Turkmenistan will announce its accession to the Global Methane Commitment during the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP-28) in Dubai, UAE. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov spoke about this initiative during a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, TDH reports.

It was noted that the world community is expected to pay close attention to the Global Methane Commitment at the conference. Joining it is seen as one of the key steps in the fight against climate change.

As for the position of Turkmenistan, environmental protection is a priority direction of state policy, the head of the Turkmen Foreign Ministry noted. The country takes an active part in international initiatives to coordinate global actions in this area. In particular, Turkmenistan supported the Paris Agreement and developed a national strategy on climate change.

In addition, on the initiative of Ashgabat, it is planned to create a Regional Center for Climate Technologies for the countries of Central Asia under the auspices of the UN. On November 13, 2022, a corresponding Memorandum was signed with the UN Environment Program.

At one of the previous Conferences of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Turkmenistan expressed interest in exploring the Global Methane Commitment. Since then, active work has been carried out in this direction. In particular, an Intersectoral Commission to Reduce Methane Emissions was created, and a Roadmap for the Development of International Cooperation was approved to study the issue of joining the initiative.

The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan also reported that the relevant departments of Turkmenistan have analyzed the documents that are planned to be adopted at COP-28. On this basis, proposals have been formulated for Turkmenistan to join a number of them.

A proposal was also voiced for the participation of representatives of the country’s specialized structures in side events on the sidelines of the Conference.

Summarizing the report, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted the importance of the documents of the upcoming Conference and the need to further strengthen cooperation with the participating parties.