At the meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Turkmenistan was elected to the Executive Board of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Commission on the Status of Women for 2018-2022. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted at today's Cabinet meeting that Turkmenistan's election testifies to the international community's high appreciation of the multilateral activities carried out by the country. Modernization of the health system directly affected the improvement of public health, the prolongation of the average life expectancy of the Turkmen population, the increase in the birth rate, a significant decrease in the use of tobacco, and the success of measures to eradicate drug addiction. Much attention is paid to gender issues. In the country, women hold high positions, work in various managerial positions, they are actively involved in the affairs of the state and society. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan together with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, UNDP and other structures is also working to establish the United Nations Agency for Cooperation in Sustainable Development and the LRC Scientific and Methodological Center in Ashgabat. To date, Turkmenistan is a member of eight commissions, committees and councils of the United Nations, the country was elected five times to be the vice-chairman of the UN General Assembly.