First-ever Turkmen Olympic medallist gifted car, apartment, cash

ASHGABAT, AUG 21: Turkmenistan’s first-ever Olympic medallist, weightlifter Polina Guryeva, was gifted an apartment, a car and $50,000 in cash for her exploits at a ceremony in the Central Asian country’s capital Ashgabat on Saturday.

Guryeva, 21, won silver for Turkmenistan at this summer’s Games in Tokyo in the women’s 59 kg weightlifting competition. It was the ex-Soviet country’s only medal at the Games and the first in its history.

Turkmen shooter Marat Niyazov previously won a silver medal representing the Soviet Union at the 1960 Games in Rome.

The celebrations of Guryeva’s victory were led by Honoured Coach of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdymukhamedov, the 39-year-old son of the country’s hardline leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov.

At the ceremony in Ashgabat, the younger Berdymukhamedov handed Guryeva, who is ethnic Russian, three white-lacquered wooden boxes.

One contained keys to a three-room apartment in the capital city, the second held keys to a white Lexus SUV and the third $50,000 in cash.

“I cordially congratulate you on this significant event, testifying to the growth of the authority of independent Turkmenistan in the international sporting space,” Berdymukhamedov told Guryeva.

He said her victory “increased the world fame, prestige and authority of the sovereign homeland and the Turkmen people.”

“I dedicate this medal to our president and the Turkmen people in honour of the 30th anniversary of the independence of Turkmenistan,” Guryeva said.

Turkmenistan, a gas-rich nation of around six million people famous for its outlandish displays, gained independence from former master Moscow in 1991.

The secretive country is regularly cited by rights groups as one of the world’s worst abusers of civic, religious and press freedoms.

The younger Berdymukhamedov has received a number of promotions this year making him the second most powerful figure in the country after his father and fuelling speculation he will eventually replace the elder as leader of the autocratic country.

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COURTESY Anews

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Turkmenistan’s culture, art, photography exhibition kicks off in Ankara

ANKARA, AUG 16: Turkmenistan’s embassy to Turkey kicked off on Monday a two-day culture, art and photography exhibition in the National Library building in the capital Ankara.

Organized on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence to be marked on Sept.27, the exhibition, arranged in partnership with the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry and the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), gathered many people, including senior authorities, bureaucrats, and representatives of foreign missions in the country.

Following the national anthems of both countries, Ambassador Ishankuli Amanlyev speaking at the opening ceremony said that his country gained its independence at the” most critical stage in human history.”

“The field of culture and art gains special importance in the context of Turkmenistan’s recognition in the international arena as the country that initiated global progressive transformations,” he said.

“This area is an important factor in the implementation of the Turkmen state’s foreign policy, which aims to develop international cooperation towards achieving universal peace, prosperity and sustainable development,” Amanlyev added.

He went on to say that the development of culture and arts, science, education, and new technology gains nowadays play a “decisive role” in the comprehensive development of Turkmenistan.

The envoy underlined the importance of the “cultural rebirth strategy” implemented by the Central Asian country, adding that Turkmenistan’s cultural values and national heritage of nation is “re-kneaded” in today’s conditions and come to light in a “modern way.”

“The ancient culture, which is an important factor in the development process of the Turkmen state, on the one hand meets the demands of the new historical age, on the other hand, offers a great and unique potential for Turkmenistan to advance on the path of democratic and socio-economic development,” he said.

Amanlyev highlighted that today, culture is considered as the “reinforcing and inspiring power” of the society at the level of state policy, the carrier of moral and aesthetic criteria, the basis of democratic and social transformations, and the most important source of development of the nation and country.

He noted that one of the main elements of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy is the development of cultural cooperation which serves to strengthen the relations of friendship and mutual understanding between the world countries.

Culture, art, science and education are among the priorities of cooperation between Turkmenistan and Turkey, he said.

‘BIG UNITED FAMILY’

Turkey’s Deputy Culture and Tourism Minister Serdar Cam, also speaking at the opening ceremony, congratulated Turkmenistan’s 30th independence anniversary, and stressed that all the Turkic states are members of a “big family”.

Cam said that the cultural events are a reminder to the whole world that the Turkic countries are united “as a sole family.”

“We wish the flood of love and affection from our ancestral homeland to flow forever,” he said.

Cam also emphasized that they are proud to work with Turkmenistan in organizations such as the Turkic Council and TURKSOY.

Following the speeches, Cam and Amanlyev along with other authorities officially opened the exhibition with ribbon cutting.

The exhibition includes unique photographs of Turkmenistan, paintings by Turkmen artists, traditional clothes, musical instruments and decorations belonging to Turkmen culture.

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COURTESY Anews

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New OSCE head in Turkmenistan appointed

ASHGABAT, JUN 3: Ambassador John McGregor has been appointed as new head of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) center in Turkmenistan, Trend reports with reference to Turkmenistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov met with McGregor on June 2, 2021, where the ambassador presented his credentials.

The parties discussed promising areas of cooperation for the coming period, the report said.

The sides also talked about the issues of cooperation in the field of energy security, including the development of sustainable energy initiatives within the OSCE.

The topic of sustainable transport was also touched upon. The sides exchanged views on acceptable joint projects to optimize the activities of the East-West corridor.

Turkmenistan's relations with such OSCE institutions as the Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutes and Human Rights, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media was emphasized.

As reported, Turkmenistan is promoting the idea of creating a specialized structure of the OSCE - the Council for Sustainable Energy.

Turkmenistan intends to promote the development of "green" ports, digitalization and simplification of trade procedures and transport links in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

Expert meetings are continuing to explore the possibility of preparing a Comprehensive environmental program of the OSCE.

Earlier, the OSCE and Ashgabat discussed possible steps to develop a program of Turkmenistan for the development of energy diplomacy.

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COURTESY en.trend.az

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A BIG ACHIEVEMENT: First kidney transplant performed in Turkmenistan

ASHGABAT, APR 11: A kidney transplant operation was performed for the first time in Turkmenistan. Minister of Health and Medical Industry Nurmuhammet Amannepesov reported to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on the successful operation of domestic specialists, Trend reports citing Kabar.

The patient received a kidney transplant from a close relative. Currently, both the patient and the donor are doing well. Both are under medical supervision, the minister said.

The head of state, congratulating the doctors from the bottom of his heart, noted with satisfaction that this operation is a great success for our doctors and the healthcare sector, the “Vatan” news program of Turkmen television reported.

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COURTESY en.trend.az

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Conversations ongoing on potential projects between Turkmenistan, UK

ASHGABAT, MAR 22: Conversations are ongoing on a number of potential projects between Turkmenistan and the UK, the Department for International Trade of the UK told Trend.

"Ongoing discussions on potential cooperation opportunities in the agriculture sector have been useful to both sides, with both agreeing to continue the dialogue in the sector," said the message.

Both sides are still evaluating a number of projects, said the department.

As earlier The Department for International Trade of the UK told Trend, total trade in goods and services between the UK and Turkmenistan was 27 million pounds sterling ($35.8 million) from the second quarter of 2019 to the second quarter of 2020.

The top 5 goods exported from the UK to Turkmenistan in the reporting period were: dyeing, tanning & coloring materials (2 million pound sterling - $2.6 million), general industrial machinery (980,000 pound sterling - $1.3 million), general industrial machinery (capital) (970,000 pound sterling - $1.2 million), jewelry (970,000 pound sterling $1.2 million).

Thus, the top 5 goods imported to the UK from Turkmenistan at the same period were: metal ores & scrap (390,000 pound sterling - $517,629), aircraft (340,000 pound sterling - $451,266), inorganic chemicals (280,000 pound sterling – $371,631), ships (250,000 pound sterling - $331,813), general industrial machinery (capital) (150,000 pound sterling - $199,088).

"COVID-19 did slow down the progress of our scheduled activities due to travel restrictions, however, we’ve managed to continue our engagement via online platforms," said the department, adding that currently, the conversations are ongoing on a number of potential projects with Turkmenistan.

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COURTESY en.trend.az/

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DIPLOMATIC SPECIAL: Turkmenistan spent over $26 million on diplomatic missions in 2020

 

More than 26 million U.S. dollars were allocated to maintain Turkmenistan’s embassies and consulates abroad in 2020. These figures are given in documents from Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs which are in turkmen.news’ possession.

ASHGABAT, FEB 15:  Of this sum, $18,408,286 were allocated to the upkeep of diplomatic missions in the CIS countries, Turkey, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iran, India, Pakistan, China, Korea, Malaysia, Japan, and the USA. Embassies in Europe were allocated 5,100,686 euros ($6.1 million), and 1,267,856 pound sterling ($1.7 million) went to the embassy in London. We give a more detailed breakdown by country below.

Most expensive was the embassy in Moscow, which received almost $1,768,464 in 2020. The consulates in the Russian cities of Kazan and Astrakhan received $399,640 and $267,056 respectively.

Turkmenistan’s permanent mission to the UN in New York received $1,372,208. The permanent mission to the UN in Geneva received 931,874 euros ($1.1 million).

Over $1.1 million were allocated to the General Consulate in Dubai and the embassy in Tokyo respectively. Turkmenistan’s embassy in the USA received more than $1 million, as did the embassy in Germany more or less — 886,024 euros. Slightly less was spent on maintaining the embassies in Belgium (768,200 euros) and France (629,500 euros).

According to documents of Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs which are in the possession of turkmen.news

One of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s sons-in-law is the current consul general in Dubai, and another son-in-law is counselor at the embassy in London. The counselor in London, Dovlet Atabayev, and his wife, embassy first secretary Oguljahan Atabayeva, were caught on camera in autumn 2019 breaking traffic regulations in the British capital. The consul general in Dubai, Ykhlasgeldy Amanov, is married to the president’s youngest daughter – Guljahan.

Diplomats in Turkey, which is the most popular destination for Turkmen labor migrants, manage with more modest funds. A total of $637,248 was allocated to the embassy in Ankara in 2020 and almost $531,000 to the consulate in Istanbul.

The lowest sum of all went to the general consulate in the Iranian city of Mashad ($238,000) and the embassy in Bishkek (almost $279,000). Two consulates in Afghanistan (in Herat and Mazar-i Sharif) received $226,000 and $212,000 respectively. The consulate in the Kazakh city of Aktau can also be included in the “poor” list as it received $265,000. But the Turkmen embassy in the Kazakh capital Nur-Sultan received a larger sum — almost $499,000.

According to documents of Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs which are in the possession of turkmen.news

The documents also reveal that $2.5 million was allocated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to cover fees to international organizations and expenditure on relations with the foreign media. In 2020, $15,800 was spent on cooperation with the Russia Today TV channel, $11,700 on the Russian Interfax agency, $5,000 on ITAR-TASS, and $4,800 on both the Factiva analytical agency (which gathers news from 157 countries in 23 languages) and Azerbaijani agency Trend.

 

It’s worth mentioning that Turkmenistan’s citizens frequently complain about the unsatisfactory work of diplomats. Embassies and consulates do not replace citizens’ expired passports, which turns them into undocumented migrants (they have good reason to think that if they return to Turkmenistan to renew their passports they will not be allowed to leave the country again). The evacuation of citizens stranded abroad because of the COVID-19 pandemic is badly organized. There are very few evacuation flights, and money is sometimes extorted from travelers for a seat. Turkmen citizens who get into difficulties abroad cannot usually rely on help from diplomats. Moreover, embassy staff work with the special services, helping them to follow and persecute migrants who criticize the ruling regime.

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COURTESY en.turkmen.news

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Turkmenistan Embassy, CGSS to jointly organize 3 Days Online Course, starting from Feb 8

 

ISLAMABAD, FEB 8 /DNPK/ - Turkmenistan Embassy to Pakistan & Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad are jointly organizing a 3 Days Online Course on, "Turkmenistan's Policy of Permanent Neutrality" from Feb 8 on Monday.

Turkmenistan has been successfully able to maintain its neutrality achieving economic cooperation under the strong leadership of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, who has paid special attention to ecological issues & rational use of water resources.

This 3 days online course on “Turkmenistan’s Policy of Permanent Neutrality” is a golden opportunity for the participants to interact and learn with experts from Turkmenistan.

 

The details of the course are as below:

 

Key Takeaways:

• Analysis of Turkmenistan's Foreign Policy
• Neutrality Policy of Turkmenistan
• Energy, Transport and Economic Diplomacy of Turkmenistan

Course Schedule:

• Day 1: 8th February 2021

Yhlas Haldurdiyev, Lecturer, International University for Humanities and Development

Theme: Analysis of Turkmenistan’s Foreign Policy

• Day 2: 9th February 2021

Begench Karayev, Senior Lecturer, Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

Theme: Neutrality Policy of Turkmenistan

• Day 3: 10th February 2021

Perhat Charyyev, Senior lecturer, Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan

Theme: Energy, Transport and Economic Diplomacy of Turkmenistan

 

 

• Course Duration & Time:

3 Days Course: 8^th February to 10^th February 2021 from

1600 hrs. – 1700 hrs. (Pakistan & Turkmenistan Time)

NOTE:

• Compulsory to attend all the lectures for the Course Certificate
• Send your Name, Email and Contact Number via Zoom Chat

You are requested to join us via Zoom Application.

The Zoom Meeting ID is: 849 7841 1351 (For all three days) Or Visit the Link : https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84978411351 (For all three days).=DNPK

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COURTESY CGSS TWITTER

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Foreigners arriving in Turkmenistan will provide a certificate of vaccination against COVID-19

 

Ashgabat, FEB 2021: Foreign citizens arriving in Turkmenistan will provide a certificate of vaccination against COVID-19. This was announced at a working video meeting held on Thursday, at which a report was heard by the Minister of Health and Medical Industry Nurmuhammed Amannepesov on the implementation of comprehensive measures to monitor the spread and prevention of infectious diseases in the country.

“Focusing attention on the vaccination of citizens and Turkmen students traveling to study abroad, in accordance with the vaccine used in these states, the provision of vaccination certificates from foreign citizens arriving in Turkmenistan, as well as the provision of vaccines to citizens within our country, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov addressed the appropriate a number of instructions to the leaders, ” the official material of the State Information Agency, published today in the newspaper“ Neutral Turkmenistan ”, says.

We will remind, earlier, during a visit to the Olympic town in Ashgabat, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that Turkmenistan will provide a free set of vaccines from COVID-19 to participants in international competitions in Ashgabat.

“Despite the Russian vaccine registered with us, foreign athletes may want to be vaccinated with other vaccines or special means, and therefore they should have a choice. We must provide them on a gratuitous basis, for this we have every opportunity,” Berdimuhamedov said, instructing the relevant leaders to continue negotiations with other countries producing vaccines against acute viral infection.

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COURTESY turkmenportal

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Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan sign deal on Caspian hydrocarbon field

 

ANKARA – Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding Thursday on joint exploration and development of hydrocarbon resources of the Dostlug (Friendship) field in the Caspian Sea.

The agreement on the joint exploration of the once-disputed section of the undersea hydrocarbons field was signed in the Turkmen capital, Ashgabat, between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and his Turkmen counterpart Rashid Meredov.

A meeting through video conferencing was held between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in connection with the signing of the agreement.

“This document, which is the result of many years of work between our countries, is aimed at strengthening cooperation and mutual understanding in the field of energy, unlocking the joint potential of the two largest energy states, creating the most favorable conditions for sustainable energy, and further reinforcing our mutually beneficial and international partnership,” Berdimuhamedov said.

The two leaders congratulated each other for reaching an agreement, calling it a “historic day” in the relations between the two countries.

“I would call today’s document historic because Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan are starting joint work on the development of a field in the Caspian Sea for the first time, and this field and work on the field will bring our countries and peoples even closer together and benefit both the Turkmen and Azerbaijani peoples,” Aliyev said.

Bilateral ties

During the meeting, the diplomats emphasized the high level of bilateral ties in political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian areas.

It was especially noted that the visit of Bayramov to Ashgabat complements the “start of a new stage of energy cooperation” between the two neighboring countries.

“In this regard, the significance of joint steps on resource use and collaboration on the Caspian Sea was highlighted,” the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The top diplomats also highlighted the efficiency of political and diplomatic dialogue between the two states and discussed bilateral issues and the aspects of regional and international agendas.

The ministers also underlined the importance of the collaboration of Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan in the framework of regional and international formats.

They also discussed the opportunities of holding joint events in 2021 and the issue of expanding cultural and humanitarian ties between the two states.

The possibilities of expanding economic and investment cooperation, including through the use of the transport-transit potential of the two countries, which possess modern automobile, railway and sea infrastructure, were also discussed in the meeting.

Meanwhile, Bayramov and Meredov emphasized the importance of the Transit and Transport Cooperation Agreement between Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Afghanistan (Lapis Lazuli Route Agreement).

The ministry also noted that the people of Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan are united by firm historic, cultural and spiritual values.

Earlier in the day, the Azerbaijani foreign minister was received by the Turkmen leader.

Bayramov started his two-day visit to Turkmenistan along with the Azerbaijani delegation on Jan. 20.

Turkey’s welcoming

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry in a written statement welcomed the energy agreement between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.

“We wish that this agreement will further strengthen the friendship between the two countries, will be auspicious for the friendly and brotherly peoples of Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan and contribute to the prosperity and stability of the region,” it said.

“We also wish that this agreement will pave the way for the projects to enhance the energy security of Turkey and the rest of Europe,” the statement added.

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COURTESY aa.com.tr

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Turkmenistan has approved Rules for the protection of human life on water bodies

In Turkmenistan, the order of the Minister of internal Affairs No. 183 of September 16, 2020 approved the Rules for protecting the life and health of people in places of mass bathing located on the territory of the country.

The document was developed in accordance with the law of Turkmenistan "On internal Affairs bodies of Turkmenistan" and other regulatory legal acts and sets rules for protecting the life and health of people in places of mass bathing in hotels, recreation centers, coastal waters and other tourist sites located on the territory of Turkmenistan.

This document was registered by the Ministry of adalat of Turkmenistan on November 4, 2020 as No. 1411.

The full text of the document is available at the legal information center of the Ministry of adalat of Turkmenistan.

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What are your thoughts on this? Please share with us in the comment section below.

COURTESY turkmenportal.com

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120-year-old Turkmen woman Ajapsoltan Hadjieva is the longest-lived person in the World

Ajapsoltan Hajieva, a resident of Mary province, turned 120 this year. The Turkmen woman, who was born in 1900, is consider the oldest living woman in the world. The newspaper «Turkmenistan» reports this.

Ajapsoltan Hadjieva was born in gengeshlik Babasary Mary etrap of Mary velayat. In her youth, she was engaged in farming, weaving, and looking after cattle. She has always been highly respected among the villagers. Her husband, Haji Aga, died of an early illness.

Having survived the hard days of the war years, she worked tirelessly, performing women and men's work, all for the sake of her only son ATA, so that he did not need anything. Ata Hadjiev grew up a respected man among the people. Although Ata Aga is now 86 years old, he is very active and lives peacefully and happily with his wife Tazegul.

His 120-year-old mother Ajapsoltan lead a healthy lifestyle and shares her health secrets with her grandchildren. In her opinion, to live happily ever after, you need to lead an honest life, not run away from physical labor and eat right.

"You have to walk a lot, control what you eat and drink, and, most importantly, peace within us and a calm, peaceful life in our country," Ajapsoltan is sure.

Her son and daughter-in-law gave her 12 grandchildren. Now she has 67 great-grandchildren and 32 great-great-grandchildren.

This year, the centenarian was award the jubilee medal "75 years of Victory in the great Patriotic war of 1941-1945".

According to Wikipedia, Kane Tanaka from Japan has been named the oldest person in the world and is listed in the Guinness book of world records as the longest-lived person in the world. She is now 117 years old. Tanaka confidently says that he will live to be 120 years old. A Japanese woman was listed as the world's oldest resident last year at the age of 116. She managed to keep her name on the list again this year. Previously, the oldest living person in the world was another Japanese, Tio Miyako. He died in July 2018 at the age of 117. Today, Japan is known as the longest-lived country in the world. A large number of people over the age of 100 are officially registered in the country.

Today, we have every reason to assume that today 120-year-old Turkmen woman Ajapsoltan Hadjieva is the longest-lived person in the world.

COURTESY turkmenportal.com

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OSCE webinar promotes use of digital technologies in combating corruption in Turkmenistan

The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized the three-day event to share best practices of OSCE participating States in the use of digital technologies in preventing and combating corruption.

ASHGABAT, OCT 2020 - Representatives of law enforcement bodies, the Mejlis (parliament), financial institutions and other relevant agencies of Turkmenistan discussed the role of digital technologies in investigating and reducing the risks of corruption at an OSCE-organized webinar that opened on 12 October 2020 in Ashgabat.

The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized the three-day event to share best practices of OSCE participating States in the use of digital technologies in preventing and combating corruption.

International experts briefed participants about the scope and sphere of applying IT in the fight against corruption with a focus on transparency, accountability, preventative detection and ethical behavior.

“As sophisticated methods and modern technologies are increasingly employed in criminal activities, such as corruption, it is important to make active use of digital instruments to optimize efforts aimed at strengthening transparency of the activities of state institutions and ensuring prompt information exchange among relevant institutions, as well as studying and tracking links in criminal chains,” said Natalya Drozd, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

Participants examined the specifics of introducing information technologies in anti-corruption practices and their role in the implementation of anti-corruption strategies.

“It is our hope that the webinar will contribute to the efforts of the host government aimed at introducing digital technologies in national anti-corruption activities as well as the development of relevant institutional and legislative mechanisms,” added Drozd.

The webinar also addressed methods of investigation and digital tracking of corruption cases. Additionally participants explored artificial intelligence as one of the most efficient instruments in the prevention of corruption.

COURTESY turkmenportal.com

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