Dubai is hosting the COP28 World Climate Summit on December 1-2. On the first day of the Global Climate Forum, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov outlined the positions of Turkmenistan, TDH reports.

“Turkmenistan considers participation in the current Conference as a milestone event in promoting its international strategy on climate change. The determining factor in it is to ensure continuity and consistency in the implementation of initiatives put forward by our country, starting with the UN Conference on Sustainable Development RIO+20, subsequent major forums, and today’s efforts of Turkmenistan.

The National Climate Change Strategy adopted in 2012 became the starting point towards Turkmenistan’s full involvement in the global climate agenda.

The next logical step was our country’s accession to the Paris Climate Agreement. In 2019, in this regard, a new version of the National Climate Change Strategy was approved. The document is inclusive and includes an expanded list of measures to adapt almost all key sectors of the economy and social sphere to new requirements.

Particular attention is paid to the fuel and energy complex, where a lot of work is being done to reduce emissions by increasing the volume of utilization of associated petroleum gas and reducing losses of natural gas during its transportation.

As a responsible state, Turkmenistan recognizes the need to continue focused work at the international and national level to ensure further progress in the fight against climate change and its consequences. One of its most important aspects is our country's contribution to international efforts to reduce methane emissions.

As is known, at the 26th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow, Turkmenistan announced support for the new initiative on the Global Methane Commitment and expressed interest in a detailed study of the document and participation in its implementation.

Taking into account the recommendations of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and with the active support of the UN Development Program, our country prepared and in May 2022 approved Turkmenistan’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Climate Agreement. This strategic document provides for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent in 2030 relative to 2010 levels.

Today, from this high rostrum, Turkmenistan officially announces its accession to the Global Methane Commitment. At the same time, Turkmenistan will continue its ongoing cooperation with international organizations and partner states within the framework of existing projects and programs aimed at fulfilling the conditions arising from the Global Methane Commitment.

In the context of broad international cooperation to solve climate problems in Central Asia, promoted by our country for many years, it should be noted the importance of the signing on November 13 of this year of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) for the development of regional programs aimed at transferring climate technologies to Turkmenistan and Central Asian states.

Thus, Turkmenistan’s initiative to create a specialized UN center for a region with a population of almost 80 million, which has unique natural resources and biodiversity and at the same time is located in a zone of serious environmental risks, is now gaining real prospects.

Fully committed to continued multilateral cooperation within global climate initiatives, Turkmenistan welcomes the proposed Declaration on Climate and Health and believes it is important to support the Declaration to reaffirm our shared resolve and unity on health issues in implementing the Paris Agreement.

Given the exceptional significance of the impact of climate change in the context of ensuring global food security, Turkmenistan fully supports the Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Sustainable Food Systems and the Fight against Climate Change.

Recognizing the importance of coordination between national and subnational governments in the fight against climate change, Turkmenistan is ready to support the Initiative to create a COP-28 Coalition for a multi-level partnership with high ambitions to combat climate change.

We are ready to further strengthen cooperation at the regional and global levels in the fields of agriculture, ecology, energy, finance, healthcare with all interested parties to achieve the goals of the Emirates Declaration, taking into account the national interests of Turkmenistan.

I wish all participants of the Conference fruitful work,” says the address of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.