The High-Level Dialogue on Global Health Diplomacy is taking place from February 16 to 18, 2026, in Turkmenistan. The event is being held within the framework of a flagship initiative of the World Health Organization and has brought together representatives of the expert community from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkey.
CIS Secretary-General Sergey Lebedev sent greetings to the meeting participants.
His message notes the symbolic significance that this important event marks the start of Turkmenistan’s chairmanship in the CIS. The High-Level Dialogue also inaugurates a series of major international events in connection with the declared Year of Health Protection in the Commonwealth, confirming the crucial role of healthcare in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
It also emphasizes that in matters of countering the spread of diseases, the interaction between the CIS Council for Cooperation in Health and the WHO Regional Office for Europe is a vivid example of successful medical diplomacy. This work is built on practical actions implemented through specific international programmes and technical support.
In his address, Sergey Lebedev particularly noted the significant contribution of the CIS basic organizations to the development of diplomacy at the expert level. Around thirty WHO collaborating centers located in the Commonwealth region also serve as active participants in this dialogue.
The message also states that the current year is special for the Commonwealth not only because it has been declared the Year of Health Protection in the CIS and the implementation of the Action Plan developed for this purpose. This year also marks the thirtieth anniversary of the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the CIS Council for Cooperation in Health and the WHO Regional Office for Europe.
He emphasized that in the healthcare sphere, Turkmenistan sets an exemplary model in addressing pressing tasks related to preserving and strengthening the health of citizens and acts as an active participant in many projects within the Commonwealth platform.
He expressed confidence that the High-Level Dialogue would proceed in a trusting and constructive atmosphere and would contribute to further expanding international partnership and establishing multilateral ties.