A/HRC/24/3 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, held its sixteenth session from 22 April to 3 May 2013. The review of Turkmenistan was held at the 1st meeting on 22 April 2013. The delegation of Turkmenistan was headed by Vepa Hajiyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. At its 10th meeting, held on 26 April 2013, the Working Group adopted the report on Turkmenistan. 2. On 14 January 2013, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Turkmenistan: Botswana, Ecuador and the Philippines. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Turkmenistan: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/16/TKM/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/16/TKM/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/16/TKM/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, Mexico, Montenegro, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Turkmenistan through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review (UPR). I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The delegation reported that considerable progress had been made in the implementation of obligations undertaken by Turkmenistan in the framework of the universal periodic review. Changes had been made in legislation to bring it in line with international standards and reforms had been carried out in various areas under the leadership of the President of Turkmenistan. The national economy had been developing and investments in science, education, health, culture and social infrastructure had been increased. The delegation expressed confidence that constructive dialogue in the working group would enable the Government to enhance further the progress in promoting the progressive realization of human rights and freedoms. 6. The delegation noted the efforts of Turkmenistan at the international level and its active participation and enhanced role in the work of a number of international organizations, including the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). During the reporting period Turkmenistan acceded to a number of international human rights instruments, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its Optional Protocol (OP-CRPD), and the 1954 and 1961 Conventions on statelessness. 3