Today, the Turkmen capital hosted a Dialogue between Women of Central Asian States and the Russian Federation “The Role of Women in Socio-Political and Socio-Economic Development” with the participation of representatives of five countries of the region, Russia, heads of regional structures of the United Nations.

The initiator of the Women’s Forum in Ashgabat is Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov – Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan. This year, our country is chairing the Dialogue.

The meeting venue became the conference hall of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan.

A plenary session of the Dialogue of Women of the Central Asian states and Russia “The Role of Women in Socio-Political and Socio-Economic Development” took place after the ceremony of official joint photographing.

At the opening ceremony of the Forum, the audience listened with deep attention to the welcoming Address of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, which noted the relevance and deep meaning of the organization of Dialogue in the year held under the motto “The Epoch of the People with Arkadag”, on the eve of the glorious date – the 30^th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of Turkmenistan and the establishment of the State Flag of Turkmenistan.

Opening the plenary session and warmly welcoming its participants, the Chairwoman of the Mejlis of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan G.Mammedova, representing the chairmanship of the Turkmen side in the Dialogue this year, noted that the Dialogue established in December 2020 is now turning into an effective platform for the exchange of views and experience, the best world practices in the empowerment of women and girls, to increase the level of their participation in the political, socio-economic, cultural and humanitarian life of society.

The head of the Mejlis emphasized that the current Dialogue, taking place in an expanded format, was initiated by the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. As noted, the life experience of our Arkadag, its positive modern initiatives, valuable advice help today to improve the activities of parliaments, strengthen inter-parliamentary ties with the countries of the region and the world. The fact of high recognition of the large-scale activity of the Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in promoting the culture of peace and trust was the awarding of the jubilee medal of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS Member States – “IPA CIS.30 years”, the Chairwoman of the Mejlis noted, congratulating the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan on behalf of all participants of the Dialogue on this significant event.

As noted, the Dialogue is aimed at supporting cooperation, trust and mutual understanding between women in the region, providing them with greater opportunities to have a more significant impact on decision-making processes on issues related to peace, stability and sustainable development in the region.

Giving the floor to the Chairwoman of the Council of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS countries, the Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko, the head of the Mejlis G.Mammedova on behalf of all participants of the Dialogue congratulated the speaker of the upper house of the Russian Parliament on awarding her the state award of Turkmenistan – the Order “For contribution to the development of cooperation”, wishing her sound health, long life and new successes in the development of cooperation between our countries.

The speaker of the Federation Council noted the high level of organization of the Inter-Parliamentary Forum of Central Asian States and the Russian Federation held on the eve. According to her, the initiative to make this event a regular event with its secretariat in Ashgabat was supported.

Emphasizing the ever-increasing role of women in addressing important issues on the regional and global agenda, the Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation noted that the creative mission of women is in demand today more than ever, and the activities of the Women’s Dialogue of the Central Asian States are the best confirmation of it.

Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of holding a Dialogue in close coordination with high-level events. This fact, Natalia German continued, confirms that the leaders of the Central Asian countries attach particular importance to the implementation of policies aimed at achieving gender equality, ensuring the full participation of women in the political, social and economic life of society.

Then the UNDP Permanent Representative in Turkmenistan, Ms. Narine Sahakyan addressed the audience with a welcoming speech, who expressed deep gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the Government of Turkmenistan for the high level of organization of the meeting and welcomed the audience on behalf of Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, Regional Director of the UN Development Program for Europe and the CIS.

As noted, today’s Forum is of particular importance and brings the activities of this structure to a qualitatively new level. “We attach great importance to the socio-economic and political role of Central Asian women, who can influence and manage transformational changes in societies to achieve key goals, including Sustainable Development Goals, and participate in supporting regional peace and security,” Ms. Narine Sahakyan emphasized.

Confirming the readiness of UNDP to continue to support the Central Asian States in the implementation of national priorities and progressive reforms, the representative of the authoritative organization noted the effectiveness of the regional Dialogue platform to promote the gender agenda in Central Asia.

At the end of the solemn part, a plenary session was held to consider issues of promoting gender equality in the countries of the region and long-term cooperation plans.

The participants of the meeting got acquainted with the experience of various global and regional platforms and associations of the Central Asian group and Russia to support in achieving a more visible political and social role of women, as well as in expanding opportunities to influence decision-making processes on topical issues related to ensuring peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

Chairwoman of the Committee on Socio-Cultural Development of the Majlis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Jamilya Nurmanbetova, Deputy Toraga of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic Jamilya Isayeva, Deputy Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Galina Karelova, Chairwoman of the Committee on Women and Family Affairs under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan Hilolbi Kurbanzoda, Chairwoman of the National Center of Trade Unions and the Central Council Union of Women of Turkmenistan A.Durdyeva, The Chairwoman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tanzila Narbayeva, familiarized the Forum delegates with the national experience of each state of Central Asia and Russia, the enormous work carried out in the countries they represent to ensure gender equality by creating and strengthening legislative and institutional frameworks, developing international cooperation.

During the meeting, the topics of increasing the degree of women’s participation in state and public life to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals for the period up to 2030, including ensuring gender equality, protecting policy achievements in this direction, women’s rights and interests, and enhancing their role in decision-making on important issues in political, economic and social spheres.

As a result of the Forum, a Declaration was adopted, including recommendations on measures to be taken at the national and regional levels to ensure gender balance and increase women’s participation in the political and socio-economic life of States, in the development of entrepreneurship. The document also notes the readiness to contribute to the implementation of the policy of the Central Asian countries and Russia to further strengthen comprehensive regional cooperation.

The Forum participants signed the Regulations and the Work Plan of the Dialogue of Women of Central Asian States for 2022, which includes various events of various levels, which are planned to be held both in Turkmenistan and in other countries participating in the Dialogue.

 Then the participants of the Dialogue of Women of the Central Asian and Russian states proceeded to the Expo Center of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where they got acquainted with a large-scale exhibition reflecting national traditions and customs, the skills of women – keepers of the spiritual and cultural heritage of peoples, their role and modern achievements in various spheres of life of states.

50 exhibitors took part in the multi-industry show. Six national pavilions were presented here, as well as stands of 11 ministries and branch departments and 33 members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan.

A separate part of the exhibition space was devoted to publishing products, which demonstrated the works of the Hero-Arkadag, telling about culture and art, spiritual values of the Turkmen people, as well as artistic works by authors from the participating countries of the Forum.

The guests were offered teas made from medicinal herbs, generous gifts of the fertile Turkmen land, national Turkmen dishes and confectionery.

The success in entrepreneurship can be judged by the various products and services presented by the businesswomen, including in the cultivation of flowers, which have become one of the most popular exhibits of the exposition.

The participants of the Forum received an amazing impression of the bravery of the riders and horsewomen at the presentation of the titled group of National Equestrian Games –Galkynyş – the winner of cups and prizes of various international circus art festivals. The performance of the famous horsemen unfolded on the open site of the CCI Expo Center.

Every time this team conquers the audience with its breathtaking equestrian attractions with acrobatic and gymnastic tricks, jigging and vaulting, numbers of the higher riding school and, most importantly, the complete unity of the team of people and horses.

The graceful agility of magnificent horses, the amazing nimbleness and courage of young men and girls in national clothes conquered the audience, who appreciated the performance of the team with thunderous applause.

The participants of the Dialogue of Women of the Central Asian States and Russia expressed gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for the opportunity to visit the white marble capital of Turkmenistan, discuss topical issues of the contemporaneity and touch the high culture of the Turkmen people.