Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Hosts Meeting of National Commission for UNESCO Affairs

Ashgabat, The Gulf Observer: The regular meeting of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO Affairs was held on February 21, 2026, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan under the chairmanship of Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov.

The session was attended by relevant Deputy Chairpersons of the Cabinet of Ministers, heads of профиль ministries and agencies, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for UNESCO Affairs, as well as representatives of scientific institutions and public organizations.

In accordance with the approved agenda, participants reviewed the Commission’s activities for 2025, including reports in the fields of culture and science, and discussed the Work Plan for 2026 along with current issues concerning the further development of cooperation between Turkmenistan and UNESCO.

It was noted during the meeting that engagement with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization remains one of the priority areas of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy, implemented under the leadership of Serdar Berdimuhamedow. In 2025, the National Commission carried out its work systematically and consistently in line with the approved plan.

Special attention was given to the preservation and promotion of historical and cultural heritage. During the reporting period, the “Art of Breeding the Turkmen Alabai” was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Active work also continued on the preparation of multinational nominations and on presenting Turkmenistan’s national heritage under UNESCO’s “Memory of the World” programme.

In the fields of science and education, participants highlighted the inclusion of the city of Ashgabat in UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities, the establishment of a “Digital Science” Chair at the Technology Center of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan under the UNITWIN programme, and the opening of a UNESCO Club at the International University for the Humanities and Development.

In the area of ecology and climate change, Turkmenistan continued implementing regional initiatives, hosting international consultations and events in Ashgabat, and advancing efforts to explore the inclusion of the country’s unique natural sites in UNESCO’s international programmes.

The meeting also addressed the expansion of Turkmenistan’s participation in UNESCO’s governing bodies, including the country’s nomination to the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2026–2030 term.

Concluding the session, participants reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening constructive cooperation between Turkmenistan and UNESCO in order to promote education, science, culture, sustainable development and international humanitarian collaboration.