A seminar was held for representatives of key ministries and departments of Turkmenistan on the topic “Climate change: risks, assessment, planning”. The event was organized by UNDP and IOM in Turkmenistan.

Climate change is one of the most serious threats of our time, which can lead to significant global negative consequences for ecosystems and socio-economic development. Turkmenistan, with its predominantly semi-arid climate, belongs to the group of the most vulnerable countries.

As with other countries with similar climates, the water and agricultural sectors may be the most vulnerable to an ever hotter and drier climate.

The agro-industrial complex plays a key role in the country's economy, and possible economic losses will negatively affect many segments of the population. In this regard, timely risk assessment and planning of adaptation measures are priorities that will help mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on society and the economy.

The participants of the seminar discussed the complex risks associated with climate change and relevant for Turkmenistan and its main sectors of the economy, got acquainted with the risk assessment procedures when planning policies, strategies and programs in the short, medium and long term. The problem of migration caused by climate change was also considered.

Additional attention was paid to the gender aspects of risk assessment, as already now, experts note a gender imbalance in vulnerability, exposure to hazards, and adaptive capacity, in which women living in rural areas are among the most vulnerable groups.

The event was held within the framework of the project “Development of the national adaptation planning process in Turkmenistan”, implemented with the financial support of the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This project is being implemented by UNDP in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan.