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Ashgabat, 11 February 2015. The UN Country Team and the Government of Turkmenistan have agreed the main provisions of the Turkmenistan-UN Partnership Framework for Development (PFD) for the period 2016-2020 during a validation meeting attended by deputy ministers and senior staff from 39 key ministries and heads of UN Agencies represented in Turkmenistan.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Vepa Hajiev and UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Jacinta Barrins chaired the meeting, which validated the expected results of the 2016-2020 PFD document that replaces the 2010-2015 United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) ending in December 2015.

The new 2016-2020 PFD signifies a move away from donor – recipient relations toward a partnership with Turkmenistan as an upper middle income country that aspires to continue with high economic growth rates obtained using sustainable development approaches and that can contribute to healthier and more prosperous lives for the people of Turkmenistan.

The statements of the Turkmen and UN officials stressed the importance of developing the partnership built on the principles of joint ownership, responsibilities and accountability for results, co-funding of programme initiatives, quality data sharing and institutional capacity building.

The meeting once again reconfirmed the commitment of the Government and the UN agencies to work together, and with the people of Turkmenistan, to make a lasting contribution to national development priorities and to the changes that will help them to live longer, healthier and more prosperous lives.

The document outlines eight key outcomes expected from this partnership that were identified during the joint consultations between the Government, UN and civil society partners throughout 2014 and early 2015. They are aligned with the priorities of the National Programme of Socio-Economic Development for 2011-2030 and the proposed Sustainable Development Goals. The outcomes make best use of the expertise and resources of the UN agencies to support the achievement of development results and are focused on strengthening systems for quality data and progress monitoring, delivering quality social services, improving environmental management, advancing equitable economic growth, and strengthening accountability. Strategies for each outcome share a common focus on reaching vulnerable groups and assisting Turkmenistan to meet its human rights obligations. The document envisages establishment of the high level joint steering and coordination committee and five result groups that will be operational to monitor implementation, measure and report the progress against planned indicators.