Acquisition of nationality through naturalization Turkmenistan 48 • The political and operational initiative of the Turkmenistan Government to resolve the protracted situation of thousands of former USSR citizens with undetermined nationality was demonstrated through its strong involvement in an identification and registration campaign. • The authorities gained technical expertise through collaboration with UNHCR on the identification and registration of 11,000 long-term refugees for naturalization (2004-2005). • An initial registration drive in 2007-2010 by the Turkmenistan authorities found some 4,000 individuals with undetermined nationality. The registered individuals completed and filed applications for naturalization or residence status (depending on their personal circumstances) for the Government’s review. • A dialogue on statelessness between the Turkmenistan Government and UNHCR, which began in 2008, led to the adoption in 2010 of an Action Plan for Joint Activities on Prevention and Reduction of Statelessness between the Government of Turkmenistan and UNHCR. • The Government re-launched the registration campaign in 2011 as a collaborative multi-stakeholder process. Stationary and mobile registration teams consisting of representatives of the Government and civil society, and including legal experts, were deployed to assist individuals with the registration and application process. • UNHCR established contacts and relationships with embassies and representatives of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries to help in verifying whether certain individuals were considered nationals of their States. U N H C R > G P P A C T I O N 1 : R E S O LV I N G E X I S T I N G M A J O R S I T U AT I O N S O F S TAT E L E S S N E S S