A MEETING OF THE “DIALOGUE OF WOMEN OF THE STATES OF CENTRAL ASIA” WAS HELD IN TURKMENISTAN

On December 10, 2022, the annual final meeting of the “Dialogue of Women of the Central Asian States” was held in Ashgabat with the participation of representatives of the countries of the region, heads of regional structures of the United Nations.

The meeting participants summed up the activities of the Organization in 2022, and also discussed the prospects for expanding the Dialogue and work plans for 2023.

It is symbolic that the current meeting of the Dialogue is being held in Ashgabat on the eve of the International Day of Neutrality and the 27th anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutral status. Also these days, the news came about the unanimous adoption at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly of the Resolution initiated by Turkmenistan "2023 - the International Year of Dialogue as a Guarantee of Peace".

Turkmenistan's achievements in addressing gender issues relevant to the world community are obvious. An example of this is the active participation of Turkmen women in the socio-political, socio-economic and cultural life of the country.

This is confirmed by the current final annual meeting of the “Dialogue of Women of the Central Asian States” in Ashgabat, the venue of which was the conference hall of the Center for Public Organizations. Today, women have also gathered here - leaders and representatives of the Milli Gengesh, public organizations, diplomatic missions accredited in Turkmenistan and international organizations, Turkmen diplomats working abroad, and journalists.

Before the start of the meeting, the participants of the Dialogue got acquainted with the exhibition, reflecting national traditions and customs, the skills of Turkmen women - the guardians of the spiritual and cultural heritage of the people, their role and modern achievements in various spheres of the state's life.

The demonstrated video film told the audience about the activities of Turkmenistan in promoting the policy of neutralism, international initiatives put forward by our country and the implementation of social and gender policies.

Opening the meeting and warmly welcoming its participants, the head of the Mejlis of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan G. Mammedova, representing the chairmanship of the Turkmen side in the Dialogue this year, noted that thanks to the efforts of the heads of state of the region, the Dialogue has established itself as a permanent platform with its huge potential and experience in holding various activities to promote women's cooperation. With great gratitude, G. Mammedova noted that President Serdar Berdimuhamedov throughout the year supported and paid special attention to the events successfully carried out by Turkmenistan within the framework of the chairmanship in the Dialogue.

Further, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia Natalia Gherman expressed gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for supporting the activities of the Dialogue and the conditions created for holding the current meeting.

Then the UNDP Resident Representative in Turkmenistan Narine Sahakyan addressed the audience. Expressing gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the Government of the country for the high level of organization of the meeting, she congratulated Turkmenistan on the successful implementation of the chairmanship in the Dialogue in 2022.

At the end of the solemn part, a plenary session was held, during which the results of the organization's activities in the countries of the region and long-term plans for cooperation were considered.

At the end of the meeting, a final document was adopted, which lists all the activities implemented this year under the chairmanship of Turkmenistan, as well as priority areas for further interaction, and confirmed the commitment to implementing the policy of the Central Asian countries to strengthen comprehensive regional cooperation.

The participants of the meeting expressed their gratitude to the leaders of the states of the region for supporting the “Dialogue of Women in Central Asia”. As part of the meeting, the chairmanship in this structure was transferred to the Republic of Kazakhstan next year.