A joint United Nations program aimed at accelerating Turkmenistan’s transition toward sustainable and “green” energy successfully concluded with a final event in Ashgabat on October 21, according to Orient.tm.
The year-long initiative, funded by the UN Joint SDG Fund, laid a solid foundation for the decarbonization of Turkmenistan’s economy. The program directly supports the country’s national goal of achieving zero growth in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and significantly reducing them in the following years.
Implemented under the auspices of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), in close cooperation with the Government of Turkmenistan, the initiative delivered tangible and practical outcomes focused on legislation, institutional capacity, and policy integration:
-
Evidence-based foundation. A comprehensive assessment was conducted of the country’s energy resources, technological capacities, and human potential. This baseline study now serves as a cornerstone for developing renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and promoting industrial decarbonization.
-
Capacity building. Around 60 technical specialists from relevant ministries received training, while senior officials and decision-makers enhanced their understanding of circular economy principles, just energy transition, and carbon-neutral development.
-
Policy integration. Specific recommendations were developed to include climate action measures—such as methane emission reduction—into national strategies. These proposals reinforce the existing National Climate Change Strategy and National Renewable Energy Strategy to 2030.
During the closing event, participants presented key research findings, a roadmap for renewable energy development, and proposals for future technical assistance.
Farhat Orunov, UNDP Environmental Programme Analyst in Turkmenistan, emphasized that the initiative represented “a major step forward in the country’s green energy transition”:
“By strengthening national capacities, integrating climate measures into policies, and advancing renewable energy, the UN and its partners are helping Turkmenistan build a sustainable future while contributing to global efforts to combat climate change and achieve the SDGs.”
Through this program, the UN has successfully enhanced Turkmenistan’s institutional and technological capacity, paving the way for a green energy transition and advancing the nation’s long-term goal of carbon neutrality.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
October 22, 2025