Meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission on Ensuring the Fulfillment of Turkmenistan's International Obligations in the Field of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law

Yesterday, a regular meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission on Ensuring the Fulfillment of Turkmenistan's International Obligations in the Field of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Representatives of the Mejlis, ministries and sectoral departments, and public organizations participated in the meeting. In accordance with the agenda, the commission heard a report on the results of the work performed over the past year and discussed upcoming tasks. The sustainable socio-economic development of our country is closely linked to the improvement of the national legal system and the incorporation of universally recognized norms of international law into national legislation.

Participants of the meeting noted that several measures had been implemented regarding the further democratization of our country and the strengthening of the state's legislative system. Neutral Turkmenistan advocates for peace, security, and the well-being of man and citizen. One of the important directions of international cooperation is related to a complex of legal and organizational-practical measures to ensure human rights. The meeting discussed efforts to fulfill tasks arising from the international initiatives proposed by our Head of State at the high-level plenary meeting of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. In particular, the proposal to declare 2028 as the "Year of International Law" is a crucial step in strengthening the international legal foundations of peace and cooperation.

Members of the Interdepartmental Commission presented reports on the main directions of future work in further improving the country's legal system and fulfilling international obligations based on the priority of human rights and humanitarian law. The speakers emphasized the importance of establishing active cooperation with UN structures and representative offices of other international organizations. The Interdepartmental Commission carries out comprehensive work aimed at fulfilling Turkmenistan's international obligations regarding human rights. The main indicators of the democratic reforms implemented in the country consist of creating decent conditions for a happy and prosperous life for the population and ensuring the constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens.

Specific strategic tasks for organizing decent work for citizens are defined in programs aimed at the socio-economic development of our Motherland. To effectively implement these tasks, it is important to organize labor on an innovative basis in all enterprises, regardless of the form of ownership. Labor organization and protection stand out as a priority area for improvement. All of this is aimed at organizing labor on a scientific and innovative basis to effectively realize the intellectual abilities of citizens. In this regard, within the framework of multilateral conventions with the International Labour Organization (ILO), Turkmenistan carries out relevant work to provide decent working conditions and protect the rights of all parties in labor relations. In this connection, the active participation of state bodies and public organizations is envisioned in the implementation of the tasks provided for in the "Roadmap" for cooperation with the International Labour Organization.

The Sustainable Development Goals include a set of joint actions for sustainable socio-economic development and environmental protection. By encompassing tasks directly related to human rights, they create opportunities for Turkmenistan's active cooperation with UN structures and other international organizations. Participants of the Interdepartmental Commission meeting noted the successful implementation of joint projects with international structures in areas such as gender equality, maternal and child health protection, youth policy, digitalization, and ecology. In this regard, promoting a healthy lifestyle among the youth and educating them in the spirit of patriotism, hard work, high morality, and civic responsibility is an important task.

Participants of the Interdepartmental Commission meeting discussed the implementation of national plans and comprehensive tasks aimed at developing cooperation with international organizations regarding international humanitarian law. It was also emphasized that Turkmenistan approaches the fulfillment of international obligations in protecting children's rights responsibly. In this direction, a special role is assigned to the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship.

During the meeting, special attention was given to the importance of preparing national reports and reviews in accordance with UN international documents, and the significance of regularly held forums and discussions to study best practices in human rights protection; several other issues were also discussed.