specialists from Turkmenistan at the headquarters of CAREC. Such internships may focus on climate diplomacy, water resources management, and desertification issues.
Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan, informed that in 2014 a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the CAREC and the National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna of Turkmenistan. According to him, it is possible to develop an additional agreement within the framework of this memorandum, which will become the basis for joint work on the creation of a Regional Center for combating Desertification.
Concluding the meeting, Mahri Bashimova confirmed the readiness of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan to support the activities of CAREC, including the organization of conferences and events in the field of environmental Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Mahri Bashimova expressed interest in working with CAREC on reducing methane and greenhouse gas emissions. This was announced during a working meeting with Batyr Mamedov, Executive Director of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), in Ashgabat on June 26, 2025.
Mahri Bashimova also congratulated Batyr Mamedov on assuming the post of Executive Director of CAREC, noting that this is an important appointment both for the organization and for the region as a whole, especially considering that he is a representative of Turkmenistan. She wished him good health and expressed hope for fruitful cooperation.
The meeting was attended by Advisor on Environmental Issues to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Mahtumkuli Akmuradov and Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan Mergen Kepbanov.
Mahtumkuli Akmuradov congratulated Batyr Mamedov on assuming the post and expressed confidence in further strengthening cooperation between CAREC and Turkmenistan in the field of environmental protection. He spoke about plans to establish a regional center to combat desertification and stressed the relevance of this initiative.
In turn, Batyr Mamedov informed about the current and new regional initiatives of the CAREC, including the projects One Health, RESILAND Kyrgyzstan and Blue Peace Central Asia. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan for its support in holding the 7th Central Asian Climate Change Conference (CACCC-2025) in Ashgabat in May this year.
Mahri Bashimova confirmed Turkmenistan's interest in developing projects in the field of biodiversity, climate and combating desertification, and expressed her willingness to support new CAREC initiatives. She also requested assistance in the establishment of a Regional center for combating Desertification, in particular in holding a regional conference on combating desertification.
Mahtumkuli Akmuradov noted the possibility of supporting the establishment of such a center within the framework of the RESILAND CA+ program, including possible financial and technical assistance. He also suggested initiating the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between CAREC and the National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna of Turkmenistan, which could identify key areas of cooperation to combat desertification.
During the discussion, Mahtumkuli Akmuradov paid attention to the Blue Peace Central Asia project, aimed at developing a water strategy and a water atlas of Central Asia. He stressed the importance of promoting youth participation protection. In response, Batyr Mamedov expressed his sincere gratitude and stressed his readiness for further cooperation in the field of environmental sustainability and environmental protection.
The meeting ended on a positive and constructive note, confirming the high level of mutual understanding and interest of the parties in developing partnership relations.
Additional information:
Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan, turkmenistan@carececo.org