A delegation from Turkmenistan is actively engaged in the 79th World Health Assembly, taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, from May 18 to May 23, 2026. Leading this delegation is Azat Ovezov, the Deputy Minister of Health and Medical Industry.

This annual assembly gathers representatives from WHO member states to tackle global health challenges, fortify international cooperation, and elevate public health frameworks across various regions.

During his visit, Ovezov met bilaterally with WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Both officials celebrated the robust cooperation between Turkmenistan and WHO and outlined future priorities for the healthcare sector.

The delegation proudly highlighted the achievements of joint health programs with United Nations agencies and reaffirmed Turkmenistan's dedication to enhancing long-term collaboration with WHO in the realms of public health and medical advancements.

Furthermore, Turkmenistan has extended an official invitation to Dr. Ghebreyesus to visit in October 2026 for critical regional healthcare events coinciding with health initiatives.

As part of their agenda, Turkmen representatives also took part in an informal round-table meeting at WHO headquarters. They convened with health ministers and delegation leaders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, alongside WHO Europe Regional Director Dr. Hans Kluge.

Conversations centered on finalizing the institutionalization of the Roadmap for Health and Well-being in Central Asia 2026–2030, referred to as RMCA 2.0, aimed at enhancing regional healthcare cooperation and strengthening strategic alliances among Central Asian nations.

Officials also reviewed strategies for the official rollout of the roadmap and its integration with broader regional health initiatives tied to the CIS Year of Health.

In a separate meeting, Turkmen officials engaged with Dr. Hans Kluge to discuss avenues for fortifying public health systems throughout Central Asia.