Dear participants of the International Conference!

Dear guests!

I sincerely congratulate you on the start of the International Conference at the level of Ministers of Culture dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the birth of the great thinker and classic poet of the East Mahtumguly Pragy!

Currently, the great transformations initiated by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero Arkadag, are successfully continuing, and the authority of our country in the international arena is increasing. A lot of work is being done in the name of the consistent development of Turkmenistan's cooperation with the world's states and international organizations. Large-scale programs aimed at strengthening peace in the region and on the planet, the development of mutually beneficial, equal partnership are being successfully implemented.

The systematic strengthening of relations with the countries of the world and international organizations is one of the priorities of the foreign policy of our neutral state. This is what has led to the effective nature of the established cooperation with the United Nations and its specialized agencies, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the European Union, the Organization for Economic Cooperation, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the International Organization of Turkic Culture.

Dear participants of the International Conference!

The holding of an international conference at the level of Ministers of Culture on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the birth of the Turkmen classical poet Mahtumguly Pragy is of great importance. The forum will give a powerful impetus to the expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of culture, further activities in this field, in-depth study and wide popularization of the rich literary heritage of Mahtumguly Pragy in the world. For the great poet and thinker Mahtumguly Pragy, who through his poems called the peoples of the world to unity, friendship, brotherhood and humanism, dreamed of the triumph of peace throughout the Earth.

The year 2024 has been declared in independent, neutral Turkmenistan as the year of the "Storehouse of the Mind of Mahtumguly Pragy" in honor of the great master of the word, which has a deep meaning. In the poem "The Storehouse of Reason by Mahtumguly Pragy", the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero-Arkadag, comparing the work of the poet and philosopher with the storehouse of reason, shows that his deeply meaningful works remain forever in the human soul, and wise thoughts have universal significance.

As you know, 2024 was proclaimed by TURKSA as the "Year of the great poet and thinker of the Turkic world Mahtumguly Pragy", and the city of our country – Anau was declared the cultural capital of the Turkic world. The collection of manuscripts by Mahtumguly Pragy is included in the International Register of the UNESCO Memory of the World Program. The 300th anniversary of the poet and philosopher is included in the List of memorable dates to be celebrated jointly with UNESCO in 2024-2025. These historical events are clear evidence of the growth of the international authority of the sovereign Turkmen state in the wonderful era that the great poet dreamed of, and the broad support of the international community for the domestic and foreign policy of neutral Turkmenistan based on peacefulness, friendship and brotherhood.

Dear participants of the conference!

A special meaning lies in the fact that the holding of this International Conference coincides with the opening ceremony of the cultural and park complex "Mahtumguly Pragy" and the monument to the great Turkmen poet. Mahtumguly's poems have been translated into dozens of languages and published, and his monuments have been erected in foreign countries. This testifies to the high authority of the poet and thinker, the global veneration of his work. And the installation of statues of famous writers, poets, and philosophers of the peoples of the world in the cultural and park complex "Mahtumguly Pragy" symbolizes that the dreams of a poet and thinker about friendship, brotherhood and unity have come true on the sacred Turkmen land.

As part of the International Forum dedicated to the glorious anniversary of the great philosopher, you will also take part in events held on the occasion of the Constitution Day and the State Flag of Turkmenistan, visit cultural centers in Ashgabat and the unique city of Arkadag in the region. This will allow you to become more familiar with the rich cultural heritage of the Turkmen people and the milestones that have been reached at the present time. I am sure that such a rich conference will contribute to the identification of new areas of international cooperation in the field of culture, the exchange of experience in the spirit of friendship and brotherhood.

Dear participants of the International Conference!

Dear guests!

Once again, I cordially congratulate you on the start of the International Conference held in independent neutral Turkmenistan at the level of Ministers of Culture on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the birth of Mahtumguly Pragy! I wish you good health, family well-being, and great success in your work!

President of Turkmenistan

Serdar Berdimuhamedov.