How to run a democratic governance program in an autocratic country? This is a crucial question for the United Nations Development Program. It could be an ultimately productive initiative or an exercise in futility.

Turkmenistan is a one-party republic with an authoritarian presidential rule. Political and civil rights are limited, press freedom is virtually non-existent, and the president maintains control over the parliament and the judiciary.

With the new country program for 2010-2015, UNDP is focusing on human rights, local governance and electoral legislation. It aims to strengthen government capacity on human rights protection, and integrate justice and good governance principles into national policies, legislation and decision-making. The democratic governance program has an indicative budget of US$8.4 million.

The agency is banking on the openness of the current president to engage with the U.N. and comply with international human rights standards. President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov took office following the death of long-time dictator Saparmurat Niyazov in 2006.

UNDP is also supporting initiatives in economic growth, human development, and peace and security.