The Hero-Arkadag puts forward a number of new initiatives to strengthen global climate cooperation
On November 11, the second day of his working visit to the Republic of Türkiye, National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov took part in the Leaders’ Summit within the framework of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31). The forum is attended by heads of state and government and ministers from around 200 countries, as well as heads of international organizations, environmental experts, and representatives of business circles and civil society. The conference agenda includes issues related to food security, agriculture, healthcare, energy, transport, trade and finance, science and education, industry, and technology. Also under discussion are the strengthening of national commitments on sustainable urban development and emissions reduction, the implementation of previously reached agreements, and social and cultural programmes. The participation of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, the Hero-Arkadag, in the world forum being held in Antalya is another confirmation of the active cooperation between our countries, not only in the bilateral format but also on the international stage. Speaking at the plenary session of the Leaders’ Summit, the National Leader of the Turkmen people first of all thanked the President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, for the invitation to take part in the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, as well as for the hospitality and the high level of organization of the current international event. As was emphasized, our country regards this forum as an important step in strengthening mutual trust on climate change issues and in turning the global climate dialogue into a driving force of world development. In this regard, the Hero-Arkadag noted that Turkmenistan, in accordance with the National Climate Strategy, is firmly committed to fulfilling the international obligations arising from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. This is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency, and is backed by concrete measures aimed at the broad introduction of modern environmentally friendly technologies. The implementation of the Global Methane Pledge is an important aspect. A set of measures is being carried out to modernize the national energy supply system, reduce natural gas losses, and improve emissions monitoring. As was emphasized, Turkmenistan pays great attention to improving reporting and the transparency of data on the state of the environment. Our country has prepared the Fourth National Report on Climate Change and has completed work on the next updated Third Nationally Determined Contribution of Turkmenistan. «We regard national efforts to implement the climate agenda as a key component of regional cooperation. The development of the Central Asian countries in the economic, social, environmental, nature protection, water and energy, and other spheres is interconnected», the National Leader of the Turkmen people continued, noting that under these conditions an integrated approach will allow the countries of the region to take mutual interests into account in effectively resolving existing problems. One of the important achievements in this direction was the establishment of the Regional Centre for Climate Change Technologies in Central Asia. As is known, Turkmenistan put forward the initiative to establish this Centre, which received support from the states of the region and international partners, said the Hero-Arkadag, expressing gratitude to all interested parties for their effective and responsible approach to our country’s initiative and for their assistance and participation in its implementation. The Regional Centre for Climate Change Technologies in Central Asia will begin its activities in early 2027, the National Leader of the Turkmen people noted, stressing that this work will be carried out in close cooperation with the United Nations and other international structures, in accordance with agreed organizational and legal mechanisms and international standards. Desertification is a key issue for Central Asia. In this context, Turkmenistan emphasizes the importance of comprehensive and joint action with the participation and assistance of specialized bodies of the United Nations. «We believe that the creation of the necessary cooperation mechanisms directly within Central Asia will make it possible to find an effective way to advance this work. This is also provided for by Turkmenistan’s initiative to establish the Regional Centre for Combating Desertification for the Central Asian countries», the Hero-Arkadag continued. It was emphasized that, for the practical implementation of this initiative, Turkmenistan will continue to cooperate with the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and interested international partners. The holding in August 2025 of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in the Avaza National Tourist Zone was a significant contribution by Turkmenistan to the international sustainable development agenda. During the forum, the Awaza Programme of Action for 2024–2034, previously endorsed by the United Nations, was officially launched. The document pays particular attention to increasing the resilience of states to the negative consequences of climate change and to developing adaptation methods. At the same time, it stresses the importance of introducing modern technologies and expanding access to international financial resources. As the Hero-Arkadag noted, as Chair of the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries, Turkmenistan considers it necessary to ensure the effective implementation of the climate component of the Awaza Programme of Action. To this end, a thematic session titled «From Awaza to Antalya: Implementing the Awaza Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries and Advancing Climate Action» is planned within the framework of the current Conference. «Proceeding from the importance of consolidating international efforts in addressing climate-related issues, as well as giving a new impetus to global cooperation in this area, Turkmenistan proposes a number of initiatives» , the Hero-Arkadag continued. In particular, it was noted that Turkmenistan considers it advisable to consider the possibility of the United Nations declaring 2028–2037 the Decade of Climate Resilience and Adaptation. As was emphasized, this initiative will allow the international community to focus on addressing specific tasks to increase the climate resilience of states and to ensure the allocation of resources to countries and regions. As an open international platform for strengthening cooperation on the climate agenda, an initiative was put forward to create a new inclusive format of interaction, the Ashgabat Climate Dialogue, and, within its framework, to hold the first international meeting in Ashgabat in 2027 with the participation of interested international partners. In addition, it was noted that Turkmenistan proposes, jointly with the United Nations Environment Programme, the World Meteorological Organization, the United Nations Development Programme, the World Economic Fund, and other interested international partners, to prepare a Digital Atlas of Climate Change and Its Negative Impacts. The main goal of this initiative is to develop a comprehensive information and analytical method for the continuous monitoring of climate change, assessment of its negative impacts, and identification of the most effective adaptation measures. Furthermore, it was emphasized that Turkmenistan proposes to establish a new format of multilateral cooperation, a format of global partnership on the provision of climate technologies, aimed at expanding developing countries’ access to modern environmentally friendly technologies, innovative developments, and climate finance. With a view to further improving the international legal framework for environmental protection, it was proposed to consider the possibility of developing an International Environmental Code under the auspices of the United Nations. «We believe that this document will help to bring order to the existing international rules, norms and standards in such areas as environmental protection, combating climate change, biodiversity conservation, and the sustainable use of natural resources», continued the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, confirming Turkmenistan’s commitment to continue strictly honouring its international obligations under the Paris Agreement and the agreements reached at global climate forums. At the same time, our country’s readiness for concrete and effective cooperation with all interested states and international organizations was noted. The address by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was heard with great attention.