Creative Industries as a New Format for Cultural Dialogue in the CIS – from St. Petersburg to Ashgabat
The International Conference on Strengthening Cultural Ties and Developing Creative Industries was held in St. Petersburg, bringing together leaders from the Commonwealth countries. A delegation from Turkmenistan, led by Education Minister Jumamyrat Gurbangeldiyev, participated in the prestigious forum. The high profile of the event was underscored by the personal participation of Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin, Prime Minister of Belarus Alexander Turchin, Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov, Prime Minister of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda, and First Deputy Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Adylbek Kasymaliev.
The participants focused on preserving shared historical and cultural heritage, expanding interstate humanitarian dialogue, and promoting modern creative industries as one of the most dynamic areas of contemporary international cooperation.
During the plenary session dedicated to global cultural dialogue, as well as on the sidelines of specialized panel discussions, delegates discussed current trends and long-term prospects for cooperation in cinema, theater, music, museums, and libraries.
Speaking to their foreign colleagues, Turkmenistan's Minister of Education, Jumamyrat Gurbangeldiyev, emphasized that, given Turkmenistan's current chairmanship of the CIS in 2026, Ashgabat prioritizes intensifying humanitarian partnerships and introducing innovative formats for interaction. Guided by its far-sighted "open door" policy and its status of permanent neutrality recognized by the UN General Assembly, Turkmenistan views culture as a fundamental "golden bridge" capable of effectively uniting nations, strengthening mutual trust, and deep respect.
According to the head of the delegation, culture and art have always been at the core of traditions, the strength of which has become a solid foundation for spiritual unity in the modern era, transforming the ancestral legacy not into frozen history, but into a living civilizational code.
For centuries, the Turkmen people have carefully preserved their unique values: traditions of handicrafts, respect for family, the elder generation, labor, and knowledge. Today, Turkmenistan is engaged in fruitful cooperation both within the CIS and on a broader international scale, particularly with UNESCO, in preserving, studying, and promoting this wealth.
The interstate program "Cultural Capital of the Commonwealth" plays a key role in this process, under which the ancient Turkmen cities of Merv and Dashoguz have, over the years, become centers of attraction in the CIS. This experience convincingly proves that joint projects strengthen bonds of friendship, expand contacts, and create new horizons for scientists, creative intellectuals, and youth across the Commonwealth.
Touching upon modern challenges, the Turkmen side drew delegates' attention to the rapid development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence. For Turkmenistan, it is fundamentally important that innovations strengthen traditions rather than sever them.
Ashgabat views digital tools as a unique opportunity to promote enduring values, increase the younger generation's interest in national heritage, and showcase rich cultural heritage in virtual space, making them accessible to researchers, educators, and the general public.
In the modern era, culture must be positioned not simply as a spiritual sphere, but also as a crucial factor in sustainable development. This is why Turkmenistan fully supports the innovative approach to establishing the Association of Creative Industries in the CIS, which opens up additional opportunities for unlocking the creative potential of young people and promoting national brands in modern formats.
A meeting of the Council for Cultural Cooperation of the CIS Member States is scheduled to be held in Ashgabat before the end of the year. Priorities for preserving historical heritage and expanding humanitarian contacts will be identified.
The active participation of the Turkmen delegation in the St. Petersburg forum once again demonstrated the state's unwavering commitment to the comprehensive development of friendship and mutual understanding within the Commonwealth. On the sidelines of the conference, the Turkmen side confirmed its strong interest in intensifying cultural exchanges, supporting large-scale network projects, and long-term strengthening of direct professional ties between leading cultural institutions, scientific and educational centers, and creative unions of the CIS member states.
