Turkmenistan Marks 35 Years of Independence With a Year of Diplomacy, Investment and Regional Connectivity, Deepening Energy Partnership With Pakistan

Islamabad: Turkmenistan has marked 2026, the year of the 35th anniversary of its Independence, with a series of landmark political, economic, cultural and diplomatic milestones. Declared the year of “Independent, Permanently Neutral Turkmenistan — Homeland of Purposeful Heavenly Horses,” 2026 has seen the country advance its strategic development priorities, strengthen international partnerships and promote regional cooperation founded on peace, mutual respect and shared prosperity, with particular emphasis on expanding ties with Pakistan in energy, transport, trade and connectivity, reported by Pakistan’s vibrant and one of the credible media website, The Gulf Observer.

National Milestones and Strategic Decisions

The year’s national calendar opened a new chapter for the country’s equestrian heritage, as the First World Championship of Equestrian Sports and Beauty among Ahal-Teke Horses was held in the Netherlands from 4 to 6 September 2026. The event drew international attention to the legendary Ahal-Teke breed, a cherished symbol of Turkmenistan’s national identity, cultural traditions and historical legacy.

On 23 September 2026, a meeting of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) of Turkmenistan was held at the Maslahat Köşgi Palace in Ashgabat under the chairmanship of the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The National Leader, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and other speakers reviewed the country’s achievements since Independence, its priority areas of development and ongoing efforts to improve living standards. Participants approved several key strategic documents, subsequently signed by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, including 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 up to 2031.

On 27 September 2026, Turkmenistan celebrated the 35th anniversary of its Independence with nationwide festivities. The main celebrations in Ashgabat featured a military parade attended by President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Army General Serdar Berdimuhamedov, alongside an aerial display, a naval parade in the Caspian Sea and cultural performances showcasing the nation’s history, traditions and peaceful development. The day concluded with a festive concert and fireworks over the capital.

Expanding Investment Opportunities

The Turkmenistan Investment Forum (TIF 2026), held in Ashgabat on 1–2 October, attracted more than 800 delegates and guests representing over 200 companies from more than 40 countries, including Pakistan. The forum concluded with the signing of a broad package of bilateral documents, commercial contracts and memoranda of cooperation by Turkmen state ministries and concerns, opening new avenues for investment across key sectors of the national economy.

Avaza Emerges as a Hub of Regional Dialogue

October 2026 saw the National Tourist Zone of Avaza host a succession of high-level international meetings, reaffirming Turkmenistan’s role as a facilitator of regional and multilateral dialogue.

On 7 October, the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) convened in Avaza to discuss international and regional developments and strengthen foreign policy coordination, with special 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 the water resources of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers produced a common vision for strengthening regional cooperation in water management. Avaza also hosted the International Women’s Dialogue on “The Role of Women in Maintaining Peace and Achieving Sustainable Development” and an international conference on “Demographic Processes and Sustainable Development: Contemporary Challenges and International Experience,” both of which concluded with the adoption of final documents.

On 8 October, the Eighth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asian Countries and the Republic of Azerbaijan marked Azerbaijan’s first participation as a full-fledged member of the format. President Ilham Aliyev expressed gratitude to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for being the first to invite him to join the Consultative Meeting during their talks in Avaza in August of the previous year. Leaders adopted a decision on the format’s regulatory documents and a Joint Statement. The National Leader noted that the Consultative Meetings have become an effective platform for addressing pressing regional issues and have gained international significance beyond the region.

On 9 October, the Council of Heads of State of the CIS met in Avaza, with President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian attending as a special guest for the first time. Among its key decisions, the Council declared 2029 the “Year of CIS Transport Connectivity.” The same day, Avaza hosted the First Caspian Environmental Summit, where Heads of State adopted a decision reflecting their commitment to coordinated action on protecting the Caspian Sea and its ecosystem.

Energy, Construction and Industrial Development

The 31st International Conference and Exhibition “Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan – 2026” (OGT 2026), held in Ashgabat from 21 to 23 October, brought together more than 1,500 delegates from 75 countries representing around 450 companies. Discussions centred on the further development of the Galkynysh gas field, one of the world’s largest natural gas deposits, progress on the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline, the diversification of export routes, cooperation in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea, and the expansion of gas processing and petrochemical industries. Five bilateral agreements were signed with partners from China, Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

From 3 to 5 November, the CIET 2026 International Conference and Exhibition on Construction, Industry and Energy of Turkmenistan gathered government officials, international companies, investors, financial institutions and industry experts in Ashgabat, focusing on construction and urban development, industrial modernisation, chemical and petrochemical production, energy efficiency, transport infrastructure and digitalisation.

Turkmenistan–Pakistan: A Strategic Partnership in Energy and Connectivity

Energy cooperation remains a central pillar of Turkmenistan–Pakistan relations, anchored by the TAPI transnational gas pipeline, designed to carry natural gas from the Galkynysh field, which holds estimated reserves of approximately 27 trillion cubic metres, to markets in South Asia. For Pakistan, the project promises more diversified energy supplies, reliable gas for households, industry and commerce, stronger regional economic interdependence, new industrial and investment opportunities, and greater regional stability through shared infrastructure.

The TAPI initiative is accompanied by a 1,635-kilometre fibre-optic communication line planned along the pipeline corridor through Afghanistan and Pakistan, intended to support pipeline monitoring and provide high-capacity telecommunications linking Europe, Asia and Southeast Asia, with a proposed capacity of up to 100 Gbps. The Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan (TAP) electricity transmission project is set to power the TAPI pipeline and its facilities while enabling the export of up to 3,000 megawatts of electricity through Afghanistan to Pakistan. Together, these projects could form the foundation of an integrated regional energy and telecommunications network.

Progress on Turkmen–Afghan Infrastructure

Cooperation with Afghanistan remains vital to Turkmenistan’s connectivity strategy. In September 2024, construction began on the Serhetabat–Herat section of the TAPI pipeline and the Turgundi–Sanabar section of the Turgundi–Herat railway, while the Nur-ul-Jihad power substation in Herat Province was commissioned under the first phase of the TAP project. On 20 October 2025, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visited Herat Province and officially launched the next stage of the Serhetabat–Herat pipeline, supported by a large fleet of specialised construction machinery procured to accelerate the work.

On 10 August 2026, the National Leader travelled from the Islim-Cheshme border area in Serhetabat district on a working visit to Afghanistan, where he held talks with Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan for Economic Affairs. Discussions focused on energy cooperation and major regional projects, including TAPI, the Afghanistan–Turkmenistan–Azerbaijan–Georgia–Turkey transport corridor and the Lapis Lazuli international transport corridor. The National Leader proposed establishing a Turkmen–Afghan Commission on Economic Cooperation, and a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the State Concern Türkmengaz and the State Corporation Afghan Gas.

Towards a Connected and Prosperous Region

The deepening partnership between Turkmenistan and Pakistan reflects the wider potential of cooperation between Central and South Asia. For Pakistan, it offers the prospect of diversified energy supplies, stronger industrial capacity, improved connectivity and expanded trade and investment. For Turkmenistan, Pakistan is a key partner in accessing South Asian markets and advancing its goal of diversifying energy export routes. The success of these initiatives will depend on sustained cooperation, effective coordination, investment mobilisation and robust institutional frameworks among all participating countries.

As Turkmenistan celebrates 35 years of Independence, its focus on industrial modernisation, investment promotion, energy development, environmental cooperation and regional connectivity continues to shape its international agenda. The TAPI and TAP projects, together with railway, telecommunications and other infrastructure initiatives, hold the potential to transform links between Central and South Asia, building bridges of energy, connectivity and shared prosperity between Turkmenistan and Pakistan.