September 16, 2024, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan - the Government of Turkmenistan, in collaboration with the UN Resident Coordinator's Office, the UN Development Program (UNDP), the Embassies of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Great Britain and the United Arab Emirates in Turkmenistan, and supported by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), hosted the National Conference of Youth on Climate Change. This event held at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and brought together young participants from across the region to discuss environmental issues and explore opportunities for youth involvement in climate action. The conference was attended by guests of honor: Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Gismet Fizuli oglu Gezalov, British Ambassador in Turkmenistan Mr. Stephen Conlon, Ambassador of the UAE Mr. Ahmed Al Hameli, the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan Mr. Dmitry Shlapachenko, Director of the EU for Green Turkmenistan Program Ms. Caroline Milow; young people aged 17 to 35, young SDG Ambassadors, eco-activists, as well as representatives of UNDP, UNICEF, FAO, European Union, GIZ and specialists from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Education and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan. The Conference of Youth on Climate Change, attended by more than 700 young people from all over Turkmenistan, was held ahead of the 19th Conference of Youth (COY19) and the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The conference aimed to raise awareness among younger generations about climate change, its impact on socio-economic development, environmental sustainability and biodiversity, and to develop common approaches to implement innovative solutions that promote climate change adaptation and mitigation. This year the conference has further expanded its scope. Regional meetings were held in the cities of Dashoguz, Balkanabat, Mary, Turkmenabat and Bezmein, thereby covering all 5 velayats of Turkmenistan. Young SDG Ambassadors and eco-activists interacted with youth from these cities, facilitating the exchange of ideas and providing the opportunity for the most active participants to show their projects at the final conference.After the opening ceremony, where the youth were welcomed by the honorable guests of the Conference, the first session commenced with a presentation by the Ozone Center representative on the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. Then youth representatives presented the results of the conferences held in the velayats. During the second session, the participants divided into working groups, each of which discussed different aspects of environmental challenges and possible ways to address them. Key topics of discussion included the sustainable management of natural resources in the Turkmen region of the Caspian and Aral Seas in the context of climate change, sustainable water management in agriculture, the role of IT technologies in addressing climate change, the benefits of renewable energy sources, air quality, ozone layer protection and environmental education. Experts and facilitators led the discussions, outlining the objectives and expected outcomes of each session. Following the discussions, each group prepared their proposals for inclusion in the preliminary version of the Turkmenistan Youth Statement. At the final session, the leaders of each working group presented their proposals, which were included in the preliminary version of the Youth Roadmap for Climate Action. These proposals will be included in the final version of the Turkmenistan Youth Statement, which will be presented at COY19 and then at COP29.The conference served as a vital platform to empower Turkmenistan's youth, foster dialogue and equip the next generation of climate leaders with the knowledge and tools to make a lasting impact. The final Youth Climate Statement will reflect the collective vision of Turkmen youth and contribute to the broader UNFCCC processes, emphasizing their commitment to a sustainable and climate-resilient future. The Conference of Youth (COY) is an annual event that brings together young people from across the globe to engage in climate action discussions. COY19 will serve as a preparatory platform for youth engagement ahead of COP29, the pivotal UN conference dedicated to global climate change solutions. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) serves as the international framework for addressing climate change, and the Conference of the Parties (COP) is its highest decision-making body.

By Mariko Hall, UNHCR External Relations Officer, with Balzhan Oshakbayeva, Protection AssociateFor most of her life, Anna thought she was a citizen of Russia. Since moving to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, in the early 90s when she was five years old, she would tell people that she was a Russian citizen. It wasn't until recent years, when her and her mother visited the Russian embassy, that documents were uncovered stating she was, in fact, not a citizen at all. Suddenly Anna understood that not only was she not a citizen of Russia, but she was not considered a citizen of any country in the world – she was stateless.  “I was so lost when I heard that I’m not a citizen,” says Anna. Inter-generational impacts of statelessnessWhen Anna came to the newly independent Turkmenistan as a child, she was enrolled in kindergarten, and went on to complete primary school and high school in Ashgabat. She learnt Turkmen language and settled into her new home, while still believing herself to be a citizen of Russia. Even when her birth certificate was lost, and she faced challenges as an adult because of her lack of identity documents, she was not too concerned. Anna worked unofficially, first as a waitress until she was 25 years old, and then doing private jobs such as cleaning. “I had issues because I didn’t have citizenship documents, but I didn’t pay serious attention to them,” says Anna. “I only started to pay attention when I had children.” When Anna's two children were born, they could not be registered because she did not have any documents to prove her identity or nationality. Anna’s two children were then stateless too. Statelessness in TurkmenistanA stateless person is not considered as a national by any country. As of mid-2023, there were 3,351 reported stateless people in Turkmenistan. Most are ex-citizens of the former Soviet Union, or their descendants, who have not yet acquired or confirmed citizenship of Turkmenistan. Others are born stateless or became stateless due to gaps in nationality laws, international migration, and mixed marriages.Turkmenistan hosts documented stateless people, as well as stateless people who do not have documents – so-called ‘people with undetermined nationality’. With no proof of having a nationality or any legal status, people with undetermined nationality have difficulty accessing basic rights such as education, healthcare, employment, and freedom of movement. They may be unable to register marriage, or – like with Anna – the birth of their children. Documented stateless people in Turkmenistan are issued with a ‘Stateless person’s certificate’ from the government, enabling them to stay in the country, and access legal employment, public services and healthcare. Turkmenistan also practises the ‘propiska’ system, inherited from the Soviet era, requiring every adult and household to prove ownership of a place of permanent residence to be able to access employment, social benefits (such as maternity and child support, and pension payments), free health care and education for children. Stateless people in Turkmenistan, however, cannot get propiska. “I’m tired of this situation,” says Anna. “I just want official, decent work, with official payment.”As they were born in Turkmenistan, Anna's children were eventually confirmed as citizens based on the expired USSR passport of their grandmother. Even so, without his mother’s ‘propiska’, 16-year-old Dmitriy cannot complete his mandatory military service, obtain a passport, or pursue higher education.Ending statelessness by 2024Since the launch of the 10-year global #IBelong Campaign to End Statelessness, Turkmenistan, supported by UNHCR, has made great process in reducing and preventing statelessness, documenting the citizenship of more than 13,000 people. Turkmenistan is the only country in Central Asia that has already acceded to the two UN Conventions on Statelessness.In 2020, Turkmenistan introduced a law on Civil Status Acts ensuring all children born in the country can be registered at birth, including those with undocumented parents. In 2021, Turkmenistan adopted Statelessness Determination Procedures.These improvements in legislation have enabled Anna to be documented as a stateless person. With her Stateless Person’s certificate, Anna has been able to apply for citizenship of Turkmenistan, which –  as per Turkmenistan’s National Action Plan to End Statelessness – she should obtain later this year. “With citizenship, I will feel complete,” says Anna. “I will feel like a full-fledged person, a member of society.” 

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan – August 13, 2024 – In a celebration of Youth Day, the Documentary Film Screening event was held to engage young people in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event, which took place at the UN House in Ashgabat, provided a platform for youth to explore the significance of the SDGs and their role in shaping a sustainable future. The highlight of the event was the screening of the film "The Agreement", a compelling 45-minute documentary film recently unveiled by the UN Office for Partnerships during the SDG Summit. The UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan Mr. Dmitry Shlapachenko hosted this exclusive screening. Independent film, known for its blend of drama, suspense, and an insightful storyline, delves into the creation of the SDGs, offering viewers a deeper understanding of how these goals were established and their impact on the world. The event was well-received, with attendees expressing their appreciation for the film's powerful message and the opportunity to engage in discussions about the SDGs.Following the screening, a lively discussion was held, where participants reflected on the themes presented in the film and shared their thoughts on how they can contribute to achieving the SDGs. The discussion highlighted the importance of youth involvement in global development efforts and underscored the role of the SDGs as common ambitions for all people across the globe. "The film "The Agreement" provides an insightful and comprehensive examination of the complex process behind establishing the SDGs. These goals, which serve as a global blueprint for achieving a better and more sustainable future, are central to addressing the most pressing challenges of our time, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, and peace and justice. The film not only captures the intricacies of the negotiations and agreements that led to the establishment of the SDGs but also emphasizes the importance of global collaboration in achieving these ambitious targets." Servi, young SDG Ambassador said.The event fostered a sense of community and shared responsibility towards building a better and more sustainable world. It was a fitting celebration of Youth Day, emphasizing the critical role that youth play in advancing the SDGs.

Cooperation between the United Nations and Turkmenistan, and regional developments in Central Asia, were the focus of a meeting between UN Secretary-General António Guterres and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov held in the capital, Ashgabat, on Saturday.The Secretary-General expressed his appreciation to Turkmenistan for hosting the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia in Ashgabat, and commended Turkmenistan’s generosity in granting citizenship to stateless people.He also thanked the President for providing the UN Country Team with a new building.Regional challengesLater at a press encounter, Mr. Guterres told journalists that “Turkmenistan is playing a very important role in international relations”, particularly in cooperation with the UN.“In these troubled times, I commend Turkmenistan’s policy of neutrality,” he said.The Secretary-General is on an official visit to Central Asia, which covers Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.Mr. Guterres last visited the region seven years ago.  Since then it has been affected by numerous global challenges, he said, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, rising geopolitical tensions and the intensifying climate crisis.He was encouraged that relations between Central Asian countries have improved in the face of these challenges, and regional cooperation has deepened, again highlighting the important role played by Turkmenistan.He said the region continues to face many obstacles to development, including water shortages, land degradation, natural hazards, and a lack of adequate connectivity. “The solutions are interlinked and can be found through dialogue and cooperation, and Turkmenistan plays a central role in that cooperation,” he said.UN commitmentThe Secretary-General noted that the establishment of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy demonstrates the Organization’s commitment to Central Asia.“With the engagement of all five Central Asian countries, the Regional Centre will continue to provide a forum for coming together around common solutions, especially on the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia and the management of natural resources to the benefit of all,” he said.Climate action and sustainable developmentThe Secretary-General also used the opportunity to highlight how like other countries across Central Asia, Turkmenistan is suffering the impacts of the intensifying climate crisis.He stressed the need for “far more ambitious climate action and cuts in emissions if the world is to stay within 1.5 degrees of global heating.”Mr. Guterres further noted that Turkmenistan has made “important strides” towards achieving a number of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adding that the UN Country Team is engaged with the Government in identifying gaps and risks.“Sustainable, inclusive development can be enormously enhanced by respect for the full spectrum of human rights – economic, social, political, cultural and civic,” he added.In this regard, the Secretary-General encouraged Turkmenistan to continue engaging with UN human rights mechanisms and recommendations. ***As part of the UN Secretary-General’s visit to Turkmenistan, on July 6, 2024, a document signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan with participation of the heads of UN Agencies and the national ministries and departments.The event saw the signing of several important documents aimed at strengthening the cooperation between Turkmenistan and the UN in various sectors. A joint program document titled " Strengthening of integrated and coordinated employment and social protection systems for just transitions" was signed by the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, Mr. Dmitry Shlapachenko, and the Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Turkmenistan, Mr. Muhammetseyit Sylapov. The joint program document will be submitted to the UN’s Joint SDG Fund for funding.  Additionally, the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Mr. Tomica Paovic signed three project documents - "Strengthening National Capacity for Seismic Risk Assessment, Prevention, and Response to Potential Earthquakes"; “Capacity Building for the Central Commission for Holding Elections and Referendums in Turkmenistan” and “Enhancing the Capacity of the Board of Lawyers in Turkmenistan in Ensuring Human Rights” -  with the national partners, namely: Institute of Seismology and Atmospheric Physics of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, Central Election Commission, and Bar Association.