On 29 November 2024, a meeting was held at the MFA of Turkmenistan between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and the Regional Director of the UN Environment Programme’s Europe Office (UNEP) Arnold Kreilhuber, who arrived in Ashgabat to participate in the Conference on Food Security in the Context of Climate Change.
During the meeting, the parties discussed current issues of cooperation between Turkmenistan and UNEP, as well as the implementation of previously reached agreements.
Specific steps taken by Turkmenistan to fulfil its commitments under the Paris Agreement in the field of climate change were noted. In particular, the sides discussed joint measures on the way to the establishment of the Regional Centre for Climate Change Technologies in Central Asia with headquarters in Ashgabat.
Particular emphasis was placed on the practical implementation of the Global Methane Pledge, which Turkmenistan joined at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP-28). The progress of the joint project with the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) to develop a mechanism for regular provision of updated data on emissions detected by the MARS system was outlined.
The parties also discussed the Aral Sea situation, including Turkmenistan’s initiatives on the UN platform. In this context, the importance of the regional meeting of Central Asian countries scheduled to be held in Ashgabat under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) to determine the format and structure of a United Nations Special Programme for the Aral Sea basin was highlighted.
In addition, the parties discussed the issues of Caspian Sea. They exchanged views on the development of the Caspian Environmental Initiative, which was proposed by the President of Turkmenistan at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.
In this regard, the sides discussed possibilities of strengthening cooperation between Turkmenistan and UNEP on specific projects related to adapting to climate change in the Caspian region.
The interlocutors agreed to continue active dialogue and practical cooperation in the field of environmental protection.
