Turkmenistan Leads World Bicycle Day Celebration at UN Headquarters

In a celebration of health, sustainability, and green transportation, a high-level event dedicated to World Bicycle Day was held today at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The event was spearheaded by the Permanent Mission of Turkmenistan to the UN, alongside co-organizers from Bahrain, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Qatar, Latvia, Romania, and Türkiye.

The ceremony drew a distinguished audience, including the President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Ms. Li Junhua, and representatives from UN member states, the UN Staff Union, and the UN Secretariat.

Turkmenistan Championing Cycling Advocacy:

H.E. Ms. Aksoltan Ataeva, Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the UN, welcomed attendees and highlighted Turkmenistan’s role in establishing World Bicycle Day through UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/72/272. She emphasized the country's commitment to promoting cycling as a key component of sustainable transportation and public health initiatives.

Ambassador Ataeva underscored the importance of national-level commitment, including direct budget allocations and long-term programs to stimulate bicycle use. This aligns with the goals of UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/76/255, also spearheaded by Turkmenistan, which calls for integrating cycling into sustainable development programs.

Global Call to Action for Cycling:

Building on Turkmenistan's leadership, both the President of the UN General Assembly and the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs stressed the multifaceted benefits of cycling. They urged member states to prioritize not just physical and mental health improvements, but also the development of a strong cycling culture.

The importance of pedestrian and cyclist safety measures was emphasized, along with the need to integrate cycling initiatives into regional, national, and international sustainable development programs.

The speakers highlighted relevant initiatives like the Draft Pan-European Master Plan for the Promotion of Cycling by the UN Economic Commission for Europe, the World Health Organization's cycling recommendations, and the UN Environment Program's focus on cycling as a green recovery strategy.

The call to action extended to the upcoming UN Decade on Sustainable Transport for 2026-2035, emphasizing the need to include global plans for promoting cycling transport in its draft Roadmap.

Concluding with a Ride:

The official ceremony concluded with a symbolic bike ride, solidifying the commitment to a greener and healthier future through cycling.