REPRESENTATIVES OF TURKMENISTAN AND UNCTAD DISCUSSED ISSUES OF COOPERATION

On October 13, 2020, a videoconference was held between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R. Meredov with the Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Mukis Kituyi and the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, Director of the Regional Bureau of the United Nations Development Program for Europe and the CIS Mirjana Spolyarich Egger ... The meeting was also attended by Acting Natia Natsvlishvili, UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan.

During the meeting, the parties highly appreciated the strategic partnership of Turkmenistan with the United Nations and its specialized agencies, in particular UNCTAD and UNDP. In this context, the importance of fruitful cooperation of the past five years in the development of the digital economy, as well as sustainable transport and trade in Turkmenistan, was emphasized.

In this aspect, it is important to note that the interaction of the parties is aimed at the effective implementation and comprehensive implementation of the Concept for the Development of the Digital Economy in Turkmenistan for 2019-2025, the Program for the Development of Foreign Economic Activity of Turkmenistan for 2020-2025.

As you know, in cooperation with UNCTAD, with the active participation of UNDP, to date, an integrated customs information system "ASYCUDA World" has been introduced and is being developed in the system of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan. This system will become the main platform for the phased and effective implementation of the "Single Window for Export-Import Operations" system in the financial sector of Turkmenistan, in particular, the banking, transport, and other sectors, as well as the Main State Service "Turkmenstandartlary".

Following the meeting, the parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the United Nations Development Program, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan on joint cooperation to promote the implementation of the "Single Window for Export-Import Operations" project in Turkmenistan.

This Memorandum will become the basis for the digitalization of trade and transport links as part of the implementation of global and regional strategies for sustainable development.