President of Turkmenistan participated in the Samarkand International Climate Forum

On April 4, 2025 President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who arrived in Samarkand for the first Central Asia-European Union Summit, also attended the opening ceremony of the international forum “Central Asia Facing Global Climate Challenges: Consolidation for Common Prosperity”.

The two-day forum, organized in the Congress Center of the Silk Road Samarkand complex, has become one of the world's most important events on matters of ecology and climate change.

Among its participants were heads of Central Asian states, leadership of the European Union, leading world experts, statesmen and members of governments of a number of foreign countries, representatives of international organizations and major financial structures.

Among the honorable guests are President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council António Costa, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Anacláudia Rossbach,  Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Tatiana Molcean, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Ibrahim Thiaw, Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States of the UNDP Ivana Zivkovic, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Odile Renaud-Basso, as well as the Vice President of the European Investment Bank Kyriacos Kakouris and others.

Warmly greeting the numerous participants of the international climate forum dedicated to the main challenge of our time - global climate change, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the importance of ensuring environmental well-being and, in this regard, noted the need to strengthen the dialogue and develop joint actions to address climate issues relevant to all mankind as a key factor of universal sustainable development.

Then a video message by UN Secretary-General António Guterres was shown, in which the head of this reputable international organization emphasized the relevance of the matter raised and the initiatives put forward by the Central Asian states, wishing success in the work of the climate forum aimed at consolidating efforts to address common environmental issues of the modern world.

Addressing the audience, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that problems related to climate change traditionally occupy a special place within the framework of the Central Asia-European Union format.

- I believe that our task today is to provide the main, priority guidelines for cooperation and create solid prerequisites for their implementation," the President of Turkmenistan said, emphasizing that the European Union is considered a favorable partner on addressing fundamental issues of the climate agenda.

Among the most important issues, the head of Turkmenistan primarily mentioned decarbonization and reduction of methane emissions.

- An important aspect of the partnership is the implementation of Turkmenistan's environmental initiatives, which are well-known and have both regional and global scope. Among them are the establishment of the Regional Center for Climate Change Technologies in Central Asia and preparation of the Program of Transition to Circular Economy," the head of state continued, noting that Turkmenistan awaits the support of the European Union in their implementation.

As emphasized, the priorities of partnership with the EU also include “green transition” in energy, industry, transportation and other important areas of the economy related to production and life sustenance.

- We invite the European Union to substantive and long-term joint work. Proposing to intensify the dialog on “green” agenda, we consider it worthwhile to make it a separate area of activity of our format and start working out specific plans for cooperation in the near future," President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said.

Special emphasis was also placed on water issues, which are of fundamental importance for the region. According to the head of state, technological and methodological assistance of the European Union can have a positive impact on solving the existing difficulties.

- Turkmenistan's position on water policy issues in the region is well known. They should be solved on the basis of three key principles: observance of international law; mutual consideration of interests; involvement of international organizations, first of all the UN," the President said.

In order to preserve and strengthen good-neighborliness, development and cooperation in Central Asia, to establish a mechanism for water use from transboundary rivers in the region, Turkmenistan proposed to the UN General Assembly to consider the initiative to establish the UN Regional Council on water use in Central Asian countries.

Among the key issues of ecological, socio-economic and humanitarian well-being in the region the saving of the Aral Sea was emphasized. It was underlined that Turkmenistan expects more concrete and focused international discussion of this problem, including the development of measures to support the activities of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea on the basis of relevant UN General Assembly resolutions. In this regard, it was proposed to jointly strive to reach full observance of these documents.

In conclusion, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov  thanked again the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev for excellent organization of the Summit, and the people of brotherly Uzbekistan for their hospitality and warm welcome.

Today, the forum will continue its work within the framework of specialized sessions: “Green Economy as a Path to Sustainable Development”; “Conservation of Biodiversity and Natural Ecosystems of Central Asia in Response to Climate Challenges”; “Clean Energy: the Basis for Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Development”; “Integrated Water Resources Management under Climate Change in Central Asia”; “Youth: Looking to the Future with Optimism”; “Sustainable Cities and Climate Challenges: Integrated Planning and Management”; “Scientific and Innovative Approaches to Climate Change in Central Asia”.

At the end of the program of the two-day working visit, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov headed to the International Airport of Samarkand  from where he left to Turkmenistan.