Ashgabat, 5 May 2009 – The UNDP Project “Local Self-Governance” is gradually expanding the geography of its activities with a view to improving the capacity of local self-governance bodies (Gengesh) in Turkmenistan. Two more districts of Dashoguz province - Gerogly and Koneurgench – have been recently included in the list of the project’s pilot districts. From now on, the Gengesh of these districts will be covered by the project’s comprehensive training programme starting with enhancing the understanding of the role and place of local self-governance bodies in the government system of Turkmenistan as well as the actual functions of Gengesh. The latter was in the focus of a two-day training held in Gerogly district late April involving members of the national parliament, senior employees of Gerogly and Koneurgench district administrations, heads and secretaries of the Magtymguly and Maslahat pilot Gengesh, and  representatives of local communities.  

“The training is very timely as we enter the final stage of preparations for the upcoming elections of members of Gengesh scheduled for 26 July 2009, said Haldurdy Tagandurdiyev, head of the Maslahat pilot Gengesh of  Kunyaurgench district. The topics discussed are ever more important in the light of the new law of Turkmenistan “On election of members of Gengesh” that was adopted by the national parliament a short while ago.” 

The training looked into the basic functions and powers of Gengesh in accordance with Turkmenistan’s current legislature and international experience; management structure, legal basics and work procedures of Gengesh; development of their work plans and etc. Following the discussions in groups, the training participants presented their vision of Gengesh role and place in the local self governance system of Turkmenistan. They also discussed various solutions to improving quality of social services at the local level. Some of the solutions were accepted as feasible by senior officers of local administrations and will be included in the local development plans for the next year.  

“We can say that local authorities are increasingly interested in strengthening the capacities of local self-governance bodies since they now recognize Gengesh as a major link in the entire governance system of Turkmenistan,” said UNDP trainer Galina Kalagina in the end of the training.  

The training participants also imitated a session of Gengesh in groups that resulted in producing draft work plans of pilot Gengesh. It is expected that such mock up sessions will be replicated in the course of other trainings the closest of which is coming soon in Koneurgench district of Dashoguz province.   

The UNDP-supported Project “Local Self-Governance” started in 2007. The project is implemented jointly with the Parliament of Turkmenistan. The project aims at improving the quality of services provided at the local level through strengthening capacity of local self-governance bodies and improving the legal and policy environment for further development of local governance.  

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