A regular meeting of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO

On February 21, 2026, the MFA of Turkmenistan hosted a regular meeting of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO, chaired by the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov.

The meeting was attended by deputy chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, heads of relevant ministries and agencies, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for UNESCO and representatives of scientific institutions and public associations.

According to the approved agenda, participants reviewed the results of the National Commission’s activities for 2025, reports on culture and science, and discussed the 2026 Work Plan alongside current issues for the further development of cooperation between Turkmenistan and UNESCO.

During the meeting, it was noted that cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is one of the priority areas of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy, implemented under the leadership of the President of Turkmenistan. In 2025, the National Commission’s activities were carried out systematically and consistently in accordance with the approved plan.

Special attention was paid to the preservation and promotion of historical and cultural heritage. During the reporting period, the “Art of breeding the Turkmen alabay” was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Work actively continued on the preparation of multilateral nominations, as well as activities to present national heritage within the framework of the UNESCO “Memory of the World” program.

In the field of science and education, the meeting noted the inclusion of Ashgabat into the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, the establishment of the “Digital Science” chair at the Technology Center of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan under the UNITWIN program, and the opening of a UNESCO Club at the International University for the Humanities and Development.

In the area of ecology and climate change, the implementation of regional initiatives continued, with international consultations and events held in Ashgabat. Additionally, work was carried out to explore the possibilities of including Turkmenistan's unique natural sites in international UNESCO programs.

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

Concluding the meeting, the participants reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening Turkmenistan’s constructive cooperation with UNESCO to promote education, science, culture, sustainable development, and international humanitarian interaction.