ASHGABAT (TCA) — A briefing with the participation of heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Turkmenistan and representatives of foreign and national mass media was held in Serdar etrap, Balkan Velayat (province) concerning the project of Altyn Asyr Turkmen Lake in Karakum Desert as well as cooperation of Turkmenistan with specialized UN departments in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan reported on May 8.

Representatives of international organizations including the UN Development Programme, the UN Conference for Trade and Development, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, UN Environment Programme, UNESCO, UN Children Fund, the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, the UN Population Fund, World Health Organization, European Union, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, International Fund for Saving of Aral Sea, World Bank, World Postal Association, Asian Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, German International Cooperation Society, Central Asian Regional Ecological Centre as well as the Guinness Record Book and foreign companies working in Turkmenistan took part in the press conference.

Welcoming the participants, Director of International University of Humanitarian Studies and Development E. Aydogdiyev said that Turkmenistan was one of the first countries in the world which adopted the SDGs at national level and actively participates in the implementation of the UN 2030 Global Agenda.

Permanent Coordinator of the UN in Turkmenistan Elena Panova noted dynamic and fruitful character of this old partnership.

The United Nations supports and is ready to help in attraction of modern ‘green’ technologies for the implementation of the projects related to the environment protection, rational use of water resources and their recycled use, Panova said.

Special representative of the UN Secretary General, Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia Natalya German expressed the gratitude to the Turkmen side for the opportunity to take part in the launch of construction of the first settlement in the heart of Karakum desert on the bank of artificial Altyn Asyr lake.

She said that this is not the first initiative of the Head of Turkmenistan for protection and rational use of water resources and ecology in the basin of the Aral Sea.

Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat Natalya Drozd also highlighted that international community highly appreciates the efforts of the Government of Turkmenistan aimed at the promotion of the principles of water diplomacy and provision of environmental safety. These initiatives are to support the reduction of economic and ecological risks, provision of stability and prosperity of all countries in the region and their citizens.

Natalya Drozd confirmed that the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat would continue providing comprehensive support for the important work for provision of ecological safety in the region in the context of the mitigation of the impact of the climate change and promotion of efficient natural management including in the sphere of stable management of water resources.

Regional Coordinator of the UN Food and Agricultural Organization for Central Asia Viorel Gutu highlighted that the start of construction of new settlements near Altyn Asyr Turkmen Lake has a historical significance not only for Turkmenistan but for the entire region.

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