BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 12. Representatives of
Turkmenistan's State Migration Service participated in a two-day
seminar on migration and border management held in Ashgabat.


This was announced by the State Migration Service of
Turkmenistan in a report published on June 11.


"On June 9-10, 2026, a two-day training seminar organized by the
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Office in
Turkmenistan with the participation of international migration
experts was held at the United Nations building in Ashgabat," the
report says.


According to the State Migration Service, the seminar brought
together specialists from key national agencies, including
representatives of the migration service, for discussions on
current migration challenges and international practices.


The report indicates that the program focused on analyzing best
practices for preventing irregular migration in the region, as well
as studying international experience in integrated and humanitarian
border management.


Moreover, the information indicates that at the seminar,
particular attention was paid to the implementation of modern
information technologies and innovative IT platforms in migration
and border management processes.







"The active participation of representatives of our Service in
numerous international conferences, forums, and events on
humanitarian issues serves as further evidence of our country's
responsible approach to migration-related matters and the
successful implementation of its humanitarian policy," the report
says.


For reference, Turkmenistan has been cooperating with the
International Organization for Migration (IOM) since the late
1990s. The country joined IOM as an observer state in 1997, while a
cooperation agreement between the two sides was signed in 1998. In
recent years, IOM has worked with Turkmen authorities on migration
governance, border management, migration statistics,
climate-related mobility, and anti-trafficking initiatives. The
organization has also supported projects aimed at strengthening
migration data collection and improving migration management
capacities among government agencies.


Border management remains one of the key areas of international
cooperation involving Turkmenistan. In February 2025, Ashgabat
hosted a national workshop on the development of an Integrated
Border Management Strategy under the EU-funded Border Management
Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA). The initiative brought together
border, migration, customs, and law-enforcement authorities to
discuss coordinated approaches to addressing challenges such as
irregular migration, trafficking, and cross-border crime.


In May 2026, the European Union and its regional partners
launched the 11th phase of the BOMCA programme, which includes
Turkmenistan among its participating countries. The programme
focuses on strengthening border security, facilitating legal
cross-border movement and trade, and enhancing cooperation among
Central Asian states.