AGP Executive Report

One Health Regional Push: CAREC convened a June 2026 online meeting of the Regional Coordination Council on the “One Health” approach, where Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and partners unanimously approved key documents—regulations, a regional action plan, and a communication plan—to speed cross-border responses to threats to human, animal, and environmental health. Practical Preparedness Steps: The plan moves toward joint cross-border simulation drills for dangerous infectious disease outbreaks, shared laboratory standards, and a regional digital portal to improve coordination and safe handling of biomaterials. Youth and Child Well-Being: UNICEF met Turkmenistan’s ambassador in Belgium to discuss human capital, child rights, and youth support, highlighting that over half of Turkmenistan’s population is under 30 and that investing in health, education, and social protection builds resilience. Disability Rights & Mental Health: UN Human Rights ran workshops in Ashgabat to strengthen disability rights advocacy and inclusive communication, including UNICEF input on mental health and psychosocial well-being for children and young people. Children Learn Their Rights: More than 100 children joined interactive summer camp sessions across Turkmenabat, Tejen, and the Yashlyk Children’s Health and Recreation Centre to learn the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and practice self-advocacy.

Azerbaijan–Turkmenistan Strategic Partnership: President Sardar Berdimuhamedov’s 22–23 June visit to Azerbaijan produced 12 agreements spanning energy, industry, customs, agriculture, transport, and notably healthcare and social protection—framing the two Caspian states as key connectors for Europe–Asia amid shifting logistics and geopolitics. World Population Day in Ashgabat: UNFPA and Turkmen officials marked World Population Day with a focus on youth and family planning barriers like housing and employment, outlining steps to unlock demographic and gender potential. Children’s Rights Summer Camps: More than 100 children joined interactive sessions across Turkmenabat, Tejen, and Geokdere to learn the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and practice self-advocacy with support from the Mejlis, Ombudsman, UNICEF, and education partners. Disability Rights & Inclusive Media: UN Human Rights ran workshops in Ashgabat (30 June–2 July) to strengthen disability rights advocacy and improve how journalists and content creators communicate inclusion. Food Security Push: A ceremony with President Serdar Berdimuhamedov highlighted delivery of over 1.4 million tons of wheat to state granaries, tied to agro reforms, higher purchase prices, and water-saving farming.

Azerbaijan–Turkmenistan Health & Social Cooperation: Turkmen President Sardar Berdimuhamedov’s June 22–23 state visit to Azerbaijan produced 12 agreements spanning energy, transport, customs, agriculture—and notably healthcare and social protection—aimed at strengthening Eurasian connectivity and long-term people-focused cooperation. World Population Day in Ashgabat: UNFPA held a World Population Day 2026 event in Ashgabat, highlighting barriers facing young people (housing, jobs, family factors) and outlining steps to unlock Turkmenistan’s demographic and gender potential. Children’s Rights & Well-Being: UNICEF, the Mejlis, the Ombudsman’s Office and education partners ran summer camp sessions for 100+ children across Turkmenabat, Tejen and Geokdere, using games and discussions to teach the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and encourage self-advocacy. Disability Inclusion in Media: UN Human Rights Central Asia supported workshops in Ashgabat (June 30–July 2) to improve disability rights advocacy and more inclusive communication, including mental health and psychosocial well-being for young people. Agriculture & Food Safety: A ceremony marked grain deliveries to state granaries—over 1.4 million tons of wheat—along with renewed focus on food safety, water-saving farming and modern equipment.

Food Security & Farming: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov attended a ceremony marking grain growers’ delivery of over 1.4 million tons of wheat to state granaries, supported by higher purchase prices, modern equipment, digital tools, and water-saving irrigation. Family Planning & Youth Well-Being: Ashgabat marked World Population Day 2026 with UNFPA, focusing on barriers young people face in forming families—especially housing and employment—and how technical support can reduce those gaps. Disability Rights & Inclusive Media: UN Human Rights Central Asia ran workshops in Ashgabat to strengthen disability rights advocacy and improve how journalists and media portray inclusion, with UNICEF also sharing work on children’s mental health and psychosocial well-being. Children’s Rights Education: More than 100 children joined interactive summer camp sessions across Turkmenistan, led by the Mejlis, education innovation center, Ombudsman, and UNICEF, learning CRC rights through games and group activities. Health & Safety Awareness (Regional): A Supreme Court case in India highlighted how unsafe, unauthorized buildings can turn deadly—an issue that also affects public health through preventable injuries and deaths.

World Population Day in Ashgabat: UNFPA and Turkmen officials met to discuss barriers facing young people and steps to support family life, including housing and employment challenges. Disability rights & mental health in the media: UN Human Rights ran workshops in Ashgabat to improve inclusive communication and disability coverage, with UNICEF highlighting mental health and psychosocial well-being for children and youth. Children’s rights summer camps: UNICEF, the Mejlis, the Ombudsman’s Office and education innovation partners hosted interactive camps across Turkmenabat, Tejen and Geokdere to teach the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and encourage youth advocacy. Digital push for health and innovation: Turkmenistan approved the “Digital Solution – 2026” competition, with categories that include digital medicine and e-learning, aiming to bring youth projects into national digitalisation. Azerbaijan–Turkmenistan health cooperation: A new set of agreements signed during President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s Azerbaijan visit includes cooperation areas such as healthcare and food safety. Public health science publishing: Magtymguly Turkmen State University released the second issue of its popular science journal, featuring work including medicinal plant studies and bio/chemical technology research.

World Population Day in Ashgabat: UNFPA and local partners marked World Population Day 2026 with a discussion on what blocks young people from realizing family and fertility plans, pointing to barriers like housing and employment. Disability rights & mental health in the media: UN Human Rights Central Asia ran workshops in Ashgabat (late June–early July) to improve inclusive communication and disability-focused reporting, with UNICEF highlighting mental health and psychosocial well-being for children and youth. Digital health push for youth: Turkmenistan announced a “Digital Solution – 2026” competition aimed at backing young innovators, including categories such as digital medicine and e-learning, with results tied to “Türkmentel – 2026.” Children’s rights summer camps: UNICEF, the Mejlis, the Ombudsman’s Office and education innovation centers hosted interactive camps for over 100 children on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, encouraging peer advocacy. Health-related regional cooperation: Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan deepened ties during high-level visits, signing agreements that included healthcare and food safety cooperation.

US–Iran escalation and health risks: A US–Iran ceasefire framework is under heavy strain as both sides exchange attacks for a third straight day, with Iran reporting deaths and injuries from strikes across several provinces and explosions reported near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear area and on a rail bridge tied to goods routes through Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. Diplomatic health context: Turkmenistan’s National Leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov met US Senator Steve Daines, with both sides pointing to ongoing dialogue and cooperation—an important backdrop as regional instability threatens transport and public health. Children’s rights and wellbeing: More than 100 children joined Turkmenistan summer camp sessions focused on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, run with the Mejlis, the Ombudsman’s Office and UNICEF, using interactive activities to build confidence and peer advocacy. Disability inclusion push: UN Human Rights held workshops in Ashgabat to strengthen disability rights advocacy and improve inclusive communication, including media training and mental health and psychosocial wellbeing content for young people. Education for health outcomes: Turkmen universities were recognized in THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, including “Health and well-being” related performance.

Children’s Rights & Health Education: More than 100 children across Turkmenistan joined interactive summer camp sessions in Turkmenabat, Tejen and the “Yashlyk” Children’s Health and Recreation Centre in Geokdere, organized with the Mejlis, the Education Ministry’s Innovation Information Centre, the Ombudsman’s Office and UNICEF. The program used games and group activities to teach the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, including education, protection, participation and development, and encouraged kids to speak up for themselves and peers. Disability Rights & Inclusive Media: UN Human Rights Central Asia ran workshops in Ashgabat (30 June–2 July) to strengthen disability rights advocacy and improve inclusive communication, bringing together journalists, press officers, content creators and organizations of persons with disabilities; UNICEF also shared work on children’s mental health and psychosocial well-being. Health System Signals in Regional News: A Supreme Court case in India highlighted how fire safety failures and unauthorized construction can become deadly for people receiving medical care, with reports that victims included foreign nationals staying near hospitals—an indirect reminder for health facilities to prioritize safety and emergency readiness. Education for Well-Being: Turkmen universities were recognized in the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, which include health and well-being among assessed goals, with multiple institutions earning high marks from international experts.

Hospital Resilience: UNDP and Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Health installed solar power systems at Yoloten Etrap Hospital, adding battery backup to keep neonatal, maternity, lab, hemodialysis and operating services running during outages. Reproductive Health in Emergencies: The health ministry endorsed an updated National Action Plan for the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for reproductive health, with UNFPA support, to protect safe delivery, family planning, survivors of sexual violence, and reduce HIV/STI transmission during crises. Children & Women Data: UNICEF, UNFPA and Turkmenistan’s statistics authorities wrapped regional roundtables on MICS7 findings, highlighting health and education priorities and regional gaps affecting children and women. Disability Rights & Media: UN Human Rights Central Asia ran workshops in Ashgabat to strengthen disability rights advocacy and inclusive communication, including training for journalists and press officers. Digital Health & Innovation: Turkmenistan announced a “Digital Solution – 2026” competition aimed at youth projects, including digital medicine, alongside broader smart agriculture and smart city categories. International Health Cooperation: Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan signed 13 cooperation agreements during a state visit, including healthcare and food safety, as part of deeper transport, energy and labor ties. Education for Health: THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 placed several Turkmen universities in health-and-well-being related performance areas, reflecting progress on UN SDGs.

Solar-powered hospital resilience: UNDP and Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Health installed two solar photovoltaic systems at Yoloten Etrap Hospital (Mary), adding 30 kW of clean power with battery backup to keep key services running during outages, including maternity, neonatal intensive care, labs, hemodialysis and operating theatres. Reproductive health in emergencies: The Ministry of Health endorsed an updated National Action Plan on the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for reproductive health, with UNFPA support, to protect women and newborns in crises, ensure safe delivery and family planning, prevent sexual violence, and reduce HIV/STI transmission. Children and women data push: UNICEF, with Turkmenistan’s State Statistics Committee and UNFPA, wrapped regional round tables on MICS7 findings, reviewing health and education gaps and setting priorities to speed up action for children and women. Disability rights and inclusive media: UN Human Rights held workshops in Ashgabat to strengthen disability rights advocacy and improve inclusive communication, bringing together journalists, press officers, creators and disability organizations, with UNICEF also highlighting mental health and psychosocial well-being for young people. Regional health-adjacent cooperation: Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan signed a Central Asia cooperation treaty and discussed trade, investment, transport and humanitarian exchanges—important context for broader public services and access.

Disability Rights & Media Inclusion: UN Human Rights held workshops in Ashgabat (30 June–2 July) to strengthen disability rights advocacy and inclusive communication, bringing together journalists, press officers, content creators, and disability organizations, with UNICEF also highlighting mental health and psychosocial support for children and young people. Reproductive Health in Emergencies: Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Health and Medical Industry endorsed an updated National Action Plan on the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for reproductive health, developed with UNFPA support, aiming to keep safe delivery and family planning services running during crises, prevent sexual violence, and reduce HIV/STI transmission. Solar Power for Hospital Care: UNDP and the Ministry of Health completed two solar photovoltaic systems at Yoloten Etrap Hospital (Mary), adding battery backup to support essential services like neonatal intensive care, maternity wards, labs, hemodialysis, and operating theatres during power disruptions. Children & Women Data for Policy: UNICEF, with Turkmenistan’s State Statistics Committee and UNFPA, wrapped regional roundtables on MICS7 results to identify priorities and address regional gaps affecting children and women, including health and education. Digital Health Talent Push: The government announced the “Digital Solution – 2026” competition, with categories that include digital medicine, alongside AI, robotics, smart city, and smart agriculture.

Solar-Powered Hospital Resilience: UNDP and Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Health installed two solar systems at Yoloten Etrap Hospital in Mary, with battery backup to keep neonatal intensive care, maternity, labs, hemodialysis, and operating theatres running during power cuts. Reproductive Health in Emergencies: The Ministry of Health updated Turkmenistan’s National Action Plan for the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for reproductive health, aiming to protect women and newborns, ensure safe delivery and family planning during crises, and reduce HIV/STI transmission with clearer roles across agencies. Children and Women Data Push: UNICEF, with Turkmenistan’s statistics authorities and UNFPA, wrapped regional roundtables on MICS7 findings to spot gaps and set priorities for health and education for children and women. Digital Medicine Talent Drive: A new “Digital Solution – 2026” competition will back young innovators, including a category for digital medicine, feeding into broader national digitalization plans. Earthquake-Ready Health Systems: WHO urged stronger disaster-ready health systems, warning that major earthquakes across Central Asia—including Turkmenistan—could have cross-border impacts, especially in densely populated areas. Regional Health Cooperation Signals: Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan renewed cooperation plans that explicitly include healthcare alongside trade, transport, energy, and cultural ties.

Reproductive Health in Emergencies: Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Health updated its National Action Plan on the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for reproductive health, with UNFPA support, to keep safe delivery, family planning, and care for survivors of sexual violence available during crises, and to cut HIV/STI transmission. Primary Healthcare Gets Cleaner Power: UNDP helped install two solar photovoltaic systems at Yoloten Etrap Hospital (Mary Velayat), adding battery backup to support essential services like neonatal intensive care, maternity wards, labs, hemodialysis, and operating theatres during power disruptions. Children and Women Data Drive Policy: UNICEF, with Turkmenistan’s State Statistics Committee and UNFPA, wrapped regional roundtables on MICS7 findings to spot gaps and set priorities for health and education for children and women across velayats. Earthquake-Ready Hospitals: WHO urged stronger earthquake-ready health systems, warning that Central Asia—including Turkmenistan—faces very high seismic hazard and that hospital resilience must improve before disasters strike. Health Education Spotlight: Turkmen universities earned recognition in THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, including rankings tied to “Health and well-being,” alongside progress on other UN goals.

Reproductive Health in Emergencies: Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Health and Medical Industry endorsed an updated National Action Plan on the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for reproductive health, developed with UNFPA support, aiming to keep safe delivery, family planning, and survivor care running during crises and to reduce HIV/STI transmission. Primary Healthcare Gets Cleaner Power: UNDP installed two solar photovoltaic systems at Yoloten Etrap Hospital (Mary Velayat), with battery backup to support essential services like maternity, neonatal intensive care, labs, hemodialysis, and operating theatres during power disruptions. Children and Women Data Drive Policy: UNICEF, with Turkmenistan’s statistics bodies and UNFPA, wrapped regional roundtables on MICS7 findings, highlighting health and education priorities and regional gaps affecting children and mothers. Health System Disaster Readiness: WHO called for stronger earthquake-ready health systems, warning that major quakes can have cross-border consequences across Central Asia, including Turkmenistan. Digital Medicine Talent Push: A national competition, «Digital Solution – 2026», will include categories such as digital medicine and smart agriculture, targeting youth innovation for the digital economy. Pharma Branding Update: GM PHARMA unveiled a renewed brand identity, emphasizing innovation and a broad portfolio used by millions of patients and healthcare professionals.

Digital Health & Innovation: Turkmenistan is set to launch the “Digital Solution – 2026” competition, with categories that include digital medicine—aimed at turning young software talent into real upgrades for the national economy. Reproductive Health in Emergencies: The Ministry of Health and Medical Industry updated the National Action Plan for the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for reproductive health, with UNFPA support, focusing on safe delivery, family planning, prevention of sexual violence, and reducing HIV/STI transmission during crises. Primary Care Resilience: UNDP and the Ministry of Health completed solar power installations at Yoloten Etrap Hospital (Mary Velayat), adding battery backup to keep key services running during electricity disruptions. Children & Women Data: UNICEF, UNFPA and Turkmenistan’s statistics bodies wrapped regional roundtables on MICS7 results, using new data to target health and education priorities for children and women. WHO Disaster Readiness: WHO urged stronger earthquake-ready health systems, warning that Central Asia—including Turkmenistan—faces very high seismic risk with cross-border impacts. Sustainable Health Education: Times Higher Education’s THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 placed multiple Turkmen universities in areas including health and well-being.

Reproductive Health in Emergencies: Turkmenistan updated its National Action Plan on the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for reproductive health, with UNFPA support, aiming to keep safe delivery, family planning, and care for survivors of sexual violence available during crises. Primary Healthcare Resilience: UNDP installed solar power systems at Yoloten Etrap Hospital in Mary Velayat, adding battery backup to support key services like maternity, neonatal intensive care, labs, hemodialysis, and operating theatres during electricity disruptions. Children and Women Data Push: UNICEF, UNFPA and Turkmenistan’s statistics authorities wrapped regional roundtables on MICS7 findings to spot gaps and set priorities for health and education for children and women. Earthquake-Ready Health Systems: WHO urged stronger, disaster-ready hospital and health system planning across Central Asia, warning that major quakes can have cross-border consequences. Digital Medicine Talent Drive: Turkmenistan announced preparations for the “Digital Solution – 2026” competition, including a category for digital medicine among youth innovation tracks. Regional Health Cooperation Context: WHO’s call for preparedness comes as Turkmenistan continues broader regional engagement, including health-related cooperation mentioned in Central Asia partnership updates.