Meeting with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees

On October 16, 2024, a meeting was held between the Turkmen delegation, led by the Chairman of the State Migration Service, Amanmukhammet Sazakov, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi. During the talks, key areas of cooperation related to addressing statelessness issues were discussed.

Amanmukhammet Sazakov emphasized that under the leadership of the National Leader of the Turkmen people and the Honorable President of Turkmenistan, significant work had been carried out in this direction. Specifically, in September 2024, Turkmenistan granted citizenship to more than 1,000 stateless individuals, thereby fully fulfilling its commitments under the UN's #IBelong campaign, a ten-year program aimed at eradicating statelessness globally. This makes Turkmenistan one of the first countries to successfully achieve the goals of the program, reaffirming its commitment to humanitarian obligations.

During the meeting, the Turkmen delegation submitted an official note regarding the country’s accession to the Global Alliance on Statelessness, established under the auspices of the UNHCR.

Mr. Grandi highly appreciated this step by Turkmenistan, noting its leading role in global initiatives aimed at resolving one of the most significant humanitarian challenges of today. He also expressed deep gratitude to the leadership of Turkmenistan for their efforts and presented an original letter of appreciation addressed to the President of Turkmenistan. Filippo Grandi emphasized that Turkmenistan’s example could inspire other countries to take similar actions.

Amanmukhammet Sazakov also invited Mr. Grandi and his team to participate in a regional conference on statelessness, which will be held on November 8, 2024, in Ashgabat. This conference will serve as an important platform for exchanging experiences and developing strategies to eliminate statelessness-related issues both in the region and globally.

Additionally, as part of its participation in the 75th session of the UNHCR Executive Committee, the Turkmen delegation held a meeting with UN Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Ruven Menikdiwela. During the meeting, Ms. Menikdiwela, who previously worked in Turkmenistan, warmly recalled her experience of cooperation with the Turkmen side and noted the significant progress the country has made in the humanitarian sphere.

She highlighted the importance of Turkmenistan’s efforts in addressing statelessness and confirmed her participation in the upcoming regional conference, which will take place on November 8, 2024, in Ashgabat. According to her, this conference will serve as a key platform for experience sharing and strengthening regional cooperation in eradicating statelessness.