Ashgabat, July 12, 2025 – The Europe Today: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Ashgabat city government and Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Construction and Architecture, has launched a major new regional project aimed at enhancing urban resilience to climate change and disaster risks across Central Asia, according to a statement by UNDP.
The project officially commenced with a two-day inception workshop held on July 10–11 at the UN Building in Ashgabat, bringing together a wide array of stakeholders — including municipal officials, national ministries, academic institutions, urban planning experts, and international development partners. The initiative is funded by the Government of Japan.
The workshop focused on integrating climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies into urban planning frameworks, especially in cities that are increasingly exposed to natural hazards.
Speaking at the event, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Tomica Paovic underscored the urgent need for action, noting that Central Asia is facing growing threats from earthquakes, floods, and droughts, which endanger critical infrastructure and threaten economic development. He highlighted Turkmenistan’s particular vulnerability to earthquakes, flooding, and desertification, emphasizing the need for proactive, science-based urban planning solutions.
During the workshop, participants reviewed a proposed roadmap for Ashgabat’s urban resilience and agreed to establish a technical working group that will steer the roadmap’s implementation. The working group will also support knowledge sharing and policy coordination at the regional level.
The newly launched project will be implemented through 2027 and will support five Central Asian countries in designing and building climate-smart, disaster-resilient cities. It aims to strengthen governance, promote sustainable infrastructure, and improve the capacity of local authorities to respond to climate and disaster-related challenges.
This initiative marks a significant step toward advancing sustainable urban development and climate resilience in one of the world’s most climate-sensitive regions.
