A meeting was held yesterday in the administrative building of the Ministry of Railway Transport of Turkmenistan to summarize the work completed over the first seven months of this year.

The number of member states of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security, and Sustainable Development has reached 30. The Government of the Republic of Nicaragua announced its decision to join the international organization, created on the initiative of Turkmenistan under the auspices of the UN.

The accession of a large Latin American state is further confirmation that the principles of preventive diplomacy and neutrality are gaining increasing geographic support within the United Nations, according to the Permanent Mission of Turkmenistan to the UN.

What does the Group of Friends of Neutrality do?

Established in 2020 on the initiative of Ashgabat, the Group has developed over the past six years into an effective platform for multilateral dialogue at UN Headquarters in New York.

Regular Meetings: Plenipotentiary representatives of the 30 member states hold systematic consultations at the level of permanent representatives to the UN, as well as annual ministerial meetings.

Practical Diplomacy: The platform is used to promote mediation mechanisms, peaceful dispute resolution, and confidence-building in accordance with the UN Charter.

Broad Reach: The Group includes states from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, underscoring the universal nature of the Turkmen model of neutrality.

The addition of the thirtieth member to the Group demonstrates the growing interest of the international community in Turkmenistan's initiatives to foster a culture of global trust and dialogue.

At the World Conference on Artificial Intelligence (WAIC 2026), held in Shanghai from July 17 to 20, Turkmenistan's Minister of Communications, Hajymyrat Hudaygulyev, announced that the country is actively working on a National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence. The document will serve as the foundation for innovation, personnel training, and the development of scientific research.

Speaking at a forum dedicated to the topic "Partnership in Artificial Intelligence for a Brighter Future," Hudaygulyev noted that under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the country is consistently implementing a state policy of digital transformation: modernizing infrastructure, developing the digital economy, and improving the regulatory framework.

According to the Minister, the Strategy being developed places particular emphasis on issues of security, ethics, personal data protection, and algorithmic transparency in accordance with international standards. He emphasized that the implementation of artificial intelligence opens up significant prospects for the modernization of healthcare, education, and transport, as well as for the rational use of water resources and environmental protection.

Hudaygulyev stated Turkmenistan's readiness to actively engage with interested partners in developing digital infrastructure, creating modern data centers, implementing joint scientific initiatives, and promoting the responsible, safe, and ethical use of AI technologies.

"The future of artificial intelligence must be built on partnership and shared responsibility. Only by combining the efforts of governments, science, and business can we harness technology for the benefit of humanity and strengthen peace and security," the minister emphasized, expressing gratitude to the Chinese government for organizing the forum.

Residents of Turkmenistan can now pay utility bills remotely. The e.gov.tm government services portal offers a comprehensive online payment service for utility charges, eliminating the need to stand in queues.

What can be paid online?

The service covers all major utility payments, including:

• Electricity and natural gas;

• Water supply services;

• Heating and housing maintenance fees;

• Residential building maintenance services;

• Household waste collection services.

Payments can be completed in just a few simple steps through a personal account on the portal. Users only need to select the required service, enter the necessary information, and confirm the payment using a bank card. The entire process takes only a few minutes and is available 24/7.

The main advantages of the service are time savings and transparency of payments. Electronic receipts are stored within the system, allowing users to easily track their payment history and avoid outstanding debts.

The continued development of digital services on the e.gov.tm portal makes government services more accessible and convenient for every family.

Turkmenistan plans to establish an Artificial Intelligence Competence Center at the state-owned telecommunications company (SEC) “Turkmentelecom”. This was announced by Minister of Communications Hajymyrat Hudaygulyev at the session "Digital Future: Common Development Vectors, Challenges, and Solutions" at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2026).

According to the minister, the center will support national digital priorities, conduct research, and train highly qualified specialists. At the same time, the ministry plans to launch pilot projects with international partners on the application of AI in transport and logistics corridor management, forecasting in the oil and gas sector, and water resource optimization in agriculture.

Hudaygulyev emphasized that the country's international internet bandwidth has increased tenfold over the past three years, laying the foundation for the development of digital services, e-commerce, and cross-border data exchange. He stated that Turkmenistan views artificial intelligence, big data, blockchain, and cybersecurity as key drivers of economic growth and is already implementing AI solutions in education, healthcare, agriculture, and transportation.

The minister also announced the implementation of strategic infrastructure projects: the construction of a fiber-optic line from Serhetabad to Herat, connecting to South Asian markets, and the laying of a submarine cable along the Caspian Sea. These projects, he estimated, will create new high-speed digital routes between Europe and Asia and improve the reliability of international communications channels.

Turkmentelecom continues to develop its TELECOMWIFI high-speed wireless internet network, expanding access to digital services in public spaces across the country. Hotspots are already operational in Ashgabat, Arkadag, and all regions of Turkmenistan.

The TELECOMWIFI network operates at international airports, train and bus stations, shopping and entertainment centers, parks, hotels, resorts, internet cafes, and other public spaces. In the capital, access points are located at Ashgabat International Airport, the Olympic Village, shopping malls, markets, post offices, and popular recreation areas.

In the regions, the service is available, in particular, at the international airports of Turkmenbashy, Dashoguz, Turkmenabat, Kerki and Mary, at the Archman, Bayramaly, Mollakara and Nebitchi sanatoriums, as well as at hotels, shopping centers and transport hubs.

The “Turkmenpost” postal service announced expanded international online shopping options for residents of Turkmenistan through a partnership with the logistics service TMDrops. These new solutions allow customers to make purchases from popular international online stores, including Amazon, eBay, and Zara, with onward delivery to Turkmenistan.

According to the company, the service provides users with personal virtual addresses in the US and European countries, including Italy and Greece. After registration, customers receive a unique international address and an ID, which they use when placing orders online.

“Turkmenpost” handles international shipping and delivery, while TMDrops provides order tracking and logistics support. According to the service, the average delivery time from the US is 10 to 20 days, and from European countries, 7 to 14 days.

The cost of services is calculated based on the actual weight of the shipment, allowing customers to plan expenses in advance. All international shipments undergo mandatory customs control in accordance with Turkmen law.

The company noted that service and information support are available in Turkmen, Russian, and English. More information about the terms and conditions can be found on the official website of the TMDrops logistics service.

В Туркменистане продолжаются мероприятия по чествованию ветеранов Великой Отечественной Войны. От имени главы государства героям вручаются денежные премии, ценные подарки и цветы.

Ежегодно Министерство связи Туркменистана и подведомственные предприятия организуют встречи и поздравления ветеранов, долгие годы трудившихся в сфере связи. В этом году представители отрасли посетили ветерана Великой Отечественной войны Валентину Жердеву, которой исполнилось 103 года. Многие годы она работала в производственном объединении «Türkmenpoçta».

Отмечается, что Валентина Жердева вместе с советскими солдатами прошла фронтовыми дорогами войны и была удостоена многочисленных наград за храбрость и героизм.

Сотрудники сферы связи поздравили ветерана с Днём Победы, вручили праздничные подарки и букеты цветов, выразив слова благодарности за её самоотверженность и вклад в Победу.

В свою очередь Валентина Жердева выразила гордость за мирное и процветающее развитие страны, а также поблагодарила руководство Туркменистана за внимание и заботу о ветеранах и старшем поколении.