Ashgabat (AsiaNews) – A trilateral meeting was held in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, between Oguldžakhan Atabaeva, vice-president for medical affairs at the charitable foundation named after her father and former president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, Leyla Alieva, daughter of Azerbaijan’s President Ilham and vice-president of the foundation named after her grandfather Gejdar Aliev, and Saida Mirziyoyeva, daughter of President Šavkat and head of the presidential administration of Uzbekistan. At the end of the meeting, they jointly inaugurated the international art exhibition dedicated to “Mother Nature”.
The three sisters and daughters of presidents – representatives of the family succession of power and the female image of the regimes in Central Asia – met at the luxurious Oguzkent Hotel, where they discussed environmental and humanitarian cooperation.
The Turkmen side presented the National Forestry Programme and the annual tree-planting campaigns in spring and autumn; Atabaeva also promoted Turkmenistan’s initiatives to establish a Regional Centre for Climate Change Technologies and a Regional Centre for Combating Desertification in Central Asia. Discussions also covered environmental education for young people and the link between children’s health and the environment.
The parties agreed to exchange experiences and explore joint projects; no mention was made of any documents signed.
The exhibition was organised by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, with the support of the Turkmen Foundation. It was staged in the exhibition hall of the State Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan and will remain open until 30 November.
The exhibition features works by Azerbaijani artists and designers, reflecting the beauty of nature, the diversity of flora and fauna, and the need to preserve them. The exhibition hall also houses works by Turkmen artists, artefacts by local craftswomen and examples of traditional dress.
A particularly significant part of the programme was the demonstration of the traditional ume ritual, a symbol of unity and mutual support shared by the various peoples of Central Asia. The opening ceremony was enhanced by performances by young artists.
The exhibition was first presented in Baku in November 2024, during the COP29 climate conference, and has since travelled to Bahrain, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Spain.
“Nature is our common home, the source of life and the foundation of the future,” said Oguldžakhan Atabaeva at the opening. Saida Mirziyoyeva later wrote on her Telegram channel that the exhibition “made a very positive impression”.
Following the opening, the programme continued at the National Museum of Turkmen Carpets, where guests were given an insight into the history of carpets, the distinctive features of traditional weaving and the colour schemes of typical Turkmen carpets. An exhibition of traditional Turkmen clothing, combining traditional elements with modern trends, was also staged.
Leyla Alieva discussed child health and inclusive education with Atabaeva, thanked the Turkmen side for their assistance in organising the exhibition, and expressed her confidence that the event would broaden international cooperation in tackling environmental issues.
The Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation also emphasised the importance of joint initiatives to promote a responsible attitude towards nature amongst young people.
