On 10 December, the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone hosted the International Conference ‘The Role of Women in Modern Society: Promoting International Cooperation for Sustainable Development.’ The forum was organised on the initiative of the Government of Turkmenistan in conjunction with the United Nations and timed to coincide with International Neutrality Day, the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's Permanent Neutrality and the International Year of Peace and Trust, according to IIC.

The key outcome of the conference was the adoption of a final Declaration. The document reaffirms commitment to the UN Charter, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It highlights the role of women in ensuring social progress, economic growth and sustainable development.

The Declaration emphasises expanding women's participation in public administration and civil society, developing their leadership potential and strengthening the role of women's organisations. Separate mention is made of issues such as the economic empowerment of women, support for women's entrepreneurship and reducing the gender digital divide.

The document also emphasises the importance of equal access for women and girls to quality education and healthcare, the role of women in science, culture, ecology and the fight against climate change, as well as their contribution to the development of human capital.

A separate section of the Declaration is devoted to strengthening international cooperation. It emphasises the need to expand dialogue, exchange best practices and create new platforms to promote gender equality, including within the UN and regional formats.

In conclusion, the participants expressed their gratitude to the Government of Turkmenistan, UN structures and partners for organising the conference and confirmed their readiness for further cooperation to implement the provisions of the final Declaration.