Central Asia Leads Global Efforts to Eradicate Statelessness: Regional Ministerial Conference Concludes in Ashgabat

Ashgabat, The Gulf Observer: The Regional Ministerial Conference, titled “Eradicating Statelessness in Central Asia,” took place in Ashgabat, where Central Asian nations showcased significant progress in tackling statelessness. UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Legal Protection, Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, commended the region, noting Central Asia’s global leadership in this area, with Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan achieving a complete eradication of known cases of statelessness within their borders.

Representatives from Central Asian nations, the UNHCR, and other international bodies gathered to exchange insights and strategies in addressing statelessness. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Myahri Byashimova, highlighted Turkmenistan’s pivotal role as the first country in the region to join key international agreements on statelessness, enabling robust legal protections for stateless individuals and facilitating knowledge sharing with neighboring states.

According to the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan, the country has granted citizenship to over 32,000 stateless persons and issued more than 5,000 residence permits, fully resolving the issue within its territory.

Participants stressed that Central Asia’s achievements serve as a model for regions globally still grappling with statelessness. The conference urged all regional countries to join the Global Alliance to End Statelessness and remain committed to sustainable, impactful measures. A final document was adopted at the conference’s close, underscoring the regional commitment to ongoing progress in this critical human rights area.