United Nations in Turkmenistan

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Turkmenistan:

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19 May 2020

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Event

14 May 2021

The United Nations Office in Turkmenistan launches the World Environment Day Campaign

The theme for the World Environment Day 2021 is “Ecosystem Restoration” and focus on resetting our relation with nature. It will also mark the formal launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030, which is intended to massively scale up the restoration of degraded and destroyed ecosystems to fight the climate crisis and prevent the loss of a million species. The World Environment Day is an opportunity for driving the momentum, to realize our responsibility to care for the nature and to renew our commitment to save the environment and promote 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Public Campaign Outline The UN Agencies will jointly implement the following activities in the framework of the public campaign devoted to the World Environment Day 2021: The online video contest themed “What will YOU do to stop plastic pollution?” that will result in the development of a final Video “Say No to Plastic” compiled from best videos received within the video contest. This final video will be released on the UN platforms; Educational session on environmental issues for children in a summer camp in “Gokdere”; Tree planting activity in Ashgabat by the UN staff. Objectives The campaign will raise environmental health awareness among youth and children and broaden their ecological knowledge in the areas of plastic pollution, recycling, waste management and promote change in attitudes and behavior of public in favor of our nature and own health. Timeframe: 14 May- 5 June 2021. THE VIDEO-CONTEST DESCRIPTION The United Nations Office in Turkmenistan, on the occasion of the upcoming World Environment Day 5 June, announces the “What will YOU do to stop plastic pollution?” video contest. Objective The video contest aims to draw the attention of public to the harmful effects of plastic on our environment and to promote the development of good environmental habits among both adults and children. Video contest assignment: Make a short video with yourself or your friends 1) demonstrating how you would replace some plastic product with an eco-friendly alternative and/or 2) suggest and demonstrate how YOU give a second life to a plastic product and reuse it to protect nature and your own health. Here are the technical requirements to follow: Entrants must be citizens of Turkmenistan; The video must be maximum 15 seconds long; The video needs to be posted on individual accounts via Facebook, Instagram tagging@UN_Turkmenistan, @undp_turkmenistan, @unicef_turkmenistan, @unfpa_turkmenistan, @who_turkmenistan using the hashtag #PlasticFree or #PlastikÝok or sent to UN Turkmenistan IMO account (+99365 054009). The best videos will be selected based on the following criteria: 1) the concept is clear and relevant to the topic; 2) the message is delivered within 15 seconds; 3) the scenario is original and creative. All winners of the video contest will be awarded with gifts from the UN Office in Turkmenistan. The UN Office in Turkmenistan will develop a final video entitled “Say NO to Plastic!” with the winners’ entries. It will be released on the social media platforms of UN Agencies, and will be posted on the UN website on the World Environment Day 5 June 2021. The deadline for the video submission: 31 May 2021 at 18.00. Language: The video demonstration can be accompanied by words in any of the following languages: Turkmen, English and Russian.

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30 December 2021

#MENHABARLY ON COVID-19

The campaign was aimed to reinforce messages on COVID-19, tackle misinformation and effectively manage the infodemic and to reduce COVID-19 stigma in Turkmen community including youth, caregivers, and vulnerable population. During the month of December UN in Turkmenistan was sharing general information on COVID-19, informing on common myths, its variants, the importance of preventive measures, COVID-19 and children, post-COVID, vaccines booster shots for the pregnant and breastfeeding, the work of medical personal, mental health and other. This campaign was the continuation of UN’s support to the Government in reaching the general public through national media by producing hygiene promotion videos, providing media briefings for journalists on risk communication and community engagement, developing information materials on handwashing and sneezing/coughing for schools, providing specific information for adolescents, parents, pregnant and lactating women, and elderly available in online platforms to promote healthy and responsible behaviour at home and in the community. To ensure that no one is left behind and to mark “World Disability Day” WHO and UNICEF organized sessions for people with disabilities to discuss the importance of preventive measures and vaccination in the context of ongoing pandemic. During the sessions the participants also had a chance to ask questions from the specialists of UNICEF on mask-wearing, distancing and handwashing as well as voice their concerns about common myths about the pandemic. About 100 members of three public organizations: Yenme, Support Centre for Persons with Disabilities and Society to Support Deaf and Blind People benefited from the information sessions. “Risk Communication and Community Engagement is an essential contribution to the public health and the current pandemic demonstrated the need to work among different groups of population including the most vulnerable to continue encouraging preventive behavior”, says Mohammad Fayyazi, UNICEF Representative. “We really enjoyed this session. Thanks to UNICEF for visiting us and sharing valuable knowledge about preventive measures from diseases. We will further share obtained information with our families and friends,” says participant from Support Center for people with disabilities, Maksat. “The UN Country team will continue to advocate and share quality content on prevention measures and ways to cope with the pandemic; develop online resources and digital applications for risk communication with government partners and carry out health promotion campaigns for specific target groups such as children and people in institutions”, stresses Dmitry Shlapachenko, UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan.

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Story

21 December 2021

Promoting social inclusion through care and support

What is taken by others for granted can be a gift of fate for people facing huge challenges to live decent lives. Every day of Oguljeren turns to a struggle due to her health condition. A sixty-five-year-old woman has difficulties with living independently after being diagnosed with cancer and having a surgery. She also has diabetes, experiences high blood pressure and suffers from coronary heart disease. Nine years ago, Oguljeren lost her younger daughter, who passed away due to incurable disease. Surviving through this grief, Oguljeren ended up with being diagnosed with oncological disease and going through a serious surgery. She defeated the cancer, but even today she feels the long-term effects of the disease, which impacts her physical and psychological condition and worsened the quality of her life. “It was a very hard time for me. Due to my illness, I couldn’t live a normal life,” recalls Oguljeren. “I needed help, and my eldest daughter worked, leaving me alone at home for a whole day. Nobody helped me." Over the last three months things have been changing for the better for Oguljeren with the support of a Personal assistant who regularly visits her to provide socio-medical services being piloted as part of the UN-Turkmenistan Joint Programme “Improving the system of social protection through the introduction of inclusive quality community-based social services” funded by the Joint Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fund. The socio-medical services at home for people with chronic illnesses is being piloted by the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan (NRCST) with grant funds of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). “Providing socio-medical services for people with chronic illness, we try to improve quality of their life byhelping them overcome difficult life situations and enhancing their social inclusion in the life of local communities and society as a whole,” says Bahargul Ovezova, staff member of the NRCST and Coordinator of the social services for people with chronic illnesses. The Personal assistants of this service provide socio-medical services on a regular basis depending on the individual needs of service users. They help in many ways, focusing on acceleration of their rehabilitation and reinforcing their ability to live independently and creating more opportunities for their social inclusion. “I often visit Oguljeren to check her blood pressure, help her with medications and respond to her emerging needs,” – says Aygul Ballyeva, Personal assistant. “I feel that Oguljeren is waiting for me. She always cheers up when I come and requests to stay more and just have a chat. I feel that I am needed, and this strongly motivates me.” Seeing Oguljeren smiling as the Personal assistant enters the room, one can immediately understand that this social service is crucial for her. “Aygul always calls and checks on me. She regularly comes to measure my blood pressure, accompanies me during my visits to a doctor at the Medical House for a regular checkup, and is always ready just to listen to what is happening in my life. I need someone like her not only for medical reasons, but also not to feel isolated, not to feel lonely,” says Oguljeren. “She is like my daughter now.” This social service aims to help people with chronic illnesses cope with challenging life situation, while maintaining the ability to stay at the place of residence in their own community. “For people with chronic illnesses, like Oguljeren, it is very important that they are able to stay at home and avoid being placed in the specialized institutions.” – says Bahargul Ovezova. “This noticeably improves their physical and psychological condition and helps them live independently adjusting to a life with chronic illness.” “I am so happy to get such social care and medical support. I wish such services continue to help people like me to survive» - says Oguljeren. This gives us a hope and strength to overcome all the hardships associated with our illness. It helps us to live a normal life.”

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13 March 2020

A Coordinated Response to Coronavirus

On Wednesday, 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) characterized the coronavirus (COVID-19) viral disease a pandemic, but it is a pandemic that can be controlled. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who heads the UN agency, said, in his statement, “Let me be clear: describing this as a pandemic does not mean that countries should give up.” The UN Secretary-General urged all countries to take a comprehensive approach tailored to their circumstances – with containment as the central pillar. COVID-19 is affecting thousands of people, impacting countries’ health systems and having widespread social and economic effects. The UN entities working on development, the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, are supporting countries in their preparedness and response plans. This page convenes sources of information and guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) regarding the current outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). WHO is working closely with global experts, governments and partners to track the spread and to provide guidance to countries and individuals on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak. To stay up to date with the latest information, please visit: World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 Latest news on the United Nations’ response: https://news.un.org/en/events/un-news-coverage-coronavirus-outbreak WHO guidance for countries: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical Coronavirus (COVID-19) Situation: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/685d0ace521648f8a5beeeee1b9125cd

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10 December 2021

Ready4Trade contributes to e-commerce capacity building of the Turkmen MSMEs

The Ready4Trade Central Asia project has completed a series of e-commerce webinars to support small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Turkmenistan looking to increase their online sales presence. Shifting to e-commerce is now crucial for many SMEs in the country. But increasing online sales requires much more than just creating a website - it requires investing in digital marketing strategies to draw significant customer traffic and increase online visibility. The Ready4Trade e-commerce training program takes SMEs through a digital transformation, providing them with the online tools and technologies, innovative solutions and research, and collaborative structures and partnerships to reach success. The webinars were attended by ten Turkmen companies and marketplaces in the textile, food, fruit and vegetable, and consulting industries. The overall goal is to enhance their online business presence to increase their reach in domestic markets as well as international export ones. “We were used to conducting business in a traditional way, but we can’t ignore the fact that global trade is transforming and moving towards e-commerce. The good news is that there are solutions like this training initiative. Successful e-commerce activity [for a business] is just a matter of timely and effective adoption”, said Aygul Sazakova, a representative of the “Keshde” art studio in Ashgabat. The Ready4Trade e-commerce training program delivered seven webinars adopted for Turkmen SMEs and seven regional webinars delivered by international experts. The webinars covered topics such as identifying a business’s unique value proposition, researching online customers and competitors, creating e-commerce content, digitalizing products, social media marketing, and selecting online sales channels. Additionally, the participants got the opportunity to practice skills and review additional materials on the ITC online learning platform. Moreover, the webinars helped to expand the SMEs’ understanding of the structure of large marketplaces and international payment systems. “As a result of the series of webinars, the participants received essential information about the fundamentals of e-commerce. In the future, it is planned to provide direct consulting support to Turkmen enterprises, including topics related to the digitization of products, creation and optimization of websites, digital marketing, social networks, and product placement via online platforms. These efforts will help contribute to enhance online competitiveness and the export potential of Turkmen enterprises”, said Natalya Kozlenkova, representative of the International Trade Centre. Stay connected: #Ready4Trade #CentralAsia The Ready4Trade Central Asia project is a joint initiative of the European Union and the International Trade Centre. Its aim is to contribute to the overall sustainable and inclusive economic development of Central Asia by boosting intra-regional and international trade in the region. Beneficiaries of the Ready4Trade Central Asia project include governments, small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular women-led enterprises, and Business Support Organizations. The project operates in 5 countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. For more information: intracen.org/Ready4Trade

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Press Release

24 January 2022

Meeting of the Turkmenistan interagency Working Group on the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Legal Migration

According to the General Assembly Resolution 73/326, it was decided to organize the first International Migration Review Forum (the Forum) on 10-13 May, 2022 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The Forum will be represented by the highest possible political level, including Heads of State of Government. The purpose of this Forum is to discuss the implementation of countries' commitments made under the GCM. Today, during a working meeting, the participants of GCM interagency working group discussed the key stages of preparation for the Forum, the reporting format, preparation plan at the national level and the necessary assistance from IOM and other UN Agencies in preparation for the Forum. During the meeting, the coordinator of the Working Group - the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan noted the readiness of all members of the working group to participate in the process of preparation for the Forum.

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Press Release

28 December 2021

Training on collection of gender-disaggregated data for trade policy was held in Ashgabat

In this regard, on 21-22 December the EU-funded project Ready4Trade Central Asia conducted a two-day training on collection of gender-disaggregated data for trade policy for representatives of government organizations and private sector. In total, 24 participants were in attendance, including representatives from Ministry of Finance and Economy, Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population, State Customs Service, State Statistics Committee, and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. The main objectives of the training included the role and influence of women on international trade, understanding how trade tariffs affect the increase in imports, and the significance of statistics for determining strategic decisions regarding the improvement of the terms of trade, in particular for women. The training program was composed of four modules and enriched with group exercises, examples, and discussions. Ms. Renata Wrobel, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the EU to Turkmenistan: “Understanding the gender-based challenges that women face in trade are particularly important to ensure equal access to markets, fair competition and healthy business environment. Based on the gender mainstreaming concept, this is relevant not only to women, there are issues that men face as well, and it will also be part of promotion of the gender equality in trade. This approach in policy making helps to avoid the creation or reinforcement of inequalities. Since trade and business have no face, it is vital to ensure that the newly adopted policies create equal opportunities for all. Access to data and the ability to use it are essential for innovation and growth. Data-driven innovation can bring major and concrete benefits, such as better policymaking and upgrading public services”. During the training, the participants discussed the most important issues, and also shared their experience. The ITC representatives talked about the trade facilitation and trade-related infrastructure for women, the economic contribution of women, indicators for defining and collecting gender statistics as well as talked about the institutions and organizations that should be involved in the collection of gender-disaggregated data and possible distribution of roles and responsibilities and the creation of multi-stakeholder coordination platforms. The ITC experts noted that globally, the number of barriers to business for women has decreased, which has contributed to the growth of companies owned by women. A business led by women tends to start with a smaller volume, so it grows faster while, at the same time, most of the companies headed by women employ fewer than 10 people. It was also noted that the correct gender distribution of skills is very important, and may help to significantly increase labor efficiency. The Ready4Trade Central Asia project is a joint initiative of the European Union and the International Trade Centre. Its aim is to contribute to the overall sustainable and inclusive economic development of Central Asia by boosting intra-regional and international trade in the region. Beneficiaries of the Ready4Trade Central Asia project include governments, small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular women-led enterprises, and Business Support Organizations. The project operates in 5 countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

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Press Release

22 December 2021

International Organization for Migration organized a round table for the deputy ministers - members of the working group on Advance passenger information system implementation process in Turkmenistan

During the round table, participants could hear presentations from the IOM Sub-Regional Coordinator for Central Asia - Zeynal Hajiyev and the Head of the IOM office in Ashgabat - Azat Atajanov. This roundtable was conducted in the framework of the regional project funded by the IOM Development Fund (IDF) to assist Central Asian countries to implement national API system. “The project was launched in 2020 and implemented in all Central Asia countries. During the implementation of this project, a detailed review of the legislation of Turkmenistan was completed and a number of recommendations were developed regarding amendments in the national legislation to create a basis for the implementation of API in the country. A series of technical consultations involving airlines and other partners were also held in the country, which strengthened national capacities to plan and implement the API implementation process. Two groups of specialists from the intergovernmental agencies had study tours to a number of European countries to study the international experience of API implementation process. The most significant is the fact that during the project implementation, a group of experts was created, which formed the basis of the National Working Group on the implementation of the API”, - Z. Hajiyev stressed during his speech. This round table is a concluding event implemented in the framework of the API regional project. The deputies of the relevant ministries who took part in the round table also expressed their interests and recommendations on further cooperation in the implementation of the API system in Turkmenistan. Deputy Chairman of the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan, Mr. Sahy Imamberdiev, noted the importance of continuing cooperation with IOM in the implementation of API in Turkmenistan in such areas as studying the experience of developing roadmaps for the implementation of API. Azat Atajanov, Head of IOM office in Turkmenistan, noted that: “Within the framework of this project, sufficient national capacity has been created in Turkmenistan to initiate the concrete plans in the API implementation process. API project can be considered as a potential candidate for co-financing project with the Government of Turkmenistan.

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Press Release

24 December 2021

Small Ruminants Project gains pace with the official participation of Turkmenistan

The official ceremony took place on Turkmenistan Neutrality Day. The agreement was signed on behalf of FAO by Viorel Gutu, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Central Asia, and on behalf of the Government of Turkmenistan by Allanur Altyev, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Protection. Targeting Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the project, which is being implemented under the umbrella of the FAO-Turkey Partnership Programme on Food and Agriculture, (FTPP II), aims to increase capacities to analyse and improve the efficiency of small ruminant production systems in each participating country and the Central Asian subregion as a whole. The project will also establish innovative approaches to knowledge transfer for livestock holders such as Farmers Field Schools and direct coaching of farmers by national and international experts. Throughout its planned 36-month duration (up to April 2024), within the scope of the project development agents will be equipped with essential knowledge and skills, with particular attention paid to the involvement of women and youth. The project will also benefit the development of the livestock sector in Turkmenistan in particular and the subregion in general, and will contribute to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). About the FAO-Turkey Partnership Programmes The objectives of the FAO-Turkey Partnership Programmes are to provide support to ensure food security, rural poverty reduction and sustainable forest management; combat desertification; and preserve ecosystems in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as other countries of mutual interest. Established in 2007, the first phase of the FAO Turkey Partnership Programme on Food and Agriculture (FTPP) has benefitted from trust fund contributions totalling USD 10 million, financed by the Government of Turkey and represented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. During the first phase of the programme, 28 projects were implemented in 16 countries between 2009 and 2015. In 2014, Turkey and FAO commenced the second phase of the FTPP along with the first phase of the FAO-Turkey Forestry Partnership Programme (FTFP) with additional funding of USD 20 million, bringing Turkey’s total contribution to USD 30 million. LINKS: Introductory flyer of the Small Ruminants Project Project to increase the efficiency and sustainability of small ruminant production kicks off

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Press Release

20 December 2021

UNOPS delivered the first batch of medical equipment to enhance the healthcare system in Turkmenistan

The project marks the first delivery of medical equipment, which consists of advanced mobile x-rays, gastroscopy, duodenoscopy, colonoscopy and gastroscopy systems. During the event, H.E. Mr Yamamoto Hiroyuki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Turkmenistan, Mr Mohammad Fayyazi, UN Resident Coordinator a.i., Ms Freya von Groote, UNOPS Director of Austria Multi-Country Office and Representative of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan made statements. “I am convinced that this project will not only strengthen the healthcare system of Turkmenistan as a whole, but will also become a symbol of friendship, solidarity and mutual support between the Japanese and Turkmen peoples.” stated H.E. Mr. Yamamoto Hiroyuki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Turkmenistan. “Today I note great progress, achieved jointly with the generous support of the Government of Japan and in cooperation with the Government of Turkmenistan. I believe that the delivered equipment will facilitate improving the quality of and access to essential health services by strengthening the preparedness and response capacities of Turkmenistan’s health system.”, noted Mr Mohammad Fayyazi, UN Resident Coordinator a.i.. Moreover, Ms. Freya von Groote, Director of the UNOPS Austria Multi-Country Office covering Turkmenistan, reaffirmed UNOPS’s commitment to continue working to build a better future for all, in collaboration with the Government of Turkmenistan, the UN system and other development partners, adding that “UNOPS looks forward to making a sustained and meaningful contribution towards the Sustainable Development Goals through this project, but also our broader mandate in infrastructure and procurement expertise as the operational arm of the UN.” UNOPS has been delivering the project for “Enhancing the Healthcare System through the Provision of Medical Equipment”, on behalf of the Government of Japan, who provided a generous contribution of USD 2.8 million. This project has been delivered as part of the implementation of the UN-Turkmenistan Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021-2025, national Country Preparedness and Response Plan, and Immediate Socio-Economic Response Plan to Acute Infectious Disease Pandemic, endorsed at the highest level in 2020.

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