THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC PROJECT COMPETITION
11On June 2, in the International Year of Peace and Trust, in honor of the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality, World Environment Day, and Science Day, the Turkmen Agricultural University named after S.A. Niyazov, in cooperation with the Ministries of Education and Agriculture of Turkmenistan, launched the international scientific project competition titled “The Role of Youth in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” involving university students from Turkmenistan and abroad. An exhibition of scientific projects aligned with the competition's themes was also organized as part of the event.
This scientific project competition is being held for the third time with the aim of strengthening international cooperation in the field of science and education, fostering friendly relations between students of higher educational institutions in Turkmenistan and other countries, and encouraging students’ creativity, scientific inquiry, and professional aspirations.
As noted in the opening ceremony speeches, in 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Turkmenistan actively participated in the development of this Agenda and was one of the first countries to officially adopt all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the book by Hero Arkadag “Turkmenistan on the Path to Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” it is emphasized: “Turkmenistan’s socio-economic policy is multi-faceted and focused on real-life needs, which aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals.”
The adoption of the Resolution “Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan” at the 61st plenary meeting of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly on March 21, 2025, is another testament to the globally recognized achievements of Turkmenistan in this field.
In the first stage of the competition, 131 project works were submitted by students from Turkmenistan as well as from Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, Kazakhstan, China, Belarus, Latvia, Malaysia, Poland, Montenegro, and Slovenia. These submissions were thoroughly reviewed by the jury, and 36 authors were selected to participate in the second stage.
It is especially inspiring that the implementation of these projects in the future can contribute to six key SDGs: zero hunger; clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; climate action; conservation of marine ecosystems; and protection of terrestrial ecosystems.
The participants expressed sincere wishes for health and long life to the esteemed Hero Arkadag and Arkadagly Hero Serdar, the leaders of far-reaching reforms in science and education, and wished them continued success in their nationally and globally significant endeavors.
