Dear friends, Dear Colleagues,

It is my great pleasure on behalf of the United Nations Development Program, congratulate you - the people of Turkmenistan, His Excellency Mr. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, President of Turkmenistan and the Government of the country on the Neutrality Day.

The status of the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan contributes to strengthening of global peace and security and allows the country to play an important role in forging friendly and mutually beneficial relations between the countries of the region and beyond.

Acknowledging Turkmenistan’s successful foreign policy and building on the constructive role that the neutrality of Turkmenistan played in preserving peace and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation in the region, this day – 12 December - was also proclaimed by the Resolution of the UN as the International Day of Neutrality celebrated worldwide to promote peace and stability and enhance public awareness of the value of neutrality for the development agenda.

The global recognition of the country’s status of permanent neutrality paves a special role for Turkmenistan in developing peace and security in the world. At the same time peace, security and progress are not only based on political cooperation, but also on countries’ shared responsibility in fields of economic development, environmental preservation, human rights protection, rule of law and democracy.

The status of permanent neutrality obliges the country to adhere to the principles of UN Charter, meet international obligations in the areas of human rights and humanitarian law, implement the commitments of Turkmenistan under Paris Agreement on climate change and meet other objectives to achieve 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the country and beyond.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Turkmenistan, being a highly trusted development partner of the country, for more than 25 years already, stands hand in hand with the Government of Turkmenistan to support the national development agenda with global knowledge and best practices, with cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions. 

We are living in difficult times. Last two years have been very hard for the humanity. COVID-19 is not only a massive health, but also a humanitarian and development crisis, that could leave deep wounds for years to come by hitting hardest the most disadvantaged. In this regard, it is of paramount importance to continuously monitor and evaluate ongoing and expected socio-economic consequences and plan the targeted response.

The COVID19 has rolled back progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. At the same time, pandemic offers new opportunities to rebuild the brighter and safer future. As the world looks forward to emerging from this crisis and moving into recovery, we should capitalize on the opportunity and forge a new path that drives us towards better, stronger, more sustainable, resilient and inclusive future for all.

UNDP in Turkmenistan started the new programme cooperation cycle this year - moving to the future with the renewed vision and more ambitious goals. Together with other development partners we support acceleration of the economic diversification and growth, linked to sustainable management of Turkmenistan’s natural wealth, and build on new opportunities for green economy and low-emission development. UNDP provides comprehensive support to Turkmenistan to strengthen its health and social protection system. We strive for improving governance principles focusing on human rights and gender equality.

I am delighted that in Turkmenistan, UNDP is working hard to respond to the most urgent health system and recovery needs within its broad mandate. In this context, UNDP is honored to partner with the WHO and UNICEF to implement the country’s COVID19 Response project financed by the World Bank to reinforce the country’s response and preparedness to deal with current and future pandemics.

 All these efforts are supported by the rising level of cooperation and trust that the Government of Turkmenistan expresses to UNDP. To implement all of the above and moving forward, we need to continue to challenge ourselves to find better ways to support sustainable development pathways.

Development does not happen within one day, neither within one year. Rather, it requires a lot of concerted joint efforts and several preconditions: one of which, is certainly peace and stability in the country and in the region. We are guided by the 2030 Agenda and we aim to help the forging of new social contracts premised on a safer, sustainable, and inclusive future where humanity thrives in dignity.

At the end let me again on behalf of the United Nations Development Programme congratulate all of you with the Day of Neutrality of Turkmenistan and wish many more years of peace, security, development and shared prosperity.

Thank you.

Sagboluň.