Another Climate Seminar Conducted in Dashoguz

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.

Berkeli Atayev.