The UN, Government sign a new Joint Programme on empowering and engaging youth in mitigating the threats of the health pandemic

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan signed the Joint Programme, which will contribute to the implementation of the Immediate Socio-Economic Response Plan (SERP) to Acute Infectious Disease Pandemic. 

Both sides noted the importance of the joint programme in mitigating the negative impact of the global pandemic on the socio-economic situation in Turkmenistan, with particular focus on the most vulnerable groups. The programme will integrate the human security as a critical approach to plan in times of crisis using the bottom-up approach and the principle of “leaving no one behind.”

The 18-month programme aims to build the capacity of the government officials at the local level to implement the SERP in the communities inspired by the human security approach in ways that are people centered, comprehensive, context specific and preventive. In addition, the programme targets the youth in Lebap and Dashoguz regions to build their resilience and make them agents of change in their communities.

“We are pleased to sign and launch new Joint Programme, especially to engage young people in the regions of Turkmenistan to mitigate the multidimensional risks and threats associated with the global pandemic”, noted HE Mr. Rashid Meredov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

“We look forward to working together with the Government to empower and engage local communities and youth to participate in improving the lives of the members of their local communities, especially at risk youth and the older persons,” said Mr. Dmitry Shlapachenko, UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan.  “The UN Team relies on your interest, experience, knowledge and efforts to achieve our common goals,” he added.

The activities under the Programme will start in September 2021.  UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund and the Ministry of Sport and Youth Policy of Turkmenistan will be the lead agencies in the programme.  Coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other implementing partners are UNICEF, IOM, UNODC and Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, Institute for State, Law and Democracy, Office of the Ombudsman, as well as public organizations and local NGOs working with the communities.