Turkmenistan Celebrates Fifth Anniversary of Children’s Charity Fund with Awards and Global Partnerships
Ashgabat, The Gulf Observer: Turkmenistan on March 29, 2026, marked the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Charity Fund for Providing Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship named after Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov with a formal ceremony highlighting the country’s commitment to child welfare and humanitarian initiatives.
The Fund was originally established under a presidential decree issued on March 29, 2021, aimed at supporting children in need of guardianship and care.
At the outset of the ceremony, a congratulatory message from President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was read out to participants, underscoring the importance of the Fund’s mission in strengthening social protection and promoting the well-being of children.
During the event, a presidential decree announcing the conferment of state awards to individuals contributing significantly to charitable initiatives was also presented.
In a ceremonial moment, O. Atabaeva, Vice President for Medical Activities of the Fund, awarded Arkadag medals to Narine Saakyan, Permanent Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Turkmenistan, and Jalpa Ratna, head of the United Nations Children’s Fund office in the country, in recognition of their contributions to humanitarian cooperation.
Speaking at the ceremony, Jalpa Ratna congratulated the government and people of Turkmenistan on the anniversary, noting that the recognition would further strengthen collaboration between Turkmenistan and UNICEF in advancing child welfare initiatives.
The event also featured remarks by Chairperson of the Mejlis, D. Gulmanova, who described the establishment of the Fund as a milestone in the country’s modern history and a reflection of its enduring humanitarian traditions.
Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers B. Seyidova highlighted that the Fund’s activities embody the longstanding values of compassion and social responsibility upheld by the Turkmen people.
Addressing the gathering, Narine Saakyan expressed appreciation for the state award, describing it as a symbol of trust and recognition of international cooperation efforts.
In her remarks, O. Atabaeva emphasized that, under the guidance of national leadership, including Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, child welfare remains a central pillar of Turkmenistan’s policy framework.
The ceremony also witnessed the signing of memoranda of understanding between the Fund and international partners, including UNICEF, the Soong Ching Ling Foundation, and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, reflecting the continued expansion of global cooperation to support the development and well-being of children.
Concluding the event, speakers emphasized that ensuring a peaceful and stable environment is essential for the harmonious development of future generations.
The celebrations continued with cultural performances by national artists, while participants adopted a formal address to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, reaffirming their support for the country’s humanitarian initiatives and commitment to child welfare.
