The International Scientific and Practical Conference entitled ‘The History and Culture of Architecture’ held via videoconferencing today, has become one of the central events of 2021 designated as the Year of Architecture and Urban Development in the Commonwealth of Independent States on the initiative of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

The forum, which took place at the capital’s Museum of Fine Arts, was co-organized by the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Construction and Architecture, Ashgabat City Khyakimlik, and the Union of Architects of Turkmenistan from the Turkmen side.

Among those joining the conference remotely were Deputy Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee – Executive Secretary I. Nematov; Co-Chairman of the Board of the CIS Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation, Special Envoy of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation, M. Shvydkoy; Executive Director of the CIS Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation A. Iksanov; Executive Secretary of the International Association of Unions of Architects, Vice-President of the Union of Architects of Russia, Honored Architect of the Russian Federation, Academician I. Voskresensky; top officials and representatives of relevant ministries and agencies of the CIS member-states.

Prior to the forum, the participants had the opportunity to become familiar with an exhibition arranged in the Museum’s foyer. It featured architectural projects and models by students of the State Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan and Turkmen State Architecture and Construction Institute.

As highlighted at the conference, the CIS is fully committed to the objectives and core principles of modern international cooperation: good will, trust and equality. This mutual respect approach effectively contributes to building bridges of friendship, developing successful partnerships to implement important joint projects and sharing accumulated experience.

This was exactly what the online conference sought to focus on. Its participants delivered reports on architectural heritage of the CIS member-states, traditions and innovations in modern urban development.

The forum attendees were shown a special video film about cultural heritage of Turkmenistan and its architecture that is perfectly exemplified in white marble-clad Ashgabat celebrating its 140 anniversary this year.