Sustainable Development Begins with People: An Appeal to the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan

Sustainable Development Begins with People: An Appeal to the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan Speaking at the opening of the training programme on the sustainable development and governance of the Caspian Sea, the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, Ms. Xiaojun Grace Wang, highlighted a fundamental principle: people and future generations must be placed at the centre of sustainable development. We fully share this approach. But precisely for this reason, we believe an important question must be asked: What does sustainable development actually mean for the citizens of Turkmenistan in their everyday lives? Prosperity and sustainability cannot exist only in statements made at international conferences. Sustainable development is, first and foremost, about people — their dignity, security, income, ability to support their families, and freedom to make decisions about their own lives. Today, citizens of Turkmenistan face problems that require far greater attention from the United Nations system: low incomes and unemployment, labour migration, restrictions on freedom of movement, travel bans, difficulties obtaining passports, violence against women and children, restrictions on freedom of expression, the lack of effective protection mechanisms, and fear of reprisals for filing complaints. Particular attention should be paid to Ms. Wang’s reference to the Caspian Sea as “a source of livelihoods.” For us, this is not an abstract phrase. If natural resources and economic development are truly intended to serve people, citizens have the right to ask: Why, in a country rich in natural resources, do many families continue to face serious economic hardship? Why are people compelled to leave the country in search of work? Why are the incomes of ordinary citizens often insufficient to ensure a decent standard of living? There can be no sustainability without human rights. Economic development cannot be separated from the rights to decent work, social protection, education, healthcare, freedom of movement, access to information, and access to justice. We call on Ms. Xiaojun Grace Wang and the UN Country Team in Turkmenistan to give these issues the same serious attention that is devoted to economic, environmental, and regional development programmes. Moreover, if the United Nations advocates policies based on science and evidence, it is essential to listen not only to official statistics and state institutions. Space must also be created for independent civil society initiatives, human rights defenders, families of victims, and citizens of Turkmenistan themselves — including those who are afraid to speak publicly. People cannot be “at the centre” only in official statements. They must be at the centre of decision-making. We are ready for an open and substantive dialogue with the UN Resident Coordinator and are prepared to provide information on specific cases and systemic problems reported to our Human Rights Platform by citizens of Turkmenistan. Because the true measure of sustainable development is not the number of conferences held or programmes adopted. Its most important measure is whether a person can live in their own country with dignity, security and freedom, support their family, and defend their rights without fear of persecution.