The first regional environmental seminar on climate changes organized by the Ministry of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan in the framework of the Central Asia Interstate Commission for Sustainable Development (ICSD) closed in the Turkmen capital. The specialists of the nature conservation agencies and experts in climate changes from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan and the presentation of the international organisations – the relevant UN programme and the Youth Environmental Union were invited to participate in the forum in Ashgabat.

Ecologically safe and sustainable development – a priority field of co-operation of the Central Asian states. Some years ago the Regional Environmental Action Plan (REAP) was adopted in the framework of the ICSD as the unified environmental programme for the Central Asia states. To respond to the increased threat of climate changes and the adverse impact on the environment in the region as well as on the planet the task to mitigate the consequences of climate changes acquires topicality. In 2007 at the regular meeting of the ICSD Turkmenistan put forward the initiative to draft the regional joint action plan on climate changes and to coordinate the relevant activities. The three-day environmental forum in Ashgabat became the first constructive step towards this goal.

The participants reported on the climate changes evaluation and the adaptation measures taken by each country in the region. Exchanging views on the methodology and approaches to climate changes vulnerability and adaptation evaluation agriculture, water resources, public health were mentioned as the priorities spheres. The seminar participants took the decision to elaborate the regional action strategy meeting the national interests. The draft framework of this strategy, which would become the guide for action for all the state and public institutions engaged in environmental protection and efficient nature management, was worked out during the seminar.

The forum focused on co-operation of the countries of the region with the international adaptation funds, particularly the Global Environmental Fund (GEF).