AN INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON THE FINANCING OF THE SDGS WAS HELD AT THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF TURKMENISTAN

On May 28, 2020, an international seminar in the format of video conferencing was held in the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan entitled: “Financing the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals: the role of integrated national financing mechanisms”.

The meeting was attended by delegates at the level of ministers of the countries participating in the UN Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA), which includes Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The seminar was also attended by representatives of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, several UN agencies, including the United Nations Development Program, UNICEF, the United Nations Population Fund, representatives of international financial institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and representatives of other international organizations, as well as the SPECA Institute.

At the seminar, the delegation of Turkmenistan was represented by the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R. Meredov, heads and representatives of relevant ministries and departments of the country.

The international seminar provided a platform for familiarizing with the outcomes of the UN Economic and Social Council Forum of April 20-23, this year, dedicated to financing development, as well as discussing and exchanging experiences on measures taken by countries to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and aligning such measures with the longer-term goals of financing the SDGs by creating integrated national funding mechanisms.

During his speech the head of foreign affairs agency of our country emphasized, that the efforts undertaken by Turkmenistan at the national level are based on the key importance of international cooperation, the conceptual vision of the inseparability and interdependence of modern problems, recognition of the importance of studying experience each country for possible use in other parts of the globe.

Then, the Director of the Division of Financing for Sustainable Development of the United Nations Department of Social and Economic Affairs made a presentation on the outcome of the 2020 ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development and comprehensive international support to mitigate the socio-economic consequences of the pandemic.

Also during the informative speeches of the ministers of SPECA member countries and representatives of a number of UN agencies, a broad overview of comprehensive assistance provided by reputable international organizations and financial institutions at the regional and international level to support the viability of national economies was provided.

Based on the results of discussions, the participants in the international seminar adopted the final Statement.