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On 2 September 2026, a meeting was held between Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the Project Office of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) in Turkmenistan, and H.E. Azizbek Mamatovich Madmarov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kyrgyz Republic to Turkmenistan.
The meeting was devoted to an introductory exchange, sharing information about CAREC's activities, and discussing prospects for the further development of regional cooperation among the Central Asian countries in the fields of environmental protection, climate change, sustainable development, and environmental education.
During the meeting, Mergen Kepbanov provided a detailed overview of the activities of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia, its role in promoting regional environmental cooperation, and the main areas of its work.
Particular attention was paid to the activities of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan, which contributes to the implementation of regional and national initiatives in the areas of environmental protection, sustainable natural resource management, climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and capacity development in the environmental sector.
Mergen Kepbanov emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation among government agencies, international organizations, research institutions, the expert community, and educational institutions in addressing the common environmental and climate challenges facing Central Asia.
A separate part of the meeting focused on the Central Asian Climate Change Conference (CACCC), one of the region's important platforms for exchanging experience and discussing current issues related to climate policy, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development.
It was noted that the 7th Central Asian Climate Change Conference (CACCC-2025) was held in Ashgabat in 2025. The hosting of the Conference in Turkmenistan became an important event for the development of regional climate dialogue and brought together representatives of Central Asian countries, international organizations, and the expert and scientific communities.
It was also noted that the 8th Central Asian Climate Change Conference (CACCC-2026) was held in April 2026 in Astana, Kazakhstan, with the support of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia.
The event brought together heads of state, heads of government, ministers, leaders of international organizations and international financial institutions, experts, and representatives of civil society. Its main political outcome was the adoption of the Declaration of the Heads of State of Central Asia, “Environmental Solidarity of Central Asia.” In the Declaration, the countries reaffirmed the need to strengthen regional cooperation on biodiversity, climate change, pollution, land degradation, desertification, and other transboundary environmental challenges.
Within the framework of CACCC-2026, key issues related to climate change, environmental sustainability, adaptation, sustainable development, and regional cooperation were discussed. The Conference continued the ongoing efforts to develop a common regional platform for the exchange of knowledge, experience, and practical solutions in the fields of climate and the environment.
As a continuation of the regional climate dialogue, the parties also discussed plans for 2027. It was noted that the 9th Central Asian Climate Change Conference (CACCC-2027) is planned to be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, within the framework of the Mountain Summit.
The Conference is expected to provide an opportunity to pay particular attention to climate change, the resilience of mountain ecosystems, natural resource conservation, climate adaptation, and the sustainable development of mountain regions.
Mergen Kepbanov emphasized CAREC's readiness to support the development of regional cooperation and initiatives related to the preparation and organization of CACCC-2027.
The parties noted the importance of the active participation of all Central Asian countries in the preparation and organization of the Conference, as well as the further strengthening of regional dialogue on climate and environmental issues.
An important part of the meeting was devoted to discussing education and the training of young professionals in the fields of environmental protection, climate change, and sustainable development.
Mergen Kepbanov informed the Ambassador about the opportunities offered by Green University in Tashkent, whose educational programmes are aimed at training specialists in modern and in-demand fields related to environmental protection, sustainable development, and the green economy.
During the meeting, the importance of creating additional opportunities for young professionals from Central Asian countries to obtain high-quality specialized education was emphasized.
Particular attention was paid to the possibility of attracting citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic to the educational programmes offered by Green University.
The parties discussed prospects for disseminating information about the University's educational opportunities among prospective applicants from the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as possibilities for facilitating contacts with interested government bodies, educational institutions, and youth organizations.
The educational programmes presented include Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes related to environmental protection, sustainable development, economics, law, and other areas of the “green” transformation.
The training of qualified specialists is of great importance for strengthening the human resource potential of Central Asia and further promoting the principles of sustainable development and the “green” economy throughout the region.
During the meeting, the parties also exchanged views on the prospects for further cooperation between the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in Turkmenistan and the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan.
The parties expressed their interest in developing cooperation on environmental, climate, and educational issues, as well as in expanding the participation of representatives of the Kyrgyz Republic in CAREC's regional events and initiatives.
Particular importance was attached to the further strengthening of cooperation among Central Asian countries and the creation of opportunities for jointly seeking solutions to common environmental and climate challenges.
Among the promising areas of cooperation identified were participation in regional conferences and expert events, the exchange of experience, the development of environmental education, and the training of young professionals.
H.E. Azizbek Mamatovich Madmarov, Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Turkmenistan, expressed his interest in the further development of cooperation and emphasized the importance of regional collaboration in the fields of environmental protection, climate change, and sustainable development.
In turn, Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan, reaffirmed CAREC's readiness to contribute to the further strengthening of cooperation and to the development of new opportunities for engagement with the Kyrgyz side.
The meeting was held in a constructive and friendly atmosphere and marked an important step in the development of cooperation between the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan and the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in Turkmenistan, as well as in strengthening regional cooperation in the fields of environmental protection, climate, education, and sustainable development.
Additional Information:
Mergen Kepbanov- Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan turkmenistan@carececo.org