Turkmenbashi:President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev visited the CIS National Culinary Festival held in Turkmenbashi as part of events organized by Turkmenistan in preparation for its chairmanship of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in 2026. The festival featured participation from eight countries.

According to Azeri-Press news agency, the Azerbaijani pavilion at the festival was a joint effort by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Tourism Agency. It included two sections highlighting the country's national cuisine and cultural heritage.

The culinary section showcased Azerbaijan's diverse gastronomy, featuring local plants, fruits, grains, nuts, and other regional products. It also highlighted the nation's tea culture, recognized on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

The second section displayed traditional Azerbaijani crafts such as carpet weaving, kelaghayi, copper craftsmanship, wood carving, and ceramic art. An exhibit recreated a 19th-century Garabagh house interior, based on pieces from the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum. Visitors also enjoyed performances of Azerbaijani music, including mugham, by young singers.

An official reception and concert program were also organized in Turkmenbashi by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, which President Aliyev attended.