United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Central Asia

Turkmenistan and UNODC ROCA review the progress of cooperation

On 14 July 2021 the Government of Turkmenistan and the Regional Office of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for Central Asia converged online for a Progress Review Meeting on Plan of practical measures ("Roadmap") for further development of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in 2019-2021.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, the State Custom Service, the State Border Service, the State Migration Service, the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education, the Institute of State, Law and Democracy and UNODC.

The review meeting was opened by Mr. Vepa Hajiyev, the Head of the Turkmen delegation, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia.

Mr. Vepa Hajiyev, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan thanked UNODC Regional Office for a timely organization of the event to review what was achieved and what can be done in the future. He noted that the Road Map is a good mechanism for implementing activities and offered to develop a roadmap for the next period, in which the focus will be made on digitalization and promotion of the human potentials in all spheres of cooperation.

Ms. Ashita Mittal in her speech noted her appreciation of the initiative of the Government of Turkmenistan to sign the Roadmap on further development of cooperation of Turkmenistan with UNODC in 2019-2021, which has led to significant achievements and brought our cooperation to further practical level. “We are committed to fully implement this important document. We look forward to further strengthening our partnership with Turkmenistan to address complex security challenges, build accountable and effective institutions, help to recover better from the COVID-19 crisis, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”, she said.

The parties reviewed the progress made in the country and UNODC Sub-Programme Coordinators in the region presenting achievements and results of the joint efforts. The representatives from the relevant Ministries and agencies discussed the proposed way forward and future plans, taking into account the changing landscape and newly emerging priorities in the region, including COVID-19-related challenges and restrictions.