The opening ceremony of the International Conference "Nowruz - the Festival of Peace and Humanism" took place under the chairmanship of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Numerous forum participants gathered together in the assembly hall of the Ruhiyet Palace. These included the heads and deputies of the Mejlis, cabinet ministers, the high-ranking officials of military and law enforcement agencies, the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Turkmenistan and international organisations, public organisations, the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, ministries and departments, scientists and cultural and art workers, Turkmen and foreign journalists.
More than 30 countries had delegated the representatives of scientific elite to participate in the International Conference "Nowruz - the Festival of Peace and Humanism". Foreign participants included the heads and specialists of the Academies of Sciences, major research and cultural centres, universities, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and world-renowned scientists.
Heartily greeting participants of the International Conference "Nowruz - the Festival of Peace and Humanism" and distinguished guests, the President declared the forum open and cordially welcomed all those present.
"Today we are celebrating widely and solemnly, with great inspiration and joy the sacred Nowruz festival in our independent neutral Turkmenistan," the Turkmen leader said, emphasizing the essence of the idea of observing the ancient spring holiday together with neighbouring brotherly nations. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that it was great honour to share with great respect and hospitality inherent in our people the joy of the holiday with our brothers.
Addressing the forum, the Turkmen leader focused on the humanitarian component of international cooperation, noting that the spiritual and cultural values of mankind in complex conditions of modern times showed the way to the right decisions. In this context, the President of Turkmenistan noted that cooperation in education and science, art and culture had therefore an important place among priority areas for international cooperation of Turkmenistan.
The President of Turkmenistan put forward the initiative to hold an international art contest of literary and other art works dedicated to Nowruz. The Turkmen leader noted that poets and writers, artists and sculptors, workers of culture and arts from our brotherly countries could participate in the contest which would play a critical role in bringing our peoples close together and strengthening our contacts and promote mutual enrichment of cultures.
In the conclusion the Turkmen leader said, "Nowruz is the beginning of a new day, a new life. Today people are looking in an effluent future with hope. May these bright dreams come true, may the souls of people open like spring flowers!"
The distinguished guests, who had arrived in Ashgabat to participate in the festive events, including International Conference "Nowruz - the Festival of Peace and Humanism", delivered speeches during the plenary meeting. These included Under Secretary-General of the United Nations, Director General of the United Nations Office at Geneva Kassym-Jomart Tokaev, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, President of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation Rustam Minnihanov, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Turkey Taner Yildiz, the head of the official delegation of the Azerbaijan Republic, Deputy Prime Minister Elchin Efendiev, Deputy Chairman of the Majilis of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kabibulla Jakupov, Minister of Culture, Information and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic Sultan Raev.
Summing up the plenary meeting of the International Conference "Nowruz - the Festival of Peace and Humanism", the President of Turkmenistan addressed all participants and thanked the UN high-ranking official, the leaders of the friendly states and the heads of the official delegations for their speeches.
The Turkmen leader noted that those speaking at the plenary meeting had highlighted unanimously the consolidating role of holy Nowruz and its critical role in promoting the values of peace and humanism. The leader of Turkmenistan expressed belief that cooperation between brotherly nations and their joint efforts in the international arena, especially within the United Nations, would henceforth become more motivated and effective.
"The significance of Nowruz and its values goes far beyond the boundaries of our region and reaches the international level which is vividly evidenced by the international status to Nowruz. We are very glad and proud of it," President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said.
Congratulating once again all those present on Nowruz and wishing forum participants the productive work, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov declared the plenary meeting of the International Conference "Nowruz - the Festival of Peace and Humanism" closed.
Uniting peoples in the name of peace, friendship and creation
Ministry of Culture & Broadcasting Services, Turkmenistan,
23 March 2013, Turkmenistan