USAID, UNDP, and the Government of Turkmenistan Support Local Government Initiatives

PAS No 253
August 10, 2009

Newly elected Archins discuss budget revenue sources of self-governance entities in small groups

Ashgabat, August 10, 2009 – On August 7, the Turkmen Parliament, in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Counterpart International, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), hosted the “World Practices of Self-government” seminar.  The seminar focused on the key principles of effective local governance and service-delivery, including budgeting and financing. 

Over 25 participants took part in the seminar.  Attending the seminar were representatives of Turkmenistan's Parliament, newly-elected Archinliks (members of local self-government bodies), as well as representatives of the Ministry of Adalat, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy and Development, and the Main State Tax Services.  The seminar provided opportunities for the newly-elected local government representatives to identify the best international practices and apply them in their communities and improve service delivery and budgeting processes.  The seminar was organized as part of the USAID and Counterpart’s Turkmenistan Community Empowerment Program and was facilitated by USAID-funded local governance expert Ms. Marilynne Davis.

This seminar is one of the many activities made possible by the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).  Since 1993, the American people through USAID have provided more than $80 million in programs that support Turkmenistan’s economic growth, social sector, and community initiatives.