AGP Executive Report

Smart City & Infrastructure: Arkadag City marks its third anniversary of the “smart” city launch, with officials highlighting advanced technologies and international awards. Water Security: New water management facilities were commissioned in Ahal Velayat and Ashgabat to improve supply and modernize irrigation support. Solar for Healthcare: UNDP installed two 30 kW solar systems at Yoloten Etrap Hospital (Mary), adding battery backup to keep critical services running during outages. Digital Courts: UNDP and Turkmenistan’s Supreme Court began a digital transformation push for the judiciary, starting with an assessment and a roadmap for e-justice. Regional Tech-Education: CAREC’s Turkmenistan office backed master’s training in integrated water resources management with the Kazakh-German University, building local research capacity. Water Research: A new study reports Amu Darya flows in Tajikistan have dropped 54–77% over decades, pointing to heavy human water use. International Cooperation: Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan held foreign-ministry talks and signed a 2027–2028 cooperation program, with emphasis on transport, energy, science, and healthcare. Akhal-Teke Global Spotlight: Turkmenistan announced the Netherlands will host the International Akhal-Teke Horse Beauty Contest and a World Akhal-Teke event in September 2026, including an international scientific conference.

Water & Environment: A new report warns Amu Darya flows in Tajikistan have dropped 54–77% in the middle and lower reaches over decades, driven mainly by rising water use for agriculture and reservoir impacts, not by precipitation changes. Disaster Risk: Tajik authorities issued heavy-rain warnings about mudslides, urging extra caution on mountain roads and riverbanks as Central Asia expands cross-border flood and mudflow cooperation. Education & Water Skills: In Turkmenistan, the CAREC Project Office is continuing cooperation with the Kazakh-German University, helping Turkmen students complete a Master’s in Integrated Water Resources Management and building regional capacity for sustainable water management. Health Systems: WHO urged stronger earthquake-ready healthcare systems after a regional meeting in Istanbul, warning that Central Asia—including Turkmenistan—faces very high seismic hazard with potential cross-border impacts. Diplomacy for Tech-Ready Cooperation: Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan held foreign-ministry talks in Ashgabat and signed a 2027–2028 cooperation program, with priorities spanning transport, logistics, energy, and scientific-technical collaboration. Energy & Industry: Georgia’s Kulevi refinery plans to stop processing Russian crude by late summer, switching to supplies from Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, while expanding high-tech automation partnerships. Human Capacity: Students from Turkmenistan’s agricultural university completed an internship in Uzbekistan focused on irrigation scheduling, water-saving technologies, GIS, and remote sensing.

Regional Climate Risk: Tajikistan warned of heavy-rain mudslide danger, urging extra caution on mountain and river roads as Central Asia boosts cross-border flood cooperation and early-warning efforts. Diplomatic Tech & Trade Links: Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan held foreign-ministry talks in Ashgabat, reaffirming cooperation across trade, transport, energy, education, science and healthcare, and signed a 2027–2028 foreign-ministry cooperation program. Agriculture & Water Skills: Students from Turkmenistan’s Agricultural University completed a two-week internship in Uzbekistan focused on irrigation scheduling, water-saving tech, GIS and remote sensing, plus lab-based applied research. Digital Transformation in Telecom: A two-day seminar in Ashgabat at the Ministry of Communications brought GSMA and ITU experts to discuss mobile and direct communication tech, AI automation for networks, and faster government services. Health & Youth Prevention: UNODC launched a “Prevention Starts with Me” youth awareness week in Ashgabat with peer-to-peer sessions and scientific demonstrations on drug abuse prevention. Energy Infrastructure Update: SOCAR took over operatorship of the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline from bp from 1 July, while BTC reported cumulative volumes and technical scale. Smart City Tech Showcase: Arkadag marked its “smart city” third anniversary with an exhibition of local products and technological developments and international awards.

Digital Transformation & Telecom: A two-day seminar in Ashgabat at the Ministry of Communications brings GSMA Eurasia and ITU experts to discuss faster, more flexible mobile and direct communication, plus AI-driven automation for government services. Agriculture & Water Tech: Turkmen students from S.A. Niyazov Agricultural University complete a two-week internship in Uzbekistan focused on irrigation scheduling (FAO methods), water-saving tech, GIS, and remote sensing, with lab-based applied research. AI & Robotics Diplomacy: Envoys visiting China’s Hubei saw humanoid robots and AI/robotics demonstrations, highlighting how automation is reshaping industry and services. Energy Infrastructure Update: BTC pipeline operatorship shifts from bp to SOCAR Midstream Operations from 1 July 2026, while BTC’s total transported volume to date is reported at 4.7B barrels. Energy Security Check: Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Energy says fuel and lubricants reserves are sufficient and deliveries are steady, with talks to diversify supplies. Regional Space for Disasters: China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan agree to build the Tianwu satellite constellation for natural-disaster monitoring across Central Asia. Public Health & Safety: A reported rat infestation at a Turkmen presidential residence triggered extermination and lab testing, with no dangerous infections found.

Digital Transformation: Ashgabat hosted an international seminar on digital transformation, with telecom experts focusing on faster communications, AI-driven automation, and new mobile, satellite, and direct connectivity models. Higher Education & Research: Turkmen universities signed new cooperation agreements in Urumqi with Chinese partners to deepen industry-education-research links and expand language and teaching programs. Oil & Gas Tech: Turkmenistan is accelerating digitalization in oil and gas, using AI and automated monitoring to improve refinery performance, logistics, and predictive maintenance. Agroinnovation: A new electronic journal, “Agroinnovation in Turkmenistan,” is set to launch to share advanced agro-industrial research and digital farming practices. Energy & Industry Deals: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov met major foreign engineering firms from Türkiye, Korea, and Japan, highlighting ongoing industrial projects and “smart city” cooperation. Caspian Water Risk: A regional push is discussed to monitor the rapidly shrinking Caspian Sea, as falling levels threaten ports, fisheries, tourism, and offshore infrastructure. Regional Tech in Space & Disasters: China and Central Asia agreed to build a disaster-monitoring satellite constellation, aiming to improve early warning for earthquakes and climate-driven hazards. Public Health & Youth: UNODC launched a youth awareness week in Ashgabat on drug abuse prevention, using peer-to-peer activities and practical demonstrations.

Digital Transformation: Ashgabat hosted an international seminar on digital transformation at the Ministry of Communications, focusing on faster, more flexible telecom services and how governments can adopt new mobile, satellite and direct communication tools, including AI-driven automation. AI & Oil/Gas Modernization: Turkmenistan is pushing digitalization across its hydrocarbon chain, with refinery automation, real-time monitoring, ERP systems, and AI-enabled “smart fields” and “smart wells” aimed at efficiency and safety. Education Tech Access: For the first time, Turkmenistan published an informatics textbook, “Fundamentals of informatics,” for first-graders with visual impairments, using large print, high-contrast design and tactile elements. Research & Agriculture Innovation: A new electronic agro-science journal, “Agroinnovation in Turkmenistan,” is set to launch, covering agronomy, agroecology, digital agriculture and advanced agro-technologies in Turkmen, English and Russian. International Tech Cooperation: Turkmenistan’s delegation took part in Erasmus+ events in Bulgaria and in university partnerships with Finland, while Turkmen envoys visited China’s Hubei to explore AI and robotics ecosystems. Public Health Awareness: UNODC and youth groups in Ashgabat launched “Prevention Starts with Me” during World Drug Day, running 25 June–2 July with peer-to-peer prevention activities. Regional Development Finance: The Eurasian Development Bank approved potential expansion to 11 new members, including Turkmenistan, as it seeks a wider regional development role. Energy Diplomacy: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov met major foreign corporate leaders from Japan, Korea and Türkiye to advance industrial and energy projects, including gas-chemical cooperation.

Digital Transformation: Ashgabat hosted a two-day international seminar on digital transformation for telecom regulators and government institutions, with GSMA Eurasia and ITU experts discussing mobile, satellite and direct communications plus AI-driven automation. Education & AI: Turkmenistan’s “Fundamentals of informatics” textbook was published for first-graders in blind and visually impaired programs, using tactile and high-contrast design. Agroinnovation: A new electronic journal, “Agroinnovation in Turkmenistan,” is set to launch to share agro-industrial research and digital agriculture practices in Turkmen, English and Russian. Oil & Gas Digitalization: Turkmenistan is rolling out AI and digital systems across the hydrocarbon value chain, including refinery automation, SCADA monitoring, predictive maintenance and “smart” field analytics. International Science Links: Turkmenistan signed a Finland partnership (HAUS and Laurea) to expand research, digital learning and academic mobility. Public Health: A rat infestation at a presidential residence near Ashgabat triggered an extermination operation; lab tests reportedly found no dangerous infections. Space/Disaster Tech: China and Central Asia agreed to build a disaster-monitoring satellite constellation, with Turkmenistan-linked regional cooperation highlighted in broader coverage.

AI & Surveillance: Algorithm Watch says Georgian authorities used Russian facial recognition tech to identify anti-government protesters in Tbilisi, with Chinese PTZ cameras reportedly feeding a “special electronic system” for suspect identification. Space & Disaster Tech: China and Central Asia are moving ahead with disaster-monitoring satellites, including a new Tianwu constellation plan involving China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Turkmen Digital Energy: Turkmenistan is accelerating digitalization in oil and gas, using AI and automation across exploration, refining and logistics, including SCADA monitoring and predictive maintenance. Agroinnovation Push: Turkmenistan’s S.A. Niyazov Turkmen Agricultural Institute plans a new electronic journal, “Agroinnovation in Turkmenistan,” covering agronomy, digital agriculture and hydro-reclamation. Inclusive Education Tech: For the first time, a Turkmen state textbook on “Fundamentals of informatics” is published for first-graders with visual impairments, using tactile and high-contrast design. International Tech Links: Turkmenistan and Finland signed an MoU for higher education, research and digital learning cooperation, while Turkmen engineers joined the CDIO 2026 conference in Liverpool.

Digital Agriculture: Turkmenistan’s S.A. Niyazov Turkmen Agricultural Institute will launch an electronic journal, “Agroinnovation in Turkmenistan,” covering agronomy, agroecology, hydro-reclamation, digital farming and advanced agro-tech, published in Turkmen, English and Russian. AI & Oil/Gas Digitalization: Turkmengeologia reports AI and digital tools are now used across the oil and gas chain, from exploration to refining and logistics, including SCADA-based monitoring, ERP systems, and “smart fields/wells” analytics. Accessible Tech Education: For the first time, a Turkmen state textbook, “Fundamentals of informatics,” has been published for first-graders with visual impairments, using large print, high contrast and tactile elements. International Academic Links: The International University for Humanities and Development of Turkmenistan signed an MoU with Finland’s HAUS and Laurea for joint research, digital learning tech, mobility and training. Engineering Training Abroad: Turkmenistan’s Oguz han engineering university delegation joined CDIO 2026 in Liverpool, focusing on practical engineering education. Science Diplomacy in China: A Turkmen delegation visited China’s Hubei, highlighting Turkmen-Chinese scientific and innovation cooperation.

Digital Agriculture & Research: Turkmenistan’s S.A. Niyazov Turkmen Agricultural Institute is set to launch the e-journal “Agroinnovation in Turkmenistan,” covering agronomy, agroecology, hydro-reclamation, digital agriculture and advanced agro-tech, with content in Turkmen, English and Russian. AI & Oil/Gas Digitalization: Turkmengeologia reports that AI and digital tools are being rolled out across the hydrocarbon chain, including refinery automation, real-time monitoring, ERP logistics/finance, and AI-supported “Smart Fields” and “Smart Wells,” backed by cybersecurity and e-document rules. Education for Inclusion: For the first time, a Turkmen state textbook, “Fundamentals of informatics,” has been published for first-graders in blind and visually impaired education programs, using large print, high contrast and tactile elements. International Academic Links: The International University for Humanities and Development of Turkmenistan signed an MoU with Finland’s HAUS and Laurea University for cooperation in higher education, research, digital learning and academic mobility. Engineering Education Abroad: Turkmenistan’s Oguz han engineering university joined the CDIO 2026 conference in Liverpool to exchange modern engineering-teaching methods. Tech Diplomacy in China: A Turkmen delegation visited China’s Hubei, highlighting scientific and technological cooperation as part of broader Turkmen-Chinese ties.

AI & Robotics Diplomacy: A Turkmenistan delegation joined envoys in China’s Hubei, where humanoid robots and AI-driven tech were showcased, including flexible sensing “electronic skin” for robots. Agro-Tech Publishing: Turkmenistan’s S.A. Niyazov Agricultural Institute will launch an e-journal “Agroinnovation in Turkmenistan,” covering agronomy, digital agriculture, and advanced agro technologies in Turkmen, English, and Russian. Oil & Gas Digitalization: Turkmengeologia reports digital transformation across the hydrocarbon chain, including SCADA monitoring, ERP logistics, refinery automation, and AI for “Smart Fields” and “Smart Wells.” Inclusive Education Tech: For the first time, a Turkmen state textbook “Fundamentals of informatics” was published for first-graders with visual impairments, using large print, high contrast, and tactile elements. International Academic Links: International University for Humanities and Development signed a Finland MoU with HAUS and Laurea on research, digital learning, and academic mobility. Regional Science Cooperation: Turkmenistan participated in the CDIO 2026 engineering-education conference in Liverpool, sharing cyber-physical systems and practical training approaches. Energy-Policy Context: A report highlights Turkmenistan’s role in broader energy diplomacy, including supply-security outcomes tied to overseas visits.

Digital Energy & AI: Turkmenistan is pushing digital transformation across its oil and gas chain, adding AI-driven “smart fields/wells,” refinery automation, real-time monitoring, and predictive maintenance, backed by cybersecurity and e-document laws. Desert & Climate Science: China’s Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography and Turkmenistan’s desert research institute wrapped a 16-day Karakum expedition, collecting data on plants, animals, soils, dunes, and sand hazards to support biodiversity databases and restoration work. Water Foresight: A UN-led hardtalk in Turkmenistan focused on water scenarios for 2026–2050, mapping how water availability could ripple into food security, jobs, social protection, and ecosystems. Education for All: For the first time, Turkmenistan published a first-grade informatics textbook for children with visual impairments, using large print, high contrast, and tactile elements. International Academic Links: An International University for Humanities and Development MoU with Finland’s HAUS and Laurea targets joint research, digital learning, mobility, and training. Engineering Education: Turkmenistan’s engineering university joined the CDIO 2026 conference in Liverpool to exchange modern methods for practical engineering training. Regional Tech Diplomacy: Turkmen diplomats visited China’s Hubei to explore AI and tech cooperation, including scientific and innovation exchange programs.

Inclusive Education Tech: Turkmenistan’s state publishing service released a first-grade informatics textbook, “Fundamentals of informatics,” for blind and visually impaired children, using large print, high-contrast layouts, and tactile learning elements. Academic & Research Links: An International University for Humanities and Development of Turkmenistan signed a cooperation MoU with Finland’s HAUS and Laurea University for higher education, research, digital learning, and academic mobility. Desert Science: China’s Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography and Turkmenistan’s National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna finished a 16-day Karakum Desert expedition on desertification, biodiversity, and sand hazards along key transport routes. Water Foresight: Turkmenistan, the UN and partners held a hardtalk on “Water Scenarios & Foresight for Turkmenistan (2026–2050)” to plan for water and food security risks. Agriculture Training: Turkmen civil servants completed Italy-based BRIDGE project training in Bologna on sustainable agriculture, drought mitigation, and water-saving governance. Engineering Education: Turkmenistan’s engineering university delegation joined CDIO 2026 in Liverpool to exchange hands-on engineering education methods.

Turkmen–Azerbaijan Leadership Calls: On June 25, Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President Ilham Aliyev exchanged views on boosting cooperation in culture, science, education, sports, and other priority areas, following Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s recent Azerbaijan visit. Academic & Research Links: The International University for Humanities and Development of Turkmenistan signed an MoU with Finland’s HAUS and Laurea to expand higher education, scientific research, digital learning, and academic mobility. Engineering Education Abroad: Turkmenistan’s Oguz han Engineering and Technology University joined CDIO 2026 in Liverpool, aiming to share best practices in engineering training. Desert Science in the Karakum: Chinese and Turkmen researchers completed a 16-day joint Karakum expedition on desertification, biodiversity, soil and dune dynamics, and sand hazards—supporting ecological restoration and monitoring. Water Foresight Planning: A UN-backed expert dialogue in Turkmenistan used scenario planning for water and food security risks through 2050, focusing on integrated responses across agriculture, jobs, and ecosystems. Digital Statistics Modernization: Turkmenistan’s statistics committee partnered with the World Bank for 2026–2027 to align national methods with SNA-2025, including digital data collection and tablet-based surveys. Connectivity & Regional Tech Talks: Turkmenistan also took part in regional forums and summit-track diplomacy around AI, critical minerals, infrastructure, and digital connectivity with South Korea and Central Asia.

University Links: Turkmenistan’s International university for humanities and development signed an MoU with Finland’s HAUS and Laurea to expand higher education, research, digital teaching tech, and academic exchanges. Engineering Education: Turkmenistan’s Oguz han Engineering and technology university joined CDIO 2026 in Liverpool, sending lecturers and the university’s scientific and technological centre to share modern engineering training methods. Desert Science: China’s Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography and Turkmenistan’s desert research institute finished a 16-day Karakum expedition on desertification, biodiversity, soils, and sand hazards, feeding new arid-region databases. Water Foresight: Turkmenistan and UN partners held a high-level expert dialogue on water scenarios and foresight (2026–2050), mapping risks to water, food security, jobs, and ecosystems. Agriculture Training: Turkmen civil servants completed Italy-based training in Bologna on sustainable rural development, climate resilience, and governance under the BRIDGE project. Digital Statistics Modernization: Turkmenistan’s State Statistics Committee partnered with the World Bank (2026–2027) to align national statistics with SNA-2025, including tablet-based data collection and SurveySolutions. Connectivity Funding: The EU launched a Connectivity Agenda Platform aiming to mobilize up to €2bn for transport and trade facilitation across the Black Sea and South Caucasus, with Turkmenistan among participating countries. Regional Climate Risk Tools: Central Asia’s RESILAND CA+ dialogue in Bishkek focused on mudflow and flood risk reduction and digital tools for coordinated hazard monitoring. Energy Education: Turkmenistan’s oil-and-gas university faculty joined a professional development course in Beijing via the Turkmen-Chinese Energy Training Center.

Desert Science: China and Turkmenistan wrapped up a 16-day joint scientific survey in the Karakum Desert, collecting field data on wild plants and animals, soil profiles, dune evolution and wind-sand hazards to support biodiversity databases and sand-control and restoration work. Water Foresight: Turkmenistan and UN partners held a high-level expert dialogue on “Water Scenarios & Foresight for Turkmenistan (2026–2050),” using scenario planning to map long-term water risks across food security, agriculture, jobs, livelihoods and ecosystems. Sustainable Farming Training: Turkmen civil servants completed Italy-based training in Bologna under the BRIDGE project, focusing on climate-resilient agriculture, rural governance and monitoring aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Statistics Modernization: Turkmenistan’s State Statistics Committee began an advisory partnership with the World Bank Group (2026–2027) to align national methods with SNA-2025, including digital data collection via tablets and SurveySolutions. Regional Climate Risk Tech: Central Asia countries met in Bishkek to coordinate climate risk reduction using roadmap and digital tools under RESILAND CA+, targeting mudflow and flood monitoring and resilient landscape management. Cross-border Tech Cooperation: Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan agreed to expand cooperation via a new final protocol and signed deals on e-commerce and investment/construction, alongside a business forum bringing together about 140 companies.