Today, the scientific and practical conference «Future Challenges and International Cooperation in Environmental Protection in the International Year of Peace and Trust» was held in the administrative building of the Agricultural Complex of the country, dedicated to the World Environment Day.
The event, held in a hybrid format, was attended by heads and specialists of domestic environmental protection structures and industry departments, the scientific community, universities and public associations, authoritative international and regional organisations, including the UN and its specialised agencies.
The participants listened with great attention to the Address of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, addressed to workers in the field of environmental protection of Turkmenistan. The message notes that the main goal of the state policy in the field of ecology is to rationalise the use of natural resources, enrich the flora and fauna of the unique nature of our country, and carefully preserve it in order to leave an even more beautiful world for descendants. The age-old national traditions in environmental protection are now gaining new content and worthy continuity.
At the plenary session, reports were presented on the environmental policy of Turkmenistan, implemented under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the main areas of cooperation with UNESCO, and activities to improve legislation in the field of environmental protection.
Speakers from the Turkmen side noted that in accordance with national traditions of careful attitude to nature, measures are being taken to preserve the environment, use natural resources wisely, and develop a «green» economy.
Particular emphasis was placed on key vectors of interaction between the Caspian states in the field of hydrometeorology, and the work being carried out to reduce methane emissions in accordance with the provisions of international agreements on environmental protection.
A clear confirmation of Turkmenistan's responsible approach to solving the vital problems of our time is its accession to the Global Methane Commitment (GMP).
In his speech, UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan Dmitriy Shlapachenko emphasised that the 5th of June is more than a holiday, it is a call to action and an opportunity for everyone to take concrete steps towards environmental sustainability. Real progress requires strong partnerships with the government, local communities, academia, the private sector, and especially with young people.
The INTPA Project Coordinator of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Turkmenistan, Borislav Dimitrov, particularly noted our country's participation in addressing climate and environmental issues - from preserving biodiversity and afforestation to diversifying energy and preserving water resources, confirming the EU's readiness to support these efforts.
Then the forum continued its work in three sections, which were simultaneously held in the administrative building of the Agricultural Complex of the country, the Turkmen Agricultural University named after S.A. Nyyazov in Ashgabat and the Turkmen Agricultural Institute in Dashoguz.
The section «Main directions of development of international cooperation in the field of environmental protection» included issues of interaction of our country in the sphere of environmental protection, implementation of projects of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Turkmenistan.
As noted, with the accession to the Paris Agreement, a number of national programs were adopted in our country. National measures are being implemented to reduce and eliminate the negative consequences of methane emissions into the atmosphere.
In addition, reports were heard on the prospects for partnership with Chuo University (Japan) in the field of satellite monitoring of greenhouse gases, on the scientific basis for using biological diversity to restore degraded desert ecosystems in Central Asia, on the positive results of work to preserve the leopard in Turkmenistan, etc.
The following topics were discussed during the section «The Role of Ecology in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals»: studying the environmental impact of using innovative irrigation methods, international cooperation in ensuring the environmental safety of the country, the importance of the Turkmen Lake «Altyn Asyr» in enriching biodiversity, as well as raising the environmental culture of young people.
As noted, the national strategy in this area, successfully implemented in the modern era, is harmoniously combined with the Sustainable Development Goals of the Community of Nations and the priority tasks of protecting the planet's ecosystems.
At the session «Issues of improving the ecological state of the Aral Sea region», the subject of detailed discussion was the activities of state nature reserves in preserving the biological diversity of the Aral Sea region, the use of halophytic plants in managing saline soils, etc.
It was stated that in recent decades, in projects prepared to combat natural disasters in the Aral Sea region, along with scientific methods, the development of a complex of modern high technologies has been promoted.
It was emphasised that remote sensing technology using hyperspectral analysis of vegetation and soil cover of various landscapes contributes to the development of National Plans aimed at preserving biodiversity in a short time and allows monitoring using a digital system.
At the end of the conference, its participants adopted a thank-you address to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, in which they expressed deep gratitude for the continued attention to environmental issues, assuring that they will continue to make every effort to successfully solve the important tasks set, ensure rational use of natural resources, and effective work in the field of environmental protection of the Fatherland.
A clear illustration of our country's achievements in the field of environmental protection was the exhibition that unfolded in the lobby of the administrative building of the Agricultural Complex. The books of the Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the initiator of the grandiose socio-economic programs and environmental projects implemented in the name of prosperity and sustainable development of the Turkmen state, took pride of place here.
Festive events on the occasion of World Environment Day were held in all regions of the country.
