On October 24, the Turkmen capital hosted the XIX Conference of the Humanitarian Association of Turkmens of the World (HATW) convened in line with the Decree of President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, the President of this reputable international organization. The Forum of compatriots, traditionally timed to coincide with the main holiday of the Motherland- Independence Day, was attended by delegates from every corner of the country, representatives of Turkmen diasporas from 16 states of the world, including Russia, Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. 27 branches of the Humanitarian Association of Turkmens of the World (HATW) are currently functioning in 14 countries. The Association comprises over three hundred collective and hundreds of individual members. Contents and areas of HATW work with foreign compatriots have been diversified in recent years. Contacts were intensified in such spheres as science and education, culture and arts, and entrepreneurship. Prior to the opening of the XIX HATW Conference, attendees laid flowers to the Monument of Independence. Then the solemn opening ceremony of the Forum took place at the Conference Hall of Mekan Palace of Ashgabat Municipality. It was attended by Government officials, members of the National Parliament, Turkmenistan’s Ambassadors to foreign countries, leaders and representatives of political parties and public associations, several institutes of the Academy of Sciences, sectoral ministries and agencies, metropolitan universities (collective members of HATW), individual members of the HATW from every province, prominent figures in science and culture, honored elders, media professionals and students. During the Conference the report on the HATW activity was presented and goals for development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation of Turkmens of the world in compliance with humanistic principles of domestic and foreign policy pursued by the National Leader were discussed. Leaders and representatives of Turkmen diasporas from Sweden, Afghanistan, Turkey, Iran, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan spoke about the work of foreign branches of the HATW, and stressed that they were proud of major developments taking place on ancestral land. Then, upon instructions from the Head of the State, an award ceremony took place. Pursuant to Order of the President of Turkmenistan, representatives of Turkmen diasporas received Jubilee Medals “Türkmenistanyň Garaşsyzlygynyň 25 ýyllygyna” for their significant contribution to the development of friendly and fraternal cultural and humanitarian relations between Turkmens and other nations, for active and effective social activities. During the conference, especially distinguished HAWT foreign activists were awarded diplomas. «Wherever we live, we feel a sense of ownership to our Motherland, we are proud of our Arkadag and great things are being done under the leadership of the national Leader on the blessed Turkmen land», they stressed in their speeches. In the lobby of the Palace «Mekan» and just before the meeting room were deployed exhibitions telling about the history, traditions and customs and unique arts of the Turkmen people. Particular attention was attracted by the stand with publications, reflecting the multifaceted character of the National Leader. Scientific researches, popular literature and books dedicated to the national heritage come from the pen of the Head of the State. A large model of President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov’s new book, “Turkmenistan”, written and presented by the Head of the State to the people of Turkmenistan on the occasion of the anniversary of the Motherland’s Independence, was mounted here as well. Participants and guests of the Conference took great interest in unique exhibits from the National Institute of Manuscripts, papers dated XVI–XVIII centuries, and photocopies of works of scientists, philosophers and poets of the past.