On 18 November, a delegation from Turkmenistan led by Head of the National Centre of Trade Unions Oguljennet Berdiliyeva held a series of meetings with ILO representatives in Geneva. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. Negotiations were held with Assistant Director-General and ILO Regional Director Beata Andres, Director of the ILO Workers' Bureau Oliver Röpke, Director of the ILO International Labour Standards Department Corinne Vargha and other experts. They discussed cooperation, the implementation of the joint Action Plan and further steps in the field of decent work, social dialogue and the modernisation of labour legislation. ILO technical experts held consultations on the ratification and application of international labour standards. ILO representatives positively assessed Turkmenistan's efforts to strengthen the protection of labour rights and combat forced and child labour. The parties confirmed their readiness to continue working together.
A phone conversation was held on 19 November between Rashid Meredov, Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, and Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister of Slovenia. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the development of bilateral relations. They talked about political and diplomatic dialogue, trade and economic contacts, and humanitarian ties. It was noted that Turkmenistan and Slovenia cooperate in international organisations, including the UN, and provide mutual support for each other's initiatives. The interlocutors also exchanged views on the International Forum on Peace and Trust, which will be held on 12 December in Ashgabat.
A conference dedicated to Turkmen-French relations was held at the Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS) in Paris. The event was organised by the Embassy of Turkmenistan and timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the country's neutrality and the legacy of Magtymguly Pyragy, according to IIC. Participants noted that Turkmenistan considers the development of the education system and its integration into the international arena to be one of its key priorities. It was emphasised that the policy of permanent neutrality, based on trust and dialogue, contributes to stability in Central Asia and opens up new opportunities for cooperation with France. An important topic of the conference was the cultural heritage of Magtymguly Pyragy. His ideas of peace and humanism were presented as a common spiritual guideline that strengthens ties between the two countries.
From 17 to 18 November, a technical advisory mission from the WHO Regional Office for Europe visited Turkmenistan. Its aim is to support national efforts in the field of environmental and health protection within the framework of the ‘One Health’ approach, according to Turkmenportal. The delegation was led by Sinaia Netanyahu, Programme Manager for Environmental and Health Impact Assessment at the WHO European Centre. During the visit, a national seminar was held on the implementation of the ‘One Health’ approach. Representatives of relevant ministries, departments, the Myrat Garryev State Medical University, the S. A. Niyazov Turkmen Agricultural University and the Academy of Sciences took part in the seminar. The integration of environmental aspects into national ‘One Health’ initiatives within the framework of the multi-country Pandemic Fund project was discussed. Participants focused on health, environmental and agricultural challenges, as well as the need for cross-sectoral coordination in surveillance, risk assessment and response to disease outbreaks. In addition, experts considered the alignment of the environmental component of the ‘One Health’ approach with the Joint Environmental Action Plan, the WHO Roadmap for Central Asia, the Budapest Declaration and global biodiversity documents, including the Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health. Special attention was paid to the effective use of the Pandemic Fund's resources.
A delegation of doctors from Kyushu University Hospital (Fukuoka) arrived in Turkmenistan as part of a special programme organised by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The Japanese specialists are holding working meetings and sharing their experience of performing modern endoscopic surgery on the gastrointestinal tract, according to Infoportal. During the visit, the doctors familiarised themselves with the equipment used in Turkmen medical institutions and participated in the diagnosis and treatment of patients together with local specialists. Particular emphasis was placed on the use of new equipment for accurate diagnosis and minimally invasive surgical techniques. On 18 November, a joint scientific and practical seminar was held at the International Scientific and Clinical Centre for Physiology. Professors and doctors from both countries discussed the practice of modern endoscopic surgery, the results of operations and the possibilities for further implementation of seamless treatment methods. Professor Tomohiko Mariama, a doctor-endoscopist at Kyushu National University Clinic, noted that modern diagnostic and treatment technologies are being actively introduced in Turkmenistan, which improves the quality of medical care. The visit of Japanese specialists continues. Additional operations and consultations are planned in Ashgabat clinics.
A concert dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the birth of French composer Maurice Ravel was held in Ashgabat. The event was a notable occasion in the cultural calendar and presented listeners with key works by the master of musical impressionism, according to IIC. The State Symphony Orchestra of Turkmenistan, conducted by Honoured Artist of the country Rasul Klychev, performed a programme that included Ravel's most iconic works. The evening was opened by French Ambassador to Turkmenistan Philippe Merlin, who emphasised the importance of the composer's work for world musical culture. The concert featured ‘Pavane for a Dead Princess,’ one of Ravel's most famous lyrical compositions, as well as his ‘Piano Concerto in G major (M.83)’. The solo part in the three-part concerto was performed by pianist Vladimir Mkrtumov, Honoured Artist of Turkmenistan. The programme also included ‘Morning Song of the Jester’. The highlight of the evening was the performance of ‘Bolero’, presented for the first time on the Turkmen stage.
On 18 November, the Foreign Affairs Ministers of Turkmenistan and Kenya held telephone negotiations. Rashid Meredov and Musalia Mudavadi discussed the development of political dialogue and the expansion of cooperation in the economic and cultural spheres, according to the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties noted the importance of cooperation within international organisations, primarily the UN. The Ministers also exchanged views on preparations for the International Forum on Peace and Trust, which will be held on 12 December in Ashgabat and will be dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust, the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality and the International Day of Neutrality.
On 18 November, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov received the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar to Turkmenistan, Nasser bin Ahmed Al-Taher. The Diplomat presented his credentials, according to TDH. The Ambassador conveyed greetings from the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and noted the friendly nature of relations between the countries. He also congratulated the Head of Turkmenistan on the recent award of the ‘Oliý Darajali Dustlik’ order in Uzbekistan. The President congratulated Nasser bin Ahmed Al-Taher on his appointment and expressed his readiness to develop cooperation. He emphasised the importance of partnership with Qatar and conveyed his best wishes to the Emir of Qatar. The parties noted the stable nature of Turkmen-Qatari relations and the growth of cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic ties. The meeting discussed prospects for expanding trade and economic contacts. Possible areas include the fuel and energy complex, investment, transport, communications, the chemical and textile industries, agriculture, healthcare and high technology. Cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian sphere was also touched upon, including the study of the historical and cultural heritage of the two peoples.
A meeting with a Turkish delegation, comprising parliamentarians and public figures, was held at the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Kingdom of Belgium. The event was attended by Barış Tantekin, Turkey's Ambassador to Belgium, according to Orient. The meeting was a continuation of the Embassy's cooperation with the Eurovia VZW organisation. Guests were offered traditional Turkmen dishes. An exhibition of Turkmen applied art was also presented, featuring carpets, jewellery, national costumes and musical instruments. Turkmenistan's Ambassador Sapar Palvanov held a briefing on the country's permanent neutrality status. He emphasised that neutrality has become an instrument of preventive diplomacy at the international level. Turkmenistan's initiatives at the UN, including the International Year of Peace and Trust, were highlighted separately. The parties discussed the Turkmen-Turkish partnership. They highlighted the common approaches of the two countries, based on historical and cultural ties, as well as areas of cooperation in the transport, energy and cultural spheres.
On 17 November, a telephone conversation was held between the Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, and the Foreign Affairs Minister of Algeria, Ahmed Attaf. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed topical issues of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on the prospects for expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest. During the conversation, they noted the fruitful cooperation between Turkmenistan and Algeria within international organisations, including the UN. In addition, the diplomats discussed preparations for the International Forum on Peace and Trust, which is scheduled for 12 December in Ashgabat.
On 17 November, at the initiative of the Turkmen side, a meeting was held in the Malaysian Parliament between the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Malaysia, Muhammetniyaz Mashalov, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Regional Development of Malaysia, Dr Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties exchanged views on the current state of Turkmen-Malaysian cooperation and discussed opportunities for its further development in the political, trade, economic, energy, cultural and humanitarian spheres. Particular attention was paid to the successful long-term partnership between Turkmenistan and ‘Petronas’, which serves as a basis for deepening cooperation in the energy sector. The Malaysian side expressed interest in strengthening ties between the business communities of the two countries, especially in the field of halal production and certification. Following the meeting, the parties agreed to maintain regular dialogue at the level of foreign ministries in order to strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation.
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov sent congratulations to President of the Republic of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs on the occasion of Latvia's Independence Day. This was reported by AsmanNews. In his address, the Head of State wished the Latvian leader good health and success, and the people of Latvia peace, prosperity and further development.