President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov congratulated the participants and guests of the first Ministerial Forum of the Organization for Economic Cooperation (ECO) on sustainable development on the start of work, TDH reports.

"Dear Forum participants!
Dear guests!

I sincerely congratulate you on the start of the first ministerial forum of the Organization for Economic Cooperation on Sustainable Development, which is being held in Arkadag in the International Year of Peace and Trust!

The current forum is designed to strengthen regional partnership, as well as dialogue between the member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation in order to intensify the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals for the period up to 2030.

Today, the member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation, which is one of the largest and most reputable international organizations in the world, have signed various agreements and made decisions on priority issues of interstate cooperation.

In the context of achieving sustainable development, the Economic Cooperation Organization has an impressive potential for establishing multilateral partnerships in such areas as trade, investment, green economy, innovation, digitalization, energy, food security, ecology, agriculture and transport.

Our country is actively implementing projects in the field of energy, transport, trade and economy in the region, and is consistently building up mutually beneficial partnerships with the world's states, major international structures and financial institutions, which is very important for ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future in the region.

Based on this, we advocate further expansion of constructive cooperation with the Organization for Economic Cooperation. Thus, ensuring sustainable development on a regional scale through the use of human capital, economic resources and innovative solutions is important for active progress towards Sustainable Development Goals.

Dear Forum participants!

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, expresses the main strategy for the socio-economic development of Turkmenistan, which we are successfully pursuing.

The priority in this case is the implementation of national plans to improve the well–being and quality of life of the population, invest in human development, support healthy lifestyles, create new jobs, gender equality, digitalization and innovation in all segments of the economy, as well as to protect the environment and reduce the effects of climate change.

We also attach great importance to improving the competitiveness of the national economy, maintaining macroeconomic stability, and systematically developing industry, agriculture, transport, and logistics on an innovative basis. The adoption of such programmatic measures has made significant progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Dear Forum participants!

Turkmenistan pursues a constructive policy of cooperation, including international cooperation, in the field of Sustainable Development Goals, takes effective measures to expand it and, actively participating in global processes, cooperates with the States of the planet on the principles of equality, trust and taking into account the interests of everyone.

Therefore, I am convinced that such an important forum will strengthen a positive dialogue between the member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and will also become a useful platform for the exchange of innovations and best practices.

Dear Forum participants!
Dear guests!

Once again, I sincerely congratulate you on the start of the first ministerial forum of the Organization for Economic Cooperation on Sustainable Development!

I wish you good health, family well–being and great success in your work," the head of state said in a statement.