On 18 March 2026, Myahri Byashimova, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, held a meeting with Mahir Safarli, Regional Representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Central Asia, according to the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan.

At the start of the meeting, M. Safarli presented a letter confirming his appointment as Regional Representative. M. Byashimova congratulated him and wished him success in his work.

The parties discussed the current state and prospects of cooperation between Turkmenistan and UNHCR, and exchanged views on issues relating to the regional and international humanitarian agenda. The importance of interaction with UNHCR within the framework of Turkmenistan’s cooperation with the UN was emphasised, as was the country’s commitment to its international obligations in the field of protecting refugees and stateless persons.

Particular attention was paid to the elimination of statelessness. Turkmenistan’s achievements were noted, including the implementation of the National Action Plan for 2019–2024 and the organisation of the Regional Ministerial Conference on the Eradication of Statelessness in Ashgabat in November 2024.

The country’s participation in UNHCR’s global initiatives was discussed, including the Global Alliance to End Statelessness and the Global Forums on Refugees. Prospects for cooperation within the framework of the initiative to declare 2028 the Year of International Law were also considered.

In the context of the regional agenda, the parties discussed measures to prevent humanitarian crises and organisational issues relating to cooperation, including the development of a joint action plan for the current period.