President of Turkmenistan focused on the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for recovery of the world economy.
On September 22, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov within a video message addressed the General Debate of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly. The focus was made on the problem of the COVID-19 pandemic and ways of recovering the global economy. It was reported to CentralAsia.news by a representative of the MFA of Turkmenistan.
— I want to start my speech with words of deep sorrow for hundreds of thousands of people on the planet who did not survive the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, — said Berdimuhamedov.
He thanked medical staff, scientists and volunteers around the world for their contribution to fighting against the infection. According to him, Turkmenistan is ready to provide them with the necessary support. The president also spoke about the measures to counter the coronavirus in the country. The Turkmen leader added that the state actively cooperates with the UN and WHO in this direction.
Berdimuhamedov proposed, under the auspices of WHO, to develop a special program to study the genome of the virus, expand the fight against pneumonia and create a methodological center for the treatment and prevention of acute infections.
The head of the state paid special attention to the need for developing mechanisms for the recovery of the global economy, which suffered from the pandemic. He underlined that the energy, transport, industrial, and trade spheres should be the priority. According to him, the International Conference of Ministers of Landlocked Developing Countries, which will be held in Turkmenistan in 2021, will become an effective discussion platform on the issue.
— Turkmenistan urges the world community to pay special attention to the problems of the Aral Sea region. The measures taken by international structures in this direction are not effective enough, — noted Berdimuhamedov.
He highlighted that Turkmenistan proposed to create the UN Special Program for the Aral Sea basin.
Turkmen leader reminded that this year Turkmenistan celebrates the 25th anniversary of permanent neutrality. He also expressed concern about the disregard for international law. In this connection, he pointed out the importance of Ashgabat’s initiative to hold an International Forum of Peace and Trust next year within the International Year of Peace and Trust, announced by the UN at the initiative of Turkmenistan.
Then the head of the state touched upon the unstable situation in Afghanistan. He noted that Turkmenistan is ready to continue helping in strengthening peace on the territory of the republic with the use of diplomatic instruments.
— The main condition for stability in Afghanistan is the implementation of large-scale projects in the field of energy, transport and communication, — said Berdimuhamedov.
As a part of the topic, he underlined the importance of constructing the TAPI gas pipeline, railways in the region, the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan power transmission line. At the same time, the president stressed that these projects were initiated by Turkmenistan.
At the end of the video message, Berdimuhamedov noted the commitment of Turkmenistan to the fundamental principles of the UN.
— The United Nations Organization should be the only international structure with universal legitimacy, — said the head of the state.
