The President of Turkmenistan H.E. Mr. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held a meeting with Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNFPA Executive Director

UNFPA Executive Director congratulated the Head of State and the Government of Turkmenistan on devoting the year 2015 to mark the 20 year anniversary of the UN General Assembly recognizing Turkmenistan’s status of permanent neutrality.  The President has extended the invitation to the UNFPA Head to join the 20 year anniversary celebration of Neutrality in December in Ashgabat.  

In view of the recent celebration of the 20year anniversary of the Health programme, UNFPA head also congratulated the President, a doctor and former Deputy Prime Minister responsible for healthcare, on the well rounded reforms in the healthcare sector, particularly the strengthening of the reproductive health system. The sides acknowledged the strategic partnership between the Government and UNFPA, while Dr. Osotimehin conveyed the continued expert support of UNFPA in the Government’s goal to expand the opportunities of women and young people to lead healthy reproductive lives.

Dr. Osotimehin welcomed the Government’s progress in implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and noted the visible achievements in the area of maternal health and family planning, and gender equality.

The President of Turkmenistan extended appreciation to the UNFPA for the partnership, especially in the area of youth policy development, as Turkmenistan has recently adopted the Youth Policy Law and the State Programme for implementation of the Law.  The President invited UNFPA to support the Government in organizing the International Conference on Youth Development in 2016. 

Next year, UNFPA and the Government of Turkmenistan will start a new Country Programme for 2016-2020.  The Government particularly envisages expanding the partnership with UNFPA in the area of youth issues.