On 21 February, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan hosted a regular meeting of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO. It was chaired by Rashid Meredov, Vice-Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, according to the press service of the country's Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The meeting was attended by relevant Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, heads of ministries and departments, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission, as well as representatives of scientific institutions and public associations.

The participants summarised the commission's work for 2025, heard reports on culture and science, and discussed the work plan for 2026. Special attention was paid to the further development of Turkmenistan's cooperation with UNESCO.

It was noted that cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation remains one of the priorities of the country's foreign policy. In 2025, the commission's activities were carried out systematically within the framework of the approved plan.

In the field of heritage preservation, it was reported that the ‘art of breeding Turkmen alabay’ had been included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The preparation of multilateral nominations and work under the ‘Memory of the World’ programme continued.

In the field of science and education, the city of Ashgabat was included in the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, a ‘Digital Science’ department was established at the Technology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan as part of the UNITWIN programme, and a UNESCO club was opened at the International University for the Humanities and Development. In the field of ecology and climate change, regional initiatives continued to be implemented, international consultations were held in Ashgabat, and opportunities for including Turkmenistan's natural sites in UNESCO programmes were explored.

The issue of expanding the country's participation in UNESCO's governing bodies was also considered, including the nomination of Turkmenistan to the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for 2026-2030.

The participants confirmed their intention to further strengthen cooperation with UNESCO in the fields of education, science, culture and sustainable development.