By Khawaja Hamza
Islamabad-: Turkmenistan is celebrating the 35th anniversary of its Independence in 2026 under the theme “Independent, Permanently Neutral Turkmenistan – Homeland of Purposeful Heavenly Horses,” highlighting its achievements in national development, international diplomacy, economic cooperation and regional connectivity.
The year 2026 has witnessed significant developments in the country’s political, economic, cultural and international affairs as Turkmenistan continues to pursue its strategic development priorities, strengthen international partnerships and promote regional cooperation based on peace, mutual respect and shared prosperity.
Throughout the year, Turkmenistan has hosted and participated in major national and international events, bringing together heads of state, government representatives, diplomats, investors, business leaders and international experts. These engagements have covered regional summits, investment forums, energy cooperation, infrastructure development, environmental protection and sustainable development.
Particular importance has been attached to strengthening relations with neighbouring countries and strategic partners, including Pakistan, especially in energy, transport, trade and regional connectivity.
Major National Events and Achievements
First World Championship of Equestrian Sports and Beauty among Ahal-Teke Horses
From September 4 to 6, 2026, the First World Championship of Equestrian Sports and Beauty among Ahal-Teke Horses was held in the Netherlands, attracting international attention to Turkmenistan’s legendary Ahal-Teke horses.
The horses represent an important part of Turkmenistan’s national identity, cultural traditions and historical heritage.
Meeting of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan
On September 23, 2026, the regular meeting of the Halk Maslahaty (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.
During the meeting, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and other speakers highlighted the country’s achievements since Independence, priority areas of state development and ongoing efforts to improve public welfare.
Participants approved several important strategic documents, which were subsequently 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 outline long-term priorities for industrial modernization, international engagement, national development and youth empowerment.
35th Anniversary of Independence
Turkmenistan celebrated the 35th anniversary of its Independence on September 27, 2026, with grand celebrations across the country.
The main festivities were held in Ashgabat and included a military parade attended by President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Army General Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
The celebrations featured military personnel, modern military equipment, an aerial parade, a naval parade in the Caspian Sea and cultural performances highlighting the country’s history, national traditions and achievements in peaceful development.
The celebrations concluded with a festive concert and spectacular fireworks in the capital.
Growing Investment and Economic Opportunities
Turkmenistan Investment Forum 2026
The Turkmenistan Investment Forum (TIF 2026) was held in Ashgabat on October 1–2, 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.
An important outcome was the formalization of a broad package of bilateral documents, commercial contracts and memoranda of cooperation by Turkmenistan’s state ministries and concerns.
The event provided a platform to explore investment opportunities, strengthen international business partnerships and expand cooperation across key sectors of the national economy.
Turkmenistan as a Platform for Regional and International Dialogue
October 2026 witnessed a series of high-level international meetings and conferences in the National Tourist Zone of Avaza, further strengthening Turkmenistan’s role in promoting regional dialogue and multilateral cooperation.
CIS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
On October 7, 2026, the regular meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was held in Avaza.
Participants discussed important international and regional developments, foreign policy coordination and the expansion of multifaceted cooperation among CIS member states.
Special attention was given to the Commonwealth’s activities in 2026, taking into account Turkmenistan’s chairmanship and the 35th anniversary of the CIS.
High-Level Meeting on Central Asian Water Resources
On the same day, the High-Level Meeting of Central Asian States on the Rational Use of Water Resources of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya Rivers was held in Avaza.
Delegations presented national reports on the existing situation, challenges and approaches to the sustainable and rational use of shared water resources.
Following constructive discussions, participants developed a common vision of further steps to strengthen regional cooperation in water management.
International Women’s Dialogue
The International Women’s Dialogue, titled “The Role of Women in Maintaining Peace and Achieving Sustainable Development,” was also held in Avaza on October 7.
Participants discussed regional efforts to strengthen women’s rights and empowerment, promote equal opportunities and introduce inclusive approaches at the national level.
Speakers emphasized that women’s active participation in all areas of public and state life is essential for achieving the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. A final document was adopted at the conclusion of the dialogue.
International Conference on Demographic Processes and Sustainable Development
Another important event held on October 7 was the international conference titled “Demographic Processes and Sustainable Development: Contemporary Challenges and International Experience.”
The conference focused on scientifically grounded approaches to demographic management and the integration of population-related indicators into long-term socioeconomic planning.
Participants stressed the importance of comprehensive demographic analysis in developing effective sustainable development policies. A final document was adopted following the conference.
Eighth Consultative Meeting of Central Asian Leaders and Azerbaijan
On October 8, 2026, the Eighth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asian Countries and the Republic of Azerbaijan was held in Avaza.
During the meeting, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev thanked Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, for being the first to invite him to participate in the Consultative Meeting during their meeting in Avaza in August of the previous year.
The 2026 meeting marked Azerbaijan’s first participation as a full-fledged member of the regional consultative format.
Following the negotiations, participants adopted the Decision “On the Regulatory Documents of the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asian Countries and the Republic of Azerbaijan” and the Joint Statement of the Eighth Consultative Meeting.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov observed that the Consultative Meetings had developed into an effective platform for addressing pressing regional issues through partnership and had gained international significance beyond the region.
CIS Council of Heads of State Meeting
On October 9, 2026, the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States was held in Avaza.
For the first time, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian participated in the meeting as a special guest.
Discussions covered political and diplomatic, trade and economic, and cultural and humanitarian cooperation among participating countries.
One of the key decisions was to declare 2029 the “Year of CIS Transport Connectivity,” highlighting the importance of developing transport infrastructure and strengthening connectivity throughout the Commonwealth.
First Caspian Environmental Summit
The First Caspian Environmental Summit was also held in Avaza on October 9, 2026.
The summit provided an important platform for addressing pressing environmental challenges and strengthening international cooperation to protect the Caspian Sea and its surrounding ecosystem.
Following discussions, the heads of state adopted a decision reflecting the summit’s outcomes and their commitment to addressing environmental challenges through coordinated efforts.
Development of Energy, Construction and Industrial Sectors
Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan 2026
The 31st International Conference and Exhibition “Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan – 2026” (OGT 2026) was held in Ashgabat from October 21 to 23.
The event brought together more than 1,500 delegates from 75 countries, representing approximately 450 companies.
Discussions focused on the further development of the Galkynysh gas field, progress on the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline, diversification of natural gas export routes, international cooperation in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea and expansion of gas processing and petrochemical industries.
An important outcome was the signing of five bilateral agreements with international partners from China, Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The agreements aim to strengthen energy cooperation, expand oil and gas services and facilitate the supply of industrial products.
Construction, Industry and Energy of Turkmenistan – CIET 2026
The CIET 2026 International Conference and Exhibition was held in Ashgabat from November 3 to 5, bringing together government representatives, international companies, investors, financial institutions, technology providers, manufacturers, architects, engineers and industry experts.
The conference focused on attracting investment and introducing advanced technologies and international expertise in construction and urban development, industrial modernization, chemical and petrochemical production, energy development and efficiency, transport and infrastructure, digitalization and smart technologies.
The event provided further opportunities to explore investment prospects and promote international partnerships in Turkmenistan’s construction, industrial and energy sectors.
Turkmenistan–Pakistan Cooperation: Strategic Partnership in Energy and Regional Connectivity
Energy cooperation remains one of the important pillars of relations between Turkmenistan and Pakistan. Both countries share an interest in developing reliable energy supplies, expanding regional infrastructure and promoting economic connectivity.
A central project in this partnership is the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) transnational gas pipeline, which is designed to transport natural gas from Turkmenistan’s Galkynysh gas field to energy markets in South Asia.
According to independent assessments cited for the project, the Galkynysh field holds estimated natural gas reserves of approximately 27 trillion cubic metres.
TAPI Project and Benefits for Pakistan
The implementation of the TAPI project is expected to offer several important opportunities for Pakistan.
Access to Turkmen natural gas could help Pakistan diversify its energy supplies and strengthen energy security. Reliable gas supplies could also support the growing energy requirements of households, industries and commercial sectors.
The project is expected to strengthen economic interdependence among participating countries and promote regional cooperation through shared infrastructure.
Improved access to natural gas could further support industrial production, economic activity and investment, while cross-border economic infrastructure could strengthen mutual interests and encourage peaceful regional cooperation.
Fibre-Optic Connectivity and Electricity Transmission
The TAPI initiative is accompanied by plans for additional regional infrastructure, including fibre-optic connectivity and electricity transmission.
A 1,635-kilometre fibre-optic communication line is planned along the pipeline corridor through Afghanistan and Pakistan. The facility is intended to support pipeline monitoring and provide high-capacity telecommunications connectivity linking Europe, Asia and Southeast Asia, with a proposed transmission capacity of up to 100 Gbps.
The broader regional infrastructure programme also includes the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan (TAP) electricity transmission project.
The TAP transmission line is intended to supply electricity to the TAPI pipeline and associated facilities while also creating opportunities to export up to 3,000 megawatts of electricity through Afghanistan to Pakistan.
Together, these interconnected initiatives have the potential to establish an integrated regional energy and telecommunications network.
Progress in Turkmenistan–Afghanistan Infrastructure Projects
Cooperation between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan represents an important component of Turkmenistan’s regional connectivity strategy, with several developments taking place in joint infrastructure projects.
In September 2024, construction of the Serhetabat–Herat section, an important component of the TAPI gas pipeline, was launched.
Construction work also commenced on the Turgundi–Sanabar section of the first phase of the Turgundi–Herat railway project.
During the same period, the Nur-ul-Jihad power substation in Afghanistan’s Herat Province was commissioned as part of the first phase of the TAP electricity transmission project.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s Visit to Afghanistan in October 2025
On October 20, 2025, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, visited Afghanistan’s Herat Province and officially launched the next stage of the Serhetabat–Herat gas pipeline.
To accelerate construction, a substantial fleet of specialized machinery and equipment was procured. The equipment included bulldozers, excavators, loaders, truck cranes, pipelayers, heavy-duty tractors, mobile platform trailers and motor graders.
The measures were aimed at facilitating construction and supporting the development of regional energy infrastructure.
High-Level Turkmen–Afghan Talks on Regional Cooperation
On August 10, 2026, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov made a working visit to Mary Province and travelled to the Islim-Cheshme border area in Serhetabat district before proceeding to Afghanistan.
Bilateral talks were subsequently held between Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, and Abdul Ghani Baradar, Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs.
The discussions covered cooperation in several sectors, particularly energy and fuel, as well as the implementation of major regional infrastructure initiatives.
Special attention was given to the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline, the Afghanistan–Turkmenistan–Azerbaijan–Georgia–Turkey transport corridor and the Lapis Lazuli international transport corridor.
Emphasizing the importance of joint projects and the development of an appropriate legal framework for their implementation, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov proposed establishing a Turkmen–Afghan Commission on Economic Cooperation.
The visit also resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the State Concern Türkmengaz and the State Corporation Afghan Gas.
The development represents another step towards strengthening bilateral energy cooperation and advancing mutually beneficial regional infrastructure projects.
Pakistan and Turkmenistan: Towards a Connected and Prosperous Region
The growing partnership between Pakistan and Turkmenistan reflects the broader potential of regional cooperation across Central and South Asia.
Projects such as TAPI, TAP, cross-border railway development and fibre-optic connectivity demonstrate how energy, transport and digital infrastructure can contribute to regional economic integration.
For Pakistan, cooperation with Turkmenistan offers opportunities to diversify energy supplies, strengthen industrial capacity, improve regional connectivity and expand trade and investment relations.
For Turkmenistan, Pakistan represents an important partner in accessing South Asian markets and advancing its strategic objective of diversifying energy export routes.
The successful implementation of these initiatives will depend on sustained cooperation among all participating countries, effective coordination, mobilization of investment and the development of the necessary infrastructure and institutional frameworks.
The events and initiatives of 2026 demonstrate the breadth of Turkmenistan’s national development priorities and its growing engagement with regional and international partners.
As the country celebrates the 35th anniversary of its Independence, industrial modernization, investment promotion, energy development, environmental cooperation and regional connectivity remain central to its national and international agenda.
For Pakistan and Turkmenistan, these developments provide a valuable foundation for expanding bilateral relations and advancing shared economic interests.
The TAPI and TAP projects, together with railway, telecommunications and other regional infrastructure initiatives, have the potential to transform connectivity between Central and South Asia, creating new opportunities for trade, investment, energy security and sustainable economic development.
Turkmenistan and Pakistan are working towards building bridges of energy, connectivity and shared prosperity, with regional cooperation offering significant opportunities for a more integrated and economically prosperous future.
