On 27 November 2024, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov received the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety Jean Todt, who arrived in Ashgabat to participate in the International conference “International Transport-Transit Corridors: Interconnectivity and Development – 2024”.

Mr.Jean Todt emphasised that he has fond memories of his visit to Turkmenistan in 2013 upon the invitation of Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and meeting with him. The Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General noted that he has also participated in the first Global Conference on Sustainable Transport held in Ashgabat in 2016.

Greeting Jean Todt, the head of state expressed his best wishes and thanked him for his active participation in the forum “International Transport-Transit Corridors: Interconnectivity and Development–2024”.  The President expressed confidence that this international conference would provide an opportunity to discuss important vectors and prospects of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the UN on road safety issues.

Mr. Jean Todt noted that Turkmenistan’s work in developing a sustainable transport system and ensuring road safety is exemplary.  He emphasized the special significance of the Resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on the initiative of Turkmenistan to declare 26 November as the World Sustainable Transport Day.

During the meeting it was underlined that active cooperation with the UN and its specialised agencies is among the main vectors of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy. In this regard, the sides expressed confidence that the partnership between Turkmenistan and the UN on road safety will be further developed.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov highlighted that improving road safety is among the priority vectors of Turkmenistan’s state policy. This is clearly demonstrated by the annual events held as part of the monthly campaign “Road Safety - Peace of our Lives”, including the consistent improvement of the relevant legal and regulatory framework.

The “Group of Friends for Sustainable Transport” established upon the initiative of Turkmenistan in 2022 promotes multilateral dialogue on this subject.

“Presently, much attention is paid to the development of motorsports in the country, appropriate work is being done to improve the skills of athletes engaged in this sport,” said the President of Turkmenistan.

Special emphasis is placed on their participation to international competitions. It was noted that this subject is in the center of attention of the state and opens up great opportunities for Turkmen athletes to achieve high results on the international level.

At the end of the meeting, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Road Safety Jean Todt exchanged best wishes.