UNDP promotes “green” hotel standards in Turkmenistan

November 17, 2021

Ashgabat, 17 November 2021: Today, within the framework of the joint project of UNDP and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan "Sustainable Cities in Turkmenistan: Integrated Green Urban Development in Ashgabat and Avaza” a webinar "Review of the current practices of using “green” hotel standards in Avaza", was held.

The webinar objectives included the presentation of international “green” building standards and discussion of the possible introduction of “green” hotel standards in Avaza. The meeting participants discussed the possibility of developing national “green” standards for hotels, which will allow the introduction of efficient use of energy, water and proper waste management in the country’s hotels.

The meeting brought together representatives of the Ministries and entities of Turkmenistan, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Construction and Architecture, the Ministry of Education and the Hyakimliks of Ashgabat and Turkmenbashi cities and Avaza etrap, as well as the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan (Mary) and the Turkmen Architectural and Construction Institute.

During the webinar, participants reviewed international Green Building assessment systems, such as BREEAM, LEED and DGNB, and discussed ways to ensure that the country meets the requirements for this green building, as well as raised the issue of developing national "green" hotel standards to promote sustainable management and environment conservation.

“Eco-friendly hotels will save water and energy, reduce pollution and waste, increase revenue and improve guest experiences,” – noted Batyr Ballyyev, UNDP Project Manager. “The development and implementation of national "green" hotel standards in Turkmenistan will further contribute to the country's implementation of the Paris Climate agreement”.

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The project "Sustainable Cities in Turkmenistan: Integrated Green Urban Development in Ashgabat and Avaza” is aimed at promoting the development of sustainable cities and reducing the negative impacts of urban growth in the country, such as reducing greenhouse gases emissions and air pollution, impact of increasing energy consumption and household waste, while also supporting the achievement of social and economic development goals. The project provides technical assistance, institutional and policy support, and promotes behavioral change in relation to efficient use of resources and waste management covering Ashgabat and Avaza, as well as creates a basis for replicating the results in other cities in Turkmenistan.