From February 23 to 25, 2026, the German–Central Asian Forum on Higher Education and Science is being held in Halle, Federal Republic of Germany. The forum is dedicated to fostering cooperation in education, science, and innovation, with events hosted at the headquarters of the German National Academy of Sciences, Leopoldina.
On February 23, a roundtable discussion took place featuring Markus Player, State Secretary of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, and the Ambassadors of Central Asian states to Germany. The meeting concluded with the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent on cooperation in science, research, and innovation within the Z5+1 format, aimed at deepening long-term partnerships. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary B. Rejepov signed the document on behalf of Turkmenistan.
The forum’s opening ceremony was attended by representatives of relevant ministries, scientific organizations, and universities from Germany, alongside Central Asian Ambassadors.
In his address, Ambassador Rejepov highlighted Turkmenistan’s achievements in higher education and science, emphasizing the importance of strengthening ties between Germany and the Central Asian region.
Participants showed particular interest in the presentation by Manfred Nawroth, Vice President of the German Cultural Council and Deputy Managing Director of the German Archaeological Association. He noted the significant contribution of German scientists to archaeological research in Central Asia, specifically highlighting the uniqueness and historical importance of Turkmen sites such as Nisa, Gonur Depe, and Merv.
The forum continues to address key issues including the implementation of joint scientific projects, academic mobility, support for young researchers, and the introduction of innovative solutions. The event reaffirms the strategic nature of the partnership between Central Asian countries and Germany in the fields of science and education.
