Overview: In 2021, the Government of Turkmenistan continued its efforts to improve the capacity of law enforcement agencies to combat terrorism, ensure border security, and detect terrorist financing. Turkmenistan actively cooperates with international organizations and participates in the C5+1 diplomatic platform to counter international terrorism. Turkmen authorities maintain close surveillance on the country’s population and its borders.

2021 Terrorist Incidents: There were no reported terrorist incidents in Turkmenistan in 2021.

Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: The Government of Turkmenistan strengthened an existing law (AML/CFT/ Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction) on countering money laundering, combating the financing of terrorism, and countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction as part of its Second National Risk Assessment (or NRA-2) in May. The revisions were suggested by the OSCE.

Countering the Financing of Terrorism: In 2021, the Government of Turkmenistan continued cooperation with the UN Counterterrorism Office, the EU, and the OSCE on countering terrorism financing. Turkmen law enforcement officers took part in antiterrorism training, including on biometric data exchange and money laundering. The Turkmen government continues to regulate alternative remittance services, collect data on wire transfers, and monitor non-profit organizations as part of a broader effort to prevent the sponsorship of terrorist activities. Turkmenistan belongs to the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism. The Financial Monitoring Service of Turkmenistan became a member of the Egmont Group in 2019.

Countering Violent Extremism: In 2021, the Turkmen government continued its cooperation with international organizations and participated in the C5+1 diplomatic platform on countering violent extremism. The Government of Turkmenistan also participated in UNDP-led trainings on preventing and countering violent extremism, as part of its global “Strengthening Resilience to Violent Extremism” in Asia project.

International and Regional Cooperation: Turkmenistan works with international and regional organizations such as the UN Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, UNODC, the UN Counterterrorism Center, the EU, and the OSCE. As a member of the C5+1, Turkmenistan also participates in the associated Security Working Group. Among others, the Government of Turkmenistan has sent high-level delegations to the OSCE Regional Conference on Combating Terrorism and Organized Crime in March, the Ministerial C5+1 virtual dialogue on Afghanistan in April, the International Conference on Central and South Asia regional Connectivity, which included a discussion on security and extremism issues, in July, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization gathering on border security in September.