On May 6, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov received Secretary-General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS) Mr. Elhadj As Sy. In the course of the meeting, it was underlined that the National Red Crescent Society carries out its mission, taking an active part in the socio-economic transformations under way in Turkmenistan in the new historical epoch. At present, the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan sees a main goal of its activity in rendering assistance in the realization of progressive reforms and national projects aimed to strengthen high humanistic principles in Turkmen society, to meet interests of the population in full, to enhance the family institution status and improve the social sphere. In this connection, Mr. Elhadj As Sy expressed his sincere gratitude to the head of Turkmen state for his active support in the implementation of a number of projects within the scope of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov stressed the importance of the “Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on the legal status of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Turkmenistan” to be signed during the visit of the organization’s head to Turkmenistan. This document will serve as a legal base for further effective interaction. The main objective of the IFRC is to render assistance to the population concerning natural disasters and emergency situations. In this connection, the President of Turkmenistan stressed that our country had put forward a proposal to establish a specialized body under the aegis of the United Nations – the Regional Center for technologies related to climate change in Central Asia. In addition to the intensification of activities in the region in the field of disaster risks, our country intends to start working out systematic measures for developing a National Action Strategy for disaster risk reduction, the head of state noted. The content of the National Strategy of Turkmenistan will be based on provisions of the multilateral documents in this field and international practice for their implementation, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov said. As the head of state noted, the measures for developing the National Strategy include the following areas: firstly, elaboration of the relevant legal framework; secondly, establishment of a coordinating body of state administration, as well as a scientific institution, expert and technical working groups in the areas of activity; thirdly, creation of modern emergency medical service; fourthly, the activities aimed to improve seismic safety, as well as to control desertification; fifthly, creation of an early public warning system for natural disasters; sixthly, progressive development and strengthening of international and regional cooperation. Speaking of topicality of the meeting, Mr. Elhadj As Sy has stressed that the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies greatly appreciates considerable support given by the Turkmen leader to the activity of the IFRCS. In this connection, the guest informed that the agenda of the regional meeting of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies with participation of representatives of Central Asian and Eastern European countries would include joint plans for strengthening cooperation with the Government of Turkmenistan to provide humanitarian aid to other countries and develop peaceful relations in the region. Awarding of international certificates of nonoccurrence of the most dangerous diseases in Turkmenistan, including poliomyelitis, improvement of work and rest conditions, increase of average longevity – all of these are a striking illustration of the fact that the national health care system has reached world standards. Having emphasized the significance of the large-scale national and regional projects implemented by Turkmenistan, the Secretary-General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies expressed his gratitude to the head of Turkmen state for his standing as a leader in tackling of today’s topical issues. Turkmenistan can be justly proud of its achievements in preventing possible problems that make a negative impact on the process of global development of humanity, Mr. Alhajj As Sy noted, having assured that the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, whose branch offices work in 189 countries, will continue to properly perform its noble humanitarian mission.