The Regional Center for Climate Change-Related Technologies in Central Asia will begin operations in early 2027, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, expressed Wednesday during the plenary session of the COP31 Leaders Summit in Antalya, Türkiye.
According to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the center’s establishment resulted from an initiative by Turkmenistan that received support from Central Asian countries and international partners. The center will work closely with the United Nations and other international organizations under agreed organizational and legal mechanisms and in line with international standards, Turkmen state media reported.
Speaking at the summit, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said the economic, social, environmental, conservation, and water and energy development of Central Asian countries are interconnected. A comprehensive approach would allow countries in the region to take one another’s interests into account when addressing common challenges.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov identified desertification as a key issue for Central Asia. In this regard, Turkmenistan proposed establishing a Regional Center for Combating Desertification for Central Asian countries. To advance the initiative, the country will continue working with the Secretariat of the U.N. Convention to Combat Desertification and interested international partners.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov also presented other initiatives put forward by Turkmenistan. The country proposed that the United Nations consider declaring 2028-2037 the Decade of Climate Resilience and Adaptation, establishing the Ashgabat Climate Dialogue and holding its first international meeting in Ashgabat in 2027.
In addition, Turkmenistan proposed establishing a global partnership to provide climate technologies and expand developing countries’ access to modern environmentally friendly technologies, innovative solutions and climate financing.
