On September 10, 2025, in Ashgabat, the Central Asian Youth Regional Forum titled “Health and Sustainable Development as a Path to Peace” began its work. The event is organized by the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, and the EU-CADAP 7 program of the European Union. Held in the “International Year of Peace and Trust” on the eve of the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Permanent Neutrality, this forum serves as a platform for young people to actively engage in key areas such as health, environment, and peace.
The second session of the forum – “Eco-awareness and Health: Youth Perspectives on Climate and a Healthy Environment” – focused on issues of climate change, a healthy environment, and health. The moderator of the session was Yslam Saryjayev, a 5th-year student of the Faculty of Architecture and Construction at the Turkmen State Institute of Architecture and Construction, and a UN Youth SDG Ambassador. Under his moderation, the session emphasized the importance of raising young people’s environmental awareness and their active involvement in combating climate change and promoting healthy lifestyles.
In Turkmenistan, under the leadership of the Honorable President, youth policy is taking important steps to ensure the active role of young people in society and to promote their healthy and harmonious development. This forum is also a vivid example of how young people, through education, science, and innovation, contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Central Asian Youth Regional Forum highlighted the significance of young people’s deep involvement in key areas such as environment, health, and peace. It will strengthen youth cooperation in the region, open new paths for achieving the SDGs through eco-innovation and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. The forum will also reveal the potential of young people in shaping a healthier and more sustainable future for the region and serve as an important platform for international cooperation.
Tirkesh Jumadurdyyev
Senior Lecturer,
Department of “Water, Gas and Heat Supply”
