On 25 August 2026, a meeting was held between Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) Project Office in Turkmenistan, and Nurlan Askarovich Nogaev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Turkmenistan.
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During the meeting, Mergen Kepbanov presented the activities of CAREC, spoke about the organization’s main areas of work, ongoing regional initiatives, as well as events conducted with the support of CAREC in Turkmenistan.
Particular attention was paid to regional climate cooperation and Turkmenistan’s participation in regional events. In particular, the Regional Environmental Conference, held in Astana on 22–24 April 2026, was highlighted, within the framework of which CAREC organized the 8th Central Asian Climate Change Conference (CACCC-2026). The conference served as an important platform for discussing current issues of climate policy, climate change adaptation, sustainable development, and regional cooperation among the countries of Central Asia.
It was also noted that in 2027, the 9th Central Asian Climate Change Conference is planned to be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, within the framework of the Mountain Summit. The parties emphasized the importance of further participation of Turkmenistan in regional climate initiatives and strengthening cooperation among the countries of Central Asia.
An important topic of the meeting was the development of cooperation in the field of education and the training of young specialists in sustainable development. Mergen Kepbanov spoke about CAREC’s cooperation with Green University in Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan, and proposed considering the possibility of informing and attracting applicants from Turkmenistan to the university’s educational programmes.
In particular, the following fields of study were presented:
Bachelor’s Degree Programmes:
- Environmental and Sustainable Management;
- Ecology and Economics;
- Law;
- Green Economy.
Master’s Degree Programmes:
- Sustainable Development;
- Environmental Law;
- Sustainable Finance;
- Circular Economy;
- Sustainable Tourism.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Turkmenistan, Nurlan Askarovich Nogaev, expressed interest in developing cooperation in this area and noted the importance of training young specialists with up-to-date knowledge in the fields of ecology, climate policy, sustainable development, and the green economy.
During the meeting, the parties also exchanged views on further expanding cooperation between the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Turkmenistan and the CAREC Project Office. In particular, the possibility of engaging the CAREC Project Office in events organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Ashgabat, including events of environmental, climate, educational, and regional significance, was noted.
The parties emphasized their mutual interest in further strengthening cooperation, exchanging experience, and supporting regional initiatives aimed at sustainable development and addressing environmental and climate challenges in Central Asia.
The meeting was held in a constructive and friendly atmosphere and served as an important step towards developing cooperation between the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan and the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Turkmenistan.
Additional information:
Mergen Kepbanov– Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan, turkmenistan@carececo.org