Turkmenistan, UNECE Discuss Strengthening Cooperation on Sustainable Development and Regional Integration
Ashgabat, The Gulf Observer: On January 22, 2026, a meeting was held between Turkmenistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rashid Meredov, and Dmitry Mariyasin, Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), who is in Ashgabat to participate in the SPECA High-Level Week, held from January 20 to 23.
During the discussions, both sides explored avenues to further develop cooperation between Turkmenistan and UNECE, including collaboration in the areas of sustainable development, energy, transport and transit connectivity, and regional integration.
The Turkmen side reaffirmed its commitment to the UNECE mandate, highlighting the Commission’s role as an effective platform for implementing UN global initiatives at the regional level. Reference was made to Turkmenistan’s high-level participation in the 71st session of UNECE in April 2025 as a demonstration of the country’s active engagement.
The meeting placed particular emphasis on sustainable energy, methane emissions reduction, and the development of safe and sustainable transport corridors. Participants also underscored the importance of implementing the outcomes of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) and the Avaza Programme of Action for 2024–2034, with UNECE identified as a key regional partner in these efforts.
The meeting concluded with both sides expressing their readiness to further strengthen constructive and mutually beneficial cooperation.
