President of Turkmenistan talks about constructive cooperation with the United Nations Agencies13 October 2006, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan - The Government of Turkmenistan and the UN agencies, including UNICEF, participated at a conference to discuss the results of fifteen-year joint cooperation. Progress towards achievement of Millennium Development Goals by Turkmenistan was high on agenda of the conference. In the speech addressed to the conference participants (presented by the Foreign Minister Mr. Rashid Meredov) the President of Turkmenistan Saparmyrat Niyazov stressed the importance of the UN-Government collaboration by stating that “…achievement of the Millennium Development Goals adopted by the UN coincide with the national priorities and interests of Turkmenistan framed in the National Strategy of Economic, Political and Cultural Development of Turkmenistan until 2020”. “In the context of coordinated and efficient partnership between our country and the UN it is necessary to stress joint fruitful work of the Turkmen government with the UN specialised institutions and agencies. For some years the state structures and public organisations of Turkmenistan successfully realise joint programmes and projects in collaboration with such organisations as the UNDP, UNICEF, UNESCO and many others”, said the President of Turkmenistan. “I would like to assure the UN of our country’s readiness for constructive and fruitful cooperation,” Mr. Niyazov added. For UNICEF the conference presented an unprecedented opportunity to present the key issues describing both achievements and challenges in the area of child rights. UNICEF as a strong advocate for child rights remains one of the major partners for the Government of Turkmenistan in improving the children’s well being. An augmented public allocation for children, improved quality in education, enhanced child oriented and CRC compliant laws and policies, and establishment of the national plan of actions for children were among the key challenges that Mr. Mahboob Shareef, UNICEF Turkmenistan Representative, urged the Government of Turkmenistan to address. Speaking of emerging opportunities and challenges that are important for the full realization of child rights, Mr. Shareef said: “First of all, Turkmenistan, as a country with rapid economic growth is in an advantageous position in shaping the country’s economic policies that are much more geared towards the long term benefit of children and make strategic decision to invest more in achieving those policies. Secondly, the Government could further improve its legislation to achieve compliance with all the principles and provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and ensure a comprehensive and effective implementation of policies regarding children. And thirdly, the needs and rights of children cannot always be compartmentalized in discreet sectors. They cut across many sectors. It is for this very reason UNICEF has embarked upon building broad-based partnership with many Ministries and Agencies. Drawing experience on this long lasting effort it is our hope that the Government will establish a multi-sectoral coordination committee to plan and implement progarmmes for children in a much more coordinated fashion.” Mr. Shareef thanked all the donors who generously contributed to UNICEF programmes in Turkmenistan and expressed his hope that their support for fulfilling the rights of children in Turkmenistan would further continue. At the end of the UNICEF Representative’s speech the Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan highly appreciated UNICEF’s support to the country and mentioned that UNICED was the first UN agency that opened its office in Turkmenistan immediately after independence. The Conference was preceded by an opening ceremony of the photo exhibition on the joint UN-Government programmes in Turkmenistan and distribution of the informational materials to the viewers. For more information please contact: Ms. Gulyalek Soltanova UNICEF Communication Officer Phone: +99312 425681/82/86/86 Fax: +99312 420830 Email: gsoltanova@unicef.org Web: http://www.unicef.org/turkmenistan
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