LocationsUNDP and the Government of Turkmenistan expand cooperation in digital transformation
February 27, 2023
UNDP and the Government of Turkmenistan expand cooperation in digital transformation
Ashgabat, 27 February 2023: Today the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and “Turkmenaragatnashyk” Agency under the Agency for Transport and Communications of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan signed a new project “Assistance in the implementation of a pilot system of interdepartmental electronic information exchange in Turkmenistan”.
“UNDP is proud to become the partner of choice in promoting digital transformation of Turkmenistan, and we are privileged to start a flagship project with the national telecommunications agency on building the national government’s digital governance ecosystem,” – said Ms. Narine Sahakyan, UNDP Resident Representative in Turkmenistan. “As reflected in UNDP’s global Strategic Plan, promoting digital transitions is part of the structural transformation package, and we are pleased to witness Turkmenistan among the countries benefitting from this UNDP’s global offer”.
The project “Assistance in the implementation of a pilot electronic data interchange system in Turkmenistan”, totaling over 2,5 mln USD fully provided by the Government of Turkmenistan, aims at developing and deploying the pilot electronic data interchange system in Turkmenistan. This system will be built on X-road, which is open-source software and ecosystem solution that provides unified and secure data exchange between organizations. This system has proven itself as an excellent solution in such countries as Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Japan, Kyrgyzstan and many other countries.
UNDP actively supports the realization of the national priorities in the area of digital development outlined in the “Concept for the Development of the Digital Economy in Turkmenistan for 2019-2025” and the ”State Program for the Development of the Digital Economy in Turkmenistan for 2021-2025”. Digital Transformation of the public sector has become an essential part of UNDP’s work in Turkmenistan such as the support to the simplification and harmonization of business processes and strengthening the interaction between the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan and state authorities in the course of import/export operations; the establishment of the Statistical Business Register to allow business representatives to submit their applications online and automate internal processes and the introduction of "Internet Banking" and "Mobile Banking" for the State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs of Turkmenistan UNDP and national partners aim to lay a solid foundation for gaining competitive advantages due to increased flexibility, speed and efficiency of banking processes.
The new project on the creation of an Electronic Data Interchange System, which will become the backbone for all future interagency data communication will continue the efforts of UNDP to accelerate digital transformation in Turkmenistan under the Memorandum of Understanding with “Turkmenaragatnashyk” Agency signed in March 2022 aiming to strengthen the country's digital capacity in statistics, banking, finance, customs, civil registration and other public services.
“New digital technologies are emerging and converging faster all the time and offering quicker, smarter solutions to tackle the world’s toughest challenges. At UNDP we see the digital solutions as an empowering force for people and planet, which can be used in our support to countries in developing inclusive, ethical, and sustainable digital societies,” - noted Ms. Sahakyan. “In line with the UNDP Digital Strategy for 2022-2025 we will continue to strengthen national capacity and implement innovative solutions to stay ahead of the ever-changing digital reality and ensure more digitally inclusive future, leaving no one behind”.
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As the leading United Nations agency for international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality.
UNDP works with governments and partners across 170 countries to build digital ecosystems that benefit everyone. Only in 2021 UNDP has supported the adoption of over 580 digital solutions in 82 countries, ranging from digital finance to digital health systems. UNDP has supported over 30 countries in conducting digital readiness assessments and formulating national-level digital strategies.
