On 16 February, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov received Hans Kluge, Director of the World Health Organisation's Regional Office for Europe, who is in the country on a working visit. This was reported by the state news agency TDH.

During the meeting, the guest presented the Head of State with a special WHO award ‘For contribution to the promotion of peace, unity and diplomacy in health care.’ As noted, this award was given for Turkmenistan's consistent efforts to strengthen international solidarity, develop cooperation with the UN and WHO, and promote diplomacy in the field of global health.

Hans Kluge also congratulated the President of Turkmenistan on the country's chairmanship of the CIS in 2026 and on the declaration of this year as the Year of Health Protection in the Commonwealth.

Expressing his gratitude for the high assessment, the Head of State noted that he considers the award to be recognition of the work carried out in the Turkmenistan healthcare system and the results achieved in this area.

The President emphasised the importance of the upcoming international seminar ‘High-Level Dialogue on Global Health Diplomacy’, in which Hans Kluge will participate. According to him, the forum will be an effective platform for exchanging views and discussing prospects for cooperation.

During the meeting, it was confirmed that Turkmenistan attaches particular importance to cooperation with authoritative international structures, primarily with the UN and its specialised agencies, including the WHO. Public health remains one of the priorities of the country's state policy.

At the end of the meeting, the parties confirmed their readiness to further expand their partnership and exchanged best wishes.