The Central Asian Youth Forum «Health and Sustainable Development as a Path to Peace» has opened at the Institute of Telecommunications and Informatics of Turkmenistan.
The event, organised by the EU Central Asia Drug Action Program (CADAP 7) jointly with the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, brought together young leaders, experts and government officials from Central Asian countries, the European Union and other countries.
The opening ceremony of the forum was attended by Deputy Minister of Education of Turkmenistan Azat Atayev, Advisor on Environmental and Water Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Magtymguly Akmyradov, Director of CADAP 7 Ernest Robello and Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Turkmenistan Maciej Madalinski.
Welcoming the participants, Director of CADAP 7 Ernest Robello noted that the event is being held in honour of the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality and the International Year of Peace and Trust. The goal of the forum is to become a platform for promoting peace, developing dialogue and leadership among the youth of Central Asian countries. Key objectives include strengthening youth capacity, creating activist networks, promoting cultural exchange, and developing cooperation and stability in the region.
The forum then continued with parallel thematic sessions. Participants discussed a wide range of issues, including addiction prevention and mental health, aspects of environmental culture, innovative approaches, educational strategies, and improving the well-being of young people.
The event featured presentations on best practices from foreign and neighboring countries, as well as a «question-answer» session, during which students were actively interested in the possibility of applying these practices in their professional fields.
Tomorrow, the youth dialogue will continue, including sessions on the use of digital platforms and artificial intelligence, as well as on supporting youth start-ups for peace and innovation. At the end of the event, it is planned to adopt a final document and a roadmap for strengthening cooperation between the youth of Central Asia and the European Union.
In addition to the official sessions, a cultural program is planned for guests, including a visit to the National Museum of Turkmen Carpet. The holding of the forum in Ashgabat confirms the commitment of the CADAP programme to expand opportunities for young people and strengthen cooperation between the EU and Central Asia.
