A national seminar on the development and reporting of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and the preparation of the 7th National Report under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was held in Ashgabat.
The event was organized within the framework of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Global Environment Facility (GEF) project “Global Umbrella Programme for NBSAP Update and 7th National Report Support” (GEF-8 Umbrella Programme: NBSAP & 7NR Support), with the participation of government authorities, national experts, representatives of the United Nations (UN) system and other stakeholders.
The seminar focused on discussing the updated NBSAP of Turkmenistan for the period 2026–2035, its alignment with the global goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, as well as reviewing the progress in the preparation of the 7th National Report on the implementation of the CBD.
During the first day, participants reviewed Turkmenistan’s national biodiversity conservation goals and targets, issues related to mapping areas of high biodiversity value using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Earth Remote Sensing (ERS), as well as the integration of gender considerations into the implementation of the NBSAP.
Particular attention was given to the presentation of the updated NBSAP for 2026–2035 and discussion of the key areas of work for the preparation of the 7th National Report under the CBD. Participants provided proposals and comments aimed at further improving the documents and ensuring their effective implementation at the national level.
Participation of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia Project Office in Turkmenistan
The seminar was attended by Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) Project Office in Turkmenistan. His participation contributed to efforts to strengthen cooperation among government institutions, international organizations and national experts in the field of biodiversity conservation and the fulfilment of Turkmenistan’s international environmental commitments.
Of particular importance in this regard is the work to fulfil Turkmenistan’s commitments under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Relevant reporting materials and reporting preparation activities were carried out with the support of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan, making a significant contribution to strengthening national capacity in the field of biosafety and the fulfilment of international commitments.
On the second day of the seminar, particular attention was paid to the fulfilment of Turkmenistan’s commitments under the Cartagena Protocol and the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization.
Participants reviewed the state of national capacity in the area of biosafety regulations and mechanisms for controlling genetically modified organisms, the status of Turkmenistan’s genetic resources, as well as issues related to their conservation and monitoring.
A separate session was dedicated to the Nagoya Protocol, including its key objectives and tasks related to regulating access to genetic resources and the importance of their conservation in accordance with international commitments.
Participants also discussed legal gaps and issues related to improving national legislation on biosafety under the Cartagena Protocol, as well as legislation concerning genetic resources under the Nagoya Protocol.
Participants highlighted the need for further improvement of the regulatory and legal framework, strengthening institutional capacity, and enhancing inter-agency cooperation to ensure the effective fulfilment of Turkmenistan’s international commitments in the areas of biodiversity conservation and biosafety.
The seminar served as an important platform for exchanging experience and coordinating further actions to update the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, as well as to prepare the 7th National Report under the CBD.
The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, UNDP in Turkmenistan, national experts, and representatives of relevant government institutions and organizations.
Following the seminar, participants exchanged proposals and recommendations for further improving the updated NBSAP for 2026–2035 and the preparation of the 7th National Report under the CBD.
The CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan continues to support the development of regional and national cooperation in the areas of environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, biosafety, and the fulfilment of Turkmenistan’s international environmental commitments.
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Additional information:
Mergen Kepbanov – Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan turkmenistan@carececo.org