Changing social norms: UN advances Disability Inclusion in Turkmenistan and strengthens partnerships towards elimination of stigma

Across Ashgabat, signs of a more inclusive future are emerging — not only within conference halls, but also in parks, sports fields, and creative spaces where people come together to celebrate their diversity.

This year was more imposing in participation than the previous three. It all began from featuring two singers with disability at the UN concert dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, continued with a policy discussion and culminated with manifestation of diversity at a disability inclusion festival.

“Inclusion is not just a principle—it is a practice that transforms societies. By bringing policy and community together, we are building Turkmenistan where every person, regardless of ability, can participate fully and equally.” — Dmitry Shlapachenko, UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan

Organized in partnership of the United Nations with disability organizations, the Festival began with a lively gathering at the central Ashgabat Park, where families, children, athletes, artists, and volunteers filled the paths with movement and laughter. The annual “We Are Different – We Are Equal” Inclusive Festival has once again transformed the park into a vibrant space of empowerment — a place where everyone, regardless of ability, could participate, create, compete, and connect.

Visitors moved from one activity zone to another: a chess match unfolding under shady trees, an inclusive tennis rally surrounded by cheering voices, colorful crafts shaped by young artists with visual disabilities, and an eco-zone where children built playful creations from recycled materials. Music, dance, and bright displays of handmade art filled the air with energy and joy. The festival led by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office gathered together the UN agencies (OHCHR, UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO and  IOM), Organizations of persons with disabilities , civil society, sport federations, Government representatives and diplomatic community  reminded everyone present that inclusion is not an abstract concept — it is lived, experienced, shared, and celebrated. For the second year in a row, the Deputy Foreign Minister opened the Festival together with the Resident Coordinator . This sent a powerful signal to other Ministries which participated in considerably larger numbers . So were the diplomatic corps, with some 15 Ambassadors personally participating.

“For our community, being part of this festival means being seen and heard. It’s a chance to show that we are active, creative, and capable. Inclusion is about participation, and today we feel that fully,” Leyla Atayeva, a representative of the Deaf and Blind Society, 

Just a few days earlier, the spirit of inclusion took a different form in a roundtable discussion where national policymakers, UN agencies, civil society organizations, including representatives of organizations of  persons with disabilities gathered at one table. The Roundtable on “Inclusion through Partnership” explored how Turkmenistan can strengthen its national frameworks to ensure equal rights and opportunities for persons with disabilities. Participants openly exchanged ideas and experiences — from expanding inclusive education and improving accessible services to removing social barriers and promoting participation in public life.

Just as the government representatives spoke about progress and future ambitions, the civil society groups added their voices — voices grounded in lived experience, achieved milestones and daily advocacy. Together, they looked closely at international commitments, including the Universal Periodic Review and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, recommendations for strengthening the national legislative framework in line with the Convention identifying practical steps to move from promises to actions. 

Over the course of two days, experts from OHCHR facilitated technical consultations to identify priority areas for developing Turkmenistan’s National Strategy on the rights of persons with disabilities. The workshop embraced the principle of “Nothing about us without us”, ensuring that persons with disabilities were not only consulted but actively involved in shaping the strategy.  

Taken together, the UN concert, the lively festival in the park and the thoughtful dialogue at the roundtable tell one shared story: inclusion grows strongest when policy and community move forward together. One shows the joy and creativity of inclusive participation; the other lays the foundation that makes such participation possible in every community, school, workplace, and public space.

Building on this momentum, the United Nations in Turkmenistan will continue to work closely with the Government and Organizations of persons with disabilities to develop and endorse a National Strategy on the rights of persons with disabilities. This strategy that is informed by dialogue, grounded in human rights and inspired by the lived experiences of people with disabilities will aim to ensure that inclusion becomes a lasting, transformative part of Turkmenistan’s development. 

Together, the UN and the Government are taking meaningful steps toward a future where everyone can enjoy his rights and participate fully and equally, and where the message at the heart of the festival becomes a reality across the country: we are different — we are equal.