In Turkmenistan, conducting nationwide tree-planting campaigns twice a year has become a fine tradition. The diplomatic corps, including the Ambassadors of foreign states accredited to Turkmenistan, takes a part in these large-scale environmental protection events.

On World Environment Day, we would like to particularly acknowledge one of the most active participants in the capital’s eco-campaigns — Mrs. Dubravka Jovanovic, the spouse of Mr. Diego Ruiz Alonso, the Ambassador of the European Union who served in Turkmenistan from 2020 to 2023.

During her stay in Turkmenistan, Mrs. Dubravka Jovanovic was engaged in planting trees not only during official ecological events, but also on her own personal initiative.

With the permission of local residents, in coordination with the city administration and other agencies, as well as in agreement with the heads of 20 diplomatic missions of foreign states in Ashgabat, she planted about 6,000 trees and 9,000 shrubs in the capital and its surroundings at her own expense.

Mrs. D. Jovanovic’s "green diplomacy" in Turkmenistan began with her planting greenery with her own hands on a plot of land adjacent to the residence building of the EU Ambassador in Ashgabat. Such an unusual hobby for the spouse of a high-ranking foreign diplomat initially caused surprise among local residents and a desire to find out her motivation, but they were held back by the language barrier.

However, Dubravka easily overcame it by speaking Russian.

It turned out that the new neighbor is a polyglot of Serbian origin and is fluent in Serbian, English, Polish, Spanish, and Russian.

Introducing herself, the stranger gave her name — Dubravka, and immediately explained that it means "oak grove". To the question: "Why are you planting?», she replied with a smile: "Because I just love doing it — it is part of my life," and immediately added, "If you want, I will plant some for you too." People agreed skeptically, not expecting any continuation. However, they were soon convinced that Dubravka’s promises were not just words.

Thus began the greening of the surrounding areas. While planting the plants, she was giving useful advice to local residents on how to properly care for the saplings so that they would take root better.

Children were especially fascinated by her stories about the benefits of trees for the planet and human health.

The number of plantings increased — and so did the number of friends of ecology, which included the most diverse strata of society and even people with disabilities.

Taking into account the personal contribution of Mrs. Dubravka Jovanovic to environmental education, environmental protection, the greening of the city of Ashgabat, and her active participation in the implementation of the comprehensive National Forest Program of Turkmenistan, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, together with the Central Council of the Agrarian Party, worthily appreciated her merits.

On June 5, 2023, Mrs. Dubravka Jovanovic was presented with a Certificate of Honor and valuable gifts in a festive atmosphere.

It is worth noting that Dubravka was actively involved in greening not only in Turkmenistan, but also in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Spain, Israel, Serbia, Libya, Montenegro, Iraq, and other states where she resided together with her diplomat husband.

It all started back in the distant 90s, when Dubravka, in a devastated Belgrade, organized her disheartened neighbors to work on restoring their residential buildings and adjacent plots of land.

Behind the work, grief and anxiety gave way to vital creation and FAITH in a better future. Her initiative was featured in Belgrade newspapers and magazines, covered in television news reports, and served as an inspiring impetus for the residents of the capital toward the restoration of the urban environment.

Later, she repeated this experience in Montenegro, with which Serbia had developed cold relations. By her own example, she mobilized local residents of all ages to clean up the beach, landscape a park, a sports ground, and to green primary and secondary schools...

This noble act was also reported in the local press. The inspiring headline repeated the words of Dubravka herself, spoken by her in an interview: "If I cannot change the huge world, then I can fix my own small world." Subsequently, this expression turned into her philosophy of life.

Since then, wherever Dubravka was with her diplomat husband, she dedicated all her free time to landscaping and greening the land. Speaking about trees, Dubravka likes to repeat: "These plantings are the traces of our good deeds. When we are gone, the trees, as traces of our good deeds, will remain, bringing joy and benefit to people."

Mrs. Jovanovic loves to visit the countries where she lived with her diplomat husband and watch how her trees grow, continuing to plant new ones for her friends and acquaintances. She made her motto the phrase: "Give another person a tree, and it will bear the fruits of goodness."

Her noble activity is a vivid example of how a family member of an Ambassador can make a PRACTICAL contribution to the sustainable development and greening program of the host country. This is an inspiring precedent of international friendship, solidarity, and sincere love for nature, worthy of deep respect.

The greatest dream of Dubravka Jovanovic is to create a park of peace and friendship between the peoples of the Earth. On the eve of her 60th anniversary, we would like to wish her from the bottom of our hearts: "Godspeed, Dubravka, and may your brightest dream surely come true!"

                                                                            Jennet Hodjamuradova