Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov received Hans Kluge, Director of the World Health Organization's Regional Office for Europe, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan reports.

The head of the WHO presented the President with a special award from the organization "For Contribution to the Promotion of Peace, Unity, and Diplomacy in Health." The award was given for Turkmenistan's consistent efforts to strengthen peace, solidarity, and international cooperation, as well as for developing health diplomacy in partnership with the WHO and the UN.

Hans Kluge also congratulated Serdar Berdimuhamedov on Turkmenistan's chairmanship of the CIS in 2026 and on declaring the current year the "Year of Health Protection in the Commonwealth."

The President noted that he accepts the award as recognition of the high level of work being done in Turkmenistan's healthcare system. He expressed confidence that the international seminar "High-Level Dialogue on Global Health Diplomacy," which Kluge will attend, will provide a platform for a constructive exchange of views.

As emphasized at the meeting, Turkmenistan places particular importance on developing cooperation with international organizations, primarily the UN and its specialized agencies, including the WHO. Protecting public health is a priority for the country's state policy.

The head of state confirmed Turkmenistan's readiness to expand fruitful cooperation with the WHO.