New York, July 14, 2026 – The Europe Today: Turkmenistan is actively participating in the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), being held under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 7 to 15 July 2026, reaffirming the country’s commitment to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Turkmen delegation, headed by Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy Perkhat Yagshiyev, and comprising representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Committee of Turkmenistan on Statistics, is taking part in the Forum’s proceedings from 13 to 15 July.
Recognized as the United Nations’ principal global platform for reviewing progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the High-level Political Forum has, since 2015, brought together governments, international organizations, the private sector and civil society to strengthen global cooperation on sustainable development.
This year’s Forum is being held under the theme, “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind.”
During the ministerial segment on 13 July, senior UN officials and civil society representatives emphasized the urgency of accelerating progress toward the SDGs. ECOSOC President Lok Bahadur Thapa and UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the need for comprehensive reform of the international financial architecture to support the effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
President of the UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock called for strengthened international cooperation under the “Better Together” initiative to uphold the UN Charter, while youth representative Jevon Choi underscored the importance of intergenerational equity in the allocation of global financial resources.
The 2026 Forum is conducting an in-depth review of progress on SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Discussions have focused on tackling global water scarcity, advancing preparations for the Global Water Summit in Abu Dhabi later this year, accelerating the global energy transition, expanding access to clean energy, strengthening financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises, narrowing the digital divide, and promoting environmentally sustainable urban technologies. Delegates also stressed that mobilizing financial resources under SDG 17 remains essential for achieving the broader sustainable development agenda.
At the conclusion of the Forum, participants are expected to adopt an outcome document assessing global progress in implementing the 2030 Agenda, while 36 countries are presenting their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) during the current session.
For Turkmenistan, participation in the ECOSOC High-level Political Forum carries particular significance as the country prepares to present its third Voluntary National Review in 2027, following successful presentations in 2019 and 2023. The Forum offers Turkmen experts an important opportunity to exchange experiences, study international best practices, and strengthen national efforts in monitoring and implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.
