A national meeting to discuss the findings of Turkmenistan’s baseline analysis on water supply, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), and health was held by the WHO Country Office in Turkmenistan at the UN Building. The event was organized under the UNECE-WHO/Europe project “Improving water supply, sanitation, hygiene, and health through implementation of the Protocol on Water and Health,” which aims to enhance access to safe water and sanitation and protect public health.

The meeting brought together representatives from key ministries, government agencies, and international partners, including WHO, UNECE, UNICEF.

Opening remarks were delivered by officials from the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan, the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, the State Committee for Water Management of Turkmenistan, the Ministry of Construction and Architecture of Turkmenistan, UNECE, and the WHO Country Office in Turkmenistan. Discussions focused on the current status of water resources and public health, national priorities, and the benefits of implementing the Protocol on Water and Health.

The meeting featured presentations of Turkmenistan’s baseline analysis, outlining challenges and opportunities in WASH and health. Participants exchanged experiences from Belarus, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on setting national targets under the Protocol and discussed progress in project implementation and lessons learned from other beneficiary countries. Ms. Yulia Trombitskaya, Co-Secretary of the Protocol on Water and Health (UNECE), emphasized the importance of the Protocol in supporting countries to achieve Sustainable Development Goals related to water and health. International experts Ms. Elena Drozdova, Ms. Olga Mirshina and Ms. Janar Mautanof shared insights on project implementation and lessons learned from other beneficiary countries.

The event concluded with a moderated discussion on future actions to improve water supply, sanitation, hygiene, and health in Turkmenistan, reinforcing the country’s commitment to international standards and cooperation.