Within the framework of Turkmenistan’s chairmanship of the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA), a ministerial meeting of SPECA participating countries was held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on April 8.
The event was attended by the delegation of Turkmenistan headed by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers H. Geldimuradov, high-level representatives of the United Nations, including Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Europe Tatiana Molchan and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Armida S. Alisjabana (online participation), as well as national delegations of SPECA member countries.
The agenda focused on the implementation of key strategic documents adopted under SPECA, including: Ashgabat initiative on reducing barriers to trade and transport using UN international legal instruments; Roadmap on digitalisation of multimodal exchange of data and documents along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor using UN legal instruments and standards; SPECA Development Concept until 2030, as well as other initiatives.
The participants considered a wide range of issues, including the development of export potential and the participation of the region’s countries in global supply chains, infrastructure connectivity between Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe, energy connectivity, the development of alternative energy, and attracting investment in transport and logistics.
On 9 April, a delegation from Turkmenistan participated in the 71st session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) held in Geneva.
The session brought together representatives of member states, international organizations, and UN entities to discuss topical issues in the fields of sustainable development, digital transformation, green economy, trade, and transport within the European region and beyond.
The agenda focused on digitalising trade and transport processes, improving regional connectivity, supporting climate-resilient infrastructure, and deepening interregional partnerships.
The event was also attended by the Director-General of the UN Office in Geneva, Tatiana Valovaya. Addressing the session, she emphasised the importance of strengthening regional cooperation in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
As part of its participation in the session, the delegation of Turkmenistan expressed its readiness to further strengthen interaction with UNECE and demonstrated its commitment to actively participate in the initiatives implemented by UN organizations aimed at developing a sustainable, inclusive and balanced economy in the region.
