A delegation from the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan is participating in a practical training workshop aimed at strengthening the capacity of Central Asian countries to prepare Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs). The event is taking place in Istanbul from September 29 to October 2, 2026.

The training was organized within the framework of the Regional Hub for Climate Action Transparency for Central Asia (ReCATH)—hosted by the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC)—with technical support from the Greenhouse Gas Management Institute (GHGMI). Experts from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT) are participating in the program.

The Turkmen delegation includes Derya Deryayev, Deputy Head of the Environmental Protection Department; Atamurad Muradov, Deputy Head of the Environmental Control Service; and Nazar Gurbangulyev, Chief Specialist for the Coordination of International Environmental Programs. Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan, is also participating in the training.

Specialists from five countries in the region—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—are participating in the event. The training aims to improve the quality of climate reporting, strengthen national expert capacity, and facilitate the exchange of practical experience within the framework of the Paris Agreement’s Enhanced Transparency Framework.

The primary focus is on preparing national greenhouse gas inventories, tracking progress in the implementation of nationally determined contributions (NDCs), assessing emission reduction measures, and developing projections. Participants are also discussing inter-agency information exchange, addressing data gaps, ensuring the quality of reporting, and preparing for its review by UNFCCC technical experts.

The program includes practical sessions, consultations with international experts, and work with climate reporting tools. The "BTR Solutions Arena" format enables discussions on methodological issues common to the region and the development of approaches tailored to each country's needs.

According to Mergen Kepbanov, the preparation of Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) and the tracking of Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) implementation are interconnected areas of work that are important for Turkmenistan. The NDC defines national climate goals, while the BTR makes it possible to report progress toward achieving them, assess the results of measures taken, and identify needs for further support. He noted the importance of building the capacity of national specialists, systematizing data, and ensuring effective interaction among relevant agencies, and emphasized that exchanging experience with countries in the region and collaborating with international experts help improve these efforts in line with the country's national priorities.

Following the training, national teams will need to identify priority steps for improving biennial transparency reports and determine needs for further capacity building.