On behalf of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the Turkmen delegation took part in the 57th session of the UN Commission on Population and Development, held at the UN headquarters in New York (USA), from April 29 to 30.

The topic of the session is “The Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and its contribution to the 2030 Agenda.”

Simultaneously with this event, a plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly was held dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), during which an overview and assessment of the results achieved in the implementation of the ICPD+30 Program of Action was presented at the global level.

During the meeting, representatives of the Turkmen delegation introduced the participants to national experience in achieving the goals and solving the tasks outlined in the global Population Action Program. A number of proposals were also voiced to strengthen multilateral cooperation at both the regional and global levels.

On the sidelines of the 57th session of the UN Commission on Population and Development, at the initiative of Turkmenistan, a side event “Advancing the circumstances of ICPD+30: national experience and ways forward” was held, which was designed to emphasize the importance of fulfilling the commitments made at the ICPD and sharing national experience in the field promoting the well-being of children in need of care.

The meeting was attended by UNFPA Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Florence Bauer, Director of the UNICEF Department for Child Protection Shima Sen Gupta, permanent representatives and experts of UN member states.

Speakers from the Turkmen side noted that, as a member of the UN Commission on Population and Development, Turkmenistan has made significant progress in implementing the ICPD Program of Action at the national level, and is also actively participating in preparatory events organized at various levels.

Representatives of the Turkmen delegation spoke about the large-scale work being carried out throughout the country to construct socially significant facilities that meet international standards within the framework of the “Program of the President of Turkmenistan for the socio-economic development of the country in 2022–2028”.

Emphasizing that the Turkmen state is successfully pursuing a socially oriented policy, the speakers focused on the role of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Fund, created in March 2021, to assist children in need of care. As noted, the Fund’s activities are multifaceted and cover a variety of aspects, including financing complex medical operations, purchasing high-tech equipment for hospitals, providing children with diagnostic and treatment procedures for various diseases and treatment and preventive measures. In addition, in recent years, this organization has taken part in a number of international humanitarian actions.

As noted, the election of Turkmenistan to the Executive Board of the UN Children’s Fund for 2024–2026 is recognition of the country’s achievements in the promotion and implementation of children’s rights.