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On 8 November 2024, a regional ministerial conference on ending statelessness in Central Asia was held at the "Yyldyz" hotel in our capital. Representatives from international organizations, officials from specialized agencies of our country and foreign states, including leaders and representatives of relevant bodies from the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan, participated in the conference.

As is known, our country was the first in Central Asia to join the convention on the reduction of statelessness and successfully completed the #IBELONG initiative aimed at eliminating statelessness. Turkmenistan continues to focus on intensifying international cooperation in this area. The head of the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan opened the conference and spoke about the implementation of the issues outlined in the National Action Plan for the elimination of statelessness for 2019-2024. Large-scale efforts have been carried out in our country to reduce and prevent statelessness.

To date, more than 32,000 refugees and stateless persons have been granted Turkmen citizenship. He emphasized that the National Action Plan for eliminating statelessness, adopted for a five-year period, has been successfully implemented. On October 15 of this year, during the 75th session of the Executive Committee of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' Programme in Geneva, Switzerland, the new Global Alliance to End Statelessness was announced. Turkmenistan joined this Alliance and continues effective cooperation in this area.

The Assistant High Commissioner for Protection of the UNHCR, Ruvendri Menikdiwela, noted that Turkmenistan's achievements in the field of human rights, including civil rights, have been widely recognized by the international community. He highlighted Turkmenistan's readiness to expand cooperation in this area. The conference continued with six plenary sessions. Participants of the conference noted that according to the Constitution of Turkmenistan, human beings are the highest value of society and the state.

In this regard, significant efforts are being made to protect and guarantee the rights, freedoms, and interests of all individuals living in the country, based on national legislation and international norms. It was also noted that Turkmenistan, together with the UN and other international organizations, is taking the necessary steps to ensure the rights of refugees and stateless persons. As a permanent member of the International Organization for Migration, Turkmenistan is contributing significantly to global efforts by implementing projects and programs in this area.

The conference emphasized that Turkmenistan is effectively fulfilling its international obligations to address the social protection of stateless persons and migrants, ensuring them equal opportunities. During the conference, working sessions were held, and new relations were established, with discussions on future areas of cooperation.

As a result of the regional conference on ending statelessness in Central Asia, a final document was adopted. As part of the program, excursions to the State Museum of the State Cultural Center of Turkmenistan and to the beautiful places of Ashgabat were organized for the guests.

Photo: Orient.tm