Today, the Civil Society Forum, held within the framework of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), began its work in Avaza National Tourist Zone.

The large-scale event is attended by the UN Under-General-Secretary, the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, the Chairman of the National Centre of Trade Unions, high-ranking officials of international organisations, civil society, and landlocked developing countries.

The given Forum gives a possibility for the dialogue with top-ranking representatives of states and the United Nations as well as with other interested parties with a view of exchange of experience and development of solutions, formation of the agenda in the field of sustainable development for implementation of the Avaza program of action for LLDCs.

Successful realisation of the given Program demands a multilateral approach. The civil society acts as an important factor of maintenance of sustainable development, offering innovative solutions and ideas, as well as promotes inclusion of priorities of LLDCs in the global political agenda on such issues as finance, trade, climate change and others.

Subjects of civil society - from local to international organisations - play a significant role in development and implementation of national strategy. Effective realisation of the Avaza program of action for the land-locked developing countries, also depends on an active participation of civil society, along with governments and the private sector.

The main objective of the Forum is to create a productive platform for civil society, the scientific community, business circles and government agencies to identify priorities and establish partnerships, demonstrate examples of fruitful cooperation and successful strategies that promote the sustainable development of LLDCs, as well as to exchange innovative solutions and best practices.

At the opening ceremony of the Forum of civil society, which is held for the first time in the history of the Conferences on the land-locked developing countries, representatives of the Government of Turkmenistan and the United Nations Organization as well as civil society spoke.

Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Secretary General of the Third Conference of the United Nations on LLDCs Ms. Rabab Fatima noted that it is a great honour for her to speak at the first Forum of civil society of LLDCs and expressed sincere gratitude to the Government and the people of Turkmenistan for the shown hospitality.

It was underlined that the Avaza program of action represents the Road map of transformations for solution of LLDCs problems connected with their geographical location. She calls for urgent collective actions on disclosing of potential of the given countries. In it civil society is considered as a key partner in realisation of these transformations.

In her speech Ms. Rabab Fatima urged civil society to participate actively in fulfilment of the Avaza program of action and building sustainable and prosperous future for the land-locked developing countries.

As it was underlined in speeches of representatives of the Turkmen party, the given Forum serves as an important platform to strengthen cooperation between states, international organisations, the private sector and the most important thing, civil society. Such problems as achievement of sustainable development, maintenance of social equality and ecological stability, can be successfully realised on the basis of wide and inclusive interactions.

In the present period Turkmenistan under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov acts as the state attached to principles of international peace, cooperation and sustainable development, which put forward creative initiatives.

Our Fatherland consistently includes key issues of social and economic development of the land-locked countries in the global agenda, and also actively participates in expansion of partnership in such areas as perfection of logistical systems, creation of transport-transit corridors, and simplification of trading operations.

In the state policy of Turkmenistan a special place is given to civil society. With an active participation of public organisations, communities and associations numerous programs in such areas as social sphere, education, public health services, ecology are successfully realised.

Addressing examples of an active role of civil society in social-humanitarian area, it is necessary to note an important work of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship. The Foundation helps our young citizens to restore their health and creates favourable conditions for their happy life. Besides it, in the national social sphere other public organisations successfully operate. So, the Magtymguly Youth organisation of Turkmenistan and the Union of Women have more than one million members.

The country’s public organisations participate in work on achievement of goals of sustainable development till 2030, and also play an important role in interaction and solidarity in society, maintenance of human rights.

The active position of civil society promotes an establishment of reliable relations between the state and society, strengthening of the basis of confidential, fair and more inclusive society.

Along with it, in Turkmenistan the policy aimed at protection of the rights of workers, strengthening of stability in society and development of the human capital is consistently realised. The country’s trade unions take an active part in these processes, bringing a powerful contribution to protection of interests of workers, creation of worthy working conditions, development of system of social support.

Today, the National Centre of Trade Unions of Turkmenistan unites numerous branch and territorial organisations representing interests of workers in spheres of industry and agriculture, education, public health and services. NCTU actively co-operates with state structures, employers and other public organisations, participating in development and realisation of national programs in the field of ecology, labour safety, gender equality and the youth policy.

In his speech, President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Mr. Lok Bahadur Thapa underlined that the governments, private sector, structures of the United Nations and civil society should unite efforts for realisation of the Avaza program of action and noted readiness of the structure headed by him to support this cooperation.

Being as basic platform of the United Nations for sustainable development, ECOSOC is attached to advancement of inclusive and multilateral approach and the solutions focused on interests of people.

Having underlined that the proposals, which were put forward during this Forum, will matter not only for results of the Conference, but also for the activity of ECOSOC, Mr. Lok Bahadur Thapa addressed participants with a call to show solidarity and purposefulness to work over tasks in view.

As was marked during the Forum, an important role is given to civil society in advancement of the Avaza program of action aimed at maintenance of sustainable development of LLDCs. These states face a number of the complicated issues caused by their geographical location. In the given context, civil society acts not simply as the observer, but an active participant of structural transformations necessary for solution of problems, interfering progress.

By means of public actions and the dialogue with state institutes, civil society promotes explanation of the course of realisation of reforms, offering concrete solutions considering local features and requirements. Such approach allows to develop more flexible strategy of development aimed at effective fulfilment of goals, facing LLDCs.

A significant place is given to civil society in increase of stability to climate change that is one of the acute problems of the present. Public organisations promote expansion of awareness on the risks connected with climatic changes, and realisation of measures of adaptation to them at local level. They actively participate in advancement of non-polluting practice, proposals on preservation of natural resources and use of potential of renewed energy sources.

In speeches a key role of civil society in realisation of inclusive initiatives necessary for sustainable development of LLDCs was also underlined. It provides conditions for intensive involvement of various public groups, including youth, women, local population, in development and introduction of innovative solutions. Such comprehensive approach helps to create fair and effective system taking into account various requirements and possibilities of all social classes. Civil society also actively supports application of new technologies, educational and entrepreneurship initiatives, proceeding from specificity of each land-locked developing country.

A significant role of civil society in interaction adjustment between state structures, private sector and the international community was thus marked. Public organisations promote association of efforts, exchange of experience, attraction of financial and technical support, creating networks of cooperation and a platform for dialogue. Such format of partnership allows to put into practice more effectively projects and the plans aimed at realisation of the Avaza program of action, at the expense of joint actions and expansion of their scopes.

In the given context, it was marked that recognition and support of the role of civil society within the Avaza program of action will promote successful fulfilment of the tasks designated in it, strengthening of trust between its participants and formation of a strong basis for joint development.

During the Forum, priority tasks and proposals on the Declaration of organisations of civil society were also discussed.

Then, the thematic session devoted to socially focused structural transformations and ecological stability took place. Ways of achievement of inclusive and sustainable development by means of economic diversification and the responsible relation to environment with an active participation of civil society became the subject of interested discussion. The exchange of opinions in perspective areas of the economic policy focused on interests of people and co-ordinated with such actual factor, as ecological well-being also took place.

As was marked, support and development of civil society should become a priority of the national strategy and the international programs aimed at long-term sustainable development of LLDCs. Only thanks to such complex and consolidated approach it is possible to overcome existing obstacles, to provide well-being of all levels of population and simultaneously to keep natural resources for future generations.

Participants of the Forum also underlined a significant role of civil society in strengthening state and public institutes that promotes a combination of diversification of economy with ecological stability of LLDCs. Public organisations promote introduction of "green" technologies and practice, raising awareness in the field and actively involving the population, thereby providing balance between economic growth and environment protection.

At the same time, the importance of the inclusive dialogue between state structures, the private sector and civil society in development of the complex strategy considering interests of all levels of population and promoting sustainable and inclusive development was marked.

During the Forum, it was also underlined that support of civil society by governments and international organisations is a key condition of successful realisation of the Avaza program of action. Organisations of civil society promote effective attraction of international investments, realisation of the projects focused on diversification of economy and sustainable development. In the end, the combination of the economic policy considering interests of people, ecological stability gives an opportunity for creation of competitive economy in LLDCs.

Thus, active and well-organised civil society acts as an integral component of strategy of LLDCs on maintenance of inclusive and sustainable development. Advancement of "green" economy and meaningful dialogue between all social classes serves strengthening of positions of the land-locked developing countries on the world scene. For successful fulfilment of tasks in view it is necessary to create conditions for active participation of civil society in decision-making.

The session devoted to the topic of socially focused structural transformation and ecological stability, became an effective platform for mutually beneficial exchange of experience and development of concrete recommendations for LLDCs. Its participants expressed confidence that the proposed approaches and ideas will promote realisation of the Avaza program of action and construction of more prospering future for land-locked developing countries.

Tomorrow, on August 5, the Forum will continue its work.