UN Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and UNDP Regional Director for Europe and the CIS Ivana Zivkovic made her first official visit to Turkmenistan.

The purpose of the visit was to participate in the International Forum “Dialogue is a Guarantee of Peace”, as well as to hold high-level meetings to discuss issues of strategic partnership between UNDP and Turkmenistan.

On December 11, the UNDP Regional Director met with the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. During the conversation, potential areas of strategic partnership aimed at promoting inclusive and sustainable growth of the country were discussed.

Taking part in the International Forum “Dialogue is a Guarantee of Peace”, Ivana Zivkovic addressed the forum participants.

“UNDP remains a strategic partner of Turkmenistan in its quest for development, peace and stability. In the face of unprecedented global challenges, it is vital to use development as a key tool to achieve peace and stability. In this regard, I warmly welcome Turkmenistan’s initiatives to promote dialogue towards peace, mutual understanding and conflict resolution throughout the world,” she noted.

During her stay in Turkmenistan, Ivana Zhivkovic also met with senior representatives of the Government of Turkmenistan, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov, Deputy Prime Minister Nurmuhammed Amannepesov and Director General of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Mammetkhan Chakyev.

The parties discussed the country's development prospects and opportunities for expanding joint efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The UNDP Regional Director highlighted the achievements of long-term cooperation between UNDP and the Government of Turkmenistan and discussed opportunities to further develop and strengthen this partnership in various areas, including democratic governance, health, digital transformation, education, environment and inclusive economic development.

As part of her visit, the UNDP Regional Director visited the cardboard and printing workshop No. 1 of the Society of the Blind and Deaf of Turkmenistan (SBDT) in Ashgabat and took part in the celebration of the International Day of Neutrality.

We previously reported that the Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau will visit Turkmenistan.