The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has officially launched a new initiative titled "Enhancing Turkmenistan’s National Capacity by Improving the Regulatory Framework for an Energy-Efficient and Sustainable Building Sector." The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented in collaboration with Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Environmental Protection, according to Turkmenportal.tm.
This new initiative aims to support Turkmenistan’s climate action efforts by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering a more sustainable, eco-friendly future.
The project focuses on achieving the following key objectives:
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Demonstration of pilot buildings designed according to the near-zero energy building (nZEB) concept. This will be achieved by upgrading building envelopes, maximizing the use of renewable energy sources, and introducing advanced digital information systems for detailed monitoring and in-depth analysis of energy consumption.
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Substantial improvement of current policies and regulatory frameworks, including the development and implementation of modern standards and building codes. The initiative will also create effective institutional mechanisms to increase the energy efficiency of new buildings to nZEB levels.
Narine Sahakyan, UNDP Resident Representative in Turkmenistan, emphasized:
“This project reflects our shared commitment to accelerating Turkmenistan’s transition toward a sustainable future. Improving energy efficiency and implementing green standards in the construction sector are key to reducing emissions and enhancing quality of life. Building on the success of our long-standing and fruitful cooperation with the Government of Turkmenistan in environmental protection, we are confident that this joint project will significantly advance the country’s climate agenda.”
The project will be implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Construction and Architecture, the Ministry of Energy, and the municipal administration (hyakimlik) of Ashgabat. Technical coordination will be led by the Ministry of Environmental Protection with support from UNDP in Turkmenistan.
The new joint project is expected to contribute to Turkmenistan’s fulfillment of its international climate commitments, including those under the Paris Climate Agreement. The introduction of energy-efficient technologies and standards in the building sector directly supports Turkmenistan’s goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions and shift to a more sustainable development model, which is a key component of the global climate agenda, according to UNDP’s press release.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
April 30, 2025