The new programme will be co-financed by the Government of Turkmenistan.
The new Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) for 2016-2020, signed between UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund and the Government of Turkmenistan will enhance efforts to meet the country’s development goals over the next five years. The new programme will be co-financed by the Government of Turkmenistan.
“The CPAP for 2016-2020 was developed jointly by UNFPA and the Government of Turkmenistan on the basis of the long standing strategic cooperation,” noted Mr. Rashid Meredov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan during the signing ceremony. “It is the result of the active consultations, including the talks held during the visit of UNFPA Executive Director to Turkmenistan in 2015. We believe that the new CPAP will mark the beginning of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) realization in Turkmenistan.”
The fourth CPAP is built around four major components – reproductive health, gender equality, data for development and youth. The document is designed to address the issues seen as priorities by the Government of Turkmenistan, and will ultimately contribute to achieving the SDGs in the country.
The new Country Programme will focus on strengthening policy and institutional mechanisms to deliver integrated reproductive health services, cervical cancer screening, HIV prevention, and family planning. The new programme will also focus on integration of male reproductive health issues and youth-friendly health services.
UNFPA will partner with the Government in promoting the rights and development of young people, who according to the agreement constitute 30 percent of Turkmenistan’s population. UNFPA will also work with the Government to create mechanisms for 15-24 year olds to be more actively engaged in the country’s development and have wider access to knowledge on adolescent reproductive health.
“While we capitalize on the areas that have been successful, we’re pleased that our cooperation has expanded to the area of youth,” said Mr. Meredov. Deputy Prime Minister recalled the meeting of the UNFPA Executive Director with the President of Turkmenistan where the proposal was put forward to hold the International Youth Forum in 2016, which will help to address many aspects of youth development.
According to the CPAP, UNFPA will support the Government to install mechanisms to protect and empower women and young girls. Turkmenistan has signed the National Action Plan of Turkmenistan on Gender Equality for 2015-2020, which addresses the concluding observations and recommendations of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). UNFPA will work with the Government in establishing the monitoring and evaluation framework for the Action Plan to measure the progress of its implementation.
The new Country Programme will also focus attention on strengthening population-related data collection, analysis and use and support the national statistical system to secure a proper monitoring mechanism of population-related priorities.
Ms. Jacinta Barrins, United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNFPA Representative, noted that the Country Programme is based on principles of national ownership, upstream policy, human rights based approach and results based programming. Turkmenistan has demonstrated notable achievements in many areas of cooperation, owing to the national leadership and political commitment. Ms. Barrins congratulated the Government of Turkmenistan on co-financing the new Programme, which sets the model for countries in the region.
For additional information, please contact:
Bayramgul Garabayeva, UNFPA Assistant Representative
Ene Tuyliyeva, Advocacy/Communication Associate
Tel: 425250; fax: 425337
Web: www.unfpa.org.tm
