The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched in Turkmenistan in 1995 based on the Standard Basic Assistance Agreement signed between UNDP and the Government of Turkmenistan on 5 October 1993.

The standard basic assistance agreement (SBBA) embodies the basic conditions under which the UNDP shall assist the Government in carrying out its development projects, and under which such UNDP projects shall be executed.

UNDP in Turkmenistan is guided by its Country Programme Document (currently Country Programme 2021-2025), and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2021-2025, which are in line with the strategic priorities of the Government of Turkmenistan, enshrined in the Programme of the President of Turkmenistan on Socio-economic Development of the Country for 2019-2025.