During a government meeting held on Friday, a report was presented to President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the preparations for an important international event – the First Ministerial Forum on Sustainable Development of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). The forum is scheduled to be held in April this year in the city of Arkadag.

As reported by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Khodjamyrat Geldimyradov, there is high interest in the upcoming event. Participation is expected of heads and representatives of government agencies of the member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization, authoritative international structures, heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Turkmenistan, as well as representatives of ministries and industry departments of our country.

The main objective of the First ECO Ministerial Forum is to actively promote partnership and expand cooperation in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the region of the Economic Cooperation Organization. During the forum, its participants will consider in detail ways to solve the problems defined by the Sustainable Development Goals, adapting them to the specifics and needs of the ECO member countries. Following the meeting, it is planned to adopt a Final Document that will determine further areas of joint work. In connection with the preparation for the forum, a corresponding proposal was submitted to the head of state for consideration.

Having heard the report, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized that Turkmenistan attaches special priority to developing relations with the Economic Cooperation Organization and participating in its activities aimed at developing regional cooperation. In this regard, the head of state instructed the Deputy Prime Minister to ensure the proper level of preparation and organization of the upcoming First ECO Ministerial Forum on Sustainable Development in the city of Arkadag, which emphasizes the high status of this event for Turkmenistan. The holding of such a representative forum for the first time in the history of the ECO and specifically in Turkmenistan, in the modern city of Arkadag, is evidence of the country’s active position on issues of sustainable development and its readiness to provide a platform for constructive regional dialogue in the name of common well-being.

ORIENT