We, the participants of the International Conference “The Role of Women in Modern Society: Advancing International Cooperation for Sustainable Development,” gathered in the National Tourist Zone “Awaza” (Turkmenistan) on 10 December 2025 at the invitation of the Government of Turkmenistan in cooperation with the United Nations, on the eve of the International Day of Neutrality and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality in the International Year of Peace and Trust (2025), guided by the spirit of strengthening multilateral dialogue, partnership and cooperation among States in the interest of sustainable development, gender equality and the empowerment of women,

Recognizing our commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including respect for human rights, equality between men and women, and the promotion of universal security and progress,

Noting that the rising role of women in modern society represents one of the defining trends of global social development and encompasses traditional family responsibilities as well as professional, public and managerial functions, and recognizing that the active participation of women in all spheres of public and social life contributes to the advancement of social progress, economic growth, and humanitarian values,

Acting in the context of the International Year of Peace and Trust (2025), and taking into account that the international community in 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action of 1995, and entering the final phase of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,

Recalling to the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995), which became the agenda for the empowerment of women and the main global strategic document for achieving gender equality, and reaffirming its commitment to its goals and strategic directions,

Recalling also the relevant resolutions and decisions of the United Nations aimed at promoting and protecting the rights of women, including resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly on improvement of the status of women and the achievement of gender equality, and taking into account the conclusions and recommendations of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women,

Emphasizing the importance of the full and effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and all 17 Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 5 – achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls, as well as the Women, Peace and Security Agenda on women, peace, and security and other global initiatives aimed at the full inclusion of women in the peacebuilding and humanitarian dimensions of development,

Convinced that further strengthening international cooperation on enhancing the role of women in the life of states, ensuring their rights, opportunities, and decent living conditions, as well as integrating a gender perspective into all areas of policy and development, is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals and building a just, peaceful and inclusive society,

I. Participation of Women in Public Administration and Civil Society

Reaffirm that the full and equal participation of women in leadership, public administration, and civil society institutions is essential to ensuring effective, accountable and inclusive governance;

Note that the presence of women at all levels of decision-making contributes to enriching political discourse, increasing the focus of policies on the needs of the entire population, and promoting sustainable and inclusive development;

Call upon all United Nations Member States to ensure the necessary conditions for women’s the full and equal participation in political and public life, with a particular focus on developing their leadership potential through training and mentoring programmes, supporting the active citizenship of young women leaders, and expanding opportunities for women participate in political parties, trade unions and other public associations;

Note the important role of civil society, women’s non-governmental organizations, and movements in promoting gender equality and protecting the rights and interests of women;

Encourage awareness-raising campaigns and educational programmes aimed at increasing public awareness of the significant contributions of women leaders, as well as actively involving men in efforts to promote gender equality and support women leaders;

II. Economic Opportunities for Women

Note that the economic empowerment of women is a crucial element in achieving sustainable development, contributing significantly to poverty reduction, the well-being of families and society, and sustainable economic growth at the national and global levels;

Affirm that equal economic opportunities for women should be promoted by strengthening national sustainable development strategies and programmes aimed at expanding women’s participation in the economy and creating favorable conditions for women's entrepreneurial activities;

Note that the development of women’s entrepreneurship and support for women entrepreneurs play an important role in sustainable economic growth and improving the socio-economic situation of society;

Emphasize that the digital transformation of the economy must be accompanied by efforts to bridge the gender digital divide, noting that expanding women’s participation in the digital economy and high-tech industries is not only a matter of fairness, but also has significant economic potential;

III. Social Engagement of Women in Education, Health and Environment

Affirm that ensuring equal access for women and girls to quality education at all levels is fundamental to their empowerment in society, and note the significant progress that has been made in this area over the past decades;

Note that the most important area of social activity is the involvement of women in the fields of science, culture, education, and youth development, given that women constitute a significant proportion of workers in education and health care and their contribution is critical to the development of human capital;

Emphasize the need to encourage professional women to serve as mentors and role models for the younger generation, inspiring girls and young women to pursue careers in science, medicine, ecology, and other important social fields;

Recognize that the health of women and girls is essential to the health of a nation and to sustainable development, emphasizing that positive changes have been achieved at the global level in recent years;

Emphasize the need to further strengthen health systems, taking into account gender aspects, from expanding coverage of maternal and child health services to ensuring widespread access to modern family planning services;

Note that women play a key role in maintaining the health of families and communities as mothers, caregivers, health workers, and volunteers, and that their care ensures the well-being of future generations;

Emphasize that women are active participants in efforts to protect the environment and combat climate change, and we welcome their growing contribution to the development and implementation of environmental policy;

Call upon the international community and national governments to more actively involve women in decision-making processes on environmental issues, climate change, water and energy resource management;

Note that educated and healthy women who have realized their potential make a more significant contribution to economic development, family well-being, and the strengthening of peace and stability;

Call upon Member States, educational and scientific institutions, the private sector, and civil society to establish partnerships to support social initiatives led by women, including in the areas of education, health, culture, and the environment;

IV. International Cooperation and Partnerships for Gender Equality

Reaffirm that addressing gender equality and the empowerment of women requires active international cooperation, exchange of experiences, and joint action by all Member States, the United Nations system, regional organizations, civil society and the private sector;

Welcome the efforts made at the global and regional levels to coordinate policies in the field of gender equality and emphasize the value of multilateral dialogue on these issues;

Particularly note the importance of international and regional conferences and forums devoted to the role of women as platforms for sharing best practices, monitoring progress and developing coordinated approaches;

Recommend continuing the practice of periodically convening such forums, including on the margins of the United Nations, in order to maintain the constant attention of the international community to issues of expanding women’s rights and ensure the further advancement of this agenda;

Call for the creation and strengthening of new dialogue platforms and networks aimed at promoting cooperation on gender issues;

Call for expanded collaboration between governments, international organizations, and civil society to implement joint initiatives such as global networks of women leaders, regional forums for businesswomen, youth women’s summits and others;

Support the idea of establishing permanent thematic Groups of Friends on gender equality issues at the United Nations and regional platforms, which will promote the mobilization of resources and political support for relevant programmes;

Confident that new platforms for direct exchange of experiences between women leaders, parliamentarians, entrepreneurs, scientists and cultural figures will serve as important mechanisms for mutual learning and strengthening the global movement for women’s rights;

Note the complementarity of the Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security agendas and emphasize the importance of including young women in peacebuilding initiatives;

Call upon the United Nations and its specialized agencies, as well as international financial institutions, to continue and increase their support for national efforts to achieve gender equality;

Express our profound appreciation to the Government of Turkmenistan, the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship, the United Nations system structures, and all organizers and partners for holding this International Conference dedicated to the role of women in modern society, and for their consistent contribution to the promotion of ideas of gender equality, mutual understanding and sustainable development;

Declare our readiness to continue cooperation within the framework of the United Nations, regional organizations, multilateral and bilateral initiatives for the practical implementation of the ideas and recommendations developed during the Conference, and have agreed to continue to make joint efforts with a view to achieving tangible progress in the empowerment of women, promoting their participation in all spheres of life, and ensuring equality on a global scale;

Call upon Member States, United Nations entities and relevant partners to continue to strengthen the spirit of dialogue, cooperation and equality, thereby ensuring that the empowerment of women becomes a lasting asset of the international community and one of the key priorities of international cooperation.

Awaza, Turkmenistan, 10 December 2025