The National Youth Conference on Climate Change (Local Conference of Youth on Climate Change, LCOY) was held at the Turkmen State Energy Institute in the city of Mary. The event, organized by the government of Turkmenistan with the support of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), brought together young activists, students and representatives of international organizations to discuss current climate issues.
Representatives of UNICEF, the UN Development Program, as well as the embassies of Great Britain, the UAE and Azerbaijan in Turkmenistan took part in the conference.
The main objectives of the conference were to familiarize participants with current climate change and its impact on Turkmenistan and the world as a whole, conduct educational sessions on various aspects of climate change, and inform about the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other international agreements. Particular attention was paid to involving youth in discussing and resolving climate issues, as well as supporting youth initiatives and projects that promote sustainable development and the fight against climate change.
The conference was attended by students of the Turkmen State Institute of Energy, young SDG ambassadors and environmental activists, representatives of the ministries of foreign affairs, education, environmental protection, energy, the State Concern "Turkmengaz", as well as representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations.
GIZ/GCA Program Director, Dr. Carolina Milov, presented the new GIZ project "European Union (EU) for Green Development of Turkmenistan: Policy Dialogue and Climate Action for 2024–2028". The project aims to strengthen cooperation between the EU and Turkmenistan, establish political dialogue in the field of energy, environmental protection and climate change agenda, as well as support the implementation of the National Strategy of Turkmenistan on Climate Change.
The conference was held in four groups that discussed minimizing the climate impact of the energy sector, educating the public on the benefits of using renewable energy sources and energy conservation, innovative solutions for sustainable energy supply, and prospects for the development of solar and wind energy.
Participants discussed advanced technologies to improve energy efficiency, transition to clean energy sources and implementation of standards to reduce the environmental footprint. Particular attention was paid to developing a public awareness strategy about renewable energy and energy conservation, conducting educational campaigns and the role of media and social networks in promoting sustainable lifestyles.
At the end of the forum, the organizers and participants confirmed the commitment of the Government of Turkmenistan and the country’s youth to intensify efforts to prevent the negative consequences of climate change.
