On 10 December 2025, SRSG for Central Asia and Head of UNRCCA Kaha Imnadze participated in the International Conference “The Role of Women in Modern Society: Developing International Cooperation for Sustainable Development,” held in the Awaza National Tourist Zone in the framework of events marking the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality.
The Forum was co-organized by the Government of Turkmenistan, the Charity Fund named after Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and the United Nations, and brought together senior Government representatives, high-level UN officials, members of the diplomatic corps, international organizations, academia and civil society from across Central Asia and beyond.
Discussions addressed women’s roles across political, economic and socio-humanitarian spheres, including public administration, economic empowerment, education, social services, health and environmental engagement. Participants exchanged perspectives on how strengthened international and regional cooperation can contribute to sustainable development and broaden opportunities for women’s leadership.
In his address, SRSG Imnadze noted that Central Asia’s recent advances in resolving long-standing issues and expanding cooperation have created a more favorable environment for women’s leadership across the region. He stressed the need to build on this momentum and ensure that women contribute directly to shaping regional priorities, stating: “This moment offers a chance to involve women more fully in the region’s own discussions on security, development and integration.”
He also underlined the importance of the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus (WLC) as a regional platform that helps sustain dialogue, elevate women’s perspectives in regional policy discussions, and reinforce cooperation among Central Asian states.
The Conference concluded with the adoption of a final document reaffirming participants’ commitment to advancing gender equality, strengthening cooperation to support women’s leadership, and further aligning national and regional efforts with the United Nations’ principles and frameworks on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
