The international forum “Primary HPV Testing – Better Quality Screening” took place in Ashgabat on 11 October as part of the international exhibition and scientific conference “Healthcare, Education and Sport in the Era of the Renaissance of a New Era of a Powerful State”. The forum was organized by the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), members and partners of the Regional Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and national partners. Participants included representatives of government bodies, the medical community, international experts and other stakeholders.
Participants discussed strategies for cervical cancer prevention, the introduction of primary HPV testing into national screening programmes, and the experience of countries across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Particular attention was given to HPV vaccination, including the transition to a single-dose immunisation schedule in Turkmenistan, modern approaches to diagnosis and treatment, and the use of artificial intelligence in cancer diagnosis.
A round-table discussion, “A Future Without Cancer”, was also held as part of the forum, bringing together representatives of government bodies, civil society organisations, the media and the Regional Alliance. Participants discussed raising public awareness of the importance of regular screening, preventing HPV-associated diseases, building confidence in vaccination and expanding women’s access to screening.
UNFPA provides technical support to national partners in strengthening the cervical cancer screening programme and facilitates the exchange of experience between specialists in Turkmenistan and international experts. These efforts aim to strengthen national capacity for disease prevention and early detection and contribute to the global goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030.
UNFPA, along with other UN agencies, including UNDP, UNICEF, and WHO, participated in the international exhibition held alongside the scientific conference, demonstrating a commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals in the area of health and well-being. /// nCa, 13 October 2026 (in cooperation with UNFPA Turkmenistan)