Book of the head of the State “On the Way to Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Turkmenistan” is presented in Ashgabat

Turkmen State Institute of Economy and Management hosted the presentation of new book of Academic of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, Doctor of Economics, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov “On the Way to Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Turkmenistan”. 

The book represents analytical review of dynamic development of our country, which has riches natural and significant production, infrastructural and human potential, realization of national and profile programmes, big social and economic projects in the aspect of the achievement of the sustainable development goals (the SDGs) adopted in September 2015 by all members of the UN as the main component of the Global Agenda 2030. 

The session with the participation of the members of the Government, leaders of economic sector, mass media, directors, professors and lecturers of universities, public activists, scientists, representatives of international organizations and student was held under the presentation in the conference hall of the High economic School. 

It was mentioned at the meeting that social and economic strategy of Turkmenistan is oriented to the interests of every individual, which meets the SDGs. New book describes strategic objectives of forward looking home and foreign policy of the Head of the State, its priority directions, success achieved in the result of practical implementation of international initiatives of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. 

As is known the concept of the SDG unites economic, social and ecological aspects. The economic lies in rational use of natural, energy, material and production resources, social aspect is oriented to the progress of humankind and provision of stability of social and cultural systems while ecological aspect aims at the provision of biological and physical unity of natural systems. 

New book is another evidence that Turkmenistan pays great attention to versatile cooperation with the UN and is an active participant of the process of consolidation of all efforts in development of agreed approach to solution such urgent issues as the strengthening of peace and security, achievement of the SDGs in regional and global scales. 

New book presented to the readers shows the processes of comprehensive modernization of the state and society. dynamic diversification of the economy, provision of stable economic growth and high living standards on all levels are revealed in the context of new social and economic strategy developed by the Leader of the Nation. Success in advancement of the country to true democratic society and legal state, provision of constitutional rights and freedoms of heman and citizen as highest values are presented through the prism of clear message “ The State for Human Being!”. 

The key to understanding of the meaning of the goals and practical measures taken by Turkmenistan in the world arena lies in the sphere of the main objective of home policy of the state, which is the achievement of economic and social prosperity, the Head of the State always says. 

Based on impartial assessment of the tendencies of modern world and long-term national goals and interests, the book reflects strategic objectives of political course of Turkmenistan, the main priorities and measures for practical realization of the SDG. 

Participants of the presentation noted that foreign policy under the leadership of the Head of the State is distinguished by innovative, scientifically based approach to solution of topical issues of the present, by dynamics and accountability. It became recognized ad received wide recognition in the world community and the authority of our country as independent neutral and peace-loving state became higher in the light of constructive initiatives of the leader of the nation. 

Congratulating everyone on the issue of new work of Head of the State Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Programme Coordinator of the UNDP Regional office for Europe and the CIS Ekaterina Paniklova expressed firm confidence that this book would be useful for everyone who is interested in modern condition and development of the country and its contribution to support of global dialog and protection of peace in the world. 

In her speech, Mrs Paniklova has also given characteristic to the main directions of cooperation between the UN and our country in the sphere of the SDGs and outlined the outcomes of this activity, having mentioned the opening of Training Centre for the Sustainable development goals under the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan, which main objectives is to expand the knowledge about the SDGS among the population including the youth, private structures and non-governmental organizations. 

Deputy Head of the UNICEF Representative Office as well as acting Permanent Coordinator of the UN Mr Siraj Mahmudlu noted that Turkmenistan was one of the first countries in the region that started the adaptation of the global goals. In the result, 17 goals 148 objectives and 175 indicators were nationalized. The country founded special structure – the working group for the Sustainable development goals on the level of deputy ministers and heads of different departments. The Ministry of Finances and Economy of Turkmenistan is entrusted with leading coordinating role and held responsible for monitoring and financial reporting. 

Siraj Mahmudlu also said that next year Turkmenistan would take part in Voluntary National Review where it would present its practice of implementation of 2030 Global Agenda to the world. In October, the Government of the country and the UN will discuss in detail the targeted indicators of the SDGs, which will be under the focus of Voluntary National review. He also added that at present, preparation for sub regional conference on the assessment of the Sustainable development goals, which is to be held in February 2019 and would give opportunity for sharing of the practice in integration, monitoring and financing of the SDG, has been started. The book of the President of the country indicates that practice of Turkmenistan would be very useful for other states participating in the conference in this relation, Mr Mahmudlu highlighted. 

Specifying some directions of cooperation, the reporter noted big work made by the UN agencies and the Government of our country in the sphere of development of informational system of management of health protection for compliance with the requirements 2030 Agenda. The same process has been started in educational sphere. 

It was also mentioned that priorities of Turkmenistan at the 73rd session of the UN general Assembly include important elements concerning the Sustainable Development goals and youth affairs. Siraj Mahmudly expressed the confidence that new book of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov would make significant contribution to the achievement of the SDGs in our country. 

“On the Way to Achievement of the Sustainabke Development Goals in Turkmenistan” contains rich factual and statistical material allowing to imagine colossal volume of work made in the country as well as clear justification and consistency of future plans. 

It was mentioned in the author’s introduction that idea of writing this book came in 2015 to the President of the country during working visit to New York where government delegation of Turkmenistan took part in the 70th anniversary session of the UN General Assembly and the Summit on sustainable development after 2015. 

The adoption of the integrated action plan for solution of topical global issues in mid-term perspective was important outcomes of that session. Back then, speaking from the high tribune of the United Nations Organization, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov made proposals on optimization of international cooperation for universal sustainable development of the countries and prosperity of people. It was noted that new strategy of cooperation is required for total progress. 

Such strategy - the Agenda of development after 2015 that has been outlined in 17 global goals and 169 objectives has been adopted by the UN General Assembly. Determination of the countries and nations to achieve sustainable development in economic, social and ecological aspects are the main characteristics of the Agenda. However, the activity of our state has not only been present before the discussion of the objectives and goals of universal sustainable development on national level – for many years, Turkmenistan proposed number of initiatives from the high tribune of the UN and other competent international forums, which made the country well known as reliable partner of the UN. 

Turkmenistan has started to solve the objectives of national level, which are similar to global sustainable development goals, seven years before the anniversary Summit of the UN. Therefore, unprecedented by scale and importance targeted social programme with the budget of several trillions of manats aimed at improvement of living conditions of Turkmen people was one of the first assignments of Leader of the Nation Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov after election to the highest government post. 

Realization of National Programme of regional development is continued but it has already significantly improved the quality of medical service and education, equalized social and living conditions in the cities and rural areas, having brought it closer to the world standards. 

New work of the Head of the State gives certain examples and real outcomes of how the Sustainable development goals started to be implemented in Turkmenistan long time before their adoption by the world community. 

The book is divided into two parts. The first, the main one, is dedicated to social and economic development of Turkmenistan in the context of the achievement of the SDGs. It contains author’s comments summarizing the way that the country has gone through and opening the horizons of the future. Well-thought and deep analysis forestalls next 17 chapters on every Goal of Sustainable development adapted by Turkmenistan. Number of them has been successfully achieved in national practice and in this aspect, our country is willing to present its positive practice and developments to other states. Positive dynamics is observed in other Goals due to systematic measures and multilevel methods of solution of set objectives. 

The second part of the book is dedicated to the improvement of macroeconomic proportions and foreign policy for sustainable development. It defines key directions, targets and priorities of national strategy until 2030, formulates the objectives of international cooperation, outlines perspectives of the partnership between the government and private sector in Turkmenistan as well as defines the main measures for inclusive comprehensive development of the country. 

In addition to rich infographics, new book includes bright photo illustrations giving visual presentation of modern level of life in Turkmenistan. The book is designated for wide reading auditorium. Political scientists, economists, social sciences lecturers, students will find it as a good assistance.