A CONFERENCE AND FESTIVE CONCERT WERE HELD ON THE OCCASION OF THE DAY OF DIPLOMATIC WORKERS OF TURKMENISTAN
On February 20, 2026, the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan hosted the conference titled “Priority Directions of Turkmenistan’s Foreign Policy in the Year of ‘Independent, Neutral Turkmenistan – the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses’”, dedicated to the Day of Diplomatic Workers of Turkmenistan. The Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov, as well as heads of diplomatic missions of foreign states and international organizations in our country, heads of our country's diplomatic missions, consular offices, and permanent missions to international organizations abroad, employees of the foreign policy department, veteran diplomats, faculty members and students attended the conference.
Prior to the conference, an exhibition was organized by the diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in Turkmenistan. Subsequently, the celebration conference began its work. At the start of the conference, the Address of Greeting sent by the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the occasion of the professional holiday of diplomatic workers was read. It noted that the foreign policy and diplomacy of our permanently Neutral state, based on the principles of peace and trust, are aimed at creating significant opportunities in the international arena necessary for the implementation of our long-term national programs.
Speeches were delivered at the conference by Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan; Kaha Imnadze, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA); Dmitry Shlapachenko, UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan; Arsen Avagyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to Turkmenistan; Stephen Conlon, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Turkmenistan; and Eric Livny, Head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) representative office in Turkmenistan. Gulshat Yusupova, Rector of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, moderated the conference.
As noted during the conference, under the leadership of Honorable President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, our country consistently implements an effective foreign policy course aimed at developing multilateral international cooperation and uniting the efforts of the global community to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on both regional and global scales. The speakers emphasized that Turkmen diplomacy contributes significantly to the strengthening of friendship, mutual understanding, and trust at the regional and international levels. In this regard, the vital role of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s wise leadership was highlighted, particularly his international initiatives aimed at positive solutions for social, economic, environmental, and other pressing issues of the modern era.
At the conclusion of the conference, the participants adopted an Appeal to the Honorable President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, expressing their sincere gratitude for the special attention paid to the issues of improving the activities of the country's diplomatic service. They further pledged to spare no effort in successfully achieving the goals set before them. According to noble tradition, in honor of the professional holiday, a ceremony was held to award diplomas from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to young employees of the diplomatic service and to distinguished graduating students of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan for their active participation in implementing Turkmenistan's foreign policy strategy.
This was followed by a holiday concert dedicated to the Day of Diplomatic Workers of Turkmenistan, performed by students’ performance groups from the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Maya Kuliyeva Turkmen National Conservatory. Musical performances by the students in various languages complemented the main festivities. The holiday concert, which provided the guests with a pleasant experience, served as a unique conclusion to the professional holiday of Turkmenistan's diplomatic workers.
Following the conclusion of the conference and the festive concert, an Iftar (Agyz açar) dinner was hosted for the guests.
Maya ATAJANOVA,
Acting Head of the
Department of World Languages
of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.