On 12 - 15 December, the Turkmen delegation visited Finland with the aim of getting familiarized with the foreign experience of developing the system of social security of the peoples.

The delegation included the members of the Interdepartmental Commission for the implementation of international obligations of Turkmenistan in the area of human rights and international humanitarian law (IAC) and members of the IAC Working Group. Cultural Rights (ICESCR), as well as recommendations on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). Here were the representatives of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, the Institute of State, Law, and Democracy, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Ministry of Health and Medical industry of Turkmenistan, and UNDP Office in Turkmenistan.

The visit was organized within the framework of the project between UNDP and the Institute of State, Law, and Democracy of Turkmenistan “Assistance in the realization of the National Action Plan of Turkmenistan in the Area of Human Rights for 2021-2025”. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, and UNDP Nordic Representation Office provided assistance in organizations of the visit.

Among the tasks of the visit were getting familiarized with the preparation of national reports on the implementation of international human rights treaties, implementing the provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), as well as recommendations on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

During the visit to Finland, meetings were held with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health of Finland, the Center for the Rule of Law of Finland, the Social Insurance Institute of Finland, the Finnish Ombudsman for Non-Discrimination, the Finnish Parliamentary Ombudsman, the member of the Finnish Parliament - Chairman of the Friendship Group with Central Asian countries, as well as members of public organizations on people with disabilities in Finland.

Special interest during the meeting in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health of Finland the delegation of Turkmenistan was paid to the discussion of topics related to social security. In addition, participants had the opportunity to get familiar with the provision of medical services to persons with disabilities, policy principles for ensuring and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities in Finland, which is based on equality, inclusion and accessibility for the disabled people, taking into account the vision ”nothing about us without us”.

Moreover, the interest arose to the presentation on the Finnish legislation governing the rule of law, issues of equality and non-discrimination, as well as international activities on ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities, which involves the active engagement of public organizations of persons with disabilities.