The second day of the Forum, which began on January 28, 2024, was very productive, as all four of its priority themes were discussed separately and in detail in groups. From the very beginning of the working day, the moderator summarized the work of the first day of the Forum, and immediately after that all participants were divided into groups:
Digital Transition and Transformation
Climate change, green transition and environment
Strengthening Youth Participation in Policy and Decision-Making
Women’s Enpowerment & Social Protection
Representatives from civil society in Turkmenistan were present in all groups, with some delivering presentations. In the group on “Climate Change, green transition and environment,” Berkeli Atayev, Director of the “Tebigy Kuwwat” Public Association Enterprise – representative of Aarhus Centre of Turkmenistan, gave a presentation titled “Turkmenistan in the Context of Global Warming.” In the group on “Women’s Empowerment and Social Protection,” Maral Annanurova, Director of the “Obadesgahyzmat” Enterprise of the “Support Center for Disabled People of Turkmenistan” Public Organization, delivered a report on the work being done to improve the quality of life for women with disabilities.
Subi Ibragimova, representing the “Keyik Okara” Public Association, added to M. Annanurova’s presentation that: there is no law on domestic violence in the national legislation, but its draft is being considered at the state level; hotlines operate in the velayats of the country; seminars are held for law enforcement officers, employees of the ministries of health and education; there is a shortage of psychologists and social workers; interaction with government agencies is improving.
The moderators in the groups divided the participants into mini-groups to complete tasks relevant to the topics.
At the end of the second day of the Forum, a meeting was held between the delegation from Turkmenistan and Mr. Johannes Baur, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the EU to the Republic of Kazakhstan. The delegates introduced themselves, briefly described their activities, asked questions and answered questions from Mr. Johannes Baur, and thanked him for the opportunity to physically participate in the Forum, which became an effective platform for exchanging experience and finding business partners in the region.
On January 28, 2025, the 5th EU Civil Society Forum for Central Asia kicked off in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Approximately 160 representatives from civil society organizations across all Central Asian countries gathered for the event. The history of this forum dates back to 2019, with previous editions held in various countries in the region. In March 2023, around 20 representatives from Turkmen civil society participated in the 4th EU Civil Society Forum in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. And now, 16 representatives from 15 Turkmen civil society organizations are taking part in the 5th Forum, held in Almaty from January 28 to 30.
The 5th EU Forum for Central Asia Civil Society serves as a key platform for addressing essential themes such as digital transformation, climate change, youth participation and women’s empowerment – topics fundamental to the region’s future. The Forum builds on the success of its previous sessions, strengthening civil society engagement in Central Asia and advancing key initiatives such as the EU Central Asia Strategy and the EU-Central Asia Global Gateway priorities.
The 2025 Forum dedicated to highlight civil society’s invaluable contributions to national and regional development. The event is feature plenary sessions, interactive discussions, and thematic working groups, as follows:
28th January
– The EU Roadmap for Central Asia & Global Gateway: Strengthening EU- CA relations, supporting Civil Society and regional development
– CSOs Panel Discussion: Accessing Funding & Building Partnerships
– World Café: Overview of Current and Upcoming Opportunities and Initiatives
29th January
– Thematic Group Discussions (break out into 4 groups):
Digital Transition and Transformation
Climate change, green transition and environment
Strengthening Youth Participation in Policy and Decision-Making
Women’s Enpowerment & Social Protection
– CSOs Administrative and financial management capabilities
30th January
– Panel Discussion on Governance, Social & Responsible Business
– Panel Discussion: Civil Society Facility Inception Phase
For information: on January 24, 2025, the MFA of Turkmenistan held a press conference on the outcome of the cooperation between the European Union and Turkmenistan in 2024 and plans for 2025, where Ms Beata Pecs, The European Union Ambassador to Turkmenistan and Head of the European Union Representation in Turkmenistan mentioned the importance of supporting civil society, in particular, and providing the opportunity for participation of a civil society delegation from Turkmenistan in 5-10The EU Civil Society Forum in Central Asia.
Today, a press conference was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan to discuss the outcomes of the European Union and Turkmenistan’s cooperation in 2024 and outline plans for 2025. Approximately 50 individuals attended, including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other Turkmen government agencies, the European Union delegation in Turkmenistan, civil society, and the media.
The event was opened by Ms. Myahri Byashimova, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, and Ms. Beata Peksa, Ambassador of the European Union to Turkmenistan.
Subsequently, both sides presented reports on the key results of EU-Turkmenistan cooperation in 2024 and strategic priorities for 2025.
2024 was a landmark year for EU-Turkmenistan cooperation. One of the most notable achievements was the progress made in developing the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, a key priority for both parties. The EU supported the modernization of the Turkmenbashi-Turkmenabat Railway, the implementation of the Electronic Consignment Note (e-CMR) System, and the establishment of a Logistics Centre near the border with Kazakhstan. These initiatives, part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, aim to boost regional trade and improve logistics efficiency.
In the field of green energy and climate action, the EU launched the “EU for a Green Turkmenistan” initiative, which included pilot projects to reduce methane emissions and treat drainage water using algae-based technology. Over 150 government officials and industry stakeholders were trained, and major events like the National Youth Conference on Climate Change in Mary underscored the importance of youth engagement in environmental issues.
Trade facilitation and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) also saw significant progress. The International Trade Centre (ITC) project supported Turkmenistan’s WTO accession by translating 39 legislative acts and training 300 SMEs on trade facilitation and e-commerce. Meanwhile, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) facilitated access to finance for over 120 businesses, 30% of which were women-led, and provided tailored advisory services to 199 enterprises.
In the area of human rights, the 16th EU-Turkmenistan Human Rights Dialogue in June 2024 highlighted Turkmenistan’s progress in eradicating statelessness, forced labor, and human trafficking. The EU offered support for reforms in the judicial and prison systems, and for the promotion of gender equality and the rights of persons with disabilities.
Cultural and educational exchanges were further developed, with over 120 students and academic staff benefiting from the Erasmus+ Programme. Cultural events like the Baroque-Bagshy tour and Francophonie celebrations brought European and Turkmen traditions closer together, fostering mutual understanding and strengthening ties.
As the partnership moves into 2025, the EU and Turkmenistan are focused on deepening cooperation in several key areas:
Transport and connectivity: The EU will continue to support the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, with a focus on enhancing regional trade and logistics efficiency. The EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Sikela, is scheduled to visit Turkmenistan in March 2025 to discuss concrete steps in further cooperation.
Green energy and climate action: The EU will expand its support for renewable energy projects and climate adaptation measures, including the implementation of the Team Europe Initiative (TEI) for Climate, Energy, and Water.
Trade and investment: The EU will continue to assist Turkmenistan’s WTO accession and strengthen trade facilitation through initiatives like Prosperity in Central Asia programme. The Prosperity Cluster will focus on trade and investment in key sectors, including critical raw materials.
Institutional strengthening: The EU will support Turkmenistan’s efforts to strengthen governance, combat corruption, reforms of the judicial and prisons systems and promote human rights.
Inclusive societal development: The EU will support initiatives to empower women, address climate challenges, and promote youth engagement. The EU-CA Women-Leaders Forum in Ashgabat in April 2025 will highlight the role of women in leadership and development. A new regional Civil Society Organization (CSO) project will enhance youth involvement and strengthen regional networking among CSOs. The EU is also committed to supporting local CSOs through grants aimed i.a. at empowering women, addressing climate challenges, and supporting youth initiatives.
Ambassador Ms.Peksa highlighted the significance of supporting civil society in her speech. The European Union Delegation in Turkmenistan has been at the forefront of these efforts. For instance, with EU support, nearly 20 representatives from Turkmen civil society organizations participated in the 4th EU Civil Society Forum for Central Asia in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in March 2023. Building on this success, 18 representatives from 17 Turkmen civil society organizations are set to participate in the 5th Forum, to be held in Almaty, Kazakhstan on January 28-30. Additionally, Ambassador Ms.Peksa mentioned that the European Commission’s “Support for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Turkmenistan” grant program has been instrumental in strengthening civil society in the country. Last year, the program provided grants to three organizations: “Union of Economists of Turkmenistan”, “Yashl Shokhle” Association, and Ashgabat Club “Ynam”. This year, the grants will be awarded to “Tazе Zaman”, “Eko durmush”, and “Tebigy Kuwwat”.
The EU-Turkmenistan partnership has achieved several milestones in 2024, laying a solid foundation for future collaboration. As both parties look ahead to 2025, they remain committed to deepening their cooperation in areas of mutual interest, from transport connectivity and green energy to trade facilitation and human rights. Together, the EU and Turkmenistan aim to continue their shared endeavours, contributing to sustainable development and regional stability.
On January 8, 2025, as part of my volunteer initiative in role of a member of the Nature Preserving Society of Turkmenistan, I organized and facilitated a training and a masterclass titled “Environmental Heroes: Our Steps Toward Change.” This event brought together young participants aged 8 and above and provided a unique opportunity to delve into the fundamentals of ecology and environmental protection.
The first stage consisted of a survey titled “What Do You Know About Environment?” which helped determine the participants’ level of awareness. This allowed us to tailor the program to their interest and knowledge levels.
Further on we immersed into the topic of climate change. We presented key facts about global warming and discussed how participants can contribute to saving the planet. We explored simple and accessible actions that young activists can take, from separate waste sorting to participating in environmental campaigns.
A key moment of the training was the introduction to the Nature Preserving Society of Turkmenistan. Speaker Merdan Arazmedov, a representative of our Society, provided detailed information about its activities and the role it plays in conserving natural resources. Together, we discussed how each child can become part of the movement for environmental protection and what steps they can take to get involved.
In addition to the theoretical aspects, our training included a creative brief. The children participated in a masterclass “Eco-Masters: From Plastic to Art,” led by Lara Belousova, the manager of the Art Studio “Olive.” The workshop aimed to develop the creativity and initiative of the participants. They worked in groups to create original crafts from plastic, which not only fostered their creative abilities but also helped them understand the importance of recycling waste.
The event concluded with the presentation of “Environmental Hero” certificates. I believe moments like this not only boost morale but also instil confidence in young participants, showing them that each of them can contribute to nature conservation.
This training marked an important step toward fostering environmental awareness among children. Young actors not only learned the basics of ecology but also, importantly, felt empowered as eco-activists. I am convinced that the future of our planet lies in the hands of the younger generation, and every small step can lead to positive outcomes. Many thanks to all participants and organizers for their contributions to nature protection and for becoming our “Environmental Heroes”!
Naza Orazova,
memeber of the Nature Preserving Society of Turkmenistan.
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