Turkmenistan and Canada have explored new avenues for cooperation in media development, artificial intelligence, and academic exchange during talks held in Ashgabat, according tothe International Information Center of Turkmenistan.
The discussions took place at the International Information Center of Turkmenistan, where Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Television, Radio Broadcasting and Cinematography Annasakhet Kakaev met with Canada’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan Christopher Duggan. The sides reviewed prospects for joint initiatives aimed at strengthening media capacity and modernizing journalism practices across Central Asia.
One of the key areas of potential cooperation involves integrating artificial intelligence into journalism and media production, alongside expanding professional training and academic exchanges. The talks outlined plans for collaboration between Canada’s HEC Montreal business school and leading Turkmen universities, including Magtymguly Turkmen State University and the Institute of International Relations. Proposed activities include online lectures, workshops, and visits by Canadian professors to Ashgabat.
The partnership would allow students and media professionals to receive joint certificates in media management and communication studies, reflecting contemporary international standards. Special attention was also given to environmental journalism and youth training, with both sides considering cooperation with the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) to improve media literacy on environmental issues.
In addition, Turkmenistan’s TVTM channel and Canadian partners discussed launching subregional media projects focused on content creation aligned with global industry practices. A major initiative under consideration is a Media Week in Ashgabat, dedicated to artificial intelligence in news production, digital storytelling, and podcast development.
Turkmenistan’s media environment operates amid rapid but uneven digital adoption. By late 2025, internet use in the country grew to about 3.5mn users, equal to roughly 46.1 % of the population, while mobile connections reached about 5.24 million, or 68.5 % of residents as reports from DataReportal show.
