Today, in the conference hall of the capital hotel "Ýyldyz", a high-level meeting of Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and ministers of environment of countries of Central Asia took place.

Development of fruitful partnership with authoritative international structures acts as one of the priority vectors of the foreign policy of neutral Turkmenistan. A long-term cooperation with OSCE bears an effective, systematic and complex character.

The fact of organization of the present meeting in Ashgabat speaks of acknowledgement of openness of our country to the constructive multilateral dialogue, called to promote enhancement of efforts in development of well-balanced solutions to key issues of the present, achievement of Goals of sustainable development.

In the given context, the special attention is given to the ecological aspect. As was marked, putting forward concrete initiatives in this topical area, Turkmenistan takes an active position in issues of interaction in the nature protection sphere in regional and global dimensions , including within the framework of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Programs and projects of OSCE in Central Asia are aimed at exchange of knowledge and advanced expertise, development of joint strategy for solution of environmental problems. And the agenda of the Ashgabat meeting organised by the Turkmen party with assistance of OSCE, testifies that the topic of preservation of environment remains priority both for regional countries, for OSCE and for the entire international community.

In her speech, Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Helga Schmid underlined significance of the present meeting, which gives the chance again to focus attention on modern ecological challenges, paramount aspects of climatic problematics directly connected with advancement of sustainable development, maintenance of energy and food security and as a whole well-being and stability in the region.

One of the significant issues also had been named sustainable water resources management, development of water diplomacy, and in particular, involving of women in this process. In this connection, it was noted that close partnership was established between OSCE and the states of Central Asia in the given areas.

The Secretary General of OSCE expressed to Turkmenistan her sincere gratitude for organisation of the present meeting, having pointed out its importance throughout discussion of key problems and ways of their solution on the basis of commonality of goals and interests, in formation of practical mechanisms of interaction, further consolidation of efforts for achievement of concrete results that started in earlier profile forums.

During the meeting, priority positions of our country on development of regional cooperation in the given sphere were mentioned. As was underlined, preservation of the environment, maintenance of ecological well-being and effective interaction with foreign partners were defined among basic vectors of the state policy of Turkmenistan realised under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

Having joined all basic international conventions and agreements in this area, our country shows serious and a responsible approach to their fulfilment, regularly acting with important initiatives, which obtain the support of the world community. Among them - the proposals made by the head of the state on maintenance of ecological safety, rational wildlife management, combating against climate change, desertification and others. 

In the nature protection sphere, Turkmenistan successfully co-operates with international organisations. The high-level interaction, established between the Ministry of Environmental Protection of our country and OSCE Centre in Ashgabat was in this connection confirmed.

Developing fruitful partnership with brotherly states of Central Asia, Turkmenistan pays much attention to issues of climate change in view of their special significance for the region. As known, proceeding from it, our country initiated creation in Ashgabat a specialised structure - Regional centre for climate technologies for Central Asia. In this context, the proposal on hosting an OSCE forum on climate change technologies connected with climate change was sounded.

It was underlined that, being an active participant of international cooperation in issues of ecology, Turkmenistan has ratified basic multilateral documents in the above-named area. Positions of our state in the given area are reflected in the new National Strategy of Turkmenistan for climate change.

In its framework large scale program actions are carried out, a great deal of work is carried out to steadily reduce volumes of emissions of hotbed gases by means of modernisation of all branches of economy, wide introduction of innovative non-polluting technologies in manufacture. Besides it, within the realisation of the National Forest Program in Turkmenistan millions of trees are planted annually.

It was also noted that in 2022 the contribution of Turkmenistan at the national level by the Paris Climate Agreement was approved. Currently, the country is implementing measures arising from this document, and in 2025 work will be carried out to update NDC.

As known, with a view of reduction of emissions of hotbed gases in June 2023 by the Resolution of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the High-Level Intersectoral Commission for Reduction of Methane Emissions was set up. Speaking at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the head of the state declared the joining of Turkmenistan the Global Methane Pledge and readiness to continue cooperation with international organisations and countries-partners in this area.

Adherence of our neutral fatherland to further constructive interaction in the ecological sphere at regional and global levels was thus confirmed.

In the speeches of participants of the meeting representing the Republic of  Kazakhstan, the Kirghiz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan and Republic of Uzbekistan and during the exchange of opinions,  it was pointed out that strong historical and cultural links as well as similarity of views and positions on various issues, concerning development of Central Asian countries, region and its interaction with other countries, help solve jointly any problems successfully.

The basic emphasis was made on climate changes and necessity of development of co-ordinated measures for adaptation to them, decrease in risks of acts of nature, increase of awareness in given points.

Water and agricultural issues, the transition to “green” economy, waste management, emissions reduction, and fostering an ecological culture, particularly among the youth became the subject of special attention.

In this connection, a weighty contribution of Turkmenistan to the strengthening and enhancement of regional and international cooperation in the given spheres, in advancement of ecological and water diplomacy as well as projects of "smart" cities where as an example, the city of Arkadag constructed at the initiative of National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the picturesque foothills of the Kopet Dagh was cited, was underlined.

At the end of the meeting, they expressed to President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov sincere gratitude for organisation of the meeting and created conditions for productive teamwork. They hoped that interaction of Central Asian states and OSCE, continuation of the dialogue in a similar format will serve achievement of sustainable development and further prosperity in the region, heightening of attention of the international community to problems of preservation of the environment as well as preservation of general natural heritage for future generations.

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Today, the meeting of Chairwoman of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan D.Gulmanova with Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Helga Schmid took place and long-term and effective interaction with international organisations, including with OSCE was underlined.

During the conversation, the guest underlined that her visit to Turkmenistan is connected with participation in the high-level meeting devoted to issues of ecology, and expressed confidence that the consultations carried out will promote search of positive solutions to important problems.

Ms. Helga Schmid also noted that at present, maintenance of gender equality, empowerment of women are one of the priority areas of activity of OSCE, having expressed readiness for exchange of the experience connected with perfection of legislation in this area.