A New United Nations Resident Coordinator Appointed to Turkmenistan

A New United Nations Resident Coordinator Appointed to Turkmenistan On 1 July 2026, Xiaojun Grace Wang officially assumed her duties as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan. Her appointment was made by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres with the approval of the Government of Turkmenistan. Ms. Wang, a national of China, brings nearly 30 years of experience in international development, sustainable development, multilateral cooperation, poverty reduction, and the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Before her appointment to Turkmenistan, Ms. Wang served as Director of the Trust Fund at the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), where she oversaw global trust funds, promoted international partnerships, and mobilized resources to support the implementation of the SDGs across the UN system. She also held several senior leadership positions within the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), leading work on governance, gender equality, poverty reduction, HIV/AIDS, and disaster risk management. Ms. Wang holds a PhD in Education and International Development from the University of London, a Master's degree in British Studies from Beijing Foreign Studies University, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Inclusive Health Management from Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Appointment Comes Amid Continuing Human Rights Concerns The appointment of the new UN Resident Coordinator comes at a time when the human rights situation in Turkmenistan continues to raise serious concerns within the international community. International human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have repeatedly documented systematic human rights violations in the country. Among the most pressing concerns are: persecution of civil society activists and human rights defenders; politically motivated prosecutions and imprisonment; transnational repression targeting Turkmen citizens abroad; enforced disappearances; restrictions on freedom of expression, access to information, and independent media; intimidation and harassment of activists' family members; arbitrary denial and non-renewal of passports for Turkmen citizens living abroad; restrictions on freedom of movement and arbitrary travel bans; impunity in cases involving violence against women and children. Expectations for a Stronger UN Human Rights Engagement The Dayanç Human Rights Platform of the Civil Movement "Dayanç" / Turkmenistan hopes that the newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator will place greater emphasis on the protection of human rights, strengthen cooperation with independent civil society, and enhance coordination among UN agencies operating in Turkmenistan. Particular attention is needed to ensure timely and effective responses to cases involving violations of the rights of children, women, human rights defenders, journalists, civil society activists, and other vulnerable groups. We also hope that, under Ms. Wang's leadership, the United Nations Country Team in Turkmenistan will continue to uphold the principles of impartiality, independence, accountability, and the universality of human rights, as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and international human rights treaties. The Dayanç Human Rights Platform of the Civil Movement "Dayanç" / Turkmenistan reaffirms its readiness to engage in an open and constructive dialogue with the United Nations system, to provide well-documented information on human rights violations, and to cooperate in advancing the protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people of Turkmenistan. Learn more about the Dayanç Human Rights Platform: https://dayanchcivil.com/