ADB will support efforts of Turkmenistan to develop transport infrastructure – Turkmenistan Altyn Asyr

Report on the Asian Development Bank’s Partnership with Turkmenistan and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

This report outlines the development partnership between the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Turkmenistan, as detailed by Artur Andrysyak, Director of the ADB resident mission in Turkmenistan. The remarks were made during the “International transport and transit corridors: interconnection and development – 2025” conference in Ashgabat. The collaboration significantly contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Overview of ADB and Turkmenistan Cooperation

The partnership, spanning 25 years, focuses on supporting Turkmenistan’s national development programs. Key areas of cooperation are directly linked to achieving the SDGs:

• Strengthening regional connectivity and infrastructure development.
• Improving key institutions and developing human capital.
• Targeted investments in the transport, energy, and healthcare sectors.

Contributions to Specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

The ADB’s support for Turkmenistan’s transport sector is a direct contribution to building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.

1. Transport Corridors: The ADB actively supports Turkmenistan’s strategic position at the center of the North-South and East-West transport corridors, promoting regional connectivity and trade.
2. Railway Infrastructure: Current joint projects are focused on strengthening the nation’s railway infrastructure, a critical component for sustainable transport and economic growth.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being & SDG 4: Quality Education

Investment in human capital is a cornerstone of the partnership, with a specific focus on the healthcare and education sectors.

• Healthcare Sector Growth: The ADB is financing the construction of the Ashgabat secondary medical school. This project is pivotal for advancing SDG 3 by strengthening the healthcare workforce.
• Human Capital Development: By supporting educational facilities like the medical school, the partnership also contributes to SDG 4, ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The long-standing cooperation between the ADB and the Government of Turkmenistan exemplifies the importance of global partnerships for sustainable development.

• Development Partnership: The 25-year collaboration demonstrates a successful model for achieving development objectives through international cooperation.
• Joint Agreements: Recently signed agreements for infrastructure and human capital projects underscore the commitment of both parties to work together to achieve shared development goals.

Conclusion

The Asian Development Bank’s engagement in Turkmenistan provides critical support for infrastructure, healthcare, and education, aligning directly with key Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3, SDG 4, SDG 9, and SDG 17. The ADB has expressed its readiness to continue this support, reinforcing Turkmenistan’s role in regional connectivity and its path toward sustainable development.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights issues and initiatives that are directly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The partnership between the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Turkmenistan focuses on key development areas that are central to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The following SDGs are addressed:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: Addressed through the investment in healthcare infrastructure and human capital.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: Connected via the development of human capital, specifically through the construction of a medical school.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: Mentioned as one of the key sectors where the ADB has provided investment.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: This is a central theme, focusing on the development of transport infrastructure, railways, and regional connectivity.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The entire article is a testament to this goal, describing the long-standing development partnership between Turkmenistan and the ADB.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the specific projects and areas of cooperation mentioned in the article, the following SDG targets can be identified:

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.c: “Substantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce in developing countries…” The article’s mention of the “construction of the Ashgabat secondary medical school” and ADB’s support to “develop human capital” in the healthcare sector directly contributes to increasing the capacity and training of the health workforce in Turkmenistan.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Target 4.a: “Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.” The project to construct a new secondary medical school is a direct action towards building and upgrading education facilities to enhance human capital development.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

• Target 9.1: “Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being…” This target is clearly addressed through the discussion of Turkmenistan’s “strategic position at the centre of the North-South and East-West transport corridors,” the country’s active investment in “transport infrastructure,” and ADB’s work to “strengthen railway infrastructure.”

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.9: “Enhance international support for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries to support national plans to implement all the Sustainable Development Goals…” The article describes a “25 years” long partnership where the ADB “assists Turkmenistan in strengthening regional connectivity, developing infrastructure, and improving key institutions and human capital,” which exemplifies international support for national development plans.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention official SDG indicator codes, but it provides concrete examples and actions that can serve as qualitative or quantitative indicators for measuring progress:

Indicators for SDG 3 & 4

• Construction of new health and education facilities: The article explicitly mentions the “construction of the Ashgabat secondary medical school.” This is a direct, measurable indicator of investment in health education infrastructure, contributing to both Target 3.c (health workforce training) and Target 4.a (education facilities).

Indicators for SDG 9

• Investment in transport infrastructure: The article states that “The country is actively investing in transport infrastructure, and the Asian development bank supports this process.” The amount of financial investment from both the government and the ADB can be used as a key performance indicator.
• Development of railway infrastructure: The specific mention of ADB’s work to “strengthen railway infrastructure” implies that progress can be measured by the length of new or upgraded railway lines, increased freight capacity, or improved efficiency of the rail network.

Indicators for SDG 17

• Volume of development assistance: The article refers to ADB’s investments, stating it “has provided investments in the transport, energy, and healthcare sectors.” The total value of these investments serves as an indicator for Target 17.3 (mobilizing financial resources).
• Longevity and scope of partnerships: The statement that the ADB has been “working here for 25 years, supporting the country in implementing its development programs” is a qualitative indicator of a strong and sustained partnership for development.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: turkmenistan.gov.tm