Published on 1 February 2026

Bilateral relations Switzerland–Turkmenistan

Switzerland and Turkmenistan have maintained good relations since 1992. An important part of this is their cooperation in the shared voting constituency of the Bretton Woods institutions (World Bank and International Monetary Fund).

Key aspects of diplomatic relations

Turkmenistan belongs to Switzerland's voting constituency at the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Switzerland is actively involved in water diplomacy in Central Asia. The Blue Peace Central Asia initiative promotes the sustainable and peaceful use of water resources in the five Central Asian countries and Afghanistan, and supports transboundary water management at both the political and technical levels.

Treaty database

World Bank

International Monetary Fund

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Global Environment Facility

Blue Peace: Water as an element of security

Economic cooperation

The volume of bilateral trade and investment is modest, with just a few Swiss companies operating in Turkmenistan. Switzerland mainly exports machinery and chemical/pharmaceutical products to Turkmenistan. Imports from Turkmenistan are negligible (<CHF 1 million), including textiles, among other goods.

Country information, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise

Joint Chamber of Commerce Switzerland JCC

Cooperation in education, research and innovation

Researchers from Turkmenistan can apply for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships to the State Secretariat for Education Research and Innovation (SERI).

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars, SERI

Development cooperation and humanitarian aid

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) are implementing the Swiss Cooperation Programme for Central Asia 2022–25. Regional and cross-border projects in the areas of water, infrastructure and climate change, which also include Turkmenistan, promote regional cooperation and contribute to the stability and prosperity of the region. Switzerland works closely with national and regional organisations, state and civil society institutions, and international financial institutions on its projects and promotes climate-sensitive, integrated water resource and energy management.

Swiss cooperation programme for Central Asia 2022–25

Central Asia: water and energy programme

Climate-sensitive water resources management in Central Asia

Blue Peace: Water as an element of security

Swiss nationals in Turkmenistan

According to the Statistics on the Swiss Abroad, there were no Swiss citizens living in Turkmenistan in 2025.

History of bilateral relations

Switzerland recognised the independent state of Turkmenistan on 23 December 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The Swiss embassy in Moscow was initially responsible for Switzerland's diplomatic interests in Turkmenistan. Since April 2008, this has been the responsibility of the embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Turkmenistan opened an embassy in Geneva on 11 April 2011. The embassy is accredited to the international organisations and also handles bilateral relations.

Turkmenistan, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)

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