The Meeting of Heads of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of the CIS countries, as well as representatives of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross, concluded in Ashgabat.
The event resulted in the signing of important documents aimed at strengthening cooperation. In particular, Memorandums of Understanding were signed between the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan and the Qatar Red Crescent Society, as well as between the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan and the Russian Red Cross.
"It is a great honor for us to participate in the meeting in Ashgabat," said Ebrahim Hashim Al-Sada, Vice President of the Qatar Red Crescent Society. "Within the framework of the signed Memorandum, we will develop cooperation in the areas of volunteering and other fields. The Qatar Red Crescent has accumulated significant experience in humanitarian activities in the Middle East and beyond. We are now expanding cooperation with the countries of Central Asia."
As noted by the Chairman of the Russian Red Cross (RRC), Pavel Savchuk, the signed Memorandum between the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan and the Russian Red Cross became an additional impetus for the development of bilateral interaction. He emphasized that Russia’s accumulated experience in emergency response could be useful to Turkmen colleagues. During a separate meeting, the heads of regional branches expressed keen interest in the infrastructure of mobile points and tents created by the RRC.
"We are ready to send our specialists to train people on how to use all this equipment because special skills are needed. Such points can become a good tool for providing assistance. And, of course, it is very important to interact not only at the level of leaders but also at the level of ordinary employees, departments, and volunteers. Therefore, volunteer exchanges are another area that we plan to actively develop between our societies."
The two-day Meeting of Heads of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of the CIS countries was held under the motto "International Year of Peace and Trust – Humanism and Neutrality." Participants discussed key development issues for each National Society – from emergency response and international humanitarian law to humanitarian diplomacy, volunteer engagement, and legislative regulation.
It is symbolic that the event took place on the eve of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality, as well as within the framework of the International Year of Peace and Trust. This highlighted the special significance of the agreements reached.
