ISESCO is considering declaring Ashgabat the cultural capital of the Islamic world in 2028, and work on this is already underway. This was announced by Salem Al Malik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), during the 15th session of the organization's General Conference in Kazan, which was held within the framework of the XVII International Economic Forum "Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum," according to the State News Agency of Turkmenistan.

As noted in the statement, during this session, Turkmenistan received observer status at ISESCO.

As National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted in his speech, Ashgabat views developing cooperation with ISESCO as an important area of its international humanitarian policy.

According to him, joining the organization is a significant step in the development of Turkmenistan's international cooperation in the fields of education, science, and culture, and the country is interested in participating in ISESCO's relevant initiatives and expanding practical cooperation.