At the regular meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, held on July 18 via digital system, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov, delivered a report on Turkmenistan's international cooperation in the field of climate change.

As was emphasized, one of the priority vectors of the foreign policy strategy implemented by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov is the comprehensive development, together with foreign states and international organizations, of cooperation on climate change issues. In this connection, a number of proposals were submitted for the head of state's consideration.

In particular, for the practical implementation of international initiatives related to climate change, it is proposed to establish an Interdepartmental Commission, which, together with representatives of foreign countries, authoritative organizations, and financial institutions, will hold negotiations on a regular basis. The Commission will be entrusted with coordinating activities for the practical implementation of initiatives to establish a Regional Center for Climate Change-Related Technologies in Central Asia, a Regional Center for Combating Desertification, and other environmental proposals.

In addition, in order to widely popularize Turkmenistan's initiatives to counter climate change in the world community and to increase the international support provided to them, it is proposed to take an active part in high-level regional and global conferences, forums, and exhibitions, to hold specialized events within their framework, and to organize National Pavilions of Turkmenistan and presentation platforms. These measures will contribute to the further improvement of our country's environmental diplomacy, the attraction of new partners, and the expansion of international financial and technical assistance.

In order to enhance Turkmenistan's role in addressing key issues on today's global climate agenda, as well as the consistent implementation of important initiatives put forward by our country in this direction, it is proposed to establish the Ashgabat Climate Dialogue as a new institutional format for international cooperation.

Along with this, it is necessary to develop a Turkmenistan Action Plan for the establishment of the Regional Center for Climate Change-Related Technologies in Central Asia and the Regional Center for Combating Desertification. The Plan will provide for the management structure of the said centers and mechanisms of interaction. In order to transform these centers, in the future, into platforms for advanced cooperation and innovation at the regional level, coordinated activities with the relevant structures of the United Nations and other international partners should be continued.

To ensure the stability of financial support for the above-mentioned initiatives, it is proposed to expand cooperation with the relevant divisions of the UN, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Adaptation Fund, as well as with such major financial institutions as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

Summarizing the report, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that Turkmenistan is carrying out effective work at the regional and global levels to counter climate change and ensure environmental security. Having approved the proposals prepared for the development of international cooperation in the field of climate change, the head of state gave a number of instructions to the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs.