UNICEF, together with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population, the Ministry of Finance and Economy, and the State Committee on Statistics, held a series of national consultations following the assessment of the social protection system in Turkmenistan conducted using the Core Diagnostic Instrument (CODI). The International Labour Organization and the World Bank also participated in the work, according to IIC.
The CODI assessment analyses the effectiveness of social protection policies and programmes and their alignment with the needs of the population. It is also used as a basis for discussing reform directions and strengthening the social support system.
The consultations were held from 21 April and concluded with a final conference on 21 May. They were attended by representatives of the Mejlis, government agencies, district administrations (hyakimliks), the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, the National Centre of Trade Unions, the Women’s Union, the Youth Union, organizations of persons with disabilities, the National Society of the Red Crescent, and other civil society structures.
During the discussions, key findings of the assessment and reform priorities were reviewed. The focus was on developing a life-cycle approach to social protection—for children, families, the working-age population, persons with disabilities, and older citizens.
Among the main recommendations were the development of a phased model of social services, expansion of child benefits, reform of support for persons with disabilities, strengthening of the pension system, closer links with youth employment programmes, and enhanced monitoring and strategic planning, including the development of a National Social Protection Strategy.
Lakshmi Bhavani, Acting UNICEF Representative in Turkmenistan, noted that the strategy could unify reforms into a single system if accompanied by financing, timelines, and an action plan.
Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population Halbibi Tachjanova stressed that the CODI results are considered a basis for further improvement of the system in line with international standards and national priorities.
Following the conference, a package of recommendations aimed at accelerating reforms within the National Programme for Socio-Economic Development was also discussed. UNICEF expressed readiness to continue supporting Turkmenistan in implementing social protection reforms.