AGP Executive Report

Maternal Health & Climate Resilience: UNFPA and Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Health brought together officials in Ashgabat to draft recommendations on protecting maternal and reproductive health under extreme heat, including how to weave climate safeguards into national strategies and labor rules. Gender Equality in Justice: UNFPA and the Supreme Court ran a two-day training on applying CEDAW in law enforcement and judicial practice, with a focus on preventing gender-based violence and improving access to justice in areas like employment and healthcare. AMR Surveillance Upgrade: A working group meeting at Turkmenistan’s Centre of Public Health and Nutrition advanced a draft guideline for epidemiological surveillance of antimicrobial resistance, aiming to strengthen how the country tracks and responds to AMR. Border Health Preparedness: IOM supported a training in Ashgabat on early detection of health risks at border crossing points, better inter-agency information sharing, and keeping essential services running for migrants and host communities during emergencies. Road Safety for Kids: A national “Young traffic inspectors” final at the children’s health centre Şöhle trained students on traffic rules and first aid to help prevent child road injuries. Health Policy Event in CIS: Turkmenistan will host an Interparliamentary Assembly event in November, with a scheduled conference on Universal Health Coverage and sustainable development goals on 7 October in Ashgabat.

Antimicrobial Resistance: Turkmenistan is drafting a national guideline to strengthen epidemiological surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with work led by the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry and input from multiple public health and infection-control centers. Maternal Health & Climate: UNFPA and Turkmenistan partners held an Ashgabat roundtable on protecting maternal and reproductive health under extreme heat, aiming to update national strategies and regulatory frameworks. Gender Equality in Health & Justice: UNFPA and the Supreme Court trained officials on applying CEDAW in law enforcement and judicial practice, with emphasis on preventing gender-based violence and improving access to justice, including in employment and healthcare settings. Border Health Preparedness: IOM supported a two-day training in Ashgabat on early detection of health risks at border crossing points, improving inter-agency information sharing and ensuring essential services for migrants and host communities during emergencies. Healthy Motherhood Conference Planning: The CIS Interparliamentary Assembly announced an upcoming Ashgabat event schedule that includes a conference on Universal Health Coverage and sustainable development goals on 7 October 2026. Road Safety First Aid for Kids: A national “Young traffic inspectors” final competition took place at a children’s health center, featuring first-aid training with the National Red Crescent Society to help prevent child road injuries.

Maternal & reproductive health under climate stress: UNFPA and Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Health held an Ashgabat roundtable on integrating “healthy motherhood” and climate resilience into the regulatory framework, focusing on protecting maternal and reproductive health during extreme heat and coordinating updates across labor, environment, and national strategies. Gender equality in justice and healthcare: UNFPA and the Supreme Court ran a two-day training in Ashgabat on applying CEDAW in law enforcement and judicial practice, with emphasis on preventing gender-based violence, improving survivor-centered handling, and removing discrimination barriers in access to justice and even employment and healthcare. Antimicrobial resistance surveillance: Turkmenistan’s public health and nutrition center hosted work on a draft guideline for epidemiological surveillance of antimicrobial resistance, bringing together multiple health institutions to refine national roles and approaches. Public health at border crossings: IOM supported a two-day training in Ashgabat on early detection of health risks at border crossing points, improving inter-agency information exchange, and keeping essential services running for migrants and host communities during emergencies. Islamic education ties: Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah hosted a Turkmen delegation to discuss academic cooperation in Islamic studies, Arabic language education, and Islamic sciences.

Maternal & Reproductive Health Under Heat: UNFPA and partners held an Ashgabat roundtable on integrating “healthy motherhood” and climate resilience into the regulatory framework, focusing on protecting maternal and reproductive health during extreme heat and coordinating updates across labor, environment, and national adaptation planning. Public Health at Borders: IOM, WHO, and Turkmen health authorities trained officials in Ashgabat on early detection of health risks at border crossing points, better inter-agency information sharing, and keeping essential services running for migrants and host communities during emergencies. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Health and Medical Industry convened a working group to develop a national guideline for epidemiological surveillance of antimicrobial resistance, aiming to strengthen roles across sanitary and epidemiology services and infectious disease centers. Gender Equality in Justice & Care: UNFPA and the Supreme Court ran a two-day seminar in Ashgabat on applying CEDAW in law enforcement and judicial practice, with emphasis on preventing gender-based violence and improving access to justice and healthcare without discrimination. Health Coverage in CIS: The CIS Interparliamentary Assembly plans events in Ashgabat in November, including a conference on Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals on 7 October. Occupational Safety Reminder: A Turkey report highlights 226 workplace deaths in August 2026, including child worker fatalities—an urgent reminder of the health costs of unsafe labor systems.

Maternal & Reproductive Health: UNFPA and Turkmenistan’s Supreme Court ran a two-day seminar in Ashgabat on applying CEDAW in law enforcement and judicial practice, with a focus on preventing gender-based violence, improving access to justice, and protecting against discrimination in employment and healthcare. Climate-Ready Care: In a separate UNFPA interdepartmental roundtable, officials mapped how to protect maternal and reproductive health during extreme heat and climate change, aiming to update national strategies, labor rules, and environmental programs. AMR Surveillance Upgrade: Turkmenistan is drafting a national guideline for epidemiological surveillance of antimicrobial resistance, bringing together public health and infection-control institutions to strengthen how AMR is tracked and coordinated. Border Health Preparedness: IOM supported a training in Ashgabat on early detection of health risks at border crossing points, improving inter-agency information exchange and ensuring essential services for migrants and host communities during emergencies. Healthcare Access Storytelling: A theatre premiere, “Howandar,” highlighted the real-life stakes of childhood leukemia and the need for timely oncology care and donor stem cells.

Maternal Health & Climate Resilience: UNFPA and Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Health convened an interdepartmental roundtable in Ashgabat to update the regulatory framework for protecting maternal and reproductive health during extreme heat and climate change, with plans to align labor, environmental programs, and national strategies. Gender Equality in Justice: UNFPA and the Supreme Court ran a two-day seminar in Ashgabat on applying CEDAW in law enforcement and judicial practice, stressing prevention of gender-based violence and survivor-centered approaches, including access to justice and protections in healthcare and employment. Public Health at Borders: IOM supported a training in Ashgabat on early detection of health risks at border crossing points, improving inter-agency information sharing, and keeping essential services running for migrants and host communities during emergencies. Antimicrobial Resistance Watch: A working group meeting at Turkmenistan’s public health and nutrition center advanced a draft guideline for epidemiological surveillance of antimicrobial resistance, bringing together multiple health institutions to refine roles and responsibilities. Universal Health Coverage Event: CIS Interparliamentary Assembly events are set for Ashgabat on 19–20 November, including a 61st plenary session, and a related international conference on universal health coverage is scheduled for 7 October 2026.

CEDAW Training for Justice Officials: UNFPA and Turkmenistan’s Supreme Court ran a two-day seminar in Ashgabat on applying CEDAW in law enforcement and judicial practice, focusing on stopping gender-based violence, improving survivor-centered handling, and removing barriers to justice and fair treatment in employment and healthcare. Healthy Motherhood Meets Climate Resilience: UNFPA convened an interdepartmental roundtable on protecting maternal and reproductive health under extreme heat, with plans to update national strategies, labor rules, and environmental programs and to build an interagency roadmap for regulatory changes. AMR Surveillance Push: A working group meeting advanced a draft guideline for epidemiological surveillance of antimicrobial resistance, bringing together public health and infection-control institutions to refine roles and strengthen national monitoring. Border Health Preparedness: IOM supported Turkmenistan with training on early detection of health risks at border crossing points, emergency information sharing, and uninterrupted access to essential services for migrants and host communities, with WHO and Turkmen health authorities participating. Theatre Spotlight on Childhood Cancer Care: The play “Howandar” premiered nationwide, dramatizing a family’s fight against leukemia and the role of modern oncology services and donor stem-cell support. Road Safety for Kids: The “Young traffic inspectors” final competition was held at the Şöhle children’s health centre, testing traffic rules knowledge and first-aid skills to help prevent child road injuries.

Antimicrobial Resistance: Turkmenistan is drafting a national guideline to strengthen epidemiological surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with a working group at the Centre of Public Health and Nutrition reviewing roles for the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Service and multiple specialized health centres. Public Health at Borders: An IOM-supported two-day training in Ashgabat focused on early detection of health risks at border crossing points, better inter-agency information exchange, and keeping essential services running for migrants and host communities during emergencies, with WHO and Turkmen health agencies involved. Child Cancer Awareness: The theatre premiere «Howandar» («Patronage») highlights a family’s struggle with childhood leukaemia and the urgent need for suitable stem-cell donors, featuring the role of the new Oncology Centre and a charitable foundation. First Aid for Kids: The «Young traffic inspectors» final competition was held at the children’s health centre «Şöhle», where students tested traffic rules knowledge and first-aid skills with support from the National Red Crescent Society.

Public Health at Borders: IOM, WHO, and Turkmenistan’s sanitary and epidemiological service ran a two-day training in Ashgabat on early detection of health risks at border crossing points, better inter-agency information sharing, and keeping essential medical services running for migrants and host communities during emergencies. Medical Safety Incident: Three Turkmen citizens in Belarus were poisoned after eating death caps; doctors in Lida and Grodno treated them in intensive and toxicology care, and all were later discharged in good condition. Healthcare Cooperation: Turkmenistan and the Netherlands discussed expanding Dutch business involvement in healthcare and other sectors, including possible new medical facilities and technology cooperation. Health Diplomacy & Community Care: A St. Petersburg delegation visited Ashgabat, highlighting long-standing support for evacuated Leningraders and ongoing attention to veterans—an example of health and welfare focus tied to humanitarian cooperation. Education & Wellbeing: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov encouraged students and teachers at the start of the academic year, wishing good health and success.

Maternal & Newborn Health: A Turkmenistan delegation joined a UNFPA-backed regional midwifery conference in Ankara (7–8 Sept), focused on safe motherhood, resilient health systems, and multiyear national action plans. Health Diplomacy & Equipment: Turkmenistan and Germany discussed cooperation that includes new medical facilities being equipped with advanced German technology and AI-based solutions ahead of major national anniversaries. Public Health & Safety Skills: Ashgabat’s “Young traffic inspectors” final was held at the Şöhle children’s health center under Turkmengas, with students tested on traffic rules and first aid training with the National Red Crescent Society. Poisoning Response: Three Turkmen workers in Belarus were saved after death-cap mushroom poisoning; all are now in good condition and discharged. Medicine Costs Oversight (Regional): Iraq’s parliament formed a temporary committee to investigate medicine prices and curb practices that exploit patients, including clearer prescriptions and limits on directing patients to specific pharmacies. Sports & Wellness: Turkmen athletes won 11 medals at the VI World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan, highlighting ethnosports as part of cultural and wellness traditions.

Maternal Health: A Turkmenistan delegation joined a UNFPA-backed regional midwifery conference in Ankara (7–8 Sept) focused on safer motherhood, newborn care, and multiyear national action plans aligned with international standards. Pediatric Care Upgrade: Turkmenistan is in the final stages of building a new International Pediatric Center in Ashgabat, a five-story facility expected to open in the 35th independence anniversary year and provide advanced diagnostics and high-tech treatment with international cooperation. Healthcare Technology & Partnerships: Turkmenistan’s talks with German business leaders highlighted new medical facilities being equipped with advanced German equipment and AI-based technologies, with healthcare named a key cooperation priority. Poisoning Response: Three Turkmen citizens in Belarus who were poisoned by death caps were successfully treated after emergency care in Lida and Grodno; all were later discharged in good condition. Road Safety for Kids: The “Young traffic inspectors” final competition at Ashgabat’s children’s health center “Şöhle” trained students on traffic rules and first aid to help prevent child road injuries. Health Education: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov encouraged students and teachers at new university complex openings, wishing them good health and continued success.

Biodiversity & Health Links: Ashgabat hosted a UNDP-UN GEF workshop to update Turkmenistan’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2035) and draft its 7th UN Convention on Biological Diversity report, with follow-up reporting planned for biosafety and access to genetic resources—work that can shape long-term public health through safer ecosystems and cleaner water. Road Safety & First Aid for Kids: The final stage of the “Young traffic inspectors” competition ran at the children’s health centre “Şöhle” under the national road-safety month, training students on traffic rules and first aid with Red Crescent volunteers to help prevent child injuries. Pediatric Care Upgrade: Construction is nearing completion on a new International Pediatric Center in Ashgabat, set to open in the 35th independence anniversary year, aiming to deliver high-tech care for children over three with digital tools and AI in clinical practice. Poisoning Case Update: Three Turkmen workers in Belarus were saved after death-cap mushroom poisoning; after intensive treatment in Lida and Grodno, all were discharged in good condition. Healthcare Tech Cooperation: Turkmenistan and Germany discussed healthcare partnership, including new medical facilities being equipped with advanced German equipment and AI-based technologies.

Pediatric Care Upgrade: Turkmenistan is preparing to open a new International Pediatric Center in Ashgabat, a modern five-story facility aimed at highly qualified care for children over age three, with plans for close international cooperation, continuous staff training, and more digital tools including AI in clinical practice. Healthcare Equipment & Tech Links: During talks in Germany, Turkmenistan’s leadership highlighted healthcare as a key cooperation area with Germany, including new medical facilities being equipped with advanced German equipment and AI-based technologies ahead of major national observances. Food Safety After Poisoning: Three Turkmen citizens in Belarus were seriously ill after eating death caps mushrooms, but doctors saved them; all were later discharged in good condition, underscoring the risks of wild mushroom consumption. Medicine Prices Watch (Regional): Iraq’s parliament formed a temporary committee to investigate medicine pricing and curb pharmacy practices that exploit patients, with proposals ranging from clearer prescriptions to restrictions on steering patients to specific pharmacies. Education for Health Workforce: New university campuses and modern labs opened for the new academic year, supporting science and training capacity that can feed into future healthcare staffing and research. Sports & Wellness Events: Turkmen athletes won medals at the World Nomad Games wrestling events, reflecting ongoing public interest in physical activity and community health.

Climate & Health: A new UNEP assessment says the world will likely cross the 1.5°C warming threshold within the next few years, with even optimistic cuts still peaking around 1.8°C—raising the stakes for Central Asia’s water, food, and health risks. Healthcare Modernization: Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov met Germany’s Eastern Committee head, with both sides pointing to new medical facilities opening for Turkmenistan’s 35th independence anniversary, equipped with advanced German gear and AI-based technologies. Pediatric Care Upgrade: Turkmenistan is nearing completion of a new International Pediatric Center in Ashgabat, planned to provide high-tech care for children over age three with digital solutions and international clinical cooperation. Nutrition & Disease Prevention: Turkmen biotechnologists developed a yeast-free functional “medicinal” bread using local bioresources, aimed at nutrition-related diseases, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic disorders. Public Health Safety: Three Turkmen citizens in Belarus survived death-cap mushroom poisoning after emergency treatment; all were later discharged in good condition. Medicine Affordability (Regional): Iraq’s parliament formed a temporary committee to tackle soaring medicine prices and curb pharmacy practices that exploit patients, including clearer prescriptions and limits on steering patients. Education & Workforce Health: New university campuses opened for the academic year with modern labs and certifications, while leaders also wished students and teachers “good health” at Knowledge Day events.

International Pediatric Care: Turkmenistan is moving ahead with an International Pediatric Center in Ashgabat, a modern five-story facility expected to open in 2026 and provide high-tech care for children over age three, with plans for close cooperation with leading foreign clinics and more digital tools in clinical practice. Public Health & Safety: Doctors in Belarus successfully saved three Turkmen workers poisoned after eating death caps mushrooms; all were discharged in good condition after intensive treatment. Nutrition & Disease Prevention: Turkmen biotechnologists say they’ve developed a yeast-free “functional” bread aimed at nutrition-related diseases, including obesity and type 2 diabetes, by using mostly local bioresources and avoiding yeast fermentation. Education for Health Professionals: New university campuses in Ashgabat and Turkmenabat opened for the new academic year with advanced labs and robotics, and the government also highlighted health-focused training and digital solutions as part of broader education reforms. Cardiology Research: A late-breaking cardiac amyloidosis study is set to be presented in Munich and simultaneously in Ashgabat, tied to gene silencing for ATTR-CM.

Healthcare & Kids: Turkmenistan is moving ahead with a new International Pediatric Center in Ashgabat, with plans for high-tech care for children over age three and closer international clinical cooperation. Education & Health Workforce: New university campuses opened for Knowledge Day, including high-tech labs and robotics, with the President urging students and teachers to pursue innovation and good health. Food & Nutrition: Turkmen biotechnologists developed a yeast-free “functional” bread aimed at nutrition-related diseases and metabolic disorders, using local bioresources and prebiotic ingredients. Public Health Alert: Three Turkmen citizens in Belarus were seriously poisoned after eating death caps (mushrooms), but doctors saved them and all were later discharged. Health Tech Diplomacy: Turkmenistan and the Netherlands discussed Dutch business involvement in healthcare projects and innovative technologies, alongside methane emissions reduction. Community Safety & Aging: A new study highlights how concerns about falling can predict future falls in older adults, reinforcing the need for prevention. Sports & Wellness: World Nomad Games wrestling events wrapped up, with cash prizes—another reminder of the region’s push to link sport with wellbeing.