Today, the capital "Ýyldyz" hotel hosted the opening of the international seminar «High-Level Dialogue on Global Health Diplomacy». The organisation of this large-scale event again attested to the triumph of the creative foreign policy of our country based on principles of positive neutrality and humanism.

The high-level meeting is aimed at formation of an effective platform for joining efforts of the international community to solve topical issues of today. And the role of Turkmenistan, initiatives of which on development of medical diplomacy serve as an important factor of maintenance of peace and sustainable development is significant in it.

The high representative composition of participants of the event testifies to a great interest of the international community in exploration of experience of our country in modernisation of the national system of public health services. The international seminar, which brought together politicians, doctors and scientists, is aimed at development of qualitatively new mechanisms of international cooperation for the cause of the entire humanity.

In the seminar organised jointly by the Government of Turkmenistan and World Health Organization, heads of largest international organisations, outstanding diplomats, representatives of Ministries of Health of the countries of the region and highly qualified specialists take part. The holding of such significant event in Ashgabat became a recognition of an active role of our fatherland in advancement of humanitarian principles on the world arena. A special importance was given by coincidence of its opening with celebration of Day of diplomatic workers of Turkmenistan and the Year of Health declared within the chairmanship of our country in the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Welcoming participants of the international seminar, the representative of the Turkmen party pointed out that the modern epoch demands new approaches to the solution of global problems in medicine. Today, the public health services are not only the professional sphere, but also an important component of foreign policy. In this connection, Turkmenistan considers medical diplomacy as an effective tool to strengthen trust and solidarity between people.

It was underlined that all initiatives of National Leader of the Turkmen people Hero-Arkadag and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov are aimed at well-being of people. As known, in 2025 Turkmenistan recognised public health services as a basis of general stability and actively advanced the idea «Global medicine of the future - solidarity and cooperation».

At the opening ceremony, Dr Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe who expressed his sincere gratitude to the Government of Turkmenistan for constant support of efforts of WHO, also spoke. As was marked, Turkmenistan is a vivid example of how the positive policy of neutrality serves interests of public health services and preventive diplomacy.

During discussions, the special attention was paid to the realisation of the Goals of sustainable development of the United Nations. In the general opinion of participants of the event, the WHO principle « Health in All Policies» is of great importance for creation of sustainable systems of social security. For this reason, the solution of such issues as education, ecology and economic stability, which are the basic conditions of maintenance of health, demand co-ordinated efforts.

In their speeches, representatives of the United Nations Organization underlined an indissoluble link between public health services and international peace. The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Central Asia, Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia noted an important role of Turkmenistan as reliable platform for development of joint solutions in this area.

During discussions, issues of cooperation within the Commonwealth of Independent States were also touched upon. In his welcoming message to participants of the international seminar, the Secretary General of the CIS underlined the role of Turkmenistan in strengthening cooperation within the Commonwealth. As was pointed out, during the current year, joint efforts to prevent infectious and non-contagious diseases will be a priority for CIS countries.

During the seminar, the heads of delegations from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia also shared their experience. Speeches were devoted to concrete areas of regional cooperation, exchange of experience in professional training and introduction of innovative technologies in medicine.

The pro-rector of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, in turn, focused attention on theoretical bases of medical diplomacy.

The resident co-ordinator of the United Nations in Turkmenistan noted a high level of established cooperation, having underlined that consecutive work carried out in Turkmenistan to introduce international standards in the national legislation and public health services system already bears positive fruits.

Delegates have especially underlined the importance of the Ashgabat declaration on prevention and combat of non-contagious diseases. As was marked, this important document, which singles out preventive measures and healthy way of life as a priority measure, serves today as a guide for cooperation with regional countries.

The Turkmen party confirmed again readiness to co-ordinate efforts to solve important issues of international cooperation. In the general opinion, the policy of Turkmenistan based on principles of neutrality, creates favourable conditions for the open and effective dialogue on topical issues of the global agenda.

Foreign guests expressed their gratitude for the hospitality shown in the Turkmen land and a high level of organisation of the event, which lays a strong basis for analysis of proposals arriving and development of concrete recommendations.

Results of the first day of the international seminar «High-Level Dialogue on Global Health Diplomacy» displayed the fact that Ashgabat confidently strengthens the positions as an intellectual centre of the region.

The seminar is scheduled to run through February 18.