Representatives of the State Environmental Committee on Environmental Protection and Land Resources of Turkmenistan, the Mejlis (parliament), Ministry of Justice and other relevant agencies of Turkmenistan discussed the development of national environmental legislation at an OSCE-organized seminar held on 30 and 31 July 2018 in Ashgabat.
The seminar aimed to provide insights into international legislative provisions and standards in the area of environmental protection and to discuss possible steps for further development of national legislation in this area.
International experts elaborated on strategies and policies in the area of environmental protection, resources management and climate change and shared best practices in the OSCE region and EU countries. The seminar addressed the legal regulation of waste management, access to drinking water and sanitation. Best national practices of the implementation of relevant international commitments were also discussed.
National experts provided an overview of Turkmenistan’s environmental legislation and of the relevant international documents that Turkmenistan is party to. They exchanged views on approaches and further steps to enhance national environmental legislation. The importance of the legislative framework for promoting environmental awareness was stressed.
“The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat welcomes Turkmenistan's initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development and rational use of resources on the basis of accumulated successful experience and close cooperation with relevant international organizations,” said Ivana Markovic Boskovic, Economic and Environmental Officer of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. “This seminar marks a successful cooperation between the Centre and the Government of Turkmenistan in addressing environmental issues in line with the best practices of the OSCE region.”
The seminar was held as part of the Centre’s project “Strengthening co-operation with the host country in the area of environmental protection and ecological security.”
