Productive relations with reputable international organizations, including the United Nations, are one of the priorities of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy strategy. Last year, during the session of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Turkmenistan was elected to the Commission on Social Development for the period from 2025 to 2029. This event is evidence of the successful implementation of the state policy aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and its broad support by the global community.

While working in this specialized and prestigious institution, Turkmenistan continues to make a significant contribution to ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world. Social progress is an issue that Turkmenistan has always given special attention to, as this aspect directly ensures the success and material well-being of its people.

Economic stability serves as the cornerstone of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The state is consistently working towards the achievement of the SDGs and actively collaborates with countries and international organizations in this direction. These trends are outlined in the "Framework Program of Cooperation between the Government of Turkmenistan and the United Nations in the Field of Sustainable Development for 2021-2025." Turkmenistan is currently developing a similar document for the 2026-2030 period.

The state has defined the three main pillars of progress by 2030: the economy, social sphere, and ecology. The roadmap for strengthening SDG reporting in the country for the period from 2025 to 2027, prepared in collaboration with the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Turkmenistan and adopted in December of last year, aims to introduce a systematic approach and best practices in this field.

"The global community highly appreciates Turkmenistan’s contribution, as it carries out targeted work and takes concrete steps for the practical implementation of joint projects and programs in the context of the goals and tasks of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

The country is consistently working on the inclusion and adaptation of the SDGs into national programs and has made significant progress in this regard. This activity is directly related to social policy, the growth of human potential, improving well-being, and enhancing the social and living conditions of the population.

Ensuring a high level of social protection for the population is one of the priority tasks of economic development. A significant portion of the state budget is allocated for social security, which reflects the consistent implementation of the domestic policy.

According to the "State Budget of Turkmenistan for 2025," more than 76 percent of the budget (over 26 billion manats) will be allocated to meet the needs of the population. Of this amount, 37.2 percent will go to education, 13.4 percent to healthcare, 2.9 percent to culture, 37.4 percent to social security, and 9.2 percent to housing and communal services.

As in previous years, social policy remains one of the main objectives of the country this year. According to the decree of the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdymukhamedov, from January 2025, salaries, scholarships, pensions, and allowances were increased by 10 percent. These measures are also reflected in the budget. The state is providing additional benefits for veterans, people with disabilities, and other categories of citizens in need of support.

The successful implementation of the National Program for Socio-Economic Development of the Country in 2022-2052 has improved the living conditions of the population. The program’s solutions for strengthening economic power contribute to creating new jobs, ensuring social protection, and enhancing the health and well-being of the people.

According to the "Program of Socio-Economic Development and Investments in Turkmenistan for 2024," in the past year, the country planned to allocate a total of 38.5 billion manats for capital investments, and in 2025, the economy will receive 40.1 billion manats from all sources of financing.

In 2024, a large portion of funds was directed primarily towards the development of education, healthcare, culture, and the construction of industrial and social-cultural facilities. The government has taken comprehensive measures for the successful and consistent implementation of this strategically important direction.

Currently, Turkmenistan is implementing national and state programs for the diversification of the economy and the introduction of innovative technologies. The positive results of this work are reflected in large-scale projects that are giving a new impetus to regional and international cooperation. Favorable natural and economic conditions, along with incentives and advantages for foreign investors, open new opportunities for the country. The country’s investment policy is also aimed at improving the quality of life for its citizens.

Following the elections at the ECOSOC session, the country was also elected to the Commission on Population and Development for the 2024-2028 period. Turkmenistan is currently a member of more than 10 various committees and commissions of the Commonwealth of Nations and other international organizations. The country has been elected multiple times as vice-chair of sessions, commissions, and as a member of the General Assembly’s Council.

Effective cooperation with the largest countries and international organizations on solving current global issues contributes to the comprehensive integration of the state into the world’s political and economic space. The successful implementation of the SDGs, as one of the key directions of socio-economic development, holds special significance in the International Year of Peace and Trust. The effectiveness of relations with the UN is primarily due to Turkmenistan’s active participation in global affairs and its concrete contributions to solving important tasks.