Meeting with the UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director
Turkmenistan’s commitment to global environmental issues was reinforced during a recent meeting between Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rashid Meredov, and Ms. Inger Andersen, the UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The meeting took place on 16 August 2024 via videoconference.
Both parties emphasized the importance of collaboration at the international, regional, and national levels to address environmental challenges on a global scale. Discussions during the meeting centered around Turkmenistan’s initiatives in environmental protection, including the establishment of the Regional Centre for Climate Change Technologies for Central Asia in Ashgabat.
One of the key topics of conversation was Turkmenistan’s commitment to the Global Methane Pledge, which was made during the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Turkmenistan is working on a joint project with the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) to monitor and report emissions through the MARS system.
The officials also delved into the issues concerning the Caspian Sea and explored opportunities for further cooperation between Turkmenistan and UNEP through the development of the “Caspian Environmental Initiative.” This initiative was proposed by the President of Turkmenistan during the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.
In closing, Ms. Inger Andersen expressed her appreciation for Turkmenistan’s invitation to participate in the upcoming Regional Conference on Food Security in the Context of Climate Change, which will be held in November in collaboration with international organizations. This meeting further solidifies Turkmenistan’s commitment to environmental sustainability and global cooperation in addressing pressing environmental issues.
