First Meeting of Turkmenistan-UN Strategic Advisory Council Held to Foster Sustainable Development
Ashgabat, The Gulf Observer: The inaugural session of the Strategic Advisory Council “Turkmenistan – UN” convened in a hybrid format at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marking a pivotal milestone in advancing collaborative efforts towards sustainable development.
According to the Turkmenistan State News Agency (TDH), the Council’s proceedings unfolded in two sessions meticulously crafted to address critical areas of cooperation. The first session delved into preparatory steps for formulating the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework between Turkmenistan and the UN (UNDAF) for the period 2026 – 2030.
Transitioning to the second session, stakeholders engaged in constructive dialogues concerning the trajectory of cooperation in sustainable development, along with exploring avenues for joint projects. An imperative discussion revolved around developing a robust interaction mechanism within the Strategic Advisory Council to facilitate systematic collaboration.
Crucially, the meeting witnessed the approval of a comprehensive Roadmap for crafting a new Framework Program for cooperation in sustainable development between Turkmenistan and the UN for the period 2026 – 2030. Additionally, eight projects spanning diverse domains such as youth policy, digitalization, demography, green energy, and climate change were deliberated upon.
The denouement of the gathering featured a ceremonial signing of pivotal documents emblematic of the shared commitment to advancing mutual goals. Noteworthy agreements included:
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Turkmenistan and the UN Human Settlements Program, underscoring joint endeavors in environmental protection, healthcare, agriculture, and other vital sectors.
- Draft document fostering collaboration between the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, titled “Capacity Building for Climate-Resilient Water Resources Management.”
- Draft agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, aimed at “Development of Digital Solutions for Sustainable Pasture Management.”
- Draft agreement between the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, focusing on the “Development of the Aquafeed Value Chain and Management Effectiveness for Protecting the Health of Aquatic Animals.”
- Agreement facilitating the procurement of medical products for controlling infectious diseases in 2024 – 2025, forged between the Government of Turkmenistan and the United Nations Development Program, catering to the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan.
- Draft agreement between the Academy of Civil Service under the President of Turkmenistan and the United Nations Development Program, aiming to “Increase the Capacity of the Academy of Civil Service under the President of Turkmenistan.”
The consensus reached and the commitments made during the meeting underscored the unwavering dedication of Turkmenistan and the UN to foster sustainable development and enhance the well-being of their respective populations.
