Dear President of the Republic of Uzbekistan!

Dear Heads of State of Central Asia and Leaders of the European Union!

Problems related to climate change traditionally occupy a special place within the framework of the Central Asia-European Union format. I believe that our task today is to provide the main, priority guidelines for cooperation and create solid prerequisites for their implementation.

In general, we view the European Union as a promising partner on key issues of the climate agenda. The basis for such cooperation is our joint commitment to key international conventions, treaties and agreements, primarily the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.

Speech by the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the climate forum in Samarkand, April 4, 2025, Uzbekistan (Photo: BT)

The most important issue is decarbonization and reduction of methane emissions. Recently, Turkmenistan has made many major practical steps in this direction.

In 2023, the Commission on Methane Emissions Reduction was established. In December of the same year, Turkmenistan’s accession to the Global Methane Commitment was officially announced. The government adopted the Roadmap for International Cooperation of Turkmenistan with Foreign Countries and International Organizations to Reduce Methane Emissions into the Atmosphere. As a result, by the end of 2024 alone, methane emissions in Turkmenistan were reduced by 11 percent, which is higher than the planned level.

An important aspect of cooperation is the implementation of environmental initiatives of Turkmenistan. They are well known and have both regional and global character.

These include the creation of a Regional Centre for Climate Technologies and the preparation of a Programme for the Transition to a Circular Economy. We count on the support of the European Union in the process of their implementation.

The priorities of the partnership with the EU include the “green transition” in energy, industry, transport and other important areas of the economy related to production and life support.

We invite the European Union to engage in substantive and long-term joint work. Proposing to intensify the dialogue on the “green” theme, we consider it appropriate to single it out as a separate area of ​​activity of our format and begin to develop specific plans for cooperation for the near future.

Speaking about pressing issues, I would particularly highlight the water problem.

For our region, it is of fundamental importance, and here the technological and methodological assistance of the European Union can have a positive impact on solving the existing difficulties.

Turkmenistan’s position on water policy issues in the region is known. They should be resolved on the basis of three key principles: compliance with international law; mutual consideration of interests; involvement of international organizations, and first and foremost the UN.

In order to maintain and strengthen good-neighborliness, development and cooperation in Central Asia, and to establish a mechanism for water use from transboundary rivers in the region, Turkmenistan proposed that the UN General Assembly consider the initiative to create a UN Regional Council on water use in Central Asian countries.

One of the key issues of environmental, socio-economic and humanitarian well-being in the region is saving the Aral Sea. Turkmenistan expects a more specific and targeted international discussion of this problem, including the development of measures to support the activities of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea based on the relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly. We propose to work together persistently to achieve the full implementation of these documents.

In conclusion, let me once again thank the President of Uzbekistan, the esteemed Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev, for the excellent organization of the Summit, and all the people of brotherly Uzbekistan for their hospitality and warm welcome.

https://turkmenistan.gov.tm/ru/post/93632/vystuplenie-prezidenta-turkmenistana-serdara-berdymuhamedova-na-mezhdunarodnom-forume-centralnaya-aziya-pered-licom-globalnyh-klimaticheskih-problem-konsolidaciya-vo-imya-obshchego-procvetaniya

Google translate