This was announced by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, speaking at the One Water Summit in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This initiative is a result of the country's responsible and consistent efforts to practically implement its proposal to create a specialized UN center for a region with unique natural resources and biodiversity, which is simultaneously facing serious environmental and climate risks.
Joint measures towards establishing a Regional Center for Climate Change Technologies in Central Asia, headquartered in Ashgabat, have been repeatedly discussed at major international platforms and meetings. This includes negotiations held on November 29, 2024, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan with the Regional Director of the UN Environment Programme’s Europe Office. A significant step in the practical implementation of this initiative was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on November 13, 2023, between the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and UNEP.
One key aspect of cooperation under this document is the development of structured regional programs to attract climate technologies to Turkmenistan and Central Asian countries, as well as joint projects for implementing innovations and technologies in the region. Additionally, the Memorandum covers various activities for exchanging knowledge about the latest climate-related technologies and solutions.
In his speech at the summit, the National Leader of the Turkmen people highlighted the impact of climate change on challenges related to water resources. It was emphasized that rising temperatures, shrinking glaciers and changing precipitation patterns require not only adaptation but also urgent joint actions.
In this context, Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov also reminded attendees of other important regional initiatives by Turkmenistan within the UN framework. These include a proposal made at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly to establish a Regional UN Council on Water Management in Central Asian countries with headquarters in Ashgabat and to accelerate the adoption process of UN Conventions on the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers. The Regional UN Council will coordinate actions on water management in close cooperation with all Central Asian states, organize interactions among regional agencies, and develop a legal framework for water use.
"We are confident that this initiative by Turkmenistan is timely and can bring tangible practical shifts in strengthening regional cooperation in the near future," the National Leader of the Turkmen people emphasized.
Another initiative by Turkmenistan involves developing a UN Special Program for the Aral Sea basin and highlighting Aral-related issues with global significance as a separate area of the United Nations activities. The foundation for effective international cooperation on Aral issues includes two UN General Assembly Resolutions: "Cooperation between the United Nations and the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea" and a resolution by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) titled "Consideration of the modalities for the establishment of the United Nations special program for the Aral Sea basin." Recalling these important documents, the Chairman of Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan advocated for their implementation to become one of the defining directions of all international work related to Aral issues. The activities of regional structures like the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea and its Interstate Commission for Water Coordination should rely not only on support from member states but also on broad, systematic international backing.
At the ESCAP Regional Consultative Meeting held from November 30 to December 1, 2024, in Ashgabat, dedicated to creating the UN Special Program for countries in the Aral Sea basin, current progress was assessed, new opportunities for strengthening regional cooperation were discussed, and conditions, formats and structure for such a program were considered. The outcomes agreed upon at this meeting will be presented at ESCAP's 81st session scheduled to take place in Bangkok from April 21 to 25, 2025.
