Dear Mr. Musaev, Excellency Minister Berdiev,

Ladies and gentlemen,

In a recent speech by His Excellency President Niasov given at the International Conference on Turkmen history, I found that the basis or rather the rationale for a Turkmen UN partnership was eloquently captured when he stated that: “..one of the peculiarities of world history is that the greatest progress is achieved when cultures and civilization interact”.

The United Nations provide the most comprehensive framework for interaction between nation states as the bearer of the wide spectrum of cultures and civilizations throughout the world. Furthermore, it is within this framework that United Nations institutions and programmes further peace, set worldwide standards– both technical and legal and are actively promoting development partnerships.

For the purpose of today’s conference, I would like to center my intervention around the partnership between the UN and Turkmenistan in the area of development and well being of Turkmen citizens.

As captured in the 2010 Presidential programme, the Turkmen development approach is comprehensive and ambitious – the goal is to significantly improve the wealth of the nation, modernize the economy and make a real positive change in the livelihood of people. Concurrently there is the nation building effort of Turkmenistan, which were so well articulated during the UN Millennium Summit held in September this year.

As the UN we would like to see the partnership from the sustainable human development perspective – a perspective that recognizes that the basic wealth of a nation is its people and development is about enlarging peoples choices and capacity to participate in decisions which are important to their lives.

With a view to elaborate this perspective, I would like to now turn our attention to a conceptual framework that may be helpful in considering the key aspect of today’s development processes and goals.

The basic elements of human development can be captured in the following three macro-level parameters:

Firstly, Sustainable Economic Growth – emphasizing that economic growth is the engine of development and change. However, here we should recognize that effective growth policies must constantly be subject to review and check if these policies are both environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.

Furthermore, growth must be seen from the perspective of the two other key parameters. These are:

The importance of creating stability during change is another key element of a human development strategy. Focus under this heading is to maintain political stability, institutionalize the political process, promote macro-economic stability and uphold the rule of law.

The third cornerstone is the equity parameter – here we would be looking to ensure decent minimum standards for all, give equal opportunity for citizens and ensure a transparent and corruption free environment.

I think that you will agree with me, that all three macro-level parameters are captured and addressed in the current development strategy in Turkmenistan – and that this gives to all of us an indication of the comprehensive nature of Turkmenistan’s development efforts.

Given the dynamic nature of international interaction, our challenge is seek a balance between the three parameters and in doing so try to capture the relationship between the three. For example some will argue that there is some contradiction between equity and economic growth. It is in this type of discussion that I hope you will find a partner in the United Nations – I believe that our institutions and programmes can bring an international dimension into this key national discussion.

Now I would like to turn our attention to the people centered aspect of Turkmenistan’s development. Right after obtaining independence, Turkmenistan pronounced that the supreme value of the state is the human being – a clear and unambiguous commitment to drive development forward for the good of mankind.

Seen from the perspective of the individual – the micro-level, we could consider partnerships around a number of areas – areas in which active efforts and successful initiatives will move us towards achievement of a sustainable and human development.

If our perspective is the time since independence, at least five areas comes to mind, where the United Nations could be an partner in changing peoples lives:

If we go back to the idea that progress is achieved when cultures and civilization interact then we should be interested in establishing the conditions for such interaction. In other words development means to continue reducing isolation of the individual both in a physical but also social and in a linguistic sense.

Continue efforts to give citizens access to Resources – in the form of land, credit, relevant skills and information

Reinforce the drive since independence to ensure participation of Turkmen citizens in determining their history, in the emerging market economy, in the day-to-day planning and in the decision making process.

Furthermore, given the memories of 1948 it is relevant to strengthen Risk Management seen from the point of view of individuals. This could take the form of disaster management, improved health, and increased stability for individual investors and job security.

Finally, I would like to highlight the shared view on the importance of ensuring Environmental Sustainability. Here a number of important UN conventions relating to resource management and environmental awareness provides an effective platform for joint action.

By mentioning the UN conventions, I have in a sense jumped into the place where I would like to mention more concretely areas where I see effective partnerships between Turkmenistan and the United Nations. To continue on the UN Conventions, let me add, the Turkmen participation in key global conferences like the Rights of the Child Global Conference planned for 2001 and Rio de Janeiro plus 10 which is scheduled for year 2002.

Moreover, as mentioned elsewhere, I sincerely believe that the creation of a Turkmen Internet with Turkmen content would positively influence practically all of the macro and micro level development parameters that we have touched upon today. It will enhance stability through promotion of Turkmen culture, identity and language, it will stimulate economic growth, promote equity, and give access to information.

Furthermore, the reduction of individual risk by promoting preventive health and care for vulnerable groups including refugees. Both are areas where we can increase collaboration, building on existing strong and successful partnership.

Without being exhaustive, let me mention one more area which is the area of effective management of water, at both the international and national level – this is another area where there exist an express wish for partnership.

In closing let me say that I wish for an effective partnership between Turkmenistan and the United Nations with a view to promote sustainable human development – a development in which citizens see sustained economic growth, stability and equity in the society.

When turning to the perspective of the human being, we wish to be associated with developments that make people feel that isolation is being broken down, that they have access to resources necessary for their lives, that they have increased access to influence decisions affecting their lives, they can actively prevent disease, where people feel that the environment is conducive for business, and finally, that the air we all breathe and the water we drink continues to be a source of good health.

Thank you for your attention.