On May 31, 2025, Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the Project Office of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) in Turkmenistan, spoke at the plenary session of the heads of delegations of the International High-Level Conference on Glacier Conservation. He delivered his address on behalf of CAREC, emphasizing the importance of a joint approach to glacier conservation and water resources management.
The meeting brought together high-level participants, with speeches delivered by representatives of the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), and other international and regional organizations. Ambassadors and official delegations from countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa also took part in the discussion, highlighting the global significance of the climate challenge posed by melting glaciers.
Mergen Kepbanov’s speech comes amid growing attention to sustainable water use and adaptation to climate change. Central Asia has already lost a significant portion of its ice sheet in recent decades, impacting ecosystems, agriculture, and the energy sector. According to the World Meteorological Organization, 2024 was the warmest year on record, and this has had a particularly noticeable impact on glaciers.
“Climate change is not a challenge of the distant future, but our current reality, which requires coordinated and specific solutions,” Kepbanov emphasized. He noted that the countries of the region are at an important stage, when the advancement of the climate agenda will largely depend on the readiness for joint action.
Among the significant regional events, he recalled the 7th Central Asian Conference on Climate Change (CACCC-2025), held in Ashgabat with the support of the Government of Turkmenistan and international partners. The conference brought together more than 700 participants and became a key platform for discussing adaptation, climate finance and sustainable development. In conclusion of his speech, Mergen Kepanov emphasized that CAREC, as a neutral regional organization, remains a reliable partner for Central Asian countries in developing climate dialogue, exchanging experience and coordinating joint actions. He recalled that under the motto “5 countries – 1 region – 1 voice”, the Center helps to ensure that the voice of the region is heard at the global level.
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Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan,