New York, 20 September 2010 – President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov met with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon within the framework of the 65th session of the UN General Assembly in New York where he delivered a speech outlining Turkmenistan’s foreign policy priorities.

The UN Secretary-General praised the proactive stance of Turkmenistan in building lasting and productive cooperation with the UN, as well as open and peace-loving policy of Turkmenistan. Ban Ki-moon welcomed Turkmenistan's position, new initiatives and constructive ideas to solve pressing problems in the region, first of all, peace-building in Afghanistan, global energy security, environmental protection and environmental problems of the Aral Sea, preserving the unique natural complex of the Caspian Sea, as well as development of effective models of cooperation in the sphere of disarmament and creation of a nuclear weapons free zone in Central Asia.

In turn, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov thanked the UN Secretary-General for supporting Turkmenistan’s initiatives aimed at effective resolution of urgent problems of contemporary world. Re-emphasizing the great importance attached to close cooperation with the United Nations, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that, for its part, Turkmenistan welcomes the idea of reforming and strengthening the role of the largest and well-respected international organization, serving as the guarantor of preservation and maintenance of peace and balance of interests in the world.

As part of the meeting, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov briefed Ban Ki-moon on the ongoing large-scale reforms in Turkmenistan. Ban Ki-moon highly rated the democratic processes and innovative changes taking place in Turkmenistan, primarily in education, health and social spheres.

In conclusion, the sides expressed interest in new joint projects to actively contribute to the socio-economic development of Turkmenistan and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

Among other high-level officials the President of Turkmenistan also met with UNDP Administrator Helen Clark; UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Sha Zukang; UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe; as well as Chief of Transition Economies Unit UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs Alexei Tikhomirov.

 Turkmen TV video coverage of the visit:

• Address by Mr. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov President of Turkmenistan at the 65th session of the UN General Assembly - part 1 | part 2
• President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov speaks about fundamental priorities of Turkmenistan's foreign policy at the 65th session of the UN General Assembly
  
• Meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
• Meeting with UNDP Administrator Helen Clark
• Meeting with UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Sha Zukang
• Meeting with UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe
• Meeting with Chief of Transition Economies Unit UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs Alexei Tikhomirov

 Read also:

• Turkmen President outlined Turkmenistan’s foreign policy priorities at the 65th session of the UNGA
• Statement by UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan Mr. Lenni Montiel at the conference "Turkmenistan-UN: Partnership for Peace and Sustainable Development" ahead of the 65th Session of the UN General Assembly
• President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov meets UNDP Administrator Helen Clark

 UNITED NATIONS WEB SITES

• Address by His Excellency Mr. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, President of Turkmenistan at the 65th Session of the UN General Assembly - PDF in English | in Russian 
• United Nations Webcast - Turkmenistan, MDG Debate

 "TURKMENISTAN: THE GOLDEN AGE" WEB SITE

• President of Turkmenistan visits New York to participate in 65th session of UN General Assembly - in English | in Russian
  
• Meeting between President of Turkmenistan and UN Secretary-General - in English | in Russian
• Meeting between President of Turkmenistan and UNDP Administrator - in English | in Russian
• Meeting between President of Turkmenistan and UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs - in English | in Russian
• Meeting between President of Turkmenistan and UN Under-Secretary-General for Social and Economic Affairs - in English | in Russian
  

 "TURKMENISTAN.RU" WEB SITE

• Initiatives in the name of peace - in English | in Russian
• Ban Ki-moon praises domestic and foreign policies of Turkmenistan  - in English | in Russian