The Chairperson of the Mejlis took part in the first videoconference meeting, organized by the UNDP Regional Office for Europe and the CIS and the United Nations Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) on December 23. The meeting agenda was the launch of the Dialogue of Women Leaders from Central Asian states.
Opening the meeting, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (RBEC), Mirjana Spoljaric Egger and Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Central Asia, the Head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Natalia Gherman emphasized the importance of a new project aimed at supporting women in the region to attain a more prominent political, economic and social role and enable them to increasingly influence the decision-making process on issues related to peace, stability and sustainable development in the region.
The videoconference participants discussed the Concept of the Initiative for the creation of the above Dialogue in terms of its political, economic and social significance, and also exchanged views on possible areas of cooperation.
Priority areas include the intellectual sphere, support for scientifically grounded socio-political research, improvement of legislation on gender equality, stimulation of progressive initiatives of women in various fields.
During the online meeting, particular attention was paid to the commitments of UN Member States under the global agenda for Women, Peace and Security, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
As is known, this year is marked with the 20th anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution, which for the first time enshrined the crucial role of women in ensuring and maintaining peace, as well as the 10th anniversary of the UN-Women structure.
In this context, it was noted that the Constitution of Turkmenistan guarantees women a full range of civil rights and freedoms.In accordance with the priorities of the policy pursued by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, systemic steps are taken in our country with the aim to involve women in the activities of state authorities and administration, increasing their educational level and professional qualification.
In 2021, Turkmenistan will launch the second National Action Plan for Gender Equality for 2021-2025 in accordance with the Resolution signed by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in early December.
Highly assessing the prospects for further cooperation, the participants in the meeting called for the consolidation of efforts to address urgent issues of regional and global development.