ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of Turkmenistan in Islamabad hosted a briefing for Pakistani media on November 6, highlighting Turkmenistan’s national achievements in 2026, the 35th anniversary of its Independence, and prospects for expanding cooperation with Pakistan in energy, transport, trade and regional connectivity.
The year 2026 has been announced in Turkmenistan as “Independent, Permanently Neutral Turkmenistan — Homeland of Purposeful Heavenly Horses”. According to details shared at the briefing, the year has been marked by major political, economic, cultural and international events as the country continues to pursue strategic development priorities, strengthen international partnerships and promote regional cooperation based on peace, mutual respect and shared prosperity.
The briefing placed particular emphasis on Turkmenistan’s relations with neighbouring countries and strategic partners, including Pakistan, especially in the fields of energy, transport, trade and regional connectivity.
Among the major national events of the year was the First World Championship of Equestrian Sports and Beauty among Ahal-Teke Horses, held in the Netherlands from September 4 to 6. The event drew international attention to Turkmenistan’s Ahal-Teke horses, which are regarded as an important part of the country’s national identity, cultural traditions and historical legacy.
On September 23, a meeting of the Halk Maslahaty, or People’s Council, of Turkmenistan was held at the Maslahat Köşgi Palace in Ashgabat under the chairmanship of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and other speakers highlighted the country’s achievements during the years of Independence, priority areas of state development and efforts to improve the welfare of the population.
The meeting approved several strategic documents, later signed by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. These included the National Strategy for the Industrial Development of Turkmenistan for 2030-2045, the National Concept “International Law and Neutrality of Turkmenistan”, and the State Programme on State Youth Policy in Turkmenistan for the period up to 2031. The documents set out directions for long-term development, industrial modernisation, international engagement and youth empowerment.
Turkmenistan celebrated the 35th anniversary of its Independence on September 27 with festivities across the country. The main celebrations in Ashgabat included a military parade attended by President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Army General Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The programme featured military personnel and modern equipment, an aerial parade, a naval parade in the Caspian Sea and cultural performances. The celebrations concluded with a festive concert and fireworks in the capital.
The briefing also highlighted Turkmenistan’s growing investment and economic opportunities. The Turkmenistan Investment Forum 2026 was held in Ashgabat on October 1 and 2, bringing together investors, innovators, financial institutions, policymakers and business leaders. The forum attracted more than 800 delegates and guests representing over 200 companies from more than 40 countries, including Pakistan. A package of bilateral documents, commercial contracts and memoranda of cooperation was formalised by Turkmenistan’s state ministries and concerns.
In October, a series of high-level meetings and conferences was held in the National Tourist Zone of Avaza, reaffirming Turkmenistan’s role in regional dialogue and multilateral cooperation.
On October 7, the regular meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Independent States was held in Avaza. Participants discussed international and regional developments, foreign policy coordination and multifaceted cooperation among CIS member states, with attention to Turkmenistan’s chairmanship and the 35th anniversary of the CIS.
The same day, a high-level meeting of Central Asian states on the rational use of water resources of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers was also held in Avaza. Delegations presented national reports on the situation, challenges and approaches to the sustainable and rational use of shared water resources. Participants developed a common vision for further regional cooperation in water management.
Avaza also hosted the International Women’s Dialogue titled “The Role of Women in Maintaining Peace and Achieving Sustainable Development” on October 7. Participants underlined regional efforts to strengthen women’s rights and empowerment, promote equal opportunities and adopt inclusive approaches. A final document was adopted after the dialogue.
Another international conference on “Demographic Processes and Sustainable Development: Contemporary Challenges and International Experience” was held the same day. It focused on scientifically grounded approaches to demographic management and the integration of population indicators into long-term socioeconomic planning. A final document was adopted at the conclusion of the conference.
On October 8, the Eighth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asian Countries and the Republic of Azerbaijan was held in Avaza. The meeting marked Azerbaijan’s first participation as a full-fledged member of the regional consultative format. Participants adopted a decision on regulatory documents of the consultative meeting and a joint statement.
On October 9, the Council of Heads of State of the CIS met in Avaza. President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian participated for the first time as a special guest. The discussions covered political-diplomatic, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian cooperation. One of the key decisions was to declare 2029 the “Year of CIS Transport Connectivity”.
The First Caspian Environmental Summit was also held in Avaza on October 9. The summit focused on environmental challenges and cooperation for the protection of the Caspian Sea and its surrounding ecosystem. The heads of state adopted a decision reflecting the outcomes of the summit.
The briefing further reviewed developments in Turkmenistan’s energy, construction and industrial sectors. The 31st International Conference and Exhibition “Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan — 2026” was held in Ashgabat from October 21 to 23, bringing together more than 1,500 delegates from 75 countries representing around 450 companies. The discussions covered development of the Galkynysh gas field, progress on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, diversification of natural gas export routes, cooperation in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea, and expansion of gas processing and petrochemical industries. Five bilateral agreements were signed with partners from China, Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
From November 3 to 5, the CIET 2026 International Conference and Exhibition was held in Ashgabat. It brought together government representatives, international companies, investors, financial institutions, technology providers, manufacturers, architects, engineers and experts. The conference focused on construction and urban development, industrial modernisation, chemical and petrochemical production, energy development and efficiency, transport and infrastructure, and digitalisation and smart technologies.
On Pakistan-Turkmenistan cooperation, the briefing described energy cooperation as an important pillar of bilateral relations. The TAPI gas pipeline remains a central project, designed to transport natural gas from Turkmenistan’s Galkynysh gas field to energy markets in South Asia. Independent assessments cited for the project estimate the Galkynysh field’s reserves at about 27 trillion cubic metres of natural gas.
For Pakistan, the TAPI project is expected to create opportunities for more diversified energy supplies, support for economic development, stronger regional economic cooperation, industrial development and regional stability through cross-border infrastructure.
The TAPI initiative is also linked with plans for wider regional infrastructure. Along the pipeline corridor through Afghanistan and Pakistan, a 1,635-kilometre fibre-optic communication line is planned to support pipeline monitoring and provide high-capacity telecommunications connectivity linking Europe, Asia and Southeast Asia, with proposed transmission capacity of up to 100 Gbps.
The broader programme also includes the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan electricity transmission project. The TAP power transmission line is intended to supply electricity to the TAPI pipeline and associated facilities, while creating opportunities for export of up to 3,000 megawatts of electricity through Afghanistan to Pakistan.
The briefing also noted progress in Turkmenistan-Afghanistan infrastructure projects. In September 2024, construction was launched on the Serhetabat-Herat section of the TAPI project, work began on the Turgundi-Sanabar section of the first phase of the Turgundi-Herat railway, and the Nur-ul-Jihad power substation in Herat Province was commissioned as part of the first phase of the TAP electricity transmission project.
On October 20, 2025, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visited Herat Province and officially launched the next stage of the Serhetabat-Herat gas pipeline. Specialised machinery and equipment were procured to accelerate construction.
On August 10, 2026, the National Leader of the Turkmen people visited Mary Province and the Islim-Cheshme border area before proceeding to Afghanistan. Talks were held with Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan for Economic Affairs, covering cooperation in the fuel and energy sector and major regional infrastructure initiatives, including TAPI, the Afghanistan-Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey transport corridor and the Lapis Lazuli international transport corridor.
During the visit, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov proposed establishing a Turkmen-Afghan Commission on Economic Cooperation. A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between the State Concern Türkmengaz and the State Corporation Afghan Gas.
According to the briefing, projects such as TAPI, TAP, railway development and fibre-optic connectivity demonstrate the potential of energy, transport and digital infrastructure to promote regional economic integration. For Pakistan, cooperation with Turkmenistan offers opportunities to diversify energy supplies, strengthen industrial capacity, improve connectivity and expand trade and investment relations. For Turkmenistan, Pakistan is an important partner for access to South Asian markets and diversification of energy export routes.
The briefing concluded that the successful implementation of these initiatives would depend on sustained cooperation among participating countries, effective coordination, investment mobilisation and development of necessary infrastructure and institutional frameworks.
