THE UNESCO DEPARTMENT «DIGITAL SCIENCE»: A NEW CHAPTER IN TURKMENISTAN–UNESCO SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION
As a result of the thoroughly calculated scientific and technological policy implemented under the wise leadership of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero Arkadag, and the Honorable President of Turkmenistan, Arkadagly Hero Serdar, Turkmen science today possesses a creative potential and is undergoing fundamental transformations. Over the past decade, thanks to major efforts aimed at improving the structures of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, scientific research institutes, and secondary and higher educational institutions, systematic work has been carried out to digitalize all sectors of the national economy and introduce scientific developments into production. This has greatly contributed to enhancing the role of science in accelerating the country’s scientific and technological progress and increasing the intellectual potential of society.
One of the priority areas of cooperation between our Independent, permanently Neutral state of Turkmenistan and UNESCO is the implementation of international programs and projects in the fields of science and education. Within the framework of this direction, the achievements in accomplishing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) – which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities, knowledge, and professional skill development for all people – have been defined as a core task. For instance, as a result of the successful implementation of the UNESCO «UNITWIN/CHAIR» educational program in our country over the past four years, UNESCO Department have been established, namely «Cultural Heritage: from the Past to the Future» at the Magtymguly Turkmen State University and «Environmental Education for Sustainable Development» at the Seyitnazar Seydi Turkmen State Pedagogical Institute, alongside 6 UNESCO Clubs.
Recently, on April 15, 2026, the opening ceremony and conference of the UNESCO Department «Digital Science» were held at the International Science and Technology Park of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan. The event was attended by representatives of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO, heads of the Academy of Sciences, scientific research institutes, UNESCO Department and Clubs operating in Turkmenistan, as well as members of the scientific community. The establishment of the UNESCO Department «Digital Science» at the International Science and Technology Park has become a significant milestone in promoting scientific, educational, and creative capabilities within the digitalization process – to which special attention is currently being paid – and in developing cooperation with specialized international structures on a comprehensive basis.
The opening of the UNESCO Department «Digital Science» proves once again that Turkmenistan is fully committed to further expanding its comprehensive partnership with UNESCO. This Department will facilitate the multilateral development of mutual cooperation based on the achievements of modern science in the digital sphere and will contribute to promoting national experience in the global arena.
This new intellectual platform was established within the framework of the UNESCO «UNITWIN» program, which brings together more than 1,100 specialized structures worldwide. It complements the existing network of Department operating at the Magtymguly Turkmen State University and the Seyitnazar Seydi Turkmen State Pedagogical Institute. This initiative fully aligns with the UNESCO Medium-Term Strategy for 2022–2029, as well as international principles concerning the ethics of artificial intelligence and «open science».
Joining the international «UNITWIN» network is opening up broad opportunities for young scientists, creating favorable conditions for them to participate in world-class scientific research in the fields of geospatial data and artificial intelligence technologies.
The Decrees adopted by our Honorable President «On Increasing the Efficiency of Scientific Research work in Turkmenistan» and «On Providing Financial Support for the Development of the Science System in Turkmenistan» create the necessary conditions for conducting scientific work, expanding the scope of research, and implementing their outcomes into practice. The successful execution of these reforms helps elevate the position of science in accelerating the country’s scientific and technical progress and increasing the intellectual capacity of society. In this regard, the motto put forward by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, «Science is the Power of the State», resonates as a priority direction of the state policy pursued in the sphere of science and scientific education.
As can be seen, raising science and education to new, higher levels in Independent, permanently Neutral Turkmenistan creates the most essential conditions for improving the socio-economic well-being of the Turkmen people, thereby ensuring the further enhancement of the country’s technical and economic potential. This opens up even wider pathways for the future of the steadily expanding cooperation in science and education between Turkmenistan and UNESCO.
The creation of UNESCO Department will contribute to nurturing the youth based on global and national values, increasing their knowledge of ecology and environmental protection issues, and developing their ecological culture. These units are not merely traditional academic departments, but rather large-scale international educational and research centers. The educational process within them differs from the regular activities of higher educational institutions in terms of both content and format. Furthermore, these academic divisions play a major role in exchanging experience and information across the entire spectrum of issues related to the development of higher education and science.
Sahydovlet HUMMETJUMAYEV,
the 3rd year student of the Faculty of International Relations
Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan