President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov held another meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers via the digital system, during which a wide range of issues concerning state life was considered. One of the key items on the agenda was a report by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs R. Meredov on expanding Turkmenistan’s international cooperation in the field of combating climate change.
As part of the consistent implementation of the foreign policy strategy of the head of state, aimed at a comprehensive solution to global environmental challenges, a number of important proposals were announced.
One of them concerns the establishment of an Interdepartmental Commission. The new body will hold regular negotiations with foreign partners and financial institutions. Its responsibilities will include coordinating work on the establishment in Central Asia of a Regional Centre for Climate Technologies and a Regional Centre for Combating Desertification.
Another proposal is related to the launch of the “Ashgabat Climate Dialogue.” This project will become a new institutional format for discussing and resolving key issues on the global climate agenda.
The initiatives also include the commencement of the development of Action Plans, within the framework of which the management structure and mechanisms of interaction for the future regional environmental centres will be determined.
The next proposal focuses on financial partnership. Thus, it is planned to intensify cooperation with leading United Nations bodies, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Adaptation Fund, as well as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
To promote Turkmenistan’s environmental initiatives on the international stage, it is also planned to organize National Pavilions and presentation platforms at the largest international forums and exhibitions.
Summarizing the report, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized that Turkmenistan is taking an active position on issues of ensuring environmental security. The head of state approved the proposals presented and gave the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs specific instructions regarding their practical implementation.
