The Turkmen people, with their rich heritage and ancient art, have made a significant contribution to the development of world culture. Our country possesses a treasure trove of values, rooted in ancient times and testifying to the rich culture of the Turkmen.
Our cultural heritage, which is a mirror of the soul of the people, represents a unique world. Works created by the talent and skill of our ancestors have become the property not only of the Turkmen people, but also of world civilisation. This is why today special importance is attached to the preservation and popularisation throughout the world of the heritage that has enriched the universal human treasury for centuries, as well as to the in-depth study and development of historical, cultural, spiritual and literary heritage. In educating young people in the spirit of patriotism and developing active, hardworking, and morally stable individuals, we rely, first and foremost, on national principles, which embody the high moral qualities and unique traits of our people.
Over the years of independence, the country has adopted a number of regulatory and legal acts aimed at protecting cultural values. These include the Laws of Turkmenistan «On the protection of national historical and cultural heritage sites», «On museums and museum affairs», «On the protection, export and import of movable cultural values». Specific tasks in this area are defined in the «State program for 2022–2028 for the careful preservation of national historical and cultural heritage sites, their protection and study, and attracting tourists to them», signed by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on the 8th of April, 2022. In addition, in 2024, the State register of national historical and cultural heritage sites of Turkmenistan was published for the first time. Specialists from the National administration for the protection, study, and restoration of historical and cultural monuments, as well as state historical and cultural reserves, continue to identify and register new national heritage sites, clarify their geographic locations, and determine their protected areas.
As President Serdar Berdimuhamedov notes, the country continues large-scale work to modernise national culture, and to deeply study, preserve, and promote the values of our national heritage worldwide. Work is also underway to preserve, study and restore historical and cultural heritage sites. In addition, new nominations are being prepared for inclusion in the UNESCO List of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Having acceded to the UNESCO Conventions for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage, Concerning the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage, and many other documents, Turkmenistan is actively participating in international efforts to implement their provisions and is conducting large-scale work to preserve historical, cultural, and natural monuments, which are an integral part of world civilisation, for future generations.
As is known, such outstanding historical monuments of Turkmenistan as Ancient Merv, Koneurgench and Nisa are included in the UNESCO List of world heritage. This is a recognition of their outstanding value to all humanity.
