Migration and Sustainable Development Nexus presented to Turkmen student youth

The event was organized by IOM Country Office in Ashgabat at the Institute of International Relations with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, bringing together about 160 students from the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Turkmen State University and International University for Humanities and Development, who study law and international relations. 

Beginning the presentation, visiting Turkmenistan IOM Coordinator for Central Asia Mr. Serhan Aktoprak engaged students in a quiz that exposed them to interesting facts about IOM and migration in general. Students received firsthand information of how IOM engages with governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners to promote safe, orderly and regular migration to the benefit of countries of origin, transit and destination, taking advantage of its triple mandate along Humanitarian, Peace and Development Nexus that enables IOM to play a key role in supporting the governments to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Speaking of IOM’s work in Turkmenistan, Mr. Serhan Aktoprak noted the productive cooperation with the Government in various areas of migration management, including the climate change adaptation agenda, countering irregular migration and human trafficking, emergency preparedness and response as well as support to Turkmenistan’s peace-making efforts, including by promoting sustainable development and social cohesion among Afghan migrants living in Akhal and Lebap velayats and local communities.