The “Integration and Strengthening the Capacity of Information Resource Centers and Effectiveness of Reproductive Health Services” two-day seminar was opened in the Turkmen capital. The forum was organised by the Central Council of the Magtymguly Youth Organisation of Turkmenistan and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The representatives of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, the Ministry of Education and the Women’s Union of Turkmenistan took part in the forum.

Pursuing the national policy Turkmenistan gives priority to creation of the worthy living conditions including social welfare, an equal access to education and healthcare, gender equality, etc. Turkmenistan successfully collaborates with the UNFPA to achieve these goals as well as to implement the Health National Programme. The good results have been achieved in the fields of co-operation such as guarantees of reproductive health, maternity and child protection, epidemiological education and propagation of the healthy lifestyle. The seminar was to be another step towards enhancement of fruitful co-operation between Turkmenistan and one of the largest and most authoritative UN agencies.

The agenda of the forum included the issues of integration, betterment and coordination of the activities of the Information Resource Centers (IRC) and enhancement of effective partnership in this field, in particular the Project Information, Education and Communication (IEC), participation in the Peer to Peer Global Youth Network, an review of the AIDS/HIV situation in the region and all over the world. The agenda included the demonstration of a thematic video film, the group discussions and the presentations.