to music, until it no longer feels like literature — it feels like conscience. Bani Adam, written by the Persian poet and sage Saadi Shirazi in the thirteenth century, is one of those … [Read more...]
Meeting of the Halk Maslahaty Elders’ Council and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Fund Held in Ashgabat
No child is left unprotected in Turkmenistan, as the state stands behind each one like an unshakeable rock. At a joint meeting of the Elders' Council and the Charitable Fund, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, named a newborn orphaned girl from Ashgabat "Arkadag gyzy Gurbangul." On 26 May 2026, the National Leader of the Turkmen people and … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan Celebrates Kurban Bayramy
On 27–29 May 2026, Turkmenistan celebrates Kurban Bayramy (Eid al-Adha) — the main Islamic festival of sacrifice, which is observed on the 10th day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah. On the occasion of the festive date, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov congratulated the people of the country. The text of the congratulatory message was published by the state print … [Read more...]
The Body Remembers: Behind the Making of Bathing
How interviews with home-bathing specialists shaped an audio drama about aging, dignity, and care in China Lu Chang Poster for Bathing, the original audio drama by CGTN Radio. [Photo: CGTN] Bathing, our original audio drama, began with a question: what happens when one of the most ordinary acts of life becomes something we can no longer do alone? For most of … [Read more...]
IOM and Uzbekistan Convene First International Migration Forum in Tashkent
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (May 18-19, 2026) - The first Tashkent International Migration Forum on "Social and Legal Protection of Labor Migrants and Their Family Members" was held in Tashkent in cooperation with the Migration Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This forum brought together more … [Read more...]
Young people lead the conversation on a smoke-free future in Turkmenistan
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 13 -14 May 2026 — Young people gathered in Ashgabat for the workshop “Generation Smoke-Free: Youth Leading the Change”, an interactive initiative aimed at strengthening tobacco prevention efforts and promoting healthy lifestyles among youth. Organized in the lead-up to World No Tobacco Day, the workshop aligned with the 2026 global theme, “Unmasking … [Read more...]
Turkmen delegation participates in the 2nd Ministerial Conference on Demographic Resilience in Skopje
Skopje, North Macedonia, 8 May 2026 — On 7–8 May, the 2nd Regional Ministerial Conference titled "Leading Change: People-Centred Paths to Demographic Resilience" was held in Skopje. The event was organized by the Government of North Macedonia in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). A delegation from Turkmenistan, led by Deputy Minister of Education Mr. … [Read more...]
Omar Khayyam: The Astronomer of Merv and the Poet of Our Times
Tariq Saeedi History remembers Omar Khayyam mostly as a poet, the author of the immortal Rubaiyyat. Yet poetry was only one face of an extraordinary mind. He was at once a mathematician, astronomer, philosopher, scientist, and skeptic — a man whose intellect moved effortlessly between equations and existential reflection. And for the people of present-day Turkmenistan, … [Read more...]
The ‘Resourceful’ People: A Word Central Asia Has Always Deserved
Tariq Saeedi There are words that fall out of fashion not because they lose their meaning, but because the world grows too distracted to notice what they describe. --- Resourceful is one such word. It has quietly slipped from the vocabulary of praise — edged out by innovative, resilient, agile, a revolving door of corporate euphemisms that flatten rather than illuminate. … [Read more...]
The Jagged Edges of Becoming
Tariq Saeedi We are all evolving, though not in the way Darwin meant. This isn't about species adapting over millennia. This is about the person you were yesterday becoming someone slightly different today, and the society we inhabited last decade transforming into something we're still trying to recognize. The evolution that matters most isn't written in our genes—it's … [Read more...]
When hearts sound together: an inclusive concert was held in Mary
On December 7, Mary hosted a warm and inspiring inclusive concert, “Ýürekden – From the Heart”, which brought together children, youth, people with disabilities, pensioners and volunteers. The concert was organized by the Däp-Dessur Economic Society, which implements social and cultural initiatives, in partnership with the Mary branch of the National Red Crescent Society of … [Read more...]
Kind December Initiatives in Turkmenistan by Yenme: Volunteer Festival and a Theatre Fairy Tale for Children with Disabilities
Liliya Zhirnova A Festival that Brings Kind Hearts Together On 5 December at 14:30, the Volunteer Festival will take place at the “Arkach” Shopping and Entertainment Center, in the cozy co-working space “Iş Nokady” in Ashgabat. The event is dedicated to the International Volunteer Day and is organized with the support of the Embassy of Russia in Turkmenistan and the Yenme … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan Reaffirms Commitment to Protecting Children from All Forms of Violence at Regional Ministerial Conference in Bucharest
14 October 2025, Bucharest, Romania – The delegation from Turkmenistan participated in the Regional Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, held on 13–14 October in Bucharest. The event was organized by the Ministry of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity of Romania, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Special … [Read more...]
Global Peace, Wellbeing, and Health: Insights from Gallup’s 2025 Report and the Path of Neutrality
nCa Commentary In a world still reeling from pandemics, conflicts, and economic uncertainties, the Gallup organization's latest report, State of the World’s Emotional Health 2025, shines a stark light on how our collective feelings are intertwined with broader issues of peace and health. Based on over 145,000 interviews across 144 countries, the report—released in … [Read more...]
Mary City Celebrates Elders, Teachers, and Music with Joyful, Intergenerational Festival
On 5 October 2025, the city of Mary (Turkmenistan) hosted a festive event dedicated to the International Day of Older Persons, World Teachers’ Day, and International Music Day. The celebration was organized by the economic society “Däp-Dessur” and the “Dari Dobro” club, who joined forces to offer the older generation a day filled with joy, attention, and respect. The … [Read more...]
Roundtable “Health of Society – the Key to Peace and Prosperity” brought together national and international partners in Ashgabat
On the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, on June 26, 2025, a roundtable titled “Healthy Society – A Foundation for Peace and Prosperity” was held at the Archabil Hotel in Ashgabat, organized with the support of the Turkmen Government and the European Union Central Asia Drug Action Programme (CADAP). The event brought … [Read more...]
The lasting relevance of Alvin Toffler
Elvira Kadyrova and Raviliya Kadyrova Alvin Toffler never lost his relevance although the ‘information overload,’ a term he coined, pushed Toffler to the middle row for a while. With an uncanny gift to predict the future, and the ability to write long texts coherently, Alvin Toffler, working together with his wife Heidi Toffler, created an impressively large volume of … [Read more...]
The first child of 2025, the International Year of Peace and Trust, born in Turkmenistan
The first child of 2025, declared as the International Year of Peace and Trust, was born in Turkmenistan. On 1 January, a healthy baby boy weighing 4 kilograms 100 grams and measuring 54 centimeters arrived in the family of Orazjahan and Yazmergen Atageldiev. This momentous birth took place at the Center for Maternal and Child Health in the "smart" city of Arkadag. The … [Read more...]
A Celebration of Joy: New Year’s Festivities at Orphans’ Palace in Ashgabat
The first day of the New Year witnessed a heartwarming celebration at the "Döwletliler köşgi" Orphans' Palace in Ashgabat. The students received gifts from President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and National Leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, underscoring the profound care the state extends to its youngest citizens. This is reported by the state news agency TDH. The celebration was … [Read more...]
Embassy of Israel hosts multiple events related to Hanukah and community outreach
The Israeli Embassy in Turkmenistan demonstrated strong community engagement through multiple initiatives. On December 26, they partnered with "Keyik Okara" organization and local sponsors to distribute New Year gifts to 130 children from vulnerable families at the Keremli Aý restaurant, featuring festivities with Father Frost and Snow Maiden. Two days later, the … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan is developing a program “From Poverty to Prosperity”
Mukhammadali Abdujabborov, leading research fellow of ISRS In recent years, Uzbekistan has achieved remarkable success in reducing poverty through a targeted government policy focused on improving the living conditions of its citizens in a comprehensive manner. The country's policy involves a strategic combination of economic reforms, social support and improvements in public … [Read more...]
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Care reports successes and outlines future goals
On Saturday, 7 December, in the city of Arkadag, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov chaired a meeting of the Board of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Care. It was attended by members of the Board, as well as Chairman of the State Committee for the … [Read more...]
Ashgabat’s TA-Tal Studio: Where Children’s Dreams Take Flight
The children's inclusive studio TA-Tal at the Pushkin Russian Drama Theater presented its next play "The Princess without a Pea", based on the play of the same name by E.A Tyschuk, reported the newspaper "Neutral Turkmenistan". The play, which involves children with disabilities, carries a powerful social message: every child, regardless of their abilities, deserves … [Read more...]
Ratan Tata, the Legendary Philanthropist
There are 26 companies in his group, employing more than a million people in some 80 countries. A company that was worth just $4 billion when he took over, is now worth $400 billion. His group of companies is global in every sense – more than 65% of the revenues come from sales and operations from outside India. Ratan Naval Tata (28 December 1937 – 9 October 2024) was an … [Read more...]
Greater investment in social services needed to build resilient communities and end family separation and institutionalisation of children in Central Asia
Central Asian countries convened this week at a forum hosted by the Government of Uzbekistan to strengthen social services and promote the well-being of children, families, and vulnerable communities across the region TASHKENT/GENEVA, 5 September 2024 – Government officials, academia, and child rights organizations today called for greater investment in social services across … [Read more...]
UNICEF working to eliminate institutionalization of children in Central Asia by 2030
nCa Report UNICEF, always the pioneer of result-oriented initiatives, is working systematically to eliminate the institutionalization of children in Central Asia by 2030. A UNICEF report titled ‘Keeping families together in Central Asia’ says: “Every child has the right to grow up in a nurturing family environment. Yet nearly 60,000 children aged 0-17 years across five … [Read more...]
Social Support for Women in Turkmenistan: UNFPA Conducts Training Workshop for Specialists
From July 8th to 12th, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Turkmenistan held a five-day workshop dedicated to providing social support to women and families facing difficult life situations. The goal of the event was to train social workers and psychologists in providing social services and psychological counseling to women and families from vulnerable groups. The … [Read more...]
Embassy of Israel in Turkmenistan and Keyik Okara public organization provided schoolbags with school stationary for vulnerable families
The public organization Keyik Okara, with the support of the Israeli Embassy in Turkmenistan, provided school backpacks with school supplies for children from socially vulnerable families, large families, families with disabled children, unemployed single mothers, and low-income families. In total, the representative office of the Israeli Embassy in Turkmenistan provided 77 … [Read more...]
Ashgabat – The Enchanting Doors
Ashgabat is a fascinating city, full of charms. A leisurely walk in the morning or evening is never boring. You come across many interesting things in the older parts of Ashgabat. One of the things you notice are the doors of the houses. A door is not just a passage to enter or leave the house – it is a statement. Here are some doors we see on our daily … [Read more...]
“Japbaki” at Russian Drama Theater in Ashgabat: A Powerful Performance Celebrating Inclusiveness
Irina Kuliyeva The principle of leaving no one behind, a cornerstone of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, guides Turkmenistan's social policies. By focusing on people with disabilities and special needs, the country strengthens social protections and fosters their integration into society. This commitment comes alive at the Pushkin Russian Drama Theater's … [Read more...]
Helping Uncle Sam fade away peacefully – Part 1
Tariq Saeedi 26 September 2017 (nCa) --- What could have taken at least half a century would likely be achieved in a couple of decades ----- Trump is deftly putting the United States of America on fast track to early retirement. Here are some of the admirably imaginative things he has done since coming to power: Withdrawal from TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) … [Read more...]
Contours of increasingly visible benefits of hosting Ashgabat 2017 – Part 2
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 20 September 2017 (nCa) --- As a matter of fact, the spectrum of benefits of hosting international sporting events is quite broad, and flexible, in nature. An area near the centre of this spectrum is the composition and nature of the national identity. Every region, and every country in the region, needs to fashion an identity that is amply … [Read more...]