On December 22—the date officially designated this year by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan as Energy Worker’s Day—a meeting was held at the Kazakh-German University (DKU), Almaty between Berkeli Atayev, Director of the “Tebigy Kuwwat” Enterprise of the Public Association “Nature Preserving Society of Turkmenistan” (NPST), and Alexey Kobzev, Head of the Master’s program in “Strategic Management of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency” and the Green Energy and Climate Change Lab. of the Center for Natural Resources and Sustainability at DKU. The discussion focused on the prospects for academic cooperation regarding the energy transition to Renewable Energy Sources (RES). Key topics included data exchange and the involvement of specialists, undergraduate, and graduate students in environmental events hosted in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and across the Central Asian region.
The participants noted a burgeoning interest among Turkmen youth in pursuing Master’s degrees at DKU, particularly in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), a field of critical importance for Turkmenistan. It was highlighted that young environmentalists from the “Tebigy Kuwwat” Public Association Enterprise are currently successfully completing their second year of Master’s studies in the IWRM program. Both Central Asian nations possess immense potential for developing a “Green Economy” and making significant contributions to energy sector sustainability with a minimal carbon footprint.
The partners exchanged warm holiday greetings for the upcoming New Year 2026. As a gesture of future cooperation, Mr. Kobzev presented Mr. Atayev with the latest issue of the “Qazaq Green” information and analytical magazine.
On 23 December 2025 the 62nd meeting of the Board of Governors (BoG) of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) took place in Almaty. The meeting, held at the CARECeco headquarters, brought together all 13 members of the Board, as well as the Executive Director, Batyr Mammedov (elected in May of this year), and Secretary Ayrailym Shulgauova. The session was also attended by Oleg Pechenyuk, Chairman of the CAREC Public Advisory Council (PAC).
The Chairman of the Board, Sino Tohir Tohirzoda, opened the meeting with welcoming remarks, after which a quorum was established and the agenda was approved. Key items for consideration included:
A progress report on instructions issued by the Executive Director following the 60th and 61st BoG meetings;
Approval of the “CAREC Development Strategy for 2026-2030”;
Technical and financial reports on CAREC’s activities for 2025;
Preparations for the upcoming Central Asian Conference on Climate Change (CACCC-2026);
Reporting presentations from the directors of CAREC country branches;
The appointment of a BoG representative to oversee the selection of an auditing firm for CAREC’s financial audit;
Discussions regarding the terms of office for several Board members and other miscellaneous business.
Executive Director Batyr Mamedov presented the finalized “CAREC Development Strategy for 2026-2030”. The document is built around five key priorities, notably the fourth priority: “Strengthening Partnerships with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to achieve Sustainable Development Goals and environmental security.” The Board members unanimously approved and adopted the strategic document.
The reports delivered by the CAREC team demonstrated a clear growth dynamic, both in terms of economic and financial performance and the expansion of partnership cooperation. The country directors particularly emphasized the increasing interaction between CAREC branches and government bodies, non-profit organizations, and business structures. Discussions highlighted the progress of ongoing initiatives and the prospects for new environmental projects being co-developed with strategic government agencies and international donor organizations.
Berkeli Atayev, Director of the ‘Tebigy Kuwwat’ Public Association Enterprise and a member of the Board of Governors representing the civil sector, noted that the CAREC branch in Turkmenistan has significantly expanded its cooperation with CSOs over the past two years. He highlighted successful initiatives such as facilitating civil sector participation in national and regional forums, the Central Asian Leadership Programme for Young Environmentalists (CALP), and supporting young NGO representatives in pursuing Master’s degrees at the Kazakh-German University (DKU).
“Cooperation with the civil sector is a vital component of CAREC, as our organizational and legal structure aligns with that of a civil society organization. Consequently, this area has always received, and will continue to receive, significant attention. While the current the Concept of interaction between CAREC and civil society organizations in Central Asia 2020-2025 is nearing its conclusion, the new CAREC Strategy for 2026-2030 provides detailed frameworks for continued engagement with Central Asian CSOs,” – Mr. Atayev added. He also expressed a desire to see Board members more deeply involved in CAREC’s operations and representing the Centre at national, regional, and international levels.
Ashgabat, December 20, 2025. At the very heart of the city, within the doors of the Delegation of the European Union to Turkmenistan, a true winter fairy tale came to life today. For the third consecutive year, the EU Delegation welcomed book lovers, families, and holiday enthusiasts to its now-cherished tradition: the Christmas Book Fair. Notably, at the invitation of the organizers, the event was attended by representatives of several public organizations, including “Tebigy Kuwwat,” the Aarhus Centre of Turkmenistan, the Nature Preserving Society of Turkmenistan (NPST), and the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan (NRCST).
A Tangible Connection with Books. In an era of digital technology and endless social media scrolling, this celebration set an ambitious and noble goal: to bring “living” paper books back into fashion. “We want to remind everyone of the incredible pleasure of holding a new book, smelling the printer’s ink, and turning the pages. This is not just about literacy; it is a culture of genuine interaction,” the organizers noted.
“For us, this project is more than just a cultural event; it is an opportunity to show that a book is one’s best friend and mentor. Seeing children’s eyes light up when they receive their first big book confirms that the tradition of family reading in Turkmenistan is alive and thriving. For the third year running, we have created this space of trust and knowledge,” emphasized Aygul Byashimova.
The impressions of the guests confirmed that the younger generation has not lost interest in physical pages and reading. Aylar, a visitor and mother of two children, shared: “We came for books but ended up in a real Christmas movie! The children loved Santa’s post—they spent half an hour carefully writing every word of their letters. I even found a rare classic edition I’d been looking for. A huge thanks to organazers for such a warm welcome and delicious tea!”
Books, Souvenirs, and the Spirit of Christmas. For one day, the entire EU Delegation office in Turkmenistan was transformed into a cozy European quarter. Small book stalls featured rare editions, classics, and children’s and foreign literature, while local artisans displayed unique handmade souvenirs. The atmosphere was enhanced by a hospitable food court, where every guest was greeted with warming tea, aromatic coffee, and gourmet snacks. The air was filled with the scent of pine needles and home-baked treats, creating the feeling of a family holiday.
The true stars of the event were the books, Santa Claus, the letters, and a surprise flashmob. The heart of the event was undoubtedly Santa’s Express Mail, where the queue of people eager to send their most cherished wishes remained long until evening. Children and adults alike enthusiastically entrusted their dreams to paper.
Santa Claus himself ensured there wasn’t a dull moment. Countless smiles were captured at the festive photo zone, and an impromptu, energetic dance by Santa brought everyone to their feet, turning the fair into a true festival of joy.
Arslan, a student and book enthusiast, remarked: “In the age of smartphones, you sometimes forget how cool it is to just sit with a paper book in a cozy atmosphere. The flashmob with Santa was a total game-changer! It was very fun and, most importantly, sincere. It’s great that Ashgabat has such venues for live interaction.”
The third EU Christmas Book Fair in Turkmenistan once again proved that a book is the best reason to bring people together. This Saturday, the Delegation office became a place where people didn’t just buy gifts but exchanged warmth, emotions, and a love for reading. Despite the chilly weather, the atmosphere of celebration and community kept everyone warm. It was particularly heartening to see so many children and young people interested in books. As the event drew to a close, guests left not only with bags full of books and souvenirs but also with that special “afterglow” of a miracle that only happens at Christmas.
On 27 October 2025 a key training workshop on the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) and practical steps for its implementation in Turkmenistan was held in Ashgabat in a hybrid format.
The event was held within the framework of the project “EU for a green Turkmenistan: Policy Dialogue and Climate Action 2024–2028,” funded by the European Union and the German Federal Foreign Office and implemented by GIZ. The workshop was organized by the GMP Secretariat – the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), an initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in cooperation with GIZ.
The seminar was attended by officials from Turkmenistan’s government agencies, including representatives from key agencies working in the energy and environmental sectors.
The main objectives of the event were:
1. To present the GMP framework and discuss the possibility of integrating methane reduction into Turkmenistan’s national climate targets (NDCs).
2. To familiarize participants with the GMP concept in practice and identify next steps in the lead-up to COP-30.
Particular attention was paid to the most pressing issue for Turkmenistan—reducing emissions in the fossil fuel sector. Issues of international support and technical assistance available to GMP participating countries were discussed.
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“Reducing methane emissions is not only an environmental imperative but also an economic opportunity, especially for countries with a large energy sector, such as Turkmenistan. We are pleased to see such strong interest from our Turkmen partners.” “Our joint project, ‘EU for a green Turkmenistan,’ aims to provide the necessary technical expertise and financial support to ensure these climate ambitions are successfully implemented in practice,” noted Dr. Caroline Milow, Programme Manager for ‘EU for a green Turkmenistan: Policy Dialogue and Climate Action 2024-2028.’
In the final part of the seminar, Turkmen government officials held a moderated exchange of views, clearly outlining their priorities and needs for support from international partners. The event concluded with the identification of concrete next steps to achieve the GMP goals, reaffirming Turkmenistan’s commitment to strengthening climate action in the coming years.
The final seminar in the series on «Strengthening the Role of Civil Society in the Context of Climate Change» was held in Balkanabat on the first day of winter, 2025. This series is part of the project implemented by the «Tebigy Kuwwat» enterprise of the Nature Preserving Society of Turkmenistan (NPST) Public Association, funded by the European Union (EU). Prior seminars had been successfully conducted in Mary, Turkmenabat, and Dashoguz since October of this year.
Twenty representatives from various organizations gathered in the stylish hall of the Self-Development Centre in Balkanabat, owned by entrepreneur Akmaral Hudayberdiyeva and managed by Liana Barsigyan: the Balkan velayat branch of the NPST Public Association, the Balkan velayat branch of the «Central Physical Culture and Sports Club for the Disabled of Turkmenistan», the company «Eni Turkmenistan Limited», volunteers from the Balkan velayat branch of the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan (NRCST), and local entrepreneurs.
The seminar followed the same format as in previous regional centers, featuring the same speakers and presentations. Berkeli Atayev, Director of the PAE «Tebigy Kuwwat» and representative of the Aarhus Centre of Turkmenistan, presented on «Turkmenistan in the Era of Global Warming». Meylis Rejepov, Renewable Energy Sources (RES) Specialist at «Tebigy Kuwwat», presented on «Anthropogenic Impact on Climate Change and the Transformation of the RES Sector». 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, joined via video link to present «Enhancing the Role of Society Amidst Climate Change». Finally, Ayna Atayeva, Project Manager at «Tebigy Kuwwat», presented on «The Role of Civil Society and Youth Participation in Combating Climate Change».
Each region of the country possesses unique characteristics and vulnerabilities to climate change. Given that the Balkan velayat holds vast reserves of hydrocarbon resources, the exploitation of which leads to significant emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), particularly methane GHGs, the seminar was highly animated. Discussions focused on potential measures for both climate change mitigation and adaptation.
A particularly interesting contribution came from Ovlyaguly Kurbanov, Director of the NPST’s Balkan branch, who shared his experience in utilizing drainage and sewage water for watering seedlings in nurseries, addressing the local scarcity of irrigation water. This approach is aimed at the rational use of wastewater, thereby reducing the environmental load and consequently minimizing odor diffusion from sewage.
Volunteers from the NRCST, some of whom also volunteer for the Public Association «Mert», discussed their involvement in tree-planting campaigns in remote natural areas. Despite the deficit of irrigation water, the volunteers find solutions for watering the planted trees, motivated by their dedication to results. One such solution involves reservoirs, constructed by the PA «Mert», for accumulating rainwater and/or low-yield water sources. Naturally, all presentations were of interest to the participants; specifically, Z. Begaliyeva’s presentation was highly relevant for the volunteers, as the core of the NRCST volunteer movement involves providing first aid and the correct evacuation of casualties, particularly Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), during emergency situations—and climate change is often the underlying cause of natural disasters and technological accidents.The seminar in Balkanabat was highly informative and well-received by the audience. The speakers provided their presentations and contact information to the participants to maintain future follow-up communication.
With this, the series of seminars in the regional centers on civil society participation in the context of climate change is complete. The «Tebigy Kuwwat» Public Association Enterprise will now proceed with conducting four identical seminars in Ashgabat.
On November 28, 2025, the «Tebigy Kuwwat» enterprise of the «Nature Preserving Society of Turkmenistan» Public Association conducted a one-day seminar titled «Strengthening the Role of Civil Society in the Context of Climate Change» in the country’s northern regional center, Dashoguz city. This seminar is the third in a series planned for all regions (velayats) and is part of the eponymous project by the «Tebigy Kuwwat» Public Association Enterprise, which is funded by the European Union (EU). Prior awareness-raising seminars for civil society on climate challenges were previously held in the cities of Mary and Turkmenabat.
The seminar took place in the cozy office of «Ekodurmush», a partner Public Association in Dashoguz.Seventeen individuals attended the seminar, representing the Kaplankyr State Nature Reserve, the Dashoguz velayat branch of the Public Association «Nature Preserving Society of Turkmenistan», the Public Association «Ekodurmush», and the Dashoguz velayat branch of the «Central Physical Culture and Sports Club for the Disabled of Turkmenistan».
The seminar was traditionally moderated by Berkeli Atayev, Director of the «Tebigy Kuwwat» Public Association Enterprise and representative of the Aarhus Centre of Turkmenistan. He welcomed all participants, reviewed the day’s agenda, and delivered the first presentation, «Turkmenistan in the Era of Global Warming». He covered national and international acts on climate change, the assessment of natural and economic damage from climate change, how climate change affects vulnerable population groups, and potential cooperation within local and regional climate initiatives.
The second speaker, Meylis Rejepov, Renewable Energy Sources (RES) Specialist at the «Tebigy Kuwwat» Public Association Enterprise, presented on «Anthropogenic Impact on Climate Change and the Transformation of the RES Sector». In his report, M. Rejepov particularly emphasized how humans can contribute both negatively and positively to the process of global warming, and the urgent necessity of transitioning to RES, especially given all the prerequisites present in Turkmenistan for this shift.
During the coffee and tea break, seminar participants were shown a short video clip titled, «How to Stop Global Warming».
The seminar content was meticulously developed to encompass the climate change response of all segments of the population, and a conscious decision was made to integrate an inclusion component. This involved a direct video conference connection with Zahira Ongarbayevna Begaliyeva, Director of the «IteachMe» Competence Development Center and Advisor to the Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Ms. Z. Begaliyeva’s presentation, «Enhancing the Role of Society Amidst Climate Change», addressed the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), the factors by which climate change impacts PWDs, and the need to integrate PWD needs into climate strategies. The speaker provided examples of legislation, responses, and reaction mechanisms for PWDs to natural and man-made challenges in the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as instances of international best practice. The presentation was particularly engaging for the PWDs attending the seminar, who actively debated the issues, posed questions, and received comprehensive answers.
The concluding presentation was delivered by Ayna Atayeva, Project Manager for the «Strengthening the Role of Civil Society in the Context of Climate Change» project. Her presentation, titled «The Role of Civil Society and Youth Participation in Combating Climate Change», addressed the core objective of the seminar. Specifically, she highlighted the importance of civil society representatives participating in environmental decision-making at both national and regional levels. She emphasized the growing significance recently placed on youth involvement in climate action. As noted in her speech, Turkmenistan has been hosting an annual Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) on Climate Change since 2021, held in preparation for the global Conference of Youth (COY) and the Conference of the Parties (COP) sessions of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Upon the seminar’s conclusion, 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 discuss climate change and pressing environmental issues in general.
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