ESCAP expertise on system thinking to enrich Turkmenistan’s Voluntary National Review

Today, two experts of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific facilitated training for SDG Working group, that include representatives from different ministries, private sectors, and NGOs on applying the system-thinking approach and integrating the SDGs into national programs.

They also plan to have a working meeting with members of the Interdepartmental Working Commission for Preparation of the VNR of Turkmenistan. Within the mission, they will hold a focus group discussion with 17 Youth Ambassadors of Turkmenistan to include their voices on how SDGs are being achieved in the country into the VNR.

“We are very glad that the international experts from UN ESCAP have joined us to provide support in the process of the development of VNR and educate Turkmen specialists on system thinking approach. This approach entails not only looking at SDGs as indivisible parts of the one whole. It requires partnerships with civil society, the private sector and youth for SDGs”, noted Ms. Elena Panova, UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan.

UNDP in Turkmenistan is implementing a joint project with the Ministry of Finance and Economy to create a platform for the implementation of the SDGs in Turkmenistan, which will engage various stakeholders, including public institutions, civil society, the private sector, and UN agencies in three main areas:

1) preparation for the Voluntary national review on SDGs;

2) the integration of the SDGs into national development programs and financial plans;

3) creating a database on SDGs and improving statistics for the SDGs.