President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov addresses the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who arrived in New York on working visit, took part in the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The Head of the State left Ashgabat International Airport for New York in the morning of September 29. Having made long flight, the aircraft of the President landed in John Kennedy International Airport where the President of Turkmenistan has been met by the officials.

From the airport, Turkmen leader went to his residence in fashionable Mandarin Oriental Hotel located in the centre of Manhattan. Upon arrival in the residence, the Head of the State was met by the members of the government delegation of Turkmenistan. From the residence, the Head of the State went to the United Nations Headquarter.

Upon arrival in the United Nations Organziation Headquarter, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov had a meeting with Chairperson of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés.

After, Turkmen leader took part in the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly.

Established in 1945 according to the UN Chapter, the General Assembly is the main deliberative, directive and representative body of the United Nations Organization and universal international forum acting on permanent basis. It is composed of all 193 members of the UN.

The agenda of current session of the UN General Assembly includes wide spectrum of issues related to such important directions as peace and security on the planet, counteraction against global challenges and threats, promotion of sustainable development, health protection, ecology and environmental protection and other.

Addressing from high tribune of the UN, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov voiced priority positions of our country in topical issues of regional and global range of problems as well as constructive initiatives aimed at further expansion and intensification of fruitful international cooperation meeting universal prosperity and progress.

In the beginning of his speech, the Head of Turkmenistan congratulated María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés on the election to the post of the Chairperson of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly having wished her success in coming responsible work as well as expressed the gratitude to Chairman of the 72nd session Miroslav Lajčák for skilful and efficient activity on this position.

Addressing the participants of global forum, Turkmen leader noted that current session of the General Assembly is held on the background of difficult tendencies in international politics. Despite the efforts of the world community especially represented by the United nations Organizations, the situation in number of the regions of the world continues remaining complicated, expansion of conflict zones and at the same time, reduction of total level of trust and understanding in the views on the ways and perspectives of global development are observed.

In these conditions, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov continued, the subject of total, solid and long-term security comes with all obviosity and severity making every country responsible for the destiny of the world. We consider that the United Nations Organization has to play main and decisive role in protection of the fundamental of international order on the principles of respect, equality, peaceful and political dialog. The legitimacy of this UN mission cannot be questioned. The UN is the only universal international organization, which is to provide multilateral cooperation for consolidation of international security and sustainable development, the Head of the State highlighted.

The president noted that Turkmenistan thinks the current session of the General Assembly is to support to come over the crisis of trust and to improve understanding of the member states. In this regard, our country proposes the initiative to hold 2019 under the sign of Peace and Trust, the initiative of Turkmen side suggests the development of specific measures aimed at reduction of tension, peaceful, political and diplomatic resolution of disputes and conflicts and responsible and thoughtful decisions on this account.

Provision of long-term and comprehensive security is the key subject for Central Asia states. Combating the terrorism is the most important aspect of regional agenda, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted. Cooperation in disarmament subject, in counteracting of drug trafficking and in comprehensive economic support of Afghanistan are also important in provision of security and stable development in Central Asia.

In our opinion, involvement of Afghanistan in implementation of large energy, transport and communication projects as full right partner is the key factor in this case. We see it as a strategic perspective for Afghanistan, its role in regional and global processes, guarantee of prosperity and wealth of Afghan nation, Turkmen leader noted.

Steadily working in this direction, our country implements the project of construction of Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India gas line (TAPI), builds power and fibre optic lines. These projects were supported by international partners and big financial institutes. New railroad to Afghan direction has also been built. We continue rendering humanitarian aid to Afghanistan by construction of social facilities, sending humanitarian convoys, training of qualified personnel for different segments of Afghan economy and social sphere, the Head of the State said.

Continuing the speech, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that Turkmenistan was actively involved in development of the Agenda for sustainable development until 2030 and made number of specific proposals. After adoption of the Global Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals at the World Summit in 2015, our country was among the first to adapt the SDGS to national plans and programmes of social and economic development. Permanent mechanism of cooperation with the UN has been created for this purpose.

In this context, the President highlighted that realization of the SDGs in Turkmenistan has specific social directions. This is about such important aspects as provision of food security and improvement of nutrition of the population, assertion of the healthy life style, provision of gender equality through the guarantee of rights and opportunities for women and girls, creation of the conditions for comprehensive, fair and quality education. At the same time, great attention is paid to realization of such goal as availability and rational use of water resources and sanitary for all.

The Head of the State noted that Turkmenistan is committed to the principle that water is common good of all the nations on the planet and equal and fair access to pure drinking water is fundamental human right. Development of the countries, their economies, social spheres, level of wealth and quality of life of people directly depend on the access to water resources. Therefore, the equality, respect and responsibility have to be fundamental decisive criteria in relations between Central Asian countries.

Consistently acting from these positions, Turkmenistan has always said that water and energy problems in the region have to be solved, first, based on universal standards of international law; second, taking into account the interest of each country; third, under active participation of international organizations, especially the UN. This is our crucial position and based on it, we would continue the work for establishment of efficient negotiation mechanisms between the states and international structures for development of coordinated approaches. Speaking of this, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed the confidence that this is the only way to achieve positive results and to provide firm and stable balance of the interests.

Turkmen leader outlined the problem of saving of Aral Sea among the most important subjects of cooperation between the countries of the region and international community. It is obvious that protection of Aral Sea cannot be longer considered as internal regional problem. In this regard, we have started the realization of Turkmenistan initiative on development of the UN Special Programme for Aral Sea basin and allocation of this problem into separate direction of the UN activity, the President noted, having urged the members of the UN to support the proposal of Turkmen side.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov continued that Caspian Sea is another important subject. Signing of the Convention on Legal Status of Caspian Sea by the Heads of Caspian states on August 12 this year opens the perspective of turning this region into one of strategic transport, transit and energy hubs of international significance and place for wide investment, trade and economic activity and cooperation.

We highly appreciate efficient participation of the UN specialized agencies represented in Turkmenistan in life of our country, its dynamic development and prosperity, - Turkmen leader noted, having expressed the gratitude to the personnel of these agencies for their work. In the end of his speech, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has also expressed the gratitude to the UN Secretary – General Antonio Guterres for unremitting personal attention to the cooperation with Turkmenistan and support of the initiatives of our country.

The speech of Turkmen leader was listened with great attention and met by applauses.

On the same day, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov had a meeting with the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres under the participation in the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly where the commitment of Turkmenistan and the UN to the course for further develop met of fruitful multidimensional cooperation has been confirmed.