Ashgabat, 30 August 2018: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) brought together 80 representatives of the private sector, government, people with disabilities (PWDs) and public associations at the first-ever Career Fair for PWDs in Turkmenistan.

The Career Fair provided a platform for multiple stakeholders to promote employment of PWDs in the private sector of Turkmenistan. The event is held as part of implementation of the Sustainable  Development Goals (SDGs) and the efforts of the Government in introduction of the inclusive practices in all spheres of social and economic life of the population of Turkmenistan.

«We are going to develop the tradition of holding such events and work to make them mutually beneficial and interesting in order to reach our goal - to provide new jobs for people with disabilities and encourage the private sector to be more active in building inclusive society», added Elena Panova, UNDP Resident Representative.

UNDP has partnered with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the population of Turkmenistan and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan. Representatives from the private sector, including Turkmen, French, American and Chinese companies, as well as local public associations have set up company booths and collected resumes for future employment of the PWDs.

Prior to the Career Fair, PWDs were provided free training by UNDP experts on resume and interview skills and prepared to meet potential employers. Local public associations and media supported information sharing on the opportunities for PWDs to attend the Career Fair.

As a result of the Career Fair, people with disabilities have an opportunity to find a suitable job, learn about new interesting vacancies, meet employers and have a productive dialogue. Invited companies have collected the resumes of potential future workers, thereby fulfilling requirements of the national legislation of Turkmenistan on protection of the right of people with disabilities.

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This initiative is the continuation of the previous successful experience and projects on promotion of the rights and opportunities for people with disabilities conducted with support of UNDP partners, including the Government of New Zealand, Government of Finaland, the UK Embassy in Turkmenistan, and the Embassy of Germany in Turkmenistan.

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Participating companies and public associations

1.   Coca Cola İçecek first started working in Turkmenistan in 1998, Coca-Cola bottling operations in Turkmenistan came under the roof of Coca-Cola İçecek in 2009.

2.    Bouygues Turkmen (BTK) is a subsidiary of Bouygues Construction, a French construction company, it has been active in Turkmenistan since 1993.

3.    Ak Tam was founded in 1993 in Turkmenistan, and it is currently one of the leaders of domestic construction company.

4.    Dunya Dane is the Turkmen textiles company, operating since 1995.

5.    Taze Energiya is introducing innovative renewable energy sources to the Turkmen industry since 2015.

6.    CNPC Turkmenistan Branch was founded in 2008. As an affiliate of CPECC, Turkmenistan Branch has strived to serve in local gas field development and related businesses for ten years.

7.    Public Organization “Yenme” has a mission, aimed at providing social support to the people with disabilities and other vulnerable parts of the population, protecting their rights and interests. It was founded in 2012 in Turkmenistan.

8.    The National Society of the Red Crescent of Turkmenistan is created in 1926 and for many years it is adherent to principles of humanism, mercy, and justice.

9.    IE “Orlan” is one of the biggest consulting companies in Turkmenistan, specialized in consultations on employment. It was founded in 2007.

10.  Microsoft is aiming to empower customers in Turkmenistan and providing global solutions to address the UN’s Sustainable Developments Goals.