Turkmenistan – UNESCO: long-term bilateral cooperation
In the Epoch of the Revival of a New Era of a Powerful State, as a result of the far-sighted foreign policy of the President of Turkmenistan, our country actively cooperates with several international organizations of the world.
Today, Turkmenistan successfully implements the policy of supporting peace, security and sustainable development, continuously develops mutually advantageous relations with the countries of the world, and takes an important role in solving the urgent problems of the present time with its international initiatives. The expansion of friendly relations with other countries of the world, the reciprocally beneficial and effective cooperation with the prestigious international organizations, first of all, the United Nations Organization and its special agency for education, science, and culture, UNESCO, is particularly significant.
Turkmenistan has become a full-fledged member of UNESCO on the 17th of August 1993 by ratifying the relevant document in London. In 1994, with the adoption of Turkmenistan to the UNESCO Convention “On the Protection of the World Culture and Natural Heritage”, more than 1000 historical and cultural monuments from the territory of the country were discovered and registered. Within the framework of this convention, the “Ancient Merv” State Historical-Cultural Reserve was added to the UNESCO World Historical and Cultural Heritage List from Turkmenistan for the first time in 1999, “Koneurgench” State Historical-Cultural Reserve in 2005, and the state historical and cultural monument “The Parthian fortresses of Nusay (Nisa)” was added to the UNESCO World Historical and Cultural Heritage List from Turkmenistan in 2007.
On November 25, 2011, Turkmenistan adopted the important Convention of UNESCO on Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. By joining this Convention, a number of national intangible and cultural heritages of our country were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In 2015 Epic art of “Gorogly”, in 2016 “Nowruz” holiday, in 2017 “Kushtdepdi” rite of singing and dancing, in 2019 “Traditional Turkmen carpet making art in Turkmenistan”, in 2021 Dutar making craftsmanship and traditional music performing art combined with singing and in 2023 “Turkmen-style needlework art”, “Sericulture and tradition production of silk for weaving” and the “Telling tradition of Nasreddin Hodja/ Molla Nesreddin/ Molla Ependi/ Apendi/ Afendi Kozhanasyr Anecdotes” was added of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List of Humanity. Additionally, the Secretariat of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO is conducting relevant work on a number of national nominations for inclusion in the World Heritage List. Also, within the framework of relations with the framework of relations with the organization for more than 30 years, several works are implemented in the field of science and education. Within the framework of the UNITWIN program of UNESCO on science and education, UNESCO Chairs were established at Turkmen State University named after Magtymguly and the Turkmen State Pedagogical Institute named after Seyitnazar Seydi, also, UNESCO Clubs like “Languages of World” at the Institute of Turkmen National World Languages named after Dovletmammet Azadi, “Culture of Peace” at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, and “Environmental protection – an important concept of sustainable development” was opened at the Turkmen Agricultural Institute.
On November 21, 2023, the 42nd session of UNESCO’s General Conference adopted a resolution, to include the “300th anniversary of Magtymguly Fragi” among the memorable dates to be jointly celebrated with UNESCO in 2024-2025. The resolution was initiated by Turkmenistan. The resolution recognizes Magtymguly Fragi, a renowned Eastern thinker and poet, as a global literary treasure. His profound works, deeply embedded in the tapestry of world literature, have enriched our country’s cultural heritage.
The long-term cooperation between Turkmenistan and UNESCO has brought about changes and progress not only in the aforementioned areas, but also in important areas of the country’s foreign policy strategy.
Shasenem MEYLISOVA,
The 2nd year student of the Faculty of International Relations
of the Institute of International Relations
of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.