Turkmenistan: Youth – Defenders of a Secure Future

The event was opened by Dmitry Shlapachenko, the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, who highlighted the historic importance of the country’s first-ever observance of the World Day Against TOC and urged Turkmen youth to actively participate in creating a safer future. His words resonated deeply with young people, who later emphasized the high value of the forum.

Central to the program were inspiring addresses by U.S. Ambassador Elizabeth Rood and a representative from the Israeli Embassy in Turkmenistan, speaking on behalf of the Israeli Ambassador. They underscored their countries’ commitment to supporting young leaders in Turkmenistan and shared invaluable experience in combating crime. These were followed by presentations from experts from the Israeli Ministry of Justice and the UK’s National Crime Agency, who offered practical recommendations and the latest approaches to the problem. Representatives from companies such as Skechers, Dap, Ish Nokady, Atavatan News Portal, and Parahat also participated in the discussion, sharing their perspectives. The awarding ceremony for the winners of the online competition, “Creative Solutions for a Safer Future,” concluded the program.

Many young participants expressed sincere satisfaction with the event, emphasizing its importance and calling for similar forums in the future. They noted the high level of organization, the engaging presentations by speakers, and the opportunity to exchange views with representatives from various fields. This confirms the effectiveness of the event and the readiness of the younger generation to actively participate in the fight against transnational organized crime.

The events, organized by UNODC in collaboration with USAID, demonstrated a holistic approach to the problem of TOC, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between government bodies, NGOs, and the private sector. The success of this initiative is a strong impetus for further strengthening security and law and order in the country, with the active participation of youth as a key partner in this vital struggle.