Representatives of the countries of the "C5 + 1" format (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and the United States) discussed today the issues of climate change. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

According to her, Turkmenistan was represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Allanur Altyev at the meeting held in the format of a video conference.

The parties discussed issues of climate change, the nature of the climate crisis, in particular, its negative impact on the availability of water to ensure food security and energy production, on biodiversity, the Foreign Ministry noted.

Goals were identified such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving the environmental, social, economic and demographic situation in the Aral Sea region. The issues of cooperation in the field of disaster risk reduction and resilience to climate change were also considered.

Participants highlighted the importance of working together to develop renewable energy sources and to support social transformations for communities vulnerable to climate change. In this context, the parties noted the significant potential of regional cooperation and partnership between the governments of the United States and Central Asia to achieve these goals.

At the end of the meeting, on behalf of their country, the participants reaffirmed their commitment to act at the national level to expand cooperation in the field of environmental protection within the framework of the regional diplomatic platform "C5 + 1".

The "C5 + 1" format of negotiations appeared under US President Barack Obama. The first meeting took place on November 1, 2015 in Samarkand during the tour of the then US Secretary of State John Kerry in Central Asia. Then Kerry met with the foreign ministers of all five Central Asian republics.