October 16, 2024, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan - The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Office in Turkmenistan held a consultative meeting with national partners to discuss the development of the UNFPA Country Programme for 2026-2030.

During the event held at the Yyldyz Hotel, participants discussed the strategic nature of UNFPA's partnership with the Government of Turkmenistan, progress achieved and cooperation priorities for the new period. Within thematic sessions, participants discussed and technically agreed on areas of cooperation and partnership opportunities on reproductive health, reproductive rights, achieving gender equality, preventing violence against women and girls, as well as issues of realizing young people's potential.

Among the priorities in reproductive health and rights, participants noted the importance of continuing cooperation in providing reproductive health supplies and reproductive rights, experience of regionalization, medical statistics and analytical tools, adolescent health and oncological diseases.

Regarding priorities in gender equality and youth potential, participants identified areas that require special attention, study of successful international experience and use of evidence-based practice. Thus, areas were noted for improving legislation to protect women's and girls' rights, strengthening inter-agency approach and coordination in providing services to support women affected by domestic violence. Special attention was also paid to the issue of transforming social norms that hinder gender equality and family well-being, as well as integrating international standards for considering the interests of vulnerable populations, women and girls in emergency situations.