OREANDA-NEWS. March 13, 2009. The specialists in health care, education, economy, finance and law discussed the aspects of the draft National Early Childhood Development Action Plan during the roundtable meeting. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and Turkmen National Institute for Democracy and Human Rights under the President of Turkmenistan with the assistance of the UNICEF Office in Turkmenistan organized the forum.

Professor of California University Patricia Angle had arrived in Turkmenistan to take part in the roundtable. The international expert presented the overview of the research activity on early childhood development conducted in different countries worldwide and its influence on economic development of the countries. As a UNICEF expert Professor Patricia Angle is a member of the working group for drafting the National Early Childhood Development Action Plan established under the joint project of this international organisation and Government of Turkmenistan. This expert group includes the members of the interministerial working group for introducing the Early Childhood Development standards in the country.

During the introduction section UNICEF Representative a.i. Resident in Turkmenistan Mr. Abdul Alim said that Turkmenistan ranked among a few countries with steadily developing economy that created the favourable conditions for children’s integrated development. Turkmenistan demonstrated the serious and responsible approach to guaranteeing the favorable conditions for the life, studies and labour to children and youth. The key trends in the policy of fundamental reforms initiated by the President of Turkmenistan and supported by the world community included the improvement of the educational and healthcare systems with the special concern for maternity and child protection.

International cooperation, in particularly with the UN agencies, to achieve the goals of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) considerably contributes to the implementation of the reforms. Highly appreciated the results of this partnership the roundtable participants unanimously called for continuing the constructive dialogue including wide exchange of experiences and information.