AGP Executive Report

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.

World Bicycle Day & Public Health: Turkmenistan marked World Bicycle Day with a mass cycling rally in Ashgabat led by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, highlighting cycling as “the most beneficial sport” for health and a growing push for mass physical education. Green Future Education: On World Environment Day, Turkmenistan launched a two-day “Cooperation for a Green Future” campaign with UNESCO partners, including visits to the Kopetdag nature reserve and lessons on medicinal plants at Myrat Garryyev State Medical University. One Health Cooperation: Central Asia countries, with the World Bank and WHO/FAO/WOAH/UNEP support, reviewed progress on a One Health pandemic preparedness project, aiming to manage health risks across human, animal, and environmental sectors. Health System Support: UNDP and Turkmenistan signed a co-financing framework for the 2026–2030 country programme, including work to enhance sustainability of the health system. Regional Health & Safety Context: A major Delhi hotel fire (not in Turkmenistan) killed 21, including Turkmenistan nationals, and triggered calls for stricter fire compliance—an issue that also resonates for health facilities and patient safety.

World Bicycle Day (Turkmenistan): President Serdar Berdimuhamedov joined mass cycling events in Ashgabat, calling cycling “the most beneficial sport” for public health and linking it to the country’s environmental agenda. Children from the “Döwletliler köşgi” Palace also received new bicycles as part of the celebrations. Health-system support (Turkmenistan): UNDP and the Turkmen government signed a co-financing framework for the 2026–2030 country programme, including projects aimed at strengthening the health system and human capital planning. One Health (Central Asia): A regional virtual meeting reviewed progress on pandemic preparedness using a One Health approach, with Turkmenistan among participating health, agriculture, and environment ministries. Medicinal plants (Turkmenistan): A UNESCO-linked “Cooperation for a Green Future” campaign for young naturalists included visits to Myrat Garryyev State Medical University labs to learn about medicinal plants and traditional uses. Fire safety shock (Delhi, health tourism): A deadly Malviya Nagar hotel fire killed 21, including two Turkmenistan nationals, and sparked arrests and a citywide push to check fire compliance at hotels and nursing homes—highlighting risks for medical travellers and their families.

Sports & Public Health: Turkmenistan reported 301 medals at international competitions in the first five months of 2026, with 132 won in May, as President Serdar Berdimuhamedov urged continued improvements across science, education, healthcare, and sports to keep talented youth engaged. Youth, Wellness & Environment: A UNESCO-linked “Cooperation for a Green Future” campaign in Turkmenistan’s Kopetdag area mixed nature learning with visits to Myrat Garryyev State Medical University labs, focusing on medicinal plants and traditional uses. Cycling for Health: World Bicycle Day was marked with mass cycling rallies in Ashgabat, including President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s participation and bicycle gifts for children, reinforcing cycling as both a health habit and an environmental priority. Health System Support: UNDP and the Turkmen government signed a co-financing framework for the 2026–2030 country programme, including support to strengthen the health system. Tobacco Control: A national programme to make Turkmenistan tobacco-free for 2026–2030 was approved, with ministries and local authorities tasked to implement it.

Tobacco Control: Turkmenistan approved a National Program to become tobacco-free for 2026–2030, aiming to protect spiritual and physical health, cut tobacco use, and improve well-being and life expectancy. Sports & Public Health: World Bicycle Day was marked across Turkmenistan, including a mass cycling rally in Ashgabat led by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, with children receiving new bikes—framed as a push for healthier lifestyles and youth sports. Health System Support: UNDP and the Turkmen government signed a Co-Financing Framework Agreement for the 2026–2030 Country Programme, including projects to strengthen sustainability of the health system. One Health Planning: Central Asian countries reviewed progress on pandemic preparedness and response through the One Health approach, with Turkmenistan among the participants and WHO/FAO/WOAH/UNEP support. Climate Risk & Health Preparedness: In Ashgabat, a Murgab Basin climate-change awareness roundtable brought together health and other ministries plus Red Cross partners to improve adaptation, water management, disaster risk reduction, and emergency readiness. Regional Health Insight: A One Health regional priorities discussion highlighted shared country actions needed to manage health risks across people, animals, and the environment.

World Bicycle Day & Public Health: Turkmenistan marked 3 June with mass cycling in Ashgabat led by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, with children from the “Döwletliler köşgi” palace joining on new bikes—part of a push for healthier lifestyles and youth sports. Tobacco Control: A national program to make Turkmenistan tobacco-free for 2026–2030 was approved, aiming to protect spiritual and physical health and improve life expectancy. Health System Support: UNDP and the Turkmen government signed a co-financing framework for the 2026–2030 country programme, including work to strengthen the health system. Regional Disease Prevention (One Health): Central Asian countries reviewed progress on pandemic preparedness and response using the One Health approach, with ministries of health, agriculture, and environment and partners like WHO and FAO. Climate & Health Resilience: In Ashgabat, a Murgab Basin roundtable discussed climate adaptation and disaster preparedness, including public readiness for climate- and water-related emergencies.

Public Health Policy: Turkmenistan is rolling out a Tobacco-Free Country National Program (2026–2030), with ministries and local authorities tasked to implement the action plan aimed at improving citizens’ health and life expectancy. Sports & Wellness: On World Bicycle Day, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov joined mass cycling in Ashgabat, highlighting cycling’s benefits for human health and its link to environmental goals; children from the “Döwletliler köşgi” palace also received new bicycles as part of youth-focused care. Health System Support: UNDP and the Government of Turkmenistan signed a Co-Financing Framework Agreement (2026–2030) to expand development work, including enhanced sustainability of the health system. Regional Disease Preparedness: Central Asian countries reviewed progress on One Health pandemic preparedness with the World Bank and partners, aiming to strengthen joint management of health risks across human, animal, and environmental sectors. Health & Safety Awareness: An Ashgabat roundtable on climate change awareness in the Murgab River Basin included the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, focusing on adaptation, water management, and emergency preparedness.

World Bicycle Day in Ashgabat: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov led a mass cycling rally in Ashgabat to mark World Bicycle Day, with about 2,000 participants riding 11 km and children from the “Döwletliler köşgi” Palace joining on brand-new bicycles—part of a push for mass sports, healthier living, and an environmental agenda. Children’s health and support: Turkmenistan also marked International Children’s Day with nationwide events focused on children’s well-being, education, and recreation, including activities supported by UN agencies and the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov charitable fund. Tobacco-free push: A national program to make Turkmenistan tobacco-free for 2026–2030 was approved, with ministries and local administrations tasked to implement the action plan. Health-system cooperation: UNDP and the Turkmen government signed a co-financing framework for 2026–2030, including projects aimed at strengthening the health system alongside other reforms. Safety and care abroad (context): A major hotel fire in Delhi killed 21 people, including two from Turkmenistan, renewing attention on fire safety and emergency readiness.