The 25th Conference of the Humanitarian Association of Turkmen of the World was held at the Centre for Public Organisations.

Representatives of Turkmen diasporas from a number of foreign countries and delegates from all regions of the Motherland took part in the forum, which was held on the eve of the country’s main holiday – Independence Day.

The Conference has become a vivid confirmation of Turkmenistan’s support for close relations with our compatriots living in different countries and of their active participation in large-scale events held in the Homeland of their ancestors.

The activities of the Humanitarian Association of Turkmen of the World (HATW), established in May 1991, are inextricably linked with the modern history of the sovereign Motherland. Strengthening cultural and humanitarian contacts with representatives of the Turkmen diasporas is one of the important areas of the foreign policy of independent and neutral Turkmenistan, which is actively developing political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian relations with all interested states for the sake of peace and universal wellbeing.

The content and focus of work with compatriots abroad are expanding from year to year, and members of the Association organise various events in their places of residence. Today, the HATW has become an authoritative international organisation whose activities serve to strengthen international cooperation and to popularise the culture, original traditions and customs of the Turkmen people and their history in the world.

As part of the Conference, an exhibition of decorative and applied arts, reflecting the colour and versatility of the rich cultural heritage of the Turkmen people, was organised.

After the announcement of the opening of the XXV Conference of the Humanitarian Association of Turkmen of the World, the National Anthem of Turkmenistan was performed.

Then, the agenda of the forum was unanimously approved, including a report on the work done and a discussion of the priority areas of the HATW’s activities in the period of the Revival of the New Era of the Powerful State.

Those gathered listened with great attention to the Address of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, sent to the conference participants.

The message of the head of state expresses confidence that the Conference of the Humanitarian Association of Turkmen of the World, held at a high organisational level on the eve of the main national holiday – Independence Day, will increase pride in the Motherland and will be of great importance for uniting the Turkmen of the world and further intensifying friendly ties.

It was noted that the Humanitarian Association of Turkmen of the World played an important role in strengthening international relations and popularising the rich culture, unique customs and traditions, history, literature and language of the Turkmen people. The Association has become a prestigious organisation that makes great efforts to unite the Turkmen throughout the world. Much work lies ahead to further strengthen fraternal relations and to develop effective cooperation in the economic, cultural, scientific and educational spheres, in the fields of health care and entrepreneurship and especially in the popularisation of the rich spiritual and cultural heritage of our people.

“Bringing peoples closer together and promoting the principles of friendship, humanism and goodwill are our main goal,” the message of the President of Turkmenistan emphasises. During the Conference, the delegates were informed in detail of the successfully implemented large-scale socioeconomic programmes intended to improve the wellbeing of the people and to raise the authority of Turkmenistan in the world and of the major international projects implemented by our country, contributing to the further development of fruitful cooperation with foreign countries.

At present, there are 27 branches of the Humanitarian Association of Turkmen of the World in 14 countries, namely: Russia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Ukraine, Afghanistan, the UAE, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

It was stated that our national holidays and significant dates were widely celebrated in the foreign branches of the HATW. As is known, 2024 is being held under the motto “Fount of Wisdom Magtymguly Pyragy”, the content and ideological message of which are intended to raise the patriotic spirit, to promote the moral education of youth and to inspire Turkmen citizens to new achievements.

In this regard, friendly states contribute to the organisation and holding of events on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of Magtymguly Pyragy, taking an active part in them. As part of the celebration of the birthday of the outstanding classical poet and philosopher of the East, conferences, presentations and creative meetings are being held in many countries in order to popularise his rich literary heritage. Also, celebrations are held on the occasion of the announcement of the ancient city of Anau as the cultural capital of the Turkic world in 2024.

In addition, exhibitions, Days of Culture, concerts and other events are regularly organised to serve even greater mutual understanding and to strengthen the ties of friendship of the Turkmen people with the peoples of the world.

It was noted that members of the HATW branches promoted the great transformations carried out in independent and neutral Turkmenistan in their places of residence and introduced our national culture and traditions. Having studied the glorious path of their ancestors, they convey this information to representatives of different countries through electronic media and periodicals, feeling proud that they are descendants of the great Turkmen people. In this context, the newspaper of the Association Türkmen Dünýäsi takes a special place. Today, we can confidently say that the Humanitarian Association of Turkmen of the World is among the most authoritative international organisations.

Independent Turkmenistan continues its policy of neutrality aimed at strengthening global peace and security, expanding good-neighbourly and friendly relations and further implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Then the floor was given to foreign compatriots who expressed sincere gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen people Hero-Arkadag for the opportunity to visit the sacred land of their ancestors and to see with their own eyes the grandiose achievements of modern Turkmenistan, the glory of which is spreading throughout the world today.

Representatives from Germany, Afghanistan, the UAE and Türkiye, reporting on the activities of the foreign branches of the HATW, proudly noted that independent and neutral Turkmenistan demonstrated in practice its desire to comprehensively develop traditional ties of friendship, mutual respect, good neighbourliness and international cooperation in various spheres.

The conference delegates also expressed deep gratitude to the head of the Turkmen state and the Hero-Arkadag for the support and assistance provided to the Turkmen diasporas, including the construction of social facilities at the expense of Turkmenistan, in particular, schools in a number of fraternal countries.

As it was noted, thanks to the established long-standing ties, Turkmen living in different parts of the world preserved and passed on from one generation to another their mother tongue, national traditions and spiritual and moral values.

The speeches emphasised the importance of the HATW Conference for strengthening fraternal relations and solidarity and intensifying cooperation for the sake of universal peace, prosperity and progress.

Then the ceremony of awarding the members of the Association with Certificates of Honour took place.

At the end of the XXV Conference of the Humanitarian Association of Turkmen of the World, an Address of Gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was adopted, expressing deep gratitude for his tireless work for the sake of the strengthening of the economic power of the state and its international authority, the spiritual revival of the nation and for the great attention at and support of the Turkmen diasporas abroad.

For the participants of the forum, masters of art prepared their congratulations. National songs and melodies glorifying the sovereign Motherland, the ancient and eternally young Turkmen land and the hardworking and talented people sounded joyfully and soulfully.

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Our compatriots abroad will also take part in the festive events to mark Turkmenistan’s Independence Day.

State News Agency of Turkmenistan (TDH)