On 3 December 2024, the National Leader of Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov had a working trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to participate in the ‘One Water’ Summit held within the framework of the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP-16).
Following the unique traditions and customs of the Turkmen people, Haji Arkadag started his visit with a pilgrimage to the Holy Kaaba, visiting the city of Mecca.
Having performed Namaz there, Haji Arkadag prayed for granting prosperous life to the Turkmen people, for further development of Turkmenistan, for achieving high levels of progress and prosperity under the wise leadership of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
Then, the National Leader of Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov headed from the city of Mecca to the venue of the summit - Riyadh.
At the airport, Hero-Arkadag was met by Saudi Arabian officials. Here, Hero-Arkadag had a meeting with the official representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
During the talks, the sides noted with satisfaction the high level of development of bilateral ties, particularly mutual trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian co-operation. Expressing confidence that the “One Water” Summit will provide an opportunity to develop positive solutions to pressing issues on the global agenda, Hero Arkadag highly appraised the level of development of cooperation between Turkmenistan and Saudi Arabia within the UN framework.
Then, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan arrived at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, the venue of the Summit.
Hero-Arkadag was met by the Chairmen of the “One Water” Summit - Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Head of the World Bank Ajay Banga.
On the agenda of the Summit, which brought together heads of state and government, heads and representatives of international organizations, were issues of strengthening multilateral cooperation to resolve environmental problems caused by water shortages and drought.
Before the start of the forum, a joint photographing ceremony was held for the heads of delegations.
Opening the Summit, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud warmly welcomed the participants and expressed confidence that this Summit would contribute to the work of the United Nations to improve global water resources management.
Then the floor was given to the participants of the summit.
In his speech, the National Leader of Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed his gratitude to the Governments of France, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia for convening this forum, which aims to practically contribute to solving the most pressing issues on the global agenda.
The National Leader of Turkmen people noted that presently collaboration on water issues is the most crucial component of global processes that largely determine the prospects for ensuring sustainable stability, development and well-being on the planet. In this context, guaranteeing equal and equitable access to water and, in general, to water resources, is a pivotal condition not only of political-legal but also of moral order, a matter of responsibility before present and future generations.
Hero Arkadag noted that Turkmenistan has always firmly and consistently stated that access to water is a natural right of nations and every person.
The National Leader of Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed the view that the whole range of water problems in Central Asia should be considered on the basis of three important principles: adherence to international law, mutual consideration of interests, involvement of international organizations, and first of all the United Nations.
It was empasized that at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, Turkmenistan proposed to consider the initiative to establish the Regional Centre for Climate Change Technologies in Central Asia with headquarters in Ashgabat, as well as to accelerate the process of adoption of the UN conventions on the Amu-Darya and Syr-Darya rivers.
Turkmenistan, as an active participant in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, focuses on the practical implementation of the main provisions of the 2030 Agenda. “Among them is Goal No. 6 - to ensure equal access to clean water, which is our national priority”, noted Hero-Arkadag. In fulfilment of this goal, the country is systematically working on the construction of new water facilities and the development of infrastructure to provide clean drinking water to the population.
At the end of his speech, the National Leader of Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s unwavering readiness for further close cooperation on water issues with the UN, other specialized international structures, neighboring countries and partners based on transparent and fair principles, mutual responsibility and consideration of interests.
Taking this opportunity, Hero-Arkadag once again expressed his gratitude to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron, as well as Crown Prince, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for the initiative to convene the Summit.
Hero-Arkadag’s participation in the “One Water” Summit once again clearly demonstrated Turkmenistan’s goal to contribute to the efforts of the world community to resolve issues on the global agenda.
Having completed his working visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the National Leader of Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Hero-Arkadag returned to his homeland.
