A joint United Nations Program aimed at accelerating Turkmenistan's transition to sustainable and green energy successfully concluded with a final event in Ashgabat on October 21.
The year-long initiative, funded by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Achievement Fund, laid a solid foundation for decarbonizing Turkmenistan's economy. The program directly supports the national goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and significantly reducing them thereafter.
The project was implemented under the auspices of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), in close partnership with the Government of Turkmenistan.
The initiative yielded concrete, practical results, focusing on legislation, human resources, and integration into national policy:
Evidence building. A thorough assessment of the country's energy sector resources, technological capabilities, and human resources was conducted. This baseline assessment now serves as the foundation for the strategic development of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and industrial decarbonization.
Capacity building. Around 60 technical specialists from relevant ministries were trained. Furthermore, leaders and decision-makers improved their skills in the principles of the circular economy, a just energy transition, and carbon-neutral development.
Policy integration. Specific recommendations were developed for integrating climate action measures, including methane emission reduction, into national strategies. These proposals support the existing National Climate Change Strategy and the National Renewable Energy Strategy to 2030.
At the final event, key research findings, a roadmap for renewable energy development, and proposals for future technical support were presented. Farhat Orunov, Programme Analyst for the UNDP Environment Portfolio in Turkmenistan, emphasized that the program represented "an important step forward for the green energy transition":
"By strengthening national capabilities, integrating climate action into policy, and promoting renewable energy, the UN, together with its partners, is helping the country build a sustainable path to the future, while supporting global efforts to combat climate change and achieve the SDGs."
Thus, the UN program has successfully enhanced Turkmenistan's potential, creating the technological and human resources foundation for the transition to green energy and advancing the country's aspirations for carbon neutrality.
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