Ashgabat, TURKMENISTAN

On 19-20 April, Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations visited Turkmenistan. Assistant Secretary-General Jenča was received by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. He also held meetings with Ms. Dunyagozel Gulmanova, Chairperson of Mejlis (Parliament), Mr. Rashid Meredov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, the United Nations Country Team and other partners.

The President of Turkmenistan underlined the country’s close partnership with the United Nations and its priorities in promoting regional stability, including through the country’s neutrality . The President stressed the leading role of the United Nations at the global level and emphasized cooperation in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. Assistant Secretary-General Jenča expressed appreciation for the active engagement and support of Turkmenistan to the United Nations, including UNRCCA, in addressing challenges related to peace and security.

They further discussed UNRCCA priorities, namely promoting regional cooperation in preventing extremism and countering terrorism and transboundary water management and mitigating negative consequences of climate change. UNRCCA will maintain its focus on promoting the Women, Peace and Security and the Youth, Peace and Security agendas.

Discussions also covered the situation in neighboring Afghanistan and Turkmenistan’s socioeconomic and humanitarian assistance to the country, as well as the role of Central Asian states in addressing related regional security concerns.