Ashgabat– Turkmenistan – October 24, 2025 – Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the Project Office of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) in Turkmenistan, held a working meeting with representatives of the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) – Sergey Makarov, head of the regional program "Climate Risk Management in Central Asia", and Amangul Ovezberdiyeva, coordinator of the GIZ regional project "Climate Risk Management in Central Asia".
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The parties expressed mutual appreciation and discussed current cooperation, achievements, and plans for the future.
The participants considered the issue of extending the GIZ regional project "Climate Risk Management in Central Asia" until 2028 and outlined further areas of cooperation.
Special attention was paid to the Central Asian Climate Change Conference (CACCC-2025), which has established itself as an important regional platform for sharing experiences and promoting climate initiatives.
GIZ representatives noted the successful holding of the CACCC-2025 in Ashgabat and expressed their readiness to continue supporting this format in the future, as well as expand the scope of capacity-building work. In particular, it is planned to organize additional trainings. They expressed hope for the assistance of the CAREC project office in Turkmenistan in the implementation of these initiatives and the further strengthening of joint activities in the field of climate education and enlightenment.
Mergen Kepbanov expressed his gratitude to GIZ for its support in holding CACCC-2025 in Ashgabat and expressed confidence in further cooperation in organizing subsequent conferences. He also drew attention to the issue of waste management, noting the importance of developing this topic in Turkmenistan. GIZ representatives expressed interest in the possible development of such an initiative in the future, and the parties agreed that the exchange of experience between Central Asian countries is important for the sustainable development of the region.
At the end of the meeting, Sergey Makarov stressed the importance of combating sandstorms. Mergen Kepbanov noted that during the plenary session of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, His Excellency the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, announced an initiative to establish a Regional Center for combating Desertification for the countries of Central Asia. In response, Sergey Makarov stated that Turkmenistan has significant potential for the implementation of such initiatives — qualified specialists, scientific materials, rich experience, as well as the presence of the Institute of Deserts of Flora and Fauna of Turkmenistan.
"Such meetings make it possible to strengthen partnerships, establish mutual understanding, and build a trusting dialogue between organizations working in the field of ecology and sustainable development, and such working meetings contribute to a joint search for solutions to climate change, waste management, and combating desertification," Mergen Kepbanov said, summarizing the results of the meeting.
The meeting was held in a constructive and friendly atmosphere, and the parties confirmed their readiness to continue cooperation and strengthen partnerships in the interests of sustainable development and improving the region's climate adaptability.
Additional information:
Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan, turkmenistan@carececo.org