On 29–30 October 2026, the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) will convene the Regional Methane Conference “From Methane Data to Action: Strengthening Methane Management, Mobilizing Capital, and Enhancing Regional Cooperation in Central Asia” in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
The event is organized under the project “Capacity Building for Methane Emission Reduction in Central Asia” (CA CBMER), which focuses on the oil and gas sector. The project is implemented by CAREC through its Regional Climate Action Transparency Hub (ReCATH), with support from the Global Methane Hub.
Around 80 participants are expected from all five Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) and from the observer countries Azerbaijan and Mongolia. Invitees include ministries and agencies responsible for environment, climate and energy, as well as national oil and gas companies such as KazMunayGas, Uzbekneftegaz, SOCAR, Turkmengaz and Turkmennebit. International oil and gas companies operating in Turkmenistan, international organizations and technical partners, embassies and diplomatic missions, academic and research institutions, and local partners.
Over a day and a half, participants will review national progress and remaining gaps in methane inventories, measurement, reporting and verification (MRV), leak detection and repair (LDAR) and regulatory frameworks. Given growing requirements for environmental data transparency, international best practices are a pressing topic, including the European Union’s new methane regulation for imported oil and gas, national approaches to methane emissions control, and satellite monitoring and independent observation technologies. Regional oil and gas operators are expected to share practical case studies on turning data insights into concrete emission reduction measures. Discussions will also explore how technical data can be turned into bankable investment pipelines for multilateral and commercial finance, and identify priorities for continued regional cooperation.
About the Project
The project “Capacity Building for Methane Emission Reduction in Central Asia” (CA CBMER) is implemented by the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) with financial support from the Global Methane Hub (GMH). It aims to strengthen the capacity of Central Asian countries to reduce methane emissions in the oil and gas sector by supporting the development of robust methane emission inventories and monitoring systems, and by fostering regional cooperation for the exchange of knowledge and experience.
The Global Methane Hub is a large-scale philanthropic initiative established in 2021 to coordinate and accelerate global efforts to reduce emissions of methane, which accounts for about 45% of recent net global warming. The organization acts as a key funder, convener and advocate of international initiatives, helping countries and organizations achieve the goals of the Global Methane Pledge. Its core mission is to support governments, civil society, the scientific community, non-profit organizations and the private sector in developing and implementing strategies to cut global methane emissions by at least 30–45% by 2030.
Additional information:
Dilovarsho Dustzoda – Project Manager, [email protected]
Arailym Shulgauova – Project Specialist, [email protected]
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