Turkmenistan Engages with WHO at Global Health Assembly

A delegation from Turkmenistan is currently attending the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, which runs from May 18 to May 23, 2026. The delegation, fronted by Deputy Minister of Health and Medical Industry, Azat Ovezov, aims to bolster healthcare initiatives.

The assembly convenes delegates from World Health Organization (WHO) member states, focusing on addressing global health challenges, enhancing international collaboration, and boosting public health systems on a national level.

During their time in Geneva, Azat Ovezov met with WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, recognizing the robust partnership sustained between Turkmenistan and the WHO while discussing forthcoming healthcare priorities.

The delegation spotlighted successful joint healthcare projects executed alongside UN agencies and reiterated Turkmenistan's dedication to advancing long-term collaborations in public health and medical advancements with the WHO.

Moreover, Turkmenistan has extended an invitation for Dr. Tedros to visit the country in October 2026 for significant regional healthcare events aligned with the Year of Health initiatives.

In addition to their formal meetings, Turkmen officials actively participated in a round-table discussion at WHO headquarters with health ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as WHO Europe Regional Director Dr. Hans Kluge.

The discussions were aimed at finalizing the Roadmap for Health and Well-being in Central Asia 2026–2030, also referred to as RMCA 2.0, which seeks to enhance healthcare synergy and strategic collaborations among Central Asian nations.

Officials reviewed plans to officially launch the roadmap while integrating it with broader regional health agendas and forthcoming events tied to the CIS Year of Health initiatives.

In a separate bilateral dialogue with Dr. Hans Kluge, the Turkmen delegation explored opportunities for regional health collaboration, aiming to fortify public health infrastructures across Central Asia.