Ashgabat, 25 August 2021: In the framework of the project "Supporting climate resilient livelihoods in agricultural communities in drought-prone areas of Turkmenistan" jointly implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and GEF Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), an online Roundtable discussion on the concept of a draft Law on the agricultural consulting services, was organized.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and gathered the group of national experts and lawyers representing various national entities, including the Mejlis of Turkmenistan (Parliament), the State Committee for Water Management of Turkmenistan, velayat and etrap hakimliks (Municipality offices), the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan and the private sector of the country.

During the event, the draft concept of the Law of Turkmenistan "On the agricultural consulting services in Turkmenistan" was presented to the meeting participants. The participants also reviewed recommendations for the further actions by agro-information centers, state bodies and institutions involved in the agricultural consulting services to facilitate the development and further adoption of the proposed legal framework.

The development of the draft Law on the agricultural consulting services is one of the project objectives directed at creating an institutional environment for sustainable development of the agro-industrial sector of the country through the creation of a strong legal framework. To get the maximum return on investment and create sustainable agricultural production, producers seek professional support from a consulting organization. The availability of such agricultural consulting system increases productivity and efficiency and ensures a broader development of the consulting services market, which contributes to achieving sustainable development.

The Round Table have been organized with the technical support of UNDP project partner - Government Support Program, funded by the USAID.

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A joint project between UNDP and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan " Supporting climate resilient livelihoods in agricultural communities in drought-prone areas of Turkmenistan" was launched in 2016 and aims to support adoption of adaptation measures with climate change considerations for sustainable development of agricultural communities living in Lebap and Dashoguz velayats of Turkmenistan.

One of the main project objectives is to support the Government in the improvement of the institutional and legal mechanisms for the efficient use of water and land resources, including the introduction of climate adaptation measures through Institutional Change.

In that context, the project is actively involved in the development of a strong regulatory framework in the field of land and water management by attracting qualified law specialists and creating a platform for discussions, exchange of knowledge and experience to combine the efforts on the revision of current regulations.