A series of events was held in Turkmenistan to discuss the recommendations of the 4^th cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). On the 22^nd of July, 2024, a round table was held at the «Archabil» Hotel in the capital on the topic «Review of the recommendations of the 4^th cycle of the UPR of Turkmenistan. Practical experience in implementation» with the participation of representatives of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, ministries and departments of Turkmenistan, heads of UN agencies in Turkmenistan, public organizations, as well as the Office of the Ombudsman.

Dmitriy Shlapachenko, representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Permanent Coordinator of the United Nations in Turkmenistan, and Matilda Bogner, Representative of the OHCHR for Central Asia, made introductory remarks at the event.

The Round Table then continued its work with presentations by the heads of UN agencies in Turkmenistan and the Human Rights Adviser to the OHCHR Regional Office for Central Asia, Artur Yatsevich, on such important topics as best practices in implementing the UPR recommendations, including the participation of national human rights institutions and civil society, the relationship between the implementation of the UPR and the NHRAP 2021-2025, as well as implementation of the UPR recommendations in terms of implementing the principle of "leaving no one behind" and ensuring coordination of UN support.

On July 23, 2024, a seminar «Review of the recommendations of the 4^th cycle of the UPR of Turkmenistan» was organized for members of the Working Group of the Interdepartmental Commission on Ensuring Compliance with Turkmenistan's international Obligations in the field of human rights and international humanitarian law in the UN building. Practical experience in implementation». B. Orazov, Deputy Director of the Institute of State, Law and Democracy of Turkmenistan, and Matilda Bogner, Representative of the OHCHR for Central Asia, spoke at the event via videoconference.

During the thematic sessions, issues related to the use of the UPR to promote the Agenda for Sustainable Development, Peace and Security and human Rights at the country level, ensuring broad participation of all stakeholders in the UPR process, interaction with civil society in developing a strategy to implement the recommendations of the SDGs, as well as an infographic of the UPR and SDG recommendations were considered, National plans/Human rights roadmaps, overview of key elements and best practices, human rights indicators, monitoring and evaluation of the NHRAP.

A meeting was also held between the Authorized Representative for Human Rights in Turkmenistan, Ombudsman Yazdursun Gurbannazarova and the Human Rights Adviser of the OHCHR Regional Office for Central Asia, Artur Yatsevich, at which the parties discussed issues of bilateral cooperation and expressed readiness to further strengthen fruitful cooperation in the promotion of human rights.

As stated during the conversation, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is one of the main and priority international partners of the Office of the Ombudsman of Turkmenistan. In turn, the representative of OHCHR stressed the importance attached to further strengthening cooperation with the Office of the Ombudsman of Turkmenistan in such areas as raising public awareness of human rights, assistance in strengthening the capacity of the Office of the Ombudsman and cooperation in submitting Alternative reports of the Office of the Ombudsman to the UN treaty bodies.