Today, Speaker of the Parliament of Turkmenistan Gulshat Mammedova took part in the first meeting, organized by videoconference by the UNDP Regional Office for Europe and the CIS, and the United Nations Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), on the establishment of the Dialogue of high-ranking women of Central Asia.

Opening the meeting, UN Assistant Secretary General, Director of the UNDP Regional Office for Europe and the CIS Mirjana Spolyarich Egger and UN Secretary General's Special Representative for Central Asia, UNRCCA head Natalya German stressed the importance of a new project aimed at strengthening the role of women in solving problems related to ensuring sustainable development, maintaining peace and security in the region.

The videoconference participants discussed the Concept of the Initiative for the creation of the above Dialogue in terms of its political, economic and social significance, and also exchanged views on possible areas of cooperation.

Priority areas include the intellectual sphere, support for scientifically grounded socio-political research, improvement of legislation on gender equality, stimulation of progressive initiatives of women in various fields.

Particular attention during the online meeting was paid to the practical implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, supported by all member states of the Community of Nations, as well as the UN Agenda for Women, Peace and Security.

As you know, this year marks 20 years since the adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution, which for the first time secured the crucial role of women in ensuring and maintaining peace, as well as 10 years since the creation of the UN-Women structure.

In this context, it was noted that the Constitution of Turkmenistan guarantees women a full range of civil rights and freedoms. In this regard, systemic steps are being taken in our country aimed at actively involving women in the activities of state authorities and administration, increasing their educational level and professional training.

Next year, Turkmenistan will start implementing the second National Action Plan for Gender Equality, calculated for 2021-2025. The corresponding Resolution was signed by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in early December.

This document includes areas such as improving national legislation, ensuring gender-responsive health care, promoting equal access to education, preventing and responding to gender-based violence, empowering women and girls, expanding women's participation at all levels, including political and social aspects.

Highly assessing the prospects for further cooperation, the participants in the meeting spoke in favor of consolidating joint efforts aimed at addressing acute issues of regional and global development, reports the State News Agency of Turkmenistan.