“It’s an incredible feeling to watch a tiny baby take their first breaths without a machine,” says Guljemal Jemmiyeva, anesthesiologist and resuscitator at the neonatal intensive care unit of Mother and Child Health Centre in Dashoguz, Turkmenistan. Until recently, oxygen for the hospital had to be delivered from outside. Staff had to be diverted to arrange transport and to move heavy cylinders – a process that could cause delays in oxygen supply, meaning the difference between life and death for patients. In 2024, this changed: a new oxygen station was installed with the support of UNICEF and the Ministry of Health. “For the first time, oxygen flows reliably and continuously into our wards. Newborns and babies under one year now receive oxygen the moment they need it, regardless of the hour or their diagnosis,” says Guljemal.The impact was biggest for premature babies with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), she says. Now, thanks to uninterrupted oxygen, staff can use non-invasive SIPAP therapy instead of invasive mechanical ventilation. “It’s less risky for the baby. We see them recover faster, moving to breathing on their own much sooner,” she says. More than 1,500 children each year, including those with disabilities, spinal injuries, chronic lung conditions and severe respiratory illnesses, now have reliable access to oxygen. One little boy with a severe spinal injury has been under the care of Ashgabat’s Mother and Child Health Centre for three years. “He has required over 32,000 litres of oxygen. Before this station, keeping up with his needs would have been almost impossible,” says Dr. Jeren Orazova, a physician in the Centre’s pediatric intensive care unit. “Now we can plan his care and know that his oxygen supply will not fail.” UNICEF also supplied the centers with laryngoscope kits and infant nasal cannulas, and provided specialized training for health workers. The trainings taught staff how to safely provide oxygen, adjust flow rates for tiny lungs, monitor patients using pulse oximetry, and properly maintain oxygen equipment. This education has been transformative, both physicians say. “Oxygen is life,” says Guljemal. “Now, when a baby is struggling to breathe, I know we have what we need. Our children can breathe easier, and so can we.”

UNICEF, together with the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan and social protection partners, are taking the next step to bring inclusive education to pilot schools and kindergartens across the country. The initiative is designed to ensure that every child – including children with disabilities and developmental challenges – can learn, play and thrive in supportive environments.During 14–20 September, international and national experts worked side by side with teachers, specialists and school leaders to strengthen systems for inclusion. Ms. Marina Emets, a specialist from the Saint Petersburg Institute of Early Intervention, is working closely with the Ashgabat Rehabilitation Centre, supporting pilot kindergartens working with children with autism and other developmental needs. Through supervision, training and joint planning, the rehabilitation center is becoming a key resource for early identification, referral and support for children with disabilities and their families. UNICEF expert Filomena Pereira from Portugal also worked with teachers and school administrators on practical strategies. These included involving parents, using inclusive and culturally sensitive language, introducing interactive and play-based learning, and monitoring the progress of every child. By the end of the week, school teams had developed draft plans to strengthen inclusive practices in their classrooms. As part of the programme, pilot kindergartens (no’s 14 and 160) and schools (no’s 29 and 74) are receiving direct support to make classrooms more accessible. Adjustable desks and chairs, tailored to children’s physical needs, help students maintain better posture and learning, and help teachers provide higher quality learning experience. This support addition has been particularlyimportant as the new 1st grade students with additional needs were enrolled in the pilot facilities. “This next phase is about turning principles into practice” said UNICEF Turkmenistan Representative Jalpa Ratna. “We are helping schools and kindergartens test and refine inclusive approaches, build confidence among teachers and families, and create more classrooms where every child feels welcome and supported.” UNICEF’s inclusive education programme is part of the upcoming 2026–2030 Country Programme, which prioritizes early years development, disability inclusion and quality education for all. The initiative also aligns with Turkmenistan’s National Action Plan on Implementation of the Rights of the Child, ensuring that no child is left behind.

Maya Ashirova, Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Emergency Preparedness SpecialistIn late July 2025, while much of Turkmenistan was braving another sweltering summer, 30 young people from across the country gathered in a cool room buzzing with energy — not from air conditioners, but from curiosity and commitment. They were participants of the Youth Summer School on Climate Change, organized by UNICEF, and they had one mission: to understand and act on the rising threat of climate change. What none of them expected was that a fictional city would spark real-world urgency.They were introduced to the case of “Sunnyside”, once a green haven known for its mild summers and tree-lined streets. But now, Sunnyside was in crisis. The city had endured four consecutive weeks of heatwave, with daily highs above 43°C (109°F) — the longest ever recorded. Residents, especially the most vulnerable — children, elderly people, and outdoor workers — were struggling to cope. Electricity blackouts, rising air pollution, and a water supply nearing its limits turned the heatwave from a seasonal inconvenience into a public health emergency. As the young participants stepped into the shoes of Sunnyside's crisis planners, something clicked. "This could be Dashoguz," said Dovlet, a 17-year-old from northern Turkmenistan, where the legacy of the Aral Sea disaster has left his community water-stressed and exposed to environmental extremes. “It’s hot during the day and even at night, with no break to recover. There’s nowhere to cool down — people, animals, and even plants are under stress,” said Dovlet. It was during the summer school that he learned there’s a name for this phenomenon — tropical nights — when nighttime temperatures stay so high that the body can’t cool down properly, increasing health risks, especially for the most vulnerable.Over the course of the workshop, students mapped vulnerabilities, debated priorities, and proposed solutions. The ideas poured out: emergency call centers, SMS-based alert systems, hydration points near bus stops, radio campaigns, school awareness programs, and even youth-led outreach through social media. What strengthened their motivation further was learning that heatwaves are officially recognized as a public health concern in Turkmenistan. The government has already taken steps by adopting the Plan of Actions to Prevent the Health Effects of Heat of Population in Turkmenistan, which outlines preventive and response measures. This national plan set a critical backdrop for the youth’s efforts — reinforcing the urgency of community-level engagement and the role of informed citizens, including youth.But perhaps the most powerful shift came when they realized they could start acting immediately with knowledge and their voices. The young participants decided to spread reliable heatwave preparedness tips to their peers. Backed by the UNICEF Health Team, they drafted a campaign focused on the basics of heatwave survival: Be prepared: Know how hot it will be and plan activities accordingly. Keep a simple emergency kit with ORS packets, fans, water bottles, and a checklist for heat stress symptoms. Keep your home cool: Draw curtains during the day, ventilate at night, and use fans or ACs if possible. Stay out of the heat: Avoid being outdoors during peak heat hours. When outside, wear sunscreen, light cotton clothes, and stay in the shade. Stay cool and hydrated: Drink water before you’re thirsty, carry a wet towel to cool down, and check for nearby cooling shelters or clinics.  “We can’t ignore this anymore, it’s not just about climate change somewhere far away — it’s about how we survive summer here, in our own cities.”  mentioned Dovlet.The youth summer school may have started with imaginary exercises, but it ended with a real plan: to launch a youth-led awareness campaign and bring knowledge to their communities through digital means. They are determined to ensure that children and youth are not just seen as vulnerable groups — but as drivers of resilience.

Awaza, Turkmenistan – 8 August 2025 – The Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) concluded today in Awaza, Turkmenistan, with the endorsement of the Awaza Programme of Action for LLDCs 2024–2034—a comprehensive 10-year roadmap to address the unique challenges of landlocked developing countries and accelerate their progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The four-day Conference brought together more than 5,700 participants from 103 countries, including representatives from 30 of the 32 LLDCs, 16 Heads of State and Government, 3 Vice Presidents, 108 ministers, over 100 parliamentarians, members from 29 international organizations, and more than 450 civil society organizations—making it the most comprehensive and inclusive gathering ever held for LLDCs. Opening the Conference, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stressed that “geography should never define destiny,” urging the global community to remove structural barriers and mobilize greater investments in infrastructure, trade facilitation, and connectivity. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan emphasized that LLDC3 sends a clear message: physical geography must not limit a nation’s potential. He reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s commitment to inclusive multilateralism and presented several initiatives, including the Medicine of the Future initiative, the Caspian Environmental Initiative, the Digital Atlas for Sustainable Transport Connectivity, and a Global Framework Programme on Circular Economy. Voices from Across SectorsFrom the Youth Forum on day one to multi-stakeholder platforms with women leaders, parliamentarians, civil society, the private sector, and South–South cooperation partners, LLDC3 ensured that diverse perspectives informed its outcomes. These forums produced actionable proposals to strengthen policy coherence, advance gender equality, invest in green infrastructure, and promote community-driven development. Thematic PrioritiesDiscussions centred on the five strategic priorities of the Awaza Programme of Action:Structural transformation, diversification, and science, technology and innovation (STI)Trade, trade facilitation, and regional integrationTransport and transit systemsClimate resilience and environmental sustainabilityAccess to finance, technology, and capacity buildingA UN-co-hosted side event on the circular economy showcased how resource-efficient practices can create new economic opportunities and advance climate goals in LLDCs. Flagship InitiativesThe Awaza Programme of Action introduces five flagship initiatives designed to address structural impediments and catalyse progress across the SDGs:Regional Agricultural Research Hubs: To boost food security, diversify exports, and promote climate-smart agriculture, enhancing resilience and nutrition.Dedicated Work Programme on LLDCs under the WTO: To address trade vulnerabilities, improve market access, and integrate LLDCs into global supply chains.Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Freedom of Transit: To remove transit barriers, improve infrastructure, and ensure LLDCs’ effective participation in global trade.Infrastructure Investment Finance Facility (IIFF): To mobilize resources for sustainable infrastructure, connect investors to opportunities, and strengthen local capacity to develop bankable projects.Digital Connectivity Initiatives: To bridge the digital divide and enable LLDCs to harness the power of digital infrastructure for trade, services, and innovation. The Role of Resident CoordinatorsResident Coordinators (RCs) will play a central role in translating the Awaza Programme of Action into tangible results at the country level. Working in close partnership with National Focal Points, RCs can help integrate LLDC priorities into national development plans and UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks, ensure alignment with sectoral strategies, and identify practical entry points.They can also work with governments and partners to mobilize financing for LLDC priorities, promote peer learning and regional cooperation, and ensure that SDG monitoring systems capture progress on Awaza commitments. The OHRLLS Toolkit will be an important resource, offering practical guidance on integrating the Programme of Action into national planning and follow-up processes. “LLDC3 has shown us that the vision and political will are in place. Now it’s about implementation—and for that, the RC–NFP partnership is absolutely central,” said Dmitry Shlapachenko, UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan. “With the right tools, partnerships, and sustained focus, we can turn commitments into concrete progress for landlocked developing countries.” A Decade of ActionSpeaking at the closing press conference, Rabab Fatima, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, and Secretary-General of LLDC3, remarked: “Awaza, a city associated with wellness and tourism, now symbolizes ‘new hope and new opportunities’ for landlocked developing countries.”For UN Turkmenistan, LLDC3 was a defining moment to reaffirm support for the country’s role as a bridge for dialogue, cooperation, and partnership. The outcomes will guide a decade of action to transform LLDCs from landlocked to land-linked, ensuring that no country is left behind because of its geography.