Closing Ceremony of the Second Regional Training Seminar for Young Diplomats and Civil Servants of Central Asia
On March 13, 2026 – the final day of the five-day regional training seminar organized for young diplomats and civil servants of Central Asia, special sessions dedicated to the nuances of diplomatic service and an official closing ceremony were held at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.
During the concluding session titled “Art of Diplomacy: Meeting with Central Asian Diplomats,” the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Central Asian countries – Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan – to Turkmenistan, along with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, gathered at a roundtable with the young diplomats. Throughout the meeting, the experienced diplomats shared their insights on the current state of interregional cooperation and the significance of bilateral and multilateral relations. The young professionals engaged in an exchange of views with the Ambassadors on topics of interest, particularly regarding the role of young diplomats in ensuring regional stability. This meeting provided an opportunity for the young specialists to receive practical advice from mentors and to gain a fresh perspective on the future of regional diplomacy.
At the conclusion of the session, the results of the practical lessons and discussions were summarized. In the “Parking Lot: Q&A and Outcomes” segment, participants expressed their views on the new skills acquired during the course and shared ideas for joint projects that could be implemented in the future.
Speaking at the official closing ceremony, Mr. Dmitry Shlapachenko, the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, noted: "You have not only gained new knowledge but have also become a part of the Central Asian diplomatic family. The friendly relations established among you will serve as a reliable foundation for the peace and prosperity of our region in the future."
Ms. Mahri Bashimova, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, also addressed the participants. Emphasizing the significance of the training seminar held in the capital, she stated that the professional development of young specialists is one of the priority directions of Turkmenistan's foreign policy.
In the most ceremonial moment of the event, the young diplomats from the five countries were presented with international certificates for the successful completion of the course. The event concluded with a commemorative group photo of the participants.
This training seminar served to enhance the professional qualifications of the participants in the diplomatic service and further strengthen the principles of “good neighborliness and mutual respect” among the countries of Central Asia.
Maya ATAJANOVA,
Senior Lecturer at the Department of World Languages
of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.