Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov outlined plans to bolster Turkmenistan’s collaboration with the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) during a government meeting on Friday, 21 Jun.
Turkmenistan implements priority tasks with the above-mentioned Commissions for cooperation in such important areas as the economy, transport, energy, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
One of the steps to strengthen cooperation will be Turkmenistan’s chairmanship in the UN Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA). The program has been in operation since 1998. Over the past period, Turkmenistan has repeatedly chaired SPECA.
In view of the completion of the period of Tajikistan’s presidency at the end of 2024 in this Program, proposals were announced for Turkmenistan’s chairmanship in SPECA in 2025, the preparation of an appropriate Concept and Action Plan is underway.
It was also noted that Turkmenistan cooperates in the field of sustainable energy within the framework of the UNECE.
Turkmenistan will nominate representatives from Turkmengaz and the Ministry of Energy to join UNECE Expert Groups on gas, renewable energy, and clean electricity.
Following the successful adoption of a ESCAP resolution titled “Consideration of the conditions for the creation of a special United Nations program for the Aral Sea basin” in May 2023, Turkmenistan proposes a special meeting this summer with international experts and ESCAP member states. This aims to move forward with creating a dedicated UN program for the region.
To address environmental challenges, a seminar on disaster prevention in the Aral basin is planned for Ashgabat in Q4 2024.
As known, in 2022 Turkmenistan joined the Framework Agreement on Simplification of Procedures for Cross-border Electronic Commerce in the Asia-Pacific Region. To streamline cross-border e-commerce, Turkmenistan plans to establish a Working Group. The Ministry of Justice and the State Customs Service are proposed as key members to ensure smooth implementation.
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov endorsed the proposals, emphasizing Turkmenistan’s strong UN collaboration. Noting the importance of further developing partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the Head of State gave the Deputy Prime Minister and the Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs relevant instructions. ///nCa, 24 June 2024