Event highlights
Discussions on the opportunities for and challenges to advancing health through the new Roadmap on Health and Well-being in Central Asia, and Turkmenistan’s priorities for the second European Programme of Work 2026–2030 (EPW2), were on the agenda during Turkmenistan Country Day on 2 May 2025.
Opening the proceedings, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, thanked Dr Azat Ovezov, Deputy Minister of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan, and head of the delegation, for the honour of holding Turkmenistan Country Day at WHO/Europe.
Dr Kluge welcomed Turkmenistan’s insights into the development of the EPW2, thanked the country for its financial support to projects tackling noncommunicable diseases and cancer, and highlighted 2 events that will take place towards the end of 2025:
- a policy dialogue on health system strengthening focusing on primary health care and the health workforce; and
- a health diplomacy course for Russian-speaking countries.
The Regional Director also expressed his appreciation for Turkmenistan's initiative on developing a global security strategy emphasizing an integrated approach to global challenges, and underlined the importance of health security in this context.
Turkmenistan has designated 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality, the 30th anniversary of the country’s state health programme and 3 decades of collaboration with WHO.
30 years of progress on health
Dr Ovezov presented highlights from the country’s lengthy cooperation with WHO, which has advanced health in many fields. These include maternal and child health, prevention and control of communicable and noncommunicable diseases, preparedness for pandemic influenza and other emergencies, and environmental protection and health.
Significant achievements include an 80% drop in maternal deaths since 2000, and an approximately 45% reduction in mortality among children under 5 years of age over the same period. Looking at noncommunicable diseases, which account for around two thirds of deaths in the country, risk factors including tobacco use and alcohol consumption are among the lowest in the WHO European Region, although many adults are insufficiently active.
Immunization rates among children are consistently high, and the vaccine against human papillomavirus was recently introduced successfully for both girls and boys.
Deaths from tuberculosis (TB) have fallen by 62% since 2000, and the transition to domestic financing for TB programmes is a positive development. However, further work through the new national strategy on TB is needed, particularly to address the increase in cases of drug-resistant TB.
Priorities for the EPW2
Looking ahead, Dr Egor Zaitsev, WHO Representative in Turkmenistan, walked attendees through the results of discussions at national consultations on the EPW2. The proposed EPW2 outline has received broad support from health experts in the country, who have welcomed the focus on noncommunicable diseases and healthy ageing. Other important areas identified for future collaboration included men’s health and oral health. A consultation on the EPW2 for the countries of Central Asia is also being considered.
The development of the EPW2 complements discussions on the new Roadmap for Health and Well-being in Central Asia, defining a shared vision for health cooperation with all 5 countries of Central Asia.