Georgian Ombudsman paid a working visit to Ashgabat

Georgia’s Public Defender, Levan Ioseliani, has completed an official working visit to Ashgabat at the invitation of Turkmenistan’s Human Rights Commissioner, Yazdursun Gurbannazarova.

During the visit, bilateral meetings were held at the Turkmen Ombudsperson’s Office, the Mejlis (parliament), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In a meeting with Turkmenistan’s Human Rights Commissioner, both parties stressed the importance of long-standing inter-institutional cooperation. Gurbannazarova praised the Georgian Public Defender Office’s work, particularly its National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), and readiness to draw on Georgian expertise as Turkmenistan establishes its own preventive mechanism. The two sides agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding next year to coincide with the 10th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Ombudsperson’s Office.

In Ashgabat, Ioseliani also met with the Chairman of the Turkmen Parliament’s Committee on International and Inter-Parliamentary Relations, and the Deputy Foreign Minister. Discussions focused on the 30-year track record and institutional development of the Georgian Ombudsman’s Office, alongside the framework of its annual parliamentary reporting. Conversations also covered women’s rights, with particular focus on enhancing female participation in legislative processes and parliamentary decision-making.

Turkmenistan’s Deputy Foreign Minister highlighted the value of learning from Georgia’s Public Defender’s Office, calling it one of the most effective institutions in the region with one of the broadest mandates.

According to the Public Defender’s Office, Ioseliani joined Georgia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Turkmenistan, Konstantine Sabiashvili, and members of the diplomatic corps to lay flowers at the Independence Monument as part of events marking the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence. He subsequently visited the Georgian Embassy in Ashgabat.