Ashgabat, June 26, 2026 – The Europe Today: Oguljahan Atabayeva, Vice-President for Medical Affairs of the Charity Fund for Providing Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship named after Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, met with Narine Sahakyan, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Turkmenistan, on June 25 to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in social development and child welfare.
During the meeting, Atabayeva warmly welcomed the UNDP Resident Representative and highlighted the longstanding and productive partnership between Turkmenistan and the United Nations Development Programme. On behalf of the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, she expressed appreciation to Narine Sahakyan for her personal contribution to strengthening cooperation between Turkmenistan and the UNDP.
Sahakyan thanked the Turkmen side for the opportunity to meet and praised the efforts of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen People in further expanding cooperation with the United Nations. She reaffirmed the UNDP’s commitment to continuing its support for Turkmenistan’s constructive initiatives and sustainable development priorities.
The discussions focused on the successful implementation of several joint projects undertaken by Turkmenistan and the UNDP across key sectors of the country’s socio-economic development. Both sides emphasized the importance of UNDP country programmes, which are designed to reflect the unique development priorities and national characteristics of partner countries.
Atabayeva noted that improving social well-being, strengthening healthcare, and enhancing social protection systems remain among the Charity Fund’s principal priorities within the framework of its cooperation with international organizations.
She also outlined the Fund’s ongoing activities, stating that its primary mission is to provide comprehensive medical and social assistance to children in need of guardianship and to improve their overall well-being.
The UNDP Resident Representative highly commended the Charity Fund’s humanitarian initiatives and its dedicated efforts to support vulnerable children. Sahakyan reaffirmed the organization’s readiness to continue close and constructive cooperation in advancing child welfare and social protection programmes.
The meeting also highlighted the Charity Fund’s close collaboration with other United Nations agencies, particularly the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Atabayeva noted that cooperation with UNICEF continues actively under a memorandum signed in December last year, further strengthening joint efforts to promote children’s health and welfare in Turkmenistan.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides exchanged best wishes and expressed confidence that the longstanding partnership between Turkmenistan and the United Nations would continue to deepen through expanded cooperation in healthcare, social protection, and humanitarian initiatives aimed at improving the lives of children and families.
