August 25, 2020 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan –  The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Safe Migration in Central Asia program, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Turkmenistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Office of the Ombudsman of Turkmenistan held an online webinar on eradicating forced labor and human trafficking under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 8.7. Representatives of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, Mejlis of Turkmenistan, Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, Institute of Statehood, Democracy and Law of Turkmenistan, General Prosecutor’s Office, Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan, Ministry of Trade of Turkmenistan, and Trade Union of Turkmenistan attended the event.

Addressing the participants, U.S. Ambassador to Turkmenistan Matthew S. Klimow noted, “Turkmenistan’s desire to increase exports and enter international markets necessitates raising the level of awareness among lawmakers and trade representatives on international standards to ensure and enforce effective protection of workers’ rights and prevent forced labor.” He added, “I am convinced that by working hand in hand with the Government of Turkmenistan, the UNODC, the International Labor Organization, and other partners, together, we are contributing to steady and equitable economic growth in Turkmenistan and in the region, while safeguarding the rights of migrants.”

During the webinar, international speakers from the International Labor Organization, Council of Europe, Institute of Human Rights and Business and their Turkmen colleagues considered how to accelerate and expand activities to achieve SDG Target 8.7. The participants deliberated on necessary national policies and their effective implementation; shared international and regional experience and practices; and provided examples of successful and innovative approaches to tackling forced labor and human trafficking regionally.

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The USAID Safe Migration in Central Asia program is being implemented by Winrock International in five Central Asian countries. The program works in close cooperation with local governments, civil society, and private sector to improve migration practices and prevent exploitation. More information is available on USAID Central Asia’s website: https://www.usaid.gov/central-asia-regional/fact-sheets/safe-migration-central-asia.

For additional information, please contact Dinara Saliyeva, Communications Officer for the USAID Safe Migration in Central Asia program at +77028450527 or Dinara.Saliyeva@winrock.org.