UNECE and Resident Coordinator’s Office organized the SDG policy dialogue on Green Energy Transition in Turkmenistan

The dialogue brought together representatives of the government and private sector with experience in decarbonization (Topsoe, Itochu and Çalık Enerji among others), international financial institutions (IMF and ADB) and consulting firms as well as representatives of diplomatic community, academia and civil society organizations.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Dario Liguti, UNECE Director of Sustainable Energy Division, stressed the importance of the green energy transition for Turkmenistan: “The green energy transition is essential for Turkmenistan to achieve its social, environmental and economic goals”. He noted that the country has significant renewable energy resources, such as solar and wind power, which could be used to create a more sustainable and resilient energy system.

Mr. Liguti also highlighted the need for a just transition, ensuring that no one is left behind in the process of moving to a clean energy economy. This means creating new jobs and opportunities in the renewable energy sector, while also providing support to those who may be impacted by the decline of fossil fuel industries.

UNRCO Economist Uladzimir Valetka, UNECE Economic Affairs Officers Branko Milicevic and Nadejda Khamrakulova and other participants made interventions on a range of topics, including the importance of developing of carbon neutrality road map, methane reduction, hydrogen ecosystem, the role of natural gas infrastructure in a low-carbon future, the need for carbon pricing and transition finance. The discussion was supported with a dedicated policy brief prepared as part of the UN Common Country Analysis.

To accelerate the green energy transition in Turkmenistan, it was suggested to support the UN joint program focused on two interlinked areas: reducing methane emissions, including through implementation of the dedicated Roadmap for 2023-2024, and developing Turkmenistan’s carbon neutrality roadmap until 2052. The joint programme is fully aligned with Turkmenistan’s Strategies and Programmes and the National Commitments to SDG Transformation submitted at the SDG summit.

The UNECE and UNRCO continued policy discussions in bilateral meetings with the State Concern “Turkmengas”, the Ministries of Energy, Finance and Economy, Environmental Protection, and Foreign Affairs. During the meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the parties discussed cooperation between Turkmenistan and the UNECE in the field of green energy, reduction of methane emissions and the prospects for UNECE expert support in the field of solar and wind energy. The possibility of holding the International Forum on Sustainable Energy in Turkmenistan in 2025 was also discussed at the meeting.

Timely actions on Turkmenistan’s energy transition will allow paving the way to a low-carbon future helping to create new jobs, stimulate growth and bring social and health benefits supporting achievement of the SDGs and diversification of the national economy.