AGP Executive Report

Turkmenistan–Slovakia Health & Trade Push: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov reviewed plans to launch a Joint Turkmenistan–Slovakia Economic Cooperation Commission, with the first meeting expected to cover cooperation across trade, energy, construction, transport, agriculture, environmental protection—and healthcare. Regional Health Governance: Central Asia’s “One Health” program wrapped up a round of national consultations in June, aiming to align regional positions on pandemic prevention, food system resilience, and ecosystem health, with support from the World Bank and other partners. Pharma & Public Health Planning: In Ashgabat, the EU-backed Central Asia Drug Action Programme (CADAP 8) began a needs assessment workshop to shape the next phase, including supply reduction and demand-focused work with a human-rights centered approach. Medical Research for Safer Steroid Use: New genetics-based research suggests doctors can better predict who is at higher risk of side effects from oral corticosteroids, helping tailor prescribing for conditions like arthritis and asthma. Health Tourism Spotlight: The “Farap” sanatorium in Turkmenistan is highlighted for its 250-bed resort setup, diagnostic and hydrotherapy services, and summer demand driven by underground healing springs. Science Day Momentum: Turkmenistan marked Science Day with an international conference and awards for young researchers, reinforcing the push to bring innovation into healthcare and national development.

Personalized Medicine: New research presented at the European Society of Human Genetics suggests genetic data can better predict who is likely to suffer side effects from oral corticosteroids, helping doctors tailor dosing and reduce avoidable harm. Regional Health Governance: Central Asia’s “One Health” consultations wrapped up, setting the stage for a regional push on pandemic prevention, food system resilience, and ecosystem health, with a coordinated package of strategic and regulatory documents. Drug Policy & Public Health: In Ashgabat, the EU-funded Central Asia Drug Action Programme (CADAP 8) began a needs assessment workshop to shape the next phase, covering both drug supply and demand through a human-rights centered approach. Healthcare Cooperation: Turkmenistan and Austria discussed expanding business ties, including cooperation in healthcare and pharmaceuticals alongside energy, environmental projects, and waste management. MS Care Story: A personal account describes how a woman’s symptoms led to a multiple sclerosis diagnosis at the S.A. Niyazov Diagnostic and Treatment Centre in Ashgabat, highlighting the role of local diagnostic services. Wellness & Recovery: The “Farap” sanatorium is promoted as a major resort for treatment and rehabilitation, combining modern medical equipment with hydrotherapy and other therapies.

Personalized medicine: A new study presented in Gothenburg suggests genetic data could help doctors better predict side effects risk for long-term oral corticosteroid therapy, aiming to move beyond one-size-fits-all dosing. Regional health coordination (One Health): Central Asia’s “One Health” consultations wrapped up, setting the stage for a June 25 regional council meeting focused on pandemic prevention, food systems resilience, and ecosystem health, with work on zoonotic disease and food safety cooperation. Drug policy planning: In Ashgabat, Turkmenistan hosted the start of CADAP 8 needs assessment for the EU-funded Central Asia Drug Action Programme, covering both supply reduction and demand issues with a human-rights-centered approach. MS patient story (local care): A personal account describes diagnosis and treatment for multiple sclerosis at the S.A. Niyazov Diagnostic and Treatment Centre in Ashgabat, highlighting the role of specialized services. Wellness and prevention: International yoga day activities in Turkmenistan’s Avaza area included a beach master class promoting mobility, circulation, and stress relief. Health tourism: The “Farap” sanatorium is featured as a 250-bed resort offering diagnostics, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, and specialist consultations, drawing visitors for its underground healing springs. Health and pharma cooperation: Turkmenistan and Austria discussed expanding business ties including healthcare and pharmaceuticals.

One Health, Pandemic Prep: Central Asia wrapped a June 8–12 round of consultations to finalize a regional “One Health” package, aiming to align pandemic prevention, food system resilience, and ecosystem health across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Drug Policy, Human Rights: In Ashgabat, the EU-funded Central Asia Drug Action Programme (CADAP 8) began a needs assessment workshop (June 9–10) to shape the next phase, covering both drug supply and demand with a human-rights-centered approach. Science & Health System Modernization: Turkmenistan marked Science Day with major events, including a push to integrate new technologies into industry and healthcare, alongside recognition of young researchers and scientists. MS Patient Story, Local Care: A personal account describes how a woman’s symptoms led to a multiple sclerosis diagnosis at Ashgabat’s S.A. Niyazov Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, highlighting the role of local medical services. Child Labor in Cotton: The ILO reported a rise in children being present in Turkmen cotton fields during the 2025 harvest, with the highest incidence in Dashoguz. Wellness & Nutrition Culture: An International yoga day master class at Turkmenistan’s Avaza promoted physical and mental well-being, with fruit provided after practice.

Health diplomacy & pharma ties: Turkmenistan and Austria discussed expanding cooperation across healthcare and pharmaceuticals, alongside energy, environmental projects, waste management, and agriculture, following the 13th meeting of their Joint Commission. Regional pandemic prevention planning: Central Asia’s “One Health” consultations wrapped up online (June 8–12) to finalize a strategic document package for regional coordination on pandemic prevention, food systems resilience, and ecosystem health. Drug control support: The EU-funded Central Asia Drug Action Programme (CADAP 8) began a two-day needs assessment workshop in Ashgabat (June 9–10), focusing on supply reduction and security with UNODC and partners. Public health through lifestyle: International yoga day was marked with a beach master class in Avaza, promoting physical and mental well-being through asanas and pranayama. Child welfare risk: An ILO report says child labor in Turkmenistan’s 2025 cotton harvest rose, with children observed more often in fields—especially in Dashoguz. Science for health systems: Turkmenistan marked Science Day with events highlighting innovation and youth research, including diploma ceremonies for scientists.

One Health Policy Talks: Central Asia’s “One Health in Central Asia” consultations (June 8–12) wrapped up online, aiming to align regional plans on pandemic prevention, food systems resilience, and ecosystem health ahead of the June 25 Regional Coordinating Council meeting, with support from the World Bank. Drug Control Planning: A two-day EU-funded CADAP 8 needs assessment workshop in Ashgabat (June 9–10) began to set the next phase’s technical cooperation on both drug supply and demand, with Turkmen ministries and UN partners discussing results from earlier work. Science & Health System Focus: Turkmenistan marked Science Day with events tied to innovation and youth research, while President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was elected an academician, with speeches stressing integrating science and advanced technologies into national development and healthcare. MS Patient Story (Care Access): A personal account describes a Turkmen woman’s diagnosis of multiple sclerosis at the S.A. Niyazov Diagnostic and Treatment Centre in Ashgabat, highlighting the role of local diagnostic services. Child Labor Risk in Cotton: An ILO report found more children observed in Turkmen cotton fields during the 2025 harvest, with the highest presence in Dashoguz, raising renewed concerns for worker protections. Health Promotion Event: International yoga day activities in Turkmenistan’s Avaza zone promoted physical well-being through guided asanas and breathing exercises.

Science & Health Policy: Turkmenistan marked Science Day on June 12 with President Serdar Berdimuhamedov praising science and innovation as key drivers of national development, highlighting research work across the Academy of Sciences, specialized institutes, and technology parks. One Health & Drug Control: A regional One Health Program secretariat was set up to coordinate Central Asia work on zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, while in Ashgabat the EU-funded Central Asia Drug Action Programme Phase 8 began a needs assessment workshop focused on both supply and demand, including human-rights centered approaches to substance use treatment. MS Care Story: A personal account describes how a woman’s vision problems and numbness led to an MS diagnosis at the S.A. Niyazov Diagnostic and Treatment Centre in Ashgabat in 2021, underscoring the role of timely specialist care. Public Health & Lifestyle: International yoga day events in Turkmenistan’s Avaza area promoted physical and mental well-being through guided asanas and breathing practices. Child Labor Watch: An ILO report says child presence in Turkmen cotton fields rose during the 2025 harvest, with the highest monitoring in Dashoguz. Nutrition & Longevity Research: Turkmen scientists are studying biomimetics and nutrigenomics, including how desert-adapted species may inform future approaches to healthy aging and cellular protection.

One Health Coordination: A new regional secretariat for the One Health for Pandemic Prevention, Food Systems Resilience, and Ecosystem Health program is set to coordinate Turkmenistan and four neighbors on zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety, including training and a shared regional portal. Drug Policy Planning: The EU-funded Central Asia Drug Action Programme (CADAP 8) began a two-day needs assessment workshop in Ashgabat to map the next phase’s work on both drug supply and demand, with a human-rights-centered approach. MS Care Story: A personal account describes how a woman’s vision problems and numbness led to a multiple sclerosis diagnosis at the S.A. Niyazov Diagnostic and Treatment Centre in Ashgabat, highlighting the role of local diagnostic services. Cancer Treatment Gap (Regional): Kazakhstan’s rising cancer burden is linked to calls for better local care, as families increasingly seek treatment abroad and social media fundraising grows. Child Labor Watch (Regional): An ILO report says reports and observations of children in Turkmen cotton fields rose during the 2025 harvest, with the highest rates in Dashoguz. Nutrition & Food Aid: WFP documented a long, multi-border delivery of fortified biscuits to Afghan schoolchildren, underscoring how logistics disruptions can affect nutrition access. Lifestyle & Sleep: A Turkmenistan-focused piece argues that bright daylight supports melatonin production and better sleep, tying daily light exposure to stress and aging. Environment & Health Education: UNESCO-linked youth activities on medicinal plants and field learning were held around World Environment Day, connecting nature study with health knowledge. Public Health Safety (Delhi, medical tourism): Reports on the Malviya Nagar B&B fire stress how weak fire-safety oversight can turn medical travel into tragedy, including claims of operating beyond approved capacity. Sports & Wellness: International yoga day events in Turkmenistan promoted asanas and breathing exercises for physical and emotional balance.

One Health Coordination: Turkmenistan is set to plug into a new Central Asia One Health regional secretariat, created to coordinate cross-border work on zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety, with a shared portal and training/simulation for national specialists. Drug Policy Planning: Ashgabat hosted a two-day CADAP 8 needs assessment workshop (EU-funded) to shape the next phase of cooperation on both drug supply and demand, with Turkmen ministries and border forces taking part. MS Care Story: A patient account highlights diagnosis and treatment for multiple sclerosis at Ashgabat’s S.A. Niyazov Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, underscoring ongoing access to care. Public Health & Safety: Reports around the Malviya Nagar B&B fire in Delhi—where people from Turkmenistan were among the victims—renew focus on fire-safety compliance and oversight for medical travelers. Health Through Lifestyle: International Yoga Day was marked in Turkmenistan’s Avaza zone with a beach master class promoting movement, breathing, and recovery foods. Child Labor Watch: An ILO report flags increased observations of children in Turkmenistan’s cotton fields during the 2025 harvest, especially in Dashoguz. Nutrition & Agriculture: Dashoguz rice growers plan expanded production using disease-resistant varieties and local processing capacity.

Child Labor Watch: The ILO says reports of children in Turkmenistan’s cotton fields rose sharply in 2025, with monitors encountering children on 38% of field visits and the highest rates in Dashoguz (59%). MS Care Spotlight: A personal account describes a Turkmen woman’s journey to diagnosis at Ashgabat’s S.A. Niyazov Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, where multiple sclerosis was identified in 2021. Public Health & Safety: A Delhi hotel fire that killed 21 people (including Turkmen nationals) has renewed scrutiny of medical tourism lodging safety; courts extended custody for the owner and cook, while officials said ex gratia payments and hospital support are being arranged for victims. One Health in Central Asia: A regional virtual meeting reviewed progress on pandemic preparedness using a One Health approach, involving health, animal, and environment sectors across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Environment for Health: Turkmenistan hosted World Environment Day-linked events, including a campaign on medicinal plants and research visits, tying environmental well-being to community resilience. Health-Adjacent Science: Turkmen researchers are studying longevity using biomimetics and nutrigenomics, including work on the Central Asian tortoise’s DNA repair and stress resilience.

Water & Land Health: Central Asia’s new Central Asia Water and Land Nexus Programme (CAWLN) was officially launched in Uzbekistan, aiming to tackle shrinking rivers, tired soils and rising temperatures by coordinating land and water management across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan—key for water, food and livelihoods for about 60 million people. One Health & Preparedness: A Central Asia virtual meeting reviewed progress on “Pandemic Preparedness and Response through the One Health Approach,” with health, agriculture and environment ministries working alongside WHO, FAO and others to strengthen regional health risk management. Climate Risk in Turkmenistan: In Ashgabat, a roundtable on climate change awareness for the Murgab River Basin focused on adaptation, sustainable water use, disaster risk reduction and emergency readiness, involving health and other ministries plus Red Cross partners. Child Labor Watch: The ILO reported more children observed in Turkmenistan’s 2025 cotton fields, with the share of cotton pickers reporting children rising to 20% (up from 11%). Medicinal Plants & Youth: A UNESCO-linked “Cooperation for a Green Future” campaign in Turkmenistan included visits to medicinal plant research labs at the Myrat Garryyev State Medical University. MS Care Story: A personal account describes a Turkmen woman’s diagnosis of multiple sclerosis after sudden vision and limb numbness, with treatment pursued at the S.A. Niyazov Diagnostic and Treatment Centre in Ashgabat.

Multiple Sclerosis Care: A personal account describes how a woman’s sudden vision problems and numbness led to an MS diagnosis at Ashgabat’s S.A. Niyazov Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, highlighting the role of local diagnostic services in managing chronic neurological disease. MS Treatment Access: A separate report spotlights free medicines for patients with multiple sclerosis, pointing to efforts to reduce treatment costs and improve continuity of care. One Health Preparedness: Central Asian countries, including Turkmenistan, reviewed progress on a One Health approach to pandemic preparedness with support from the World Bank, WHO, FAO and others—linking health, veterinary and environmental risk management. Child Labor in Cotton: The ILO reported a rise in children being observed in Turkmenistan’s cotton fields during the 2025 harvest, with the highest rates in Dashoguz, raising renewed concerns about labor protections. Public Health & Safety: While not in Turkmenistan, coverage of a deadly Delhi hotel fire underscores how weak safety enforcement can quickly turn into mass-casualty health emergencies, including for foreign patients seeking medical care. Environmental Health: Turkmenistan also hosted World Environment Day-linked activities, including sessions on medicinal plants and research, tying environmental awareness to community health resilience.

Multiple Sclerosis Access: A Turkmenistan patient story highlights how people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) can struggle with sudden vision and limb numbness—then find care at the S.A. Niyazov Diagnostic and Treatment Centre in Ashgabat, underscoring the need for timely diagnosis and ongoing treatment. MS Medicines Support: A separate report points to free medicines for patients with multiple sclerosis, aiming to improve treatment continuity and quality of life. Child Labor in Cotton: The ILO reports a rise in child labor in Turkmenistan’s 2025 cotton harvest, with monitors finding children in fields more often than the year before—especially in Dashoguz and Mary. One Health in Central Asia: A regional meeting reviewed progress on pandemic preparedness using the One Health approach, bringing together health, animal, and environmental sectors across Central Asia, including Turkmenistan. Climate & Health Preparedness: Turkmenistan hosted discussions on climate risk management and public preparedness, linking adaptation, water safety, and emergency readiness to protect community health. World Environment Day Youth Program: A UNESCO-linked campaign taught young people about medicinal plants and local research, tying environmental well-being to health and traditional medicine knowledge. World Bicycle Day Sports for Health: Mass cycling events in Ashgabat and abroad promoted active lifestyles, with children receiving bicycles—supporting public health through sports culture. Research on Longevity: Biomimetics and nutrigenomics research at Turkmenistan’s science park explores “longevity” mechanisms, including DNA repair and cellular stability, with potential future medicine applications.

Child Labor Watch: The ILO says reports of children in Turkmenistan’s cotton fields jumped in 2025, with the share of cotton pickers seeing children rising to 20% (up from 11%) and monitors encountering children on 38% of visits, especially in Dashoguz. Public Health & Safety: A Delhi hotel fire linked to medical tourism killed 21 people, including Turkmen nationals, and triggered court remands and a wider crackdown on fire compliance—an urgent reminder for safer lodging near hospitals. Longevity Science: Turkmen researchers are studying biomimetics and nutrigenomics, using the Central Asian tortoise as a model for “negligible senescence,” aiming to understand DNA repair and cellular protection for future health applications. Healthy Lifestyle Push: Turkmenistan marked World Bicycle Day with mass rides led by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, framing cycling as a public-health and youth-wellbeing priority. One Health Planning: Central Asian countries reviewed progress on One Health pandemic preparedness with the World Bank, WHO, FAO, UNEP and others, focusing on coordinated health, animal and environmental risk management.

Turkmen-Turkish Health & Tech Cooperation: The 9th Turkmen-Turkish Intergovernmental Commission meeting in Ashgabat agreed a Comprehensive Action Plan covering cooperation across trade, energy, transport, agriculture, education, healthcare, and digital technologies, with Turkish officials stressing practical “connectivity” and institutionalized collaboration. Longevity Research in Turkmenistan: Scientists at the Academy of Sciences’ International Scientific-Technological Park are studying biomimetics and nutrigenomics, including how the Central Asian tortoise’s long-lived biology may inform medicine and quality-of-life research. One Health in Central Asia: A regional virtual meeting reviewed progress on pandemic preparedness using the One Health approach, with Turkmenistan among participating health, agriculture, and environment ministries and partners including WHO and FAO. World Bicycle Day, Public Health Push: Turkmenistan marked World Bicycle Day with mass rides led by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, linking cycling to healthy lifestyle and youth protection from harmful habits. UNDP Support for Health Systems: UNDP and Turkmenistan signed a co-financing framework for 2026–2030, including work to enhance the health system’s sustainability. Delhi Medical-Tourism Fire Safety Shock (Health-adjacent): Reports on the Malviya Nagar hotel blaze highlight severe fire safety and oversight failures affecting patients and attendants, with arrests and a planned crackdown on unsafe lodging and nursing-related facilities.

Fire Safety & Health Risks: A deadly hotel blaze in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar (Flourish Stay B&B) killed 21 people, including 2 Turkmenistan nationals, and left dozens injured; reports say the building lacked fire clearance and exceeded its permitted room count, with evacuation hampered by sealed windows and limited exits. Accountability & Public Health Response: Delhi authorities arrested the building owner, ordered a police custody remand, and announced a citywide month-long fire-safety compliance drive covering hotels, nursing homes, and other vulnerable facilities, while the state said families of victims will receive support and medical costs for the injured will be coordinated with hospitals. Turkmenistan Sports for Wellness: Turkmenistan marked World Bicycle Day with a mass cycling rally in Ashgabat led by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, promoting cycling as a health-boosting, environmentally aligned activity for youth. Health System Support via UN Partnership: UNDP and Turkmenistan signed a co-financing framework for 2026–2030, including work aimed at strengthening sustainability of the health system. One Health & Preparedness: A regional meeting reviewed progress on One Health pandemic preparedness and response in Central Asia, involving health, agriculture, and environment ministries across the region.