Participation of the Delegation of Turkmenistan in UNESCO events in Paris and advancement of international cooperation in education

On 25 March 2026, at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris, the Minister of Education of Turkmenistan Jumamyrat Gurbangeldiýew took part in events dedicated to the presentation of the Global Education Monitoring Report (GEM Report 2026) and held a number of bilateral meetings.

Within the framework of the forum, the head of the education ministry spoke at the High-Level Ministerial Dialogue, noting that early childhood education in Turkmenistan is viewed as a strategic foundation for human capital formation and the sustainable development of society. Special attention is paid to the implementation of digital technologies, the development of children's creative and cognitive abilities, as well as the improvement of the system for training and professional development of pedagogical staff.

The Minister provided information on the implementation of joint initiatives with UNICEF, including the launch of a pilot program for school readiness. This program envisions the opening of half-day groups for five-year-old children starting from the 2026–2027 academic year. Specific emphasis was placed on the importance of developing inclusive education, early identification of developmental needs in children, and strengthening cooperation between educational institutions, families, and government agencies.

On the sidelines of the event, a meeting was held between the Minister of Education of Turkmenistan and the Director-General of UNESCO, Khaled El-Enany. During the negotiations, the Turkmen side presented key directions of the state policy in the field of education, including the development of cooperation with UNESCO, participation in the UNITWIN program, the expansion of international academic interaction, and the strengthening of the institutional framework of the education system.

The Director-General of UNESCO highly praised the work carried out by Turkmenistan, emphasizing the systematic and future-oriented nature of the ongoing reforms. He also noted the country's active participation in the international educational dialogue and its significant contribution to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4).

On the same day, a meeting was held with the Assistant Director-General of UNESCO for Education, Stefania Giannini. During the conversation, Turkmenistan's commitment to further strengthening cooperation with UNESCO as one of the key areas of international partnership was reaffirmed. Prospects for interaction in the field of digitalizing education, the development of lifelong learning, and the responsible use of modern technologies were discussed.

Special attention was paid to expanding cooperation with specialized UNESCO structures, including the development of UNESCO Chairs, Associated Schools, and interaction with the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education. Turkmenistan's participation in the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, which Ashgabat joined in 2025, was also highlighted.

Stefania Giannini highly praised the reforms being carried out in Turkmenistan, emphasizing their consistent and comprehensive nature, as well as significant achievements in modernizing the educational system, developing inclusive education, and expanding international cooperation. The role of the country's leadership in ensuring a strategic course toward developing a modern and competitive education system was specifically noted.

Furthermore, a meeting was held with the Minister of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ezozkhon Karimova. The parties discussed the current state and prospects of bilateral cooperation, with a particular focus on the development of preschool and general secondary education, the exchange of best practices in teacher training, and the implementation of modern educational methodologies.

The importance of expanding interaction regarding the participation of schoolchildren and students in international Olympiads was noted, as well as the development of direct contacts between educational institutions of the two countries and the implementation of joint programs.

Following the meetings, the parties confirmed their mutual interest in further strengthening the partnership and expanding practical interaction in the fields of education, science, and innovation.