From October 9 to 23, 2024, the 220th Session of the UNESCO Executive Board is being held in Paris, with the participation of representatives of Turkmenistan. Maksat Charyev, Permanent Delegate of Turkmenistan to UNESCO, and Chinar Rustamova, Executive Secretary of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO, represented the country at the traditional meeting of National Commissions for UNESCO of the member countries of the organization.
The Turkmen side held meetings with Fumiko Ohinata, Secretary of the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and Denise Bax, head of the Creative Cities Network, where they discussed current cooperation issues and plans for the upcoming period.
The Embassy of Turkmenistan in Paris hosted a luncheon at UNESCO Headquarters, inviting Permanent delegates, Ambassadors to UNESCO, and General Secretaries of UNESCO National Commissions of the TURKSOY member countries. Chinar Rustamova, Executive Secretary of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO, informed attendees about ongoing efforts in Turkmenistan to implement tasks set during the 10th meeting of UNESCO National Commissions of TURKSOY member countries held on May 16 this year in Ashgabat. She also proposed several initiatives for regional collaboration on preserving and promoting ancient monuments and their inclusion in UNESCO lists.
Turkmenistan's efforts aim to expand its longstanding fruitful cooperation with UNESCO in preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Turkmen people. Over 1,000 historical and cultural monuments have been identified and registered in Turkmenistan. Unique monuments like Ancient Merv, Kunya-Urgench, and Parthian Fortresses of Nisa are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Turkmenistan is one of the most active participants in the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List includes the following: epic art of Gyoroglu; Kushtdepdi rite of song and dance; the traditional art of Turkmen carpet making; dutar handicrafts and traditional musical performance art combined with singing; art of Akhal-Teke horse breeding and traditions of horses' decoration. The certificate ceremony for including "Art of Akhal-Teke horse breeding and traditions of horses' decoration" in UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity recently took place at the Aba Annayev International Horse Breeding Academy in Arkadag, located on the ancient land of "heavenly" Akhal-Teke horses.
The nomination "Art of Turkmen needlework" was added to UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on behalf of Turkmenistan and Iran. Turkmenistan also actively participated in preparing multinational nominations like "Nowruz Bayram" and "Telling Traditions of Hodja Nasreddin Anecdotes" for inclusion in UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
A transnational serial nomination "Great Silk Road: Zarafshan–Karakum Corridor", included in UNESCO World Heritage List in September 2023, was prepared with the participation off specialists from Turkmenistan's National Deparment for Protection, Study and Restoration of Historical and Cultural Monuments and State Historical-Cultural Reserves "Kerki" and "Ancient Merv". It comprises over thirty monuments across Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, including seven Turkmen monuments such as Amul Settlement, Rabat Mansaf, caravanserais Kone-Kala, At-Tahmalaj, Akcha-Kala, Kyzylcha-Kala, Kushmeyhan Settlement.
On behalf of three regional countries—Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—the transnational serial natural site "Cold Winter Deserts of Turan" was included in UNESCO World Heritage List. It consists of 15 components, four nominated by Turkmenistan: "Bereketli Garagum," "Gaplangyr," "Repetek," and "Yeraji," all protected areas under state protection.
At the meeting of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO held earlier this year, discussions focused on enhancing participation in UNESCO programs and projects, strengthening its role within major organizational structures, expanding international scientific cooperation, exploring digital project collaboration opportunities, and information exchange.
