The Government of Turkmenistan to Implement the Sustainable Development Goals over the next 15 years

The Government of Turkmenistan has formally adopted a list of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 148 targets and 198 indicators to be implemented over the next 15 years. The government’s decision, outlined in the diplomatic note, dated 20th September, was conveyed to Ms. Jacinta Barrins, UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, at her meeting with Mr. Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

This approval provides a framework for the basis of cooperation between development partners and Turkmenistan over the next 15 years. The approval marked the completion of the first stage of the three-stage SDG rollout process adopted in Turkmenistan.

During Stage One, the Government with support of the UN conducted several meetings in 2015. These meetings cumulated in March 2016 with 17 days of consultations to discuss in depth each goal (one day per goal), the corresponding targets and indicators in order to agree which ones would be recommended for formal adoption and implementation.

The 17 days of discussions was a tremendous opportunity to discuss what the targets are about, their relevance to Turkmenistan and to discuss how to measure the indicators and the meta data that was available. The discussions resulted in a list of 17 SDGs, to be recommended to be adopted, including 148 targets (121 global targets without modification and 27 modified targets to adjust to local context) and 198 indicators (109 without modification, 50 – modified and 39 – national indicators).

The UN and the Government drafted institutional options (3) for the overall coordination of the implementation of SDGs  in the country given they want to move with an all of government approach to SDG implementation. These options are being considered by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Stage Two has also begun, which has 2 components. Component (a) is to integrate some of the agreed SDGs in to the Presidential plan 2017-2021 and component (b) is to integrate some of the agreed SDGs into medium term sector plans and programs. 

Stage Three has also 2 components. Component (a) is to set up the overall SDG monitoring system and component (b) strengthening line ministries systems to incorporate SDGs.