Today, the annual final meeting of the Dialogue of Women of the Central Asian States was held in the Turkmen capital with the participation of representatives of the countries of the region, heads of regional structures of the United Nations.

The meeting participants summed up the activities of the Organization in 2022, and also discussed the prospects for expanding the Dialogue and work plans for 2023.

Before the start of the meeting, the participants of the Dialogue got acquainted with the exhibition, which reflects national traditions and customs, the skills of Turkmen women - the keepers of the spiritual and cultural heritage of the people, their role and modern achievements in various spheres of the life of the state. Traditionally, the celebratory vernissage widely presents products of modern textile industries, works of fine and decorative art, including magnificent works of embroiderers and zergers. Craftswomen demonstrated the process of creating carpets.

The guests were greeted with music and national treats. A mini-performance was prepared for them, in which girls in the national costumes of the countries participating in the Dialogue demonstrated characteristic dance movements and traditions of hospitality. The colorful show ended with a common dance - the incendiary Turkmen kushtdepdi, which is the property of the world heritage of humankind.

The demonstrated video film told the audience about the activities of Turkmenistan in promoting the policy of neutralism, international initiatives put forward by our country and the implementation of social and gender policies.

After the ceremony of official joint photography, the final annual meeting of the Dialogue of Women of the Central Asian States was held.

Opening the meeting and warmly welcoming its participants, the head of the Mejlis Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan G. Mammedova, representing the chairmanship of the Turkmen side in the Dialogue this year, noted that thanks to the efforts of the heads of state of the region, the Dialogue has established itself as a permanent platform with its huge potential and experience in holding various activities to promote women's cooperation. With great gratitude, G. Mammedova noted that President Serdar Berdimuhamedov throughout the year supported and paid special attention to the events successfully carried out by Turkmenistan within the framework of the chairmanship in the Dialogue.

Further, giving the floor for greetings to the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, Ms. Natalia Gherman, Head of the Mejlis G. Mammedova focused on the participation in the Dialogue of UN structures, their support for the initiatives and actions of the regional women's association.

In turn, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, Natalia German, who delivered a welcoming speech, expressed gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for supporting the activities of the Dialogue and creating conditions for holding the current meeting.

Then, UNDP Resident Representative in Turkmenistan Narine Sahakyan addressed the audience with a welcoming speech. Expressing gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the Government of the country for the high level of organization of the meeting, she congratulated Turkmenistan on the successful implementation of the chairmanship in the Dialogue in 2022.

At the end of the solemn part, a plenary session was held, during which the results of the organization's activities in the countries of the region and long-term plans for cooperation were considered.

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

Speaking during the plenary session, the Deputy Chairwoman of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Balaim Kesebayeva emphasized the importance of the peacekeeping activities of the Dialogue. In the era of global challenges and crises, the role of women is especially in demand, said Balaim Kesebayeva, calling on the participants in the Dialogue to further join efforts with the UN structures.

In turn, the Deputy Chairwoman of the Toraga of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic Jamilya Isayeva noted the importance of the activities of the Dialogue in the development of women's entrepreneurship, solving issues related to the problems of women living in rural areas, etc.

The Chairman of the Committee on Women and Family Affairs under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, Khilolbi Kurbanzoda, acquainted the participants of the meeting with the national experience and work carried out in the country to ensure gender equality through the creation and strengthening of legislative and institutional frameworks, development of international cooperation.

Chairwoman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Tanzila Narbayeva focused on joint projects and activities implemented this year. As noted, 19 events were held during this period, three of them were held in Uzbekistan, including a festival dedicated to the art of embroidery.

During the meeting, the Chairwoman of the Mejlis of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan G. Mammedova informed about the activities carried out within the framework of the chairmanship of Turkmenistan in the Dialogue. As noted, this year was marked by the 30th anniversary of the Constitution and the State Flag of Turkmenistan, as well as the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries of the region, which, thanks to the efforts of the heads of state, is becoming prosperous, dynamically developing and aimed at full-scale cooperation.

It was emphasized that this year, during the presidency of Turkmenistan, the Dialogue has established itself as a permanent informal structure with its legal framework and institutions, various events have been held in the countries of the region to empower women, as well as cooperation with international organizations and states of the world, adopted founding documents of the organization and established institutional formations.

As noted, all the events held this year were aimed at helping to strengthen the culture of trust between the states of the region, helped to get to know the national traditions and customs, the culture of the peoples of Central Asia, discuss women's issues and join forces in making decisions on them, exchange best practices and activate contacts.

At the end of her speech, the Chairwoman of the Mejlis Milli Gengesh, once again focused on the policy of neutralism implemented by Turkmenistan, which allows our country to successfully promote energy, environmental, medical and cultural diplomacy, as well as to promote the philosophy of "Dialogue is a guarantee of peace", to coordinate efforts to approve at the legislative level the social protection of the population.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov notes that Turkmenistan, being a neutral state, will continue to pursue a policy of friendship and trust aimed at ensuring peace and security in the region and throughout the world, Chairwoman of the Mejlis G. Mammedova emphasized, expressing gratitude to the head of state on behalf of all participants in the meeting for their progressive policies and support for the work of the Dialogue.

At the end of the meeting, a final document was adopted, which lists all the activities implemented this year under the chairmanship of Turkmenistan, as well as priority areas for further interaction, and confirmed the commitment to implementing the policy of the Central Asian countries to strengthen comprehensive regional cooperation.

The participants of the meeting expressed their gratitude to the leaders of the states of the region for supporting the Dialogue of Women in Central Asia.

As part of the meeting, the chairmanship in this structure was transferred to the Republic of Kazakhstan next year.

As part of their stay in Ashgabat, the participants of the CA Women's Dialogue meeting will hold a number of bilateral meetings. An extensive cultural program has been prepared for the guests. Today they got acquainted with the exposition of the Turkmen Carpet Museum and were invited to the performance “Hüwdi” of the National Drama Theater named after Alp Arslan, dedicated to the fate of a woman.

It is also planned to visit the State Museum of the State Cultural Center, watch the feature film "Gyzyl kürte" in the cinema center "Ashgabat".

On December 12, the participants of the Dialogue of the Central Asian countries will take part in the festive events dedicated to the International Day of Neutrality.