The “Dialogue – Guarantee of Peace” International Youth Forum, dedicated to the role of youth in promoting sustainable peace, was held today at the International Academy of Horse Breeding named after Aba Annayev in Arkadag city.

Officials responsible for youth policy of the Central Asian states, representatives of ministries, departments, public organizations and youth from the People’s Republic of China, the United Arab Emirates, Libya, the Republic of Azerbaijan and other countries were invited to participate in the multilateral forum, organized in a hybrid format including the head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), employees of structural divisions and agencies of the United Nations, including UNDP, the UN Environment Program, UNICEF, UNESCO and UNFPA.

The Turkmen side was represented by leaders and representatives of the Ministry of Education, the Central Council of the Youth Organization of Turkmenistan named after Magtymguly, young members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of the country, as well as teachers and students from a number of capital universities, particularly the Institute of International Relations, the International University of Humanities and Development, Institute of Telecommunications and Informatics, Turkmen National Institute of World Languages named after Dovletmammet Azadi, etc.

Before the start of the forum, its numerous participants got acquainted with the exhibition of decorative and applied arts on display in the spacious foyer of the International Academy of Horse Breeding, which gave an idea of the multifaceted and rich cultural heritage of the Turkmen people.

The Strategy for International Cooperation of Youth of Turkmenistan for 2023–2030, adopted in June of the current year, is aimed at strengthening ties with the youth of other countries in the name of building a better future.

As it was emphasized, youth policy is one of the main vectors of interaction between the Government of Turkmenistan and the United Nations, which solid positive experience of joint work has been accumulated with in recent years.

Our country makes a great contribution to the successful implementation of the UN SDGs aimed at developing education throughout the world and solving a range of problems affecting youth.

Consistent implementation of the “Concept for the development of the digital education system”, “The Concept for improving the teaching of foreign languages”, “The Concept for improving the teaching of subjects related to natural and exact sciences in Turkmenistan” helps to improve the quality of education and the efficiency of research activities of young people in our country.

The speeches noted that in the modern world, youth are playing an increasingly important role in resolving issues of strengthening peace and security, as evidenced by the special UN Security Council Resolution adopted in December 2015, which became an important milestone in recognizing the potentially positive role of the younger generation in conflict situations, and post-conflict situations.

On September 24, 2018, the launch of Youth 2030: The United Nations Youth Strategy was announced, which included peace and security among the priority thematic areas.

According to the general opinion, holding the “Dialogue – Guarantee of Peace” International Youth Forum will facilitate strengthening relations of friendship and mutual respect between countries, understanding the importance of dialogue in preventing and resolving conflicts, and actively involving youth in activities to strengthen peace and security.

The forum work continued within the framework of four thematic sections: “Youth Initiatives for Peace: Successful Projects and Initiatives that Promote the Establishment of Peace and Social Cohesion”; “Climate Change: the Relationship between Environmental Sustainability and Peacebuilding”; “Digital Diplomacy and Peacebuilding: Using Technology and Social Media for Positive Peace Efforts”; “Promoting Peace through Culture and Art: Uniting the Voices of Youth in Central Asia.”

As part of the current event, the inaugural meeting “Dialogue of Youth of the Countries of Central Asia” attended by responsible persons in the field of youth policy of the states of the region – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as representatives of international organizations, was held in the afternoon.

The meeting participants emphasized the absolute importance of establishing this format in order to maintain dialogue among the youth of Central Asian countries, forming a platform for uniting the efforts of young people in the region in promoting common interests in the international arena.

On the part of UNRCCA, in particular, the “Academy of Preventive Diplomacy” project is being implemented, providing young people with the opportunity to become familiar with effective preventive tools within the United Nations system. The practice of youth dialogues with officials of the governments of the countries of the region has also been established at the site of the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia, as well as within the framework of the annual meetings of the Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Central Asian countries.

As it is known, within the framework of the fifth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, an Agreement was signed between the states of Central Asia on the general directions of youth policy, which indicates a common understanding of the importance of supporting and stimulating the initiatives of young people.

Turkmenistan always advocates expanding cooperation between countries in this area. Today’s large-scale forum confirms this.

The participants of the multilateral meeting were unanimous in the opinion that such events facilitate the further growth of social activity of young people, the expansion of international contacts, the patriotic education of citizens, close interaction and solidarity of the younger generation.

Confidence was expressed that the results of the “Dialogue is a Guarantee of Peace” forum will help to improve the efficiency of youth organizations and strengthen international dialogue. Those gathered expressed sincere gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as well as the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Hero-Arkadag for their multifaceted activities aimed at implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring world peace, strengthening and expanding international youth cooperation.

The productive exchange of views on ways to expand interaction in this important area confirmed the mutual interest and desire of the states of the Central Asian region to further enhance cooperation based on the traditions of long-term friendship and good neighborliness.

A signing ceremony of the “Dialogue of Youth of Central Asian Countries” Memorandum concluded the forum.

An extensive cultural program was prepared for the participants of the current event.