On December 4, an Online International Scientific Conference entitled “Neutral Turkmenistan UNESCO: International Cooperation in the Fields of History and Culture” was held in the capital.Co-organized by the Magtymguly Institute of Language, Literature and National Manuscripts and the Institute of History and Archeology of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan to mark the 25th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s neutrality, the forum aimed to recognize the importance of the status of neutrality for promoting international cooperation on key global issues of today.
The Oguzkhan University of Engineering Technologies hosted the International Conference’s opening ceremony and an exhibition exploring the collaboration between Turkmenistan and UNESCO in the fields of science, education, culture and heritage preservation.
The exposition showcased scholarly papers, archeological finds, artworks, arts and crafts, including Turkmen carpets that have made it onto the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and photographs of the nominees for inscription on the List.
The exhibition’s special section featured translated ancient oriental manuscripts, and research works by scientists of the Institute of Language, Literature and National Manuscripts 25 books published in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the country’s neutrality.
A video film about Turkmenistan’s achievements on the road of neutral development and cooperation with UNESCO was shown prior to the opening of the Scientific Conference.The international forum brought together UNESCO representatives and eminent scientists: historians, archeologists, heads of leading research centers and higher education institutions, linguists, experts in literature, and translators from 20-plus countries.
The importance of the Conference was highlighted in a Welcome Address sent by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to its participants.As stated in the presidential message, our country pays much attention to fostering the partnership with UNESCO. “Various events, organized in Turkmenistan to develop and strengthen relations and to open new vistas of partnership with the Organization, serve as a clear indication of the enhanced international dialogue in the cultural and humanitarian area”, the head of state stressed in his Welcome Address.
Keynote speakers at a plenary meeting included the UNESCO Regional Representative, scientists from France, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine.Some reports focused on the universal cultural significance of ancient manuscripts, historical and archaeological sites, the Bronze Age site of Ulug Depe in the Kopetdag foothills, and the Turkmen cities located along railways in the early 20th century.
Workshop sessions entitled “Neutrality of Turkmenistan and Its Roots”, “UNESCO and National Heritage of the Turkmen nation”, “Ancient Turkmen Cities and Their Social and Political Life” took place in conference halls of the Academy of Sciences, the Turkmen State Institute of Culture, and the Technology Center of the Academy of Sciences.
The forum participants discussed issues of international scientific exchanges and prospects for enhanced fruitful cooperation in the context of the National Commission for UNESCO established this year.The 2021-2023 Action Plan between the Government of Turkmenistan and UNESCO envisages a number of events, such as the organization of an official visit by UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay to Turkmenistan next year; preparations for inclusion of Ashgabat and Turkmenabat in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a UNESCO Creative City of Design and as a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art respectively, as well as the city of Mary as a UNESCO Creative City of Literature in the future.
The speakers emphasized our country’s commitment to upholding national and universal values, promoting friendship and trust-based relations between countries and nations through an open and constructive cultural-humanitarian dialogue.
In this context, the participants recognized the symbolic significance of the fact that the United Nations had declared 2021 as the International Year of Peace and Trust on the initiative of the head of Turkmenistan.
This stands as eloquent testimony to a real triumph of our cultural and scientific diplomacy for the sake of strengthening world peace and achieving common prosperity.Before bringing the online International Scientific Conference “Neutral Turkmenistan UNESCO: International Cooperation in the Fields of History and Culture” to a close, its participants sent a message of gratitude to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, expressing their sincere appreciation for his support and assistance in holding the forum and considerable attention to the preservation, study and worldwide popularization of the Turkmen nation’s rich historical and cultural heritage.