In a year defined by historic milestones, the partnership between Turkmenistan and the United Nations reached new heights in 2025. This significant year saw the convergence of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality, and the International Year of Peace and Trust.
Under the leadership of UN Resident Coordinator Dmitry Shlapachenko, 19 UN agencies worked in close cooperation with the Government to deliver major achievements across all five outcomes of the Cooperation Framework.
Governance, Rule of Law, and Human Rights
The UN supported Turkmenistan in aligning national policies with international standards. Key milestones included:
National Action Plans: Development of the National Action Plan on Human Rights 2026–2030 and the National Action Plan on Gender Equality 2026–2030.
Inclusivity: Paving the way for the National Strategy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and establishing a new Department for Women’s and Children’s Rights in the Ombudsperson’s Office.
Evidence-Based Policy: Completion of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS7), providing robust data for 29 SDG indicators.
Economic Growth and Digital Transformation
Strategic efforts focused on modernization, trade integration, and sustainable financing:
Digital Connectivity: Enhanced interoperability across 10 ministries and launched a pilot project for the electronic railway consignment note (SMGS) to modernize trade corridors.
Global Trade: Prepared the nation for WTO accession and improved customs risk management.
Regional Leadership: Turkmenistan successfully hosted the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in Awaza and the Turkmenistan Investment Forum 2025.
Environment and Climate Change
2025 marked a major push toward a greener future and climate resilience:
Climate Commitments: Support for the NDC 3.0, the first Biennial Transparency Report (BTR1), and a new 10-year renewable energy roadmap.
Land and Water: Improved ecosystem management across over one million hectares in the Aral Sea Basin and secured approval for the GEF Central Asia Water–Land Nexus Programme.
Youth Engagement: Adoption of the National Youth Statement for COP30, representing the solutions of Turkmen youth for climate-resilient development.
Collective efforts significantly improved access to quality healthcare:
Disease Control: Developed the National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Control 2026–2030 and provided 120 types of essential medicines for non-communicable and rare diseases.
Immunization: Updated the national schedule in May 2025 to include the hexavalent vaccine and single-dose HPV.
Digital Health: Advanced the development of Electronic Health Records and launched the “Immune Patrol” platform for student health literacy.
The UN focused on building a future-ready, inclusive workforce:
Green Education: Launched the “Green School” Programme in 20 pilot schools to integrate climate awareness into the education system.
Digital Skilling: Trained 120 officials in digital public administration and provided vocational IT and entrepreneurship training to vulnerable youth.
Diplomatic Training: Hosted a regional training for young diplomats from Central Asia in Ashgabat, focusing on preventive diplomacy and climate negotiations.
