OSCE promotes energy efficiency technologies at a seminar in Turkmenistan – Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Report on the OSCE Seminar on Energy Efficiency Technologies in Turkmenistan: Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

An educational seminar organized by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) was conducted on 13-14 November 2025, in Mary, Turkmenistan. The event convened approximately thirty-five participants, comprising students and faculty from the State Energy Institute, to discuss best practices in implementing innovative energy efficiency technologies. This initiative directly supports Turkmenistan’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by focusing on key global goals related to energy, climate, education, and innovation.

Key Objectives and SDG Alignment

The primary objectives of the seminar were strategically aligned with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• To enhance knowledge and capacity regarding best practices in energy efficiency, contributing to SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).
• To promote the adoption of innovative technologies for sustainable energy management, in line with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
• To foster dialogue on the role of energy efficiency in mitigating climate change, directly addressing SDG 13 (Climate Action).
• To strengthen institutional and human resource capabilities in the energy sector through international co-operation, reflecting the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Direct Contributions to Global Sustainable Development Goals

The seminar’s agenda and discussions provided a platform to advance progress on multiple SDGs:

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The seminar’s core focus on energy efficiency is central to achieving Target 7.3, which aims to double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency by 2030. Discussions on innovative technologies provided participants with practical knowledge to help reduce energy intensity and promote cleaner energy systems.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: By promoting technologies that reduce energy consumption, the seminar directly contributes to climate change mitigation efforts. Enhanced energy efficiency leads to lower greenhouse gas emissions, a critical component of national and global strategies to combat climate change.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The event served as a specialized educational platform for the next generation of energy professionals and academics in Turkmenistan. It provided access to international best practices, thereby enriching the curriculum and research capabilities of the State Energy Institute.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The introduction of innovative energy-efficient technologies is fundamental to building resilient infrastructure and fostering sustainable industrialization. The seminar encouraged the integration of modern, clean technologies within Turkmenistan’s energy sector.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: This OSCE-organized event exemplifies a multi-stakeholder partnership. It brings together an international organization and a national academic institution to build capacity and share knowledge, which is essential for achieving the comprehensive 2030 Agenda.

Projected Outcomes and Strategic Implications

The successful conclusion of the seminar is expected to yield the following outcomes:

1. Enhanced Capacity: Participants from the State Energy Institute gained valuable insights into modern energy efficiency practices, enhancing their technical and academic capabilities.
2. Policy and Practice Influence: The knowledge shared is expected to inform future academic curricula and potentially influence national strategies related to energy consumption and sustainability.
3. Strengthened SDG Implementation: The seminar reinforces Turkmenistan’s efforts to integrate the SDGs into its national development plans, particularly in the critical areas of energy, education, and climate action.

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

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article’s central theme is the promotion of “innovative energy efficiency technologies.” This directly aligns with SDG 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all, with a strong emphasis on improving energy efficiency.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The event described is a seminar for “thirty-five students and faculty from the State Energy Institute.” This focus on education and knowledge transfer, specifically on topics related to sustainable development like energy efficiency, connects the article to SDG 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  Improving energy efficiency is a critical strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. By promoting these technologies, the initiative described in the article contributes to the broader goals of SDG 13, which calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article highlights a collaborative effort where the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) is organizing a seminar in Turkmenistan. This international co-operation to build capacity and share knowledge for sustainable development goals is the core principle of SDG 17.

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

1. Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.

   The seminar’s focus on discussing “best practices in the implementation of innovative energy efficiency technologies” is a direct action aimed at accelerating the adoption of measures that improve energy efficiency, thereby contributing to this target.

2. Target 4.7: Ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.

   The seminar provides specialized knowledge on energy efficiency to “students and faculty from the State Energy Institute.” This is a clear example of education for sustainable development, equipping current and future professionals with the skills needed to implement sustainable energy practices.

3. Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation.

   By educating students and faculty on energy efficiency, the seminar builds human and institutional capacity within Turkmenistan’s State Energy Institute. This enhances the country’s ability to mitigate climate change, as energy efficiency is a key mitigation strategy.

4. Target 17.9: Enhance international support for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries.

   The OSCE, an international organization, is providing targeted capacity-building through a seminar in Turkmenistan. This event is a form of technical assistance and knowledge sharing designed to support the country’s development in the energy sector, which is a perfect illustration of this target.

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

1. Implied Indicator for Target 7.3: Improvement in energy intensity.

   While the article does not provide specific data, the “implementation of innovative energy efficiency technologies” it promotes is the primary method for achieving Indicator 7.3.1 (Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP). The seminar is a foundational step towards improving this metric.

2. Implied Indicator for Target 4.7 & 13.3: Integration of sustainable development and climate change topics into education.

   The seminar itself serves as an indicator. It demonstrates the extent to which education for sustainable development (specifically energy efficiency) is being mainstreamed into the curriculum and training at a tertiary institution (the State Energy Institute). This relates to Indicator 4.7.1 and Indicator 13.3.1, which measure the integration of these topics into national education.

3. Specific Qualitative Indicator: Number of participants trained.

   The article explicitly states that “thirty-five students and faculty” participated. This number serves as a direct, quantifiable indicator of the reach of this specific capacity-building initiative. It measures the number of individuals who acquired new knowledge and skills related to energy efficiency.

4. Implied Indicator for Target 17.9: Provision of technical assistance.

   The OSCE-organized seminar is an instance of technical assistance, which is a component of Indicator 17.9.1 (Dollar value of financial and technical assistance… committed to developing countries). Although no monetary value is given, the event itself is a tangible example of this support being provided.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: osce.org