A regional seminar on international humanitarian aid to refugees, migrants, and stateless persons was held in Ashgabat. The event was organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat with financial support from the German government as part of a project to strengthen the capacity of the State Border Service of Turkmenistan.

Representatives from five Central Asian countries participated in the seminar, which took place both in person and online, including border and customs officials, ministries of labor and social security, migration and law enforcement agencies, and local authorities.

Opening remarks were given by William Leaf, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, and representatives of the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan and the German Embassy in Turkmenistan.

"The world is rapidly changing and, in many ways, becoming increasingly complex. This dynamic has led to an increase in the cross-border movement of people, which is likely to continue in the coming decades," Leaf noted, calling the seminar "a timely and highly relevant event" aimed at ensuring safe, orderly, and dignified migration based on principles of good governance and international cooperation.

The seminar served as a platform for sharing best international practices in assisting internally displaced persons and stateless persons, while respecting the principles of humanity, human rights, and taking into account gender and age considerations. Experts from the OSCE Secretariat, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development participated in the discussion.