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• UNDP and the Government of Turkmenistan expand cooperation to create sustainable health systems

  27 February the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan signed new projects on health to improve access to treatment of the noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and enhance national capacity for clinical laboratory diagnostics.

  “We are happy to note the increased collaboration between UNDP and the Government of Turkmenistan on strengthening health system of the country, which demonstrates a growing trust in UNDP as a strategic partner to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, by ensuring no one is left behind,”- said Ms. Narine Sahakyan, UNDP Resident Representative in Turkmenistan.

  More specifically, UNDP launched the following new joint projects to support the national efforts to strengthen the country’s health system:

  The project “Provision of medicines necessary for prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases and for maternal and child health in Turkmenistan in 2023-2024”, which is aimed at strengthening the national health systems capacities to control the noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), rare diseases, and improve maternal and newborn health in Turkmenistan. . The project will ensure access to free, good quality, available, affordable medicines across the country through the provision of medicines for treatment of NCDs and other diseases. This project will continue providing quality and affordable medicines initiated by the first NCD project between UNDP and MoHMI for 2020-2021. Notably, the project includes: i) the provision of medicines for rare and orphan diseases which are very costly, making the patients with the rare and orphan diseases most vulnerable to financial hardships; ii) provision of essential medicines for NCD patients, including the most vulnerable people; iii) contribute to women’s health by providing medicines for pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal period;

  The project “Strengthening clinical laboratory services in Turkmenistan in 2023-2024” will focus on strengthening the national health system’s capacity for clinical laboratory diagnostics of diseases. The project will support health services to ensure availability, accessibility, reliability, and most-up-to-date laboratory investigations for accurate and timely diagnosis of the most common diseases, such as common infectious, non-infectious diseases, surgery, emergency cases, maternal and child health, and other. Important to note that the project will support laboratories of primary health care which serve most of the population. The availability of lab services at the PHC level in close proximity to the place of residence, reduces gender-related barriers and ensures equal access to a full range of lab investigations for women and girls, including lab investigations during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal period. The project will particularly help vulnerable people with access to lab services by reducing the cost of the services and the cost of transportation if such services are not available at PHC.

  It is expected that both projects, fully funded by the Government of Turkmenistan with a total budget of around 78 million US dollars, will help Turkmenistan to contribute significantly to the achievement of the universal health coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals.

  “Ensuring Universal Health Coverage in the country and enhancing the resilience of the national health system to pandemics and acute diseases is one of the main areas of our cooperation with indeed impressive results. The volume of our past and ongoing cooperation only on health totals approximately $150 million, with the vast contribution coming from the government of Turkmenistan,” – said Ms. Sahakyan. “The remarkable achievements and outstanding collaboration between UNDP and Turkmenistan on public health have been reflected in the letters of recognition and appreciation from the UNDP Administrator and the Global Fund Executive Director addressed to His Excellency President of Turkmenistan, demonstrating readiness of UNDP and our partners to further improve national health system, leaving no one behind”.

  UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

• A PACKAGE OF DOCUMENTS WITH UN SPECIALIZED AGENCIES WAS SIGNED AT THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF TURKMENISTAN

  Today, on February 27, 2023, the ceremony of signing documents between the ministries, state agencies, public organizations of Turkmenistan and the representative offices of the structural divisions of the United Nations in Turkmenistan - UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

  During the ceremony, 26 documents were signed regarding the interaction between Turkmenistan and the UN in the field of economy, healthcare, education, mass media, as well as other important areas. Among them are joint projects for 2023-2025, as well as work plans for the current year.

  These documents reflect the goals and objectives outlined in the previously signed country program documents with specialized UN structures for 2021-2025.

• MEETING AT MFA OF TURKMENISTAN WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL COUNCIL OF ROAD WORKERS OF THE CIS

  On February 25, 2023, the Deputy minister of foreign affairs of Turkmenistan V.Hajiyev met with the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Council of Road Workers (ICRW) of the CIS Buri Karimov.

  During the meeting, the parties discussed the main areas of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the ICRW, as well as the prospects for the development of international transport corridors in the region.

  An exchange of views took place on the initiative participation of Turkmenistan in the global transport dialogue, comprehensive national programs were noted aimed at modernizing the material and technical base of the transport industry, expanding existing and forming new transport and communication networks to integrate the domestic transport system into the international transport infrastructure, creating in our country large logistics centers providing regional coordination of multimodal transportation.

  Issues of preparation and holding of events of the Intergovernmental Council of Road Builders were touched upon, including the upcoming 46th meeting of the ICRW, as well as the possibility of organizing an international scientific and practical conference in Ashgabat and the 6th international motor rally.

  In this context, B. Karimov noted the importance of the 6th international motor rally, designed to help improve the condition and development of international transport corridors, including roads, road safety, and reduce the number of barriers to traffic and cargo.

  Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue cooperation in organizing and holding joint upcoming events.

• Negotiations between President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa

  As part of an official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov visited the Bahrain Economic Development Council.

  The President got acquainted with the videos describing the work of the Council and its key tasks.

  Then, the Respected President got acquainted with the investment projects being implemented in the country on the area indicated on the map of Bahrain, as well as the existing opportunities for cooperation.

  Expressing gratitude to the Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as the leadership of the Council for a meaningful presentation, the head of state noted that Turkmenistan is always open for constructive relations with Bahrain and its business circles.

  Further, the Respected President went to the Palace of the King of Bahrain where negotiations took place in a one-on-one format.

  During the talks, priority issues of Turkmen-Bahraini cooperation were discussed. In continuation of the meeting, the parties exchanged views on a number of topical issues on the international and regional agenda of mutual interest.

  Then, the ceremony of presenting gifts to each other by the heads of state of the two friendly countries took place here.

  Then the ceremony of signing bilateral documents took place with the participation of the Respected President and the King of Bahrain. A joint communiqué was also adopted following the visit of the Respected President to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

• A MEETING WITH THE HEAD OF THE UN REGIONAL CENTER FOR PREVENTIVE DIPLOMACY WAS HELD AT THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF TURKMENISTAN

  On February 21, 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R.Meredov received Natalya Gherman, who is completing her mission as the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Asia, Head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA).

  During the meeting, the commitment of Turkmenistan to strategic cooperation with the United Nations and its specialized agencies was confirmed.

  During the meeting, an exchange of views took place on priority areas of cooperation between our country and the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia. This cooperation, first of all, is distinguished by its effectiveness.

  In this regard, the importance of the creative initiatives put forward by the President of Turkmenistan in various fields was emphasized. The Head of the foreign policy agency of Turkmenistan noted that the mechanisms of multilateral preventive diplomacy, such as the Academy of Preventive Diplomacy initiative and the Women's Dialogue of Central Asian countries, have been created and are successfully operating.

  Sincere gratitude was also expressed to Natalya Gherman, who is completing her work as the head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Asia, for her activities, which contributed to the development and strengthening of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the United Nations. Words of congratulations were expressed in connection with her appointment as the Executive Director of the Executive Directorate of the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee and wishes of success in the new responsible post.