UNDP Turkmenistan partners with the largest private Media portal of Turkmenistan to achieve SDGs

September 7, 2022

Ashgabat, 7 September 2022: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), one of the largest development partners of Turkmenistan and “Turkmenportal”, the country’s biggest private media portal have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen its partnership aimed at accelerating the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Turkmenistan and beyond.

Anchored by the ambition to support the country in achieving its national priorities and meeting its international obligations, the parties seek to create a cooperation framework to reinforce its efforts through sharing its resources and expertise, sharing networks and creating platforms for raising public awareness and engagement in development initiatives.

“UNDP recognizes a crucial role played by private media in achieving the SDGs. The media is a very powerful tool not just to create awareness on Agenda 2030, but also to mobilize action and ensure engagement of public in the development process,” – noted Ms. Narine Sahakyan, UNDP Resident Representative in Turkmenistan. “We hope that our deepened partnership with “Turkmenportal” will help us reach out to more people, increase their knowledge about most pressing development challenges and UNDP’s work aimed at building a sustainable future, leaving no one behind”.

“Since its foundation in 2011, Turkmenportal adhered to the fundamental values laid down in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We are proud of our close-knit team that contributes to the development of the country's digital infrastructure both as a Media and as a developer of digital solutions,” – noted Mr. Arslan Amaniazov, Founder and co-owner of “Turkmenportal”. “We are pleased to have this opportunity to apply our experience to achieve common goals together with the UNDP in Turkmenistan,” – noted Mr. Guvanch Nurmyradov, Co-owner of “Turkmenportal”.

It is expected that the parties will work together to promote the national development agenda focusing on such important areas as economic diversification, the rule of law, human rights and gender equality, climate change adaptation, sustainable natural resource management, disaster risk reduction, and improved health and social protection systems, with particular attention to the most vulnerable groups of population.

The Parties intend to expand cooperation in the field of digital transformation, including the development and implementation of innovative solutions, strengthening the capacity of local communities in the field of digital transformation, increasing the digital literacy of the population and empowering women and girls in the field of digital technologies to ensure that both women and men equally benefit from the opportunities provided by a new era of digital transformation.