The 26th issue of the historical-documentary and scientific-methodological magazine "Türkmen arhiwi" (Turkmen Archives) has been published. It is issued by the Main Archive Directorate under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and published by the Turkmen State Publishing Service in Turkmen and Russian.
The publication opens with a selection of official documents adopted in 2025. These include Decrees and Resolutions of the President of Turkmenistan, resolutions of the country's Mejlis, as well as speeches by the Head of State and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The magazine features a section providing a chronological overview of the most significant socio-political events of the past year. These include major forums, international conferences, high-level consultative meetings, and grand opening ceremonies of important industrial and social facilities.
In the Era of Revival of a New Epoch of the Powerful State, under the wise leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov—who worthily continues the noble initiatives of Hero-Arkadag—Turkmenistan successfully implements a foreign policy based on the legal status of permanent neutrality, the principles of peace, good-neighborliness, mutual trust, and equal cooperation. Demonstrating a responsible approach to the development of regional and international partnership, our country makes a significant contribution to consolidating international efforts to address pressing contemporary issues. Special importance is attached to expanding multilateral relations with the UN. A historically significant event of the International Year of Peace and Trust was the adoption of the Resolution "Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan" at the 61st plenary meeting of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly on March 21, 2025, which is published in this issue.
The independent, neutral Homeland successfully implements a peace-loving foreign policy and promotes initiatives vital to humanity within international organizations to ensure global peace and sustainable development. In this regard, the interconnection between the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s acquisition of permanent neutral status and another anniversary date—the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, both celebrated last year—is symbolic. The fundamental principles of neutrality are incorporated into the Concept of Activities and Priorities of Turkmenistan within the framework of the International Year of Peace and Trust.
The initiatives put forward by the Turkmen state during the consistently developing strategic cooperation with the United Nations are receiving broad support from the world community. A clear testimony to this was the holding of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) in Avaza in August 2025. It is to this event that a series of materials on conferences, forums, round tables, parallel events, receptions, and meetings is dedicated in the pages of "Türkmen arhiwi". The Avaza Political Declaration, presented by the Chair of the Third UN Conference on LLDCs, is also published here.
The magazine further reviews grand openings held last year with the participation of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. These include the International University of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in Ashgabat; a glass production workshop in the industrial zone in the northern part of the capital; the modern Dovletli Mekan village in the Ongaldy gengeshlik of Ak Bugday etrap, Ahal Velayat; the new Bitaraplyk settlement in the Tyaze Yol gengeshlik of Kunyaurgench etrap, Dashoguz Velayat; a new complex of buildings for the "Sarahs" border detachment of the State Border Service; a 20,000 cubic meter per day water treatment plant in Esenguly etrap and a road bridge across the Garabogazgol Bay in Balkan Velayat; and a new livestock complex of the "Altyn halka" state enterprise in Ashgabat.
The publication also features materials from the International Forum held on December 12, 2025, dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust, the International Day of Neutrality, and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality. High-level delegations from various states, international, and regional structures participated in the event.
Thrice recognized by UN General Assembly resolutions, the legal status of permanent neutrality forms the foundation of the Homeland's foreign policy doctrine. This legal status, supported by the world community, has strengthened our country's position as a peacemaking state. The holding of this International Forum is vivid evidence of Turkmenistan's firm commitment to the principles of peace, good-neighborliness, and mutually beneficial cooperation. The Ashgabat Declaration was adopted based on its results.
As is known, the preservation, study, and promotion of the material and spiritual heritage of the Turkmen people in the world are among the pressing areas of the country's state policy. Consequently, a huge role in carrying out this important work belongs to the archives of Turkmenistan, which house valuable documentary sources of the National Archival Fund of Turkmenistan (NAFT), constituting part of the historical and cultural heritage of the nation. Utilizing archival documents, including personal archives, when writing scholarly articles makes it possible to obtain unique, reliable facts and impart profound historical value to the material.
Thus, a publication about the Merv Vase is of great interest. This famous painted ceramic "Merv Vase" from the 6th century AD, discovered during excavations of a Buddhist monastery in the ancient settlement of Gyaur-kala, is recognized as a masterpiece of ancient art. The vessel has a wide neck and two handles. An ancient Buddhist scroll (a manuscript in Sanskrit) was hidden inside it. The painting on the surface of the vase is divided into 4 sequential narrative scenes depicting the life of a nobleman: 1 – feast/celebration, 2 – hunting, 3 – illness, 4 – mourning and funeral, marking the end of the earthly journey. Currently, this most valuable exhibit is on display at the State Museum of the State Cultural Center of Turkmenistan.
Readers' attention is drawn to an article on the creation of the international Red Cross organization and national societies in each country during the 19th century. The new organizations dealt with eliminating the sanitary consequences of war and assisting populations affected by military operations. Currently, the National Crescent Society of Turkmenistan (NCST), established in 1926, represents our state in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Being one of the country's oldest humanitarian public organizations, the NCST takes an active part in the socio-economic transformations implemented in the Homeland, working in such areas as ensuring social protection for citizens, public health care, strengthening the status of the family institution, and educating the younger generation in the spirit of the best traditions of the Turkmen people—mercy, empathy, and compassion for one's neighbor.
The current issue also includes materials on the legendary Ashgabat-Moscow equestrian trek. 32 Turkmen riders on Akhal-Teke and Yomud horses covered a distance of 4,300 kilometers in 84 days (from May 30 to August 22, 1935), demonstrating the great endurance of the horses. In addition, information is provided on the construction of the Trans-Caspian Railway, which began in 1880, with the first rails laid approximately 190 kilometers southeast of the Krasnovodsk fortress.
Articles about prominent figures of science, culture, and art will be of great interest to readers, particularly regarding the life and work of domestic poet Shaly Kekilov and writer Nurmyrat Sarykhanov, Honored Worker of Science and Technology of Turkmenistan, Doctor of Historical Sciences, archaeologist Khemra Yusupov, anthropologist Orazmuhammet Babakov, writer, poet, playwright, and journalist Khojanepes Charyyev, bakhshi Mahtumguly Garlyyev, and artist, painter, and graphic artist Yulia Daneshvar, among others.
Thus, the articles published in this issue are of great interest to historians, educators, researchers, students of specialized universities, records management and archival service workers, as well as the wide reading public.
The regular issue of the magazine features an extensive selection of photo materials from the National Archival Fund of Turkmenistan.
State News Agency of Turkmenistan
