Today, an informational and educational event called "Principles of Patriotism and Humanism" took place in the conference hall of the Central Office of the National Society of the Red Crescent of Turkmenistan (NSRCT) in a hybrid format. The event was attended by representatives of the NSRCT, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for Central Asia (UNHCR), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the International Committee of the Red Cross in Turkmenistan.
It is worth noting that the National Society of the Red Crescent of Turkmenistan, established in 1926, represents our country in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. As one of the oldest humanitarian public organizations, the NSRCT actively participates in the socio-economic transformations taking place in our state, particularly in areas such as ensuring social protection of citizens, healthcare, strengthening the status of the family institution, and educating the younger generation in the spirit of the best traditions of the Turkmen people - mercy, empathy and compassion for others.
A wide range of cooperation issues with major international organizations and structures, primarily the UN, were discussed at the meeting. Joint activities enable the National Society of the Red Crescent of Turkmenistan to realize its potential, enhance the knowledge level of the Society's employees and volunteers.
Special emphasis was placed on the fact that Turkmenistan, as a democratic, legal, and secular state, puts forward initiatives aimed at addressing current issues on the global agenda, including the promotion of high humanistic ideals and values. By proclaiming the protection of human interests and rights as a key aspect of its State policy and recognizing the priority of generally accepted norms of international law, our independent neutral country consistently fulfills its obligations under the relevant documents it has undertaken.
In this context, the activities of the National Society are aligned with the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, namely humanitarianism, neutrality, independence, and voluntarism.
Information was presented regarding the planned collaboration with relevant ministries and departments, aimed at information exchange, organizing business meetings and conducting training events. There were highlighted the practical implementation tasks of the discussed "Action Plan for 2024-2026 on the Implementation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in Turkmenistan".
As known, the NSRCT is part of the Working Group of the Interdepartmental Commission on Ensuring the Fulfillment of International Obligations of Turkmenistan in the Field of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, established by the President's Decree in 2011.
In this regard, the significant work carried out by the Society in disseminating knowledge about international humanitarian law and integrating it into national legislation was emphasized. The Red Crescent Society actively participates in the activities of the Interdepartmental Commission, and has initiated training sessions and seminars and prepared training manuals for secondary school teachers.
It was also noted in the speeches that Turkmenistan, as a permanent member of the International Organization for Migration, makes a significant contribution to the efforts of the global community by implementing projects and programs in this field. By adhering to key international legal documents of the UN, including the Conventions "On the Status of Refugees," "On the Status of Stateless Persons," and "On the Reduction of Statelessness," our country effectively confirms its commitment to the undertaken obligations.
Significant work is being carried out in Turkmenistan on the admission to citizenship and the issuance of residence permits for foreign citizens and stateless persons.
The speakers also touched upon the issues related to the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the outstanding poet and philosopher Magtymguly Fragi in 2024, both in our country and abroad. The creative legacy of the great poet and thinker is an invaluable national treasure and an integral part of the world's cultural heritage. His poetry resonates in the hearts of people, as they express timeless universal values such as love for the homeland, humanism, peace, the call for creation, friendship and brotherhood.
