On May 16, the II Forum on Cooperation of NGOs of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) was held in Baku as part of the “Baku Urban Planning Week.” The event brought together representatives of civil society, environmental organizations, and experts from OTS member countries, according to the news website Turkmenportal.
Turkmenistan was represented at the forum by Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the Project Office of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC); Orazgul Isgenderova, Assistant at the CAREC Project Office; Berkeli Ataev, Director of the public organization “Tebigi Kuvvat”; and Mubarak Gurbanova, Director of the NGO “Taze Zaman.”
During the forum, participants discussed issues related to sustainable development, ecology, urbanization, youth cooperation, and public diplomacy. Special attention was given to the First Azerbaijani-Turkmen Forum on NGO Cooperation, where prospects for joint environmental, educational, and humanitarian projects were considered.
The Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan emphasized the important role of NGOs in promoting sustainable development initiatives and international cooperation. At the Young NGO Leaders Forum, Orazgul Isgenderova presented the Central Asian Youth for Climate Leadership (CYCL) program implemented by CAREC with the support of the OSCE.
At the conclusion of the event, participants confirmed their interest in expanding partnerships and cross-sector cooperation within the Turkic world.