On 26 November, the Mission of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Turkmenistan held a training seminar on communications and public relations aimed at strengthening the information-related capacities of the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan (NRCS TKM).

Representatives of the Red Crescent, volunteers, and media workers took part in the event.

The seminar speaker was Ermek Baisalov (Kyrgyzstan), Regional Communication Officer for Central Asia at the International Committee of the Red Cross. During his presentation, the expert shared his experience in developing effective communication strategies in the humanitarian field and discussed methods of interacting with the media as well as principles for responsible coverage of humanitarian issues.

Special attention was paid to enhancing relations with the press to ensure higher-quality dissemination of reliable information to a wide audience. Participants were actively engaged in practical exercises and expressed their willingness to continue developing cooperation.

Mikhail Rakhmanov, Head of the ICRC Mission in Turkmenistan, emphasized the importance of this event, noting that it is the first time journalists and humanitarian workers had gathered together to discuss common tasks and approaches to communicating socially significant information. He noted that the seminar served as a platform for exchanging experience and developing common information standards.

Vitaly Zatsepin, Head of the International Department of the NRCS TKM, added that holding the seminar at this time is particularly significant, given that 2025 has been declared the International Year of Peace and Trust in Turkmenistan. He emphasized that the policy of neutrality and the wise initiatives of the country’s leadership traditionally contribute to strengthening peace, good-neighborliness, and humanity both within the state and on the international stage.