A meeting of the Heads of the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of the CIS countries, with the participation of the International Federation and the International Committee of the Red Cross, has concluded in Ashgabat. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’.

Following the event, Memoranda of Understanding were signed between the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan and organisations from Qatar and Russia, aimed at strengthening cooperation.

Vice-President of the Qatar Red Crescent Society Ebrahim Hashim Al-Sada noted that the Memorandum will enable the development of joint projects in the field of volunteering and humanitarian activities. Pavel Savchuk, Chairman of the Russian Red Cross, emphasised the importance of exchanging experience in responding to emergencies and training specialists to work with mobile stations and tents.

The two-day meeting was held under the motto ‘International Year of Peace and Trust – Humanism and Neutrality’. Participants discussed the development of National Societies, volunteer activities, humanitarian diplomacy and legislative regulation. The event coincided with the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality and highlighted the significance of the agreements reached.