On June 14, 2022 in Ashgabat UNDP organized an introductory training on Environment and Social Commitments inherent in the “COVID-19 Response in Turkmenistan” project funded by the World Bank loan. The World Bank requires borrowing governments to address certain environmental and social risks in order to receive investment. Accordingly, Turkmenistan committed to enhance environmental and social performance of the project in line with the national legislation and good international practices.
The audience of the training comprised of the representatives of various stakeholders of the project, namely the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan, including its Sanitary and Epidemiological Service and “Turkmenmedtehnika” (Turkmen medical equipment) enterprise, Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan, civil society organizations “Keik Okara”, “Beyik Eyyam” and Pablic Association Enterprase of Nature Preserving Society of Turkmenistan “Tebigy Kuwwat”, and the UN partners: UNICEF and WHO.
In the course of his presentation Mr. Shohrat Niyazmuradov, Environment and Social Analyst of the “COVID-19 Response in Turkmenistan” project, presented ten environmental and social standards (ESS) originating from the World Bank sustainable development vision, and explained which are applicable to Turkmenistan case. He also presented the instruments for assessment, mitigation and management of potential environmental and social risks along with the role of each healthcare facility, MOHMI, UNDP and other stakeholders and implementing partners. He also presented key documents guiding all project related environmental and social aspects: “Environment and Social Management Framework” and “Stakeholder Engagement Plan”.
Assistant Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Turkmenistan, Mr. Rovshen Nurmuhamedov noted: “Cooperation between UNDP and the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry within the COVID-19 Response project has been fruitful and I believe that it will be sustained and even further forged including in terms of identification and management of environmental and social risks for the project activities”. Meeting the ESS will be particularly challenging due to emergency nature of the project and hence tremendous and prompt efforts will be required from all stakeholders. However, the UNDP, Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan along with other partners are determined to comply with the requirements, and it is believed the project will have a positive environmental and social impacts.
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Source: UNDP office in Turkmenistan.
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