From 5 to 8 May 2026, the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized a course of lectures at the Turkmen State Institute of Finance (TSIF), focusing on the prevention and combating of corruption and the development of circular economy.

The event brought together students from the TSIF, Turkmen State University named after Magtymguly, Turkmen State Institute of Economics and Management, and the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

During the module on circular economy, international expert Andrii Vorfolomeiev introduced students to its key principles, concepts, and business models with a particular emphasis on resource efficiency, sustainable production and consumption patterns. He also highlighted relevant good practices from OSCE participating States in promoting circular approaches at the national level.

The module was followed by a workshop on the “Prevention and Combating of Corruption, including in the Environmental Sphere” during which, OSCE experts Dr. Eugeniu Burdelnii and Dr. Elton Qendro exposed students to integrity and good governance principles.

Students gained insights into anti-corruption principles, key concepts, and practical approaches to preventing and addressing corruption in public administration. Particular attention was paid to best practices of the OSCE participating States in promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity, as well as to corruption risks in the environmental sector and tools to mitigate them through effective governance frameworks.

“Corruption isn’t just about money being wasted. It takes away fairness, erodes trust and limits opportunities for people to develop and succeed,” said Dr. Eugeniu Burdelnii, Acting Head of Governance, Economy and Environmental Issues Department, OSCE Presence in Albania.

”By engaging with students today, we are helping to foster a new generation of professionals who believes in integrity and are committed to building stronger institutions that promote integrity and sustainable development in their communities,” emphasized Burdelnii.

“Environmental corruption and environmental crime are increasingly recognized as serious governance and security challenges with direct impacts on public health, natural resources, and sustainable development,” noted Dr. Elton Qendro, National Programme officer, Local Governance and Property, OSCE Presence in Albania, “The experience of the OSCE Presence in Albania in supporting inter-institutional co-operation against environmental crime demonstrates that stronger co-ordination between enforcement institutions, prosecutors, inspectorates, and local authorities can be offered as a practical model for strengthening prevention, accountability, and resilience in other countries as well,” added Qendro.

The сourse included interactive discussions and Q&A sessions, allowing students to reflect on the importance of integrity in both economic and environmental policymaking.

The event contributed to the students’ enhanced knowledge of anti-corruption frameworks, good governance principles, and sustainable development approaches, underlining the importance of linking environmental transformation with transparency and accountability in public administration.