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Yesterday, November 18, 2025, the International Scientific Conference «Towards Sustainable Civilization Development: Cooperation, Science, Education, Technology – The Path of CIS Countries to the 17 SDGs: A Comprehensive Approach» commenced at the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba (RUDN University).

The conference aims to engage the expert and youth scientific community in discussing pressing contemporary issues, challenges, potential trends, and directions for the development of CIS member states, as well as raising awareness about humanity’s global Sustainable Development Goals.

This is the fourth time RUDN University has hosted the International Scientific Conference dedicated to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Given the relevance of the topics discussed, the event annually attracts over 1,500 participants from 60 countries. This year, at the invitation of the organizers, Berkeli Atayev, Director of the «Tebigy Kuwwat»’ Public Association Enterprise, participated in an online format. He delivered a presentation titled «Scenario of Climate Change Consequences in Turkmenistan.»

B. Atayev was allotted time to speak in Section 3: «Promising Directions for Low-Carbon Development Policy of the CIS Member States,» as part of Session No. 2 on the second day of the conference, which focused on the theme of «Biosphere.»In his presentation, he provided a concise overview of Turkmenistan’s regulatory and legal framework concerning climate change; the impact of climate change on natural resources, the economy, and vulnerable populations in Turkmenistan; the transformation of the Renewable Energy Sources (RES) sector; and the exchange of experience in addressing climate and environmental issues at both local and regional levels.

Each day of the conference is marked by a distinct theme, with numerous session halls and sections within them. For instance, the third day of the conference, November 20, is dedicated to the theme of «Economics, Politics, Law, Partnerships,» and the concluding day, November 21, focuses on «Society.»

RUDN University serves as a working platform for the exchange of experience among young scientists, business leaders, government representatives, and experts in the fields of sustainable development and Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance. Participants share their knowledge and expertise to implement scientific, academic, and socially significant projects aimed at achieving the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

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Berkeli Atayev.

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On November 4, 2025, the Ashgabat-based “Tebigy Kuwwat” enterprise, a component of the  for the “Nature Preserving Society of Turkmenistan” Public Association, conducted another one-day seminar in the country’s easternmost regional capital, Turkmenabat. The seminar was titled:“Strengthening the Role of Civil Society in the Context of Climate Change.” This event, which aims to raise civil society awareness regarding climate challenges, is a continuation of the seminar series launched in the city of Mary and is being implemented with the financial support of the European Union (EU).

Seventeen representatives of civil society from the Lebap velayat—including the Public Association “Täze Zaman,” the Lebap branch of the Nature Preserving Society of Turkmenistan, and disability and women’s communities—convened in the welcoming hall of the host organization, “Täze Zaman.”

The seminar was moderated by Berkeli Atayev, Director of the “Tebigy Kuwwat” Public Association Enterprise, and was conducted in a hybrid format. It featured the online participation of Mr. Borislav Dimitrov, Programme Manager for the Delegation of the European Union to Turkmenistan. Mr. Dimitrov warmly greeted all participants, highlighted the importance and necessity of international cooperation in combating environmental challenges, and wished everyone a productive session.

The event’s speakers were: B. Atayev with a presentation titled “Turkmenistan in the Era of Global Warming”; Zahira Ongarbayevna Begaliyeva, Advisor to the Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Director of the ‘ITeachMe’ Competence Development Center, who presented online on “The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Climate Change”; Meylis Rejepov, Renewable Energy Sources (RES) Specialist at the “Tebigy Kuwwat” Public Association Enterprise, who delivered a presentation on “Anthropogenic Impact on Climate Change and the Transformation of the RES Sector”; and Ayna Atayeva, Project Manager at the “Tebigy Kuwwat” Public Association Enterprise, whose presentation was on “The Role of Civil Society and Youth Participation in Combating Climate Change.”

All presentations were engaging for the audience. Following each session, participants discussed urgent issues related to global warming, shared their perspectives and experiences, and proposed ideas for tackling climate change and improving the overall environmental component. Participants and organizers expressed mutual gratitude for the keen interest shown in the topic, agreed to maintain follow-up communication, and committed to future meetings on various platforms to address relevant environmental issues.

The meeting concluded with a pleasant gesture, as Mubarak Rejepovna Kurbanova, Chairperson of the “Täze Zaman” Public Assosiation, presented the guests from Ashgabat with commemorative gifts. These gifts—handicrafts created by the organization’s target group—were offered in appreciation for the informative seminar on such a relevant topic. Notably, some of the handicrafts carried an acknowledgment of support from the donor, the European Union .

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Berkeli Atayev.

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The annual meeting of Aarhus Centres took place on October 30–31, 2025, in Vienna, Austria. Organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA), the meeting gathered over 30 representatives from Aarhus Centres in Southeast Europe, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the South Caucasus.

At the meeting of the Aarhus Centres, traditionally held at the Hofburg Palace—one of the largest palace complexes in the world—the Aarhus Centre of Turkmenistan was represented by its Head, Yolbars Kepbanov, and Berkeli Atayev, Director of the public association enterprise “Tebigy Kuwwat”.

The experts’ meeting aimed to facilitate the exchange of experience and knowledge among the Aarhus Centres regarding the implementation of the Aarhus Convention. It also focused on capacity building course on Gender Mainstreaming, the protecting environmental defenders, strengthening access to justice in environmental matters, raising disaster risk awareness at the local level and promoting community-based disaster risk reduction.

The first day of the meeting was dedicated to the crucial issue of Gender Integration. Specifically, presentations were given on the link between gender and climate, national action plans, and the international Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, which recognizes the important role of women in conflict prevention, peace maintenance, and post-crisis recovery. Discussions covered topics such as the interconnection between gender-based violence and climate change, the gender-sensitive protection of environmental human rights defenders, including a review of ODIHR guidelines, gender risks and vulnerabilities, and resources for protection.

The moderators and presenters led the first day’s work interactively, with the active engagement of participants. Case studies were examined, group work was conducted, and opinions and visions were shared on improving the activities of the Aarhus Centres with a focus on gender and the safety of environmental defenders. The day concluded with presentations from participants sharing the experiences of their respective Aarhus Centres.

The second day of the conference began with welcome addresses from the following officials:

• Ambassador Bakyt Dzhusupov, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities
• Mr. Kimmo Laukkanen, Deputy Head of Mission, Head of the Economic and Environmental Dimension Unit, Finland’s 2025 OSCE Chairpersonship
• Mr. Marco Keiner, Director, Environment Division, UNECE (remote)

The day’s focus centered on the protection of environmental human rights defenders, strengthening access to justice in environmental matters, increasing local disaster risk awareness, and promoting risk reduction measures at the community level.

This meeting was held in anticipation of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Aarhus Convention, scheduled to take place in Geneva this November. Consequently, the outcomes of the Vienna meeting will be incorporated into the agenda of the upcoming COP.

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Berkeli Atayev.