Today in Ashgabat at the Mekan Palace, under the chairmanship of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Honorary Elder of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the XXIV Conference of the Humanitarian Association of Turkmens of the World was held, the information program Watan of Turkmen television reported.
The forum was traditionally dedicated to the Independence Day of Turkmenistan. Representatives of Turkmen diasporas from a number of states, ethnic Turkmens from abroad working in Turkmenistan, as well as delegates from all regions of the country took part in its work.
The opening ceremony of the forum was attended by members of the Halk Maslahaty, deputies of the Mejlis, individual and collective members of the Association from Turkmenistan, foreign representatives, workers in the fields of science, education, culture, the media and higher educational institutions, leaders of political parties and public associations of the country, students and creative figures.
On the occasion of the significant event, a large-scale exhibition dedicated to the history, traditions and customs of the Turkmen people, their original art, as well as the current achievements of the country was organized in the foyer of the Mekan Palace.
Created in May 1991, today the Humanitarian Association of Turkmens of the World (GATM) has turned into an authoritative international organization that performs important work to unite compatriots who, by the will of fate, found themselves far from their historical homeland, but who have not lost the love of their fathers’ land and connection with their spiritual roots.
It was noted that GATM, which unites the Turkmens of the planet and makes a worthy contribution to ensuring peace for all mankind, is constantly improving its activities. Today, the foreign branches of the Association are doing a lot of work to build up fraternal ties and develop fruitful cooperation in such areas as economics, culture, science and education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship.
As it was emphasized, further strengthening of fraternal relations with foreign compatriots is one of the main directions of Turkmenistan’s policy.
Speaking at the conference, President of the Association Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted:
“We will continue to develop friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation with states of the world, including those where there are Turkmen diasporas.”