The report UNDP and the United Kingdom – Advancing Development Together highlights a number of development projects that were implemented in Turkmenistan between 2021 and 2025, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the British Embassy in Ashgabat. The activities focused on three primary areas: greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory, legal sector reform, and creative economy development. However, there is no data or research that came out of this engagement to show tangible progress in these areas. Below is the brief summary of these three priority topics.
Climate Reporting and Environmental Governance
A project on establishing a national GHG emissions inventory system ran from October 2021 to March 2024 with a budget of $157,000. It engaged 17 government ministries and agencies and contributed to drafting a resolution for the Cabinet of Ministers to formalize the GHG inventory system. The initiative addressed issues such as limited awareness, lack of standardized procedures, and the need for legal and institutional frameworks to ensure data reporting and quality control.
“Under the Paris Agreement, all parties are required to submit their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for emissions reductions every 5 years. The UK Government has officially confirmed its updated plan for delivering its fair share of the Paris Agreement, submitting an updated NDC three months ahead of the deadline, pledging to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions by at least 81% by 2035, compared with 1990 levels. I do hope the UK’s early and ambitious NDC will encourage other countries, including Turkmenistan, to adopt the same level of ambition in the run-up to COP30”.
– Stephen Conlon, His Majesty’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan
Between May 2024 and June 2025, a project was implemented to improve the capacity of the legal profession, funded at $66,000. Activities included training over 70 lawyers on international legal aid, human rights, and gender equality. A roadmap and legal amendments were proposed for the establishment of a National Chamber of Lawyers, alongside support for regional boards. A digital legal platform is also under development to improve access to legal services and resources.
“It’s essential to empower legal professionals to provide fair and inclusive legal aid – especially for women, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. Together with our partners, the British Embassy in Turkmenistan, we aim to strengthen the justice system by integrating international legal standards and gender-sensitive approaches – ensuring no one is left behind”.
– Tomica Paovic, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Turkmenistan
Creative Economy and Innovation
A separate initiative launched in September 2024 with a $48,000 budget aimed to support the development of Turkmenistan’s creative economy. The project included consultations to draft a national strategy, “Creative Leap 2025–2035,” and supported dialogue between stakeholders such as government representatives, entrepreneurs, and experts. Areas of focus included policy development, institutional engagement, and knowledge exchange.
“To ensure lasting prosperity, Turkmenistan must tap into the potential of its creative and innovative minds. By fostering an economy that encourages entrepreneurship and innovation, the country will create pathways for economic diversification and inclusive growth. This initiative will empower youth, helping to build a resilient and forward-thinking economy for the people of Turkmenistan”.
– Narine Sahakyan, UNDP Resident Representative in Turkmenistan
“The creative industries sector has been a significant source of growth for the UK economy, and we would like to share our experience with Turkmenistan. In addition to driving economic growth, the creative sector strengthens national identity and fosters innovation. In the UK, we’ve also found that it creates jobs in rural areas and helps sustain those communities”.
– Stephen Conlon, His Majesty’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan
The UNDP–UK collaboration, with a combined investment of $271,000, supported the development of foundational structures for environmental data systems, creative economy planning, and legal sector reform. These initiatives connect national priorities with technical assistance and policy development aimed at long-term sectoral improvements. Nevertheless, there is no tangible data reported to showcase meaningful progress in these areas.
