Turkmenistan Hosts Launch of UN-Led Project to Strengthen Urban Climate Resilience in Central Asia

A new regional initiative led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and supported by the Government of Japan has officially launched in Ashgabat to enhance the climate and disaster resilience of urban centers across Central Asia.

The project aims to integrate climate adaptation strategies and disaster risk reduction measures into urban planning processes, The Caspian Post reports, citing local media.

A two-day inception workshop, held July 10-11 at the UN House in Ashgabat, marked the start of implementation in Turkmenistan. The event brought together representatives from national and local government bodies, design and planning institutions, academia, and international development partners.

Participants aligned on a strategic vision to strengthen Ashgabat’s ability to cope with environmental stressors, culminating in the decision to establish a dedicated technical working group to guide the project’s progress.

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Tomica Paovic emphasized Turkmenistan’s high vulnerability to natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, and increasing aridity driven by climate change. He noted that these risks pose serious challenges not only to physical infrastructure but also to the long-term economic stability of the region.

The initiative will run through 2027 and will be implemented across five Central Asian countries. In Turkmenistan, the project is being carried out in partnership with the Ashgabat City Administration and the Ministry of Construction and Architecture.