ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, July 12. Turkmenistan is stepping up its efforts to transition to a greener, more resilient economy through targeted energy reforms, digital trade facilitation, and major infrastructure upgrades, Trend reports via the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
The government’s climate agenda is gaining momentum following Turkmenistan’s accession to the Global Methane Pledge at COP28 in 2023. A national roadmap for methane reduction for 2023–24 has been approved, and an intersectoral commission is now overseeing emission mitigation efforts. Over the summer, a strategic advisory board formed with support from the United Nations developed a draft Plan of Transition to Green Energy for 2025–2028, aimed at guiding the country’s shift towards renewables ahead of COP29.
In parallel, Turkmenistan adopted a new energy-saving and efficiency law in April 2024. The legislation is expected to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient technologies and boost the use of renewable sources. Building on that, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented a six-year strategy in August 2024 to deepen international cooperation in solar, wind, and biomass energy.
With respect to trade facilitation mechanisms, the regulatory
bodies initiated a comprehensive digital single window framework
for export-import transactions in July 2024. Engineered in
accordance with global benchmarks and the legislative framework of
Turkmenistan's Electronic Government statute, the platform is
anticipated to optimize the licensing and certification processes,
mitigate bureaucratic inefficiencies and corruption
vulnerabilities, and facilitate enhanced international trade
dynamics.
The EBRD underscored substantial advancements in the transport
infrastructure ecosystem. The throughput of cargo and passenger
metrics experienced a significant uptick, more than doubling in the
initial semester of 2024, bolstered by the culmination of the
second phase of the Turkmen Autobahn corridor connecting Ashgabat
and Mary. Upon the activation of the terminal segment connecting
Mary to Turkmenabat, the corridor will emerge as a pivotal
commercial conduit facilitating trade with Uzbekistan.
Collectively, these transformative initiatives and infrastructural
enhancements denote Turkmenistan’s escalating preparedness to
innovate its economic landscape and bolster interregional
linkages.
