Today, October 7, 2026, the two-day Regional Dialogue on Environmental Governance in Central Asia concluded in Tashkent. The event, which kicked off yesterday, was organized by the EU-funded project “EU Civil Society Facility in Central Asia” (UNOPS/DIHR), the EU co-funded project “EU4SustainableCentralAsia: Joint Action and Coordination on Water, Energy and Climate Change”, and the “Green Central Asia II” project, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office. Concurrently, in an adjacent hall, another forum titled “Women Parliamentarians and Youth for Climate-Resilient Water and Energy Resource Management in Central Asia” took place with the support of the same donors.
The second and final day of both forums was held in a joint format. It began with a summary of the first day’s outcomes and an outline of the objectives for day two. Expert presentations addressed opportunities for regional cooperation in climate action, the green transition, and public participation. Following this, forum participants held a “Fishbowl” discussion on the challenges and opportunities of interdisciplinary approaches globally and in Central Asia, evaluated the effectiveness of approaches addressing the water-energy-climate nexus, shared experiences from their organizations and regional initiatives, and presented their proposals and recommendations.
The day concluded with a “World Café” session featuring five tables with flipcharts on specific topics. Each participant had the opportunity to visit any two tables to share ideas, experiences, and good practices for fostering an inclusive civil society in the Central Asian region.
Today, 6 October 2026, the Regional Dialogue on Environmental Governance in Central Asia kicked off.
The event gathered about 25 participants—representatives of the Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) on 1) Climate Change and the Environment, and 2) Youth Engagement under the ongoing UNOPS project, as well as representatives of the aforementioned projects.
The dialogue was co-organized by the “EU Civil Society Facility in Central Asia” project (funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services — UNOPS), the “EU4SustainableCentralAsia: Joint Action and Coordination on Water, Energy and Climate Change” project (co-funded by the EU), and the “Green Central Asia II” project (funded by the German Federal Foreign Office).
The primary objective of the dialogue is to bring together civil society representatives, youth leaders, and key decision-makers to consolidate strategic environmental recommendations and advance regional climate action.
The meeting’s moderator, Bolot Isakov, opened the event with welcoming remarks from Doniyor Kuchkarov (EU Delegation), Dr. Caroline Milow (GIZ), and Vassyl Tolkachev (UNOPS). The TWG experts represent all Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Four delegates attended from Turkmenistan, including Berkeli Ataev, Director of the Public Association Enterprise “Tebigy Kuwwat” and representative of the Aarhus Centre in Turkmenistan.
Three expert presentations took place during the first day of the event.
Zoya Kretova, Climate Change Advisor, “Climate Risk Management in Central Asia” project, GIZ, with a presentation on “Climate Change in Central Asia: Climate Characteristics, Classifications, and Trends.”
Yuri Skochilov, Director of the Youth EcoCenter, Tajikistan, delivered a presentation on “Environmental Justice and Rights: International Practice and Its Relevance for Central Asia.”
Mohinur Bosakova, Junior Advisor at the Technical Secretariat of the Team Europe Initiative (TEI), presented a report on “Water, Energy, and Climate Change: Structure and Objectives.”
An interesting part of the first day’s agenda was the work in four parallel breakout groups:
Climate Policy and Justice
Regional Environmental and Climate Cooperation
Civil Society Participation and Public Engagement
Climate Data (Collection/Transparency) and Public Monitoring
Participants were asked to select their preferred group a week before the meeting, and by pure coincidence, all delegates from Turkmenistan chose the second group.
During the Dialogue, the main focus of the meeting will be on updating and refining the climate change recommendations developed at the 6th EU–Central Asia Civil Society Forum in Bishkek (Kyrgyz Republic) on February 5–6, 2026, as well as discussing them with parliamentarians from Central Asian countries. It was noted that the decision adopted at the regional dialogue will be presented at a side event during the UNFCCC COP31 on climate change, which will take place in Antalya from November 9 to 20, 2026.
The Regional Dialogue on Environmental Governance in Central Asia will continue its work through October 7 inclusive.
On August 11-12, 2026, the final events of the International Volunteer Caspian Sea Action Week 2026 took place.
As part of the Forum, the international “Caspian Hackathon 2026” was held, with about 50 teams participating. The main goal of the hackathon was to develop modern technological solutions for preserving the unique ecosystem of the Caspian Sea. During the hackathon, teams developed their ideas, created MVPs, refined technological solutions, and presented their projects to an expert jury. Following the technical selection, 30 projects advanced to the finals. The participants’ projects were presented. The jury carefully reviewed the applications and identified the winners, who were announced on August 12.
The concluding event of the penultimate day of the “Caspian Sea Action Week 2026” was the session: Open Mic in a TED format — a meeting between eco-volunteers and experts. Additionally, the “Caspian Talks” volunteer summit and a panel session for exchanging experiences and discussing pressing environmental challenges, moderated by Pakizat Sailaubekova, were held.
The final day of the Forum began with a creative event, namely the pouring into the Caspian Sea of water brought by delegates of the Caspian countries from their respective shores of the Caspian. There were 1-2 delegates from each country who, while pouring their water, offered good wishes to strengthen the friendship among the participating countries. With the words of Shirin Zhozhyyeva: “Goý Hzaryň her bir tolkuny parahatçylygyň we dostlugyň habaryny getirsin!” (“May every wave of the Khazar bring news of friendship and peace!”), Nurberdy Atayev poured the brought seawater from the Turkmen coast of the Caspian into the same sea off the coast of Aktau!
The closing ceremony of the International Volunteer Caspian Sea Action Week—2026 attended by Nurdaulet Kilybay, Akim of the Mangystau Region; Abilkair Baipakov, Akim of Aktau; Jeraldine Becchi, Head of Partnerships at the UN Volunteers Program Headquarters; Tatyana Mironyuk, Executive Director of the ALE “National Volunteer Network of the Republic of Kazakhstan”; and other official figures—became a colorful show featuring dance groups and famous pop singers of Aktau. They performed hits from the 8 participating countries, accompanied by video compilations of each country’s landmarks. At the end of the closing ceremony, to the joint anthem of the forum, country delegates took to the stage and, waving their national flags, bid farewell to the forum and their friends!
On the final day, August 12, time was allocated for representatives of the country delegations to deliver presentations on the environmental state of their respective countries. Berkeli Atayev, Director of PAE “Tebigy Kuwwat,” delivered a presentation: Regional Cooperation of Civil Society in Caspian Countries: Technologies and Innovations. In his speech, he noted that exactly on this day, 6 years ago, at the Fifth Caspian Summit in Aktau, the leaders of the Caspian countries determined the legal status of the Caspian Sea. Furthermore, August 12 is celebrated as the International Day of the Caspian Sea, timed to coincide with the entry into force of the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea (Tehran Convention), which became effective on August 12, 2006.
“There is a need for unified technological and organizational platforms for effective data exchange and coordination. It is necessary to strengthen ties, foster economic development, and resolve cross-border problems, including through the efforts of civil society, to turn the Caspian region into an international center of innovation and sustainable development,” added B. Atayev.
Next followed the award ceremony for the winners of the International “Caspian Hackathon 2026”, who were:
• Qyzyl Jebe — 3,000,000 ₸
• Quasar — 2,000,000 ₸
• MADER — 1,000,000 ₸
• Khudaferin — 1,000,000 ₸
Six more teams — IT LICEUM, QaspiLab, AbdraZhol, JAIYQ, CaspianExpert, and Cyber Nomads — received consolation prizes of 500,000 ₸ each.
Among the prize winners was the CaspianExpert team, bringing together representatives of the “Green Alliance of Kyrgyzstan” and “Tebigy Kuwwat,” which presented a project for a mobile water quality testing laboratory.
Taking into account the strong team participation in the hackathon, PAE “Tebigy Kuwwat” and the “Green Alliance of Kyrgyzstan” officially signed a Memorandum of International Cooperation. The organizations had previous experience of business interactions in strengthening green diplomacy and ecosystem protection, but this time they decidedly chose to increase targeted bilateral cooperation in the near future, cementing their intentions by signing an official document.
In the evening, on behalf of the leadership of the Mangystau Region, a farewell dinner was organized for the forum delegates, featuring national dishes, traditional dances, and singing. Words of gratitude and good wishes were expressed by Abbat Urisbayev, Deputy Akim of the Region; Kalampyr Uazirova, Deputy Head of the Youth Policy Department of the Mangystau Region; foreign guests, and delegates from the participating countries.
The day concluded with a visit to the Open Air concert “Zhastarmen Birge” (“Together with Youth”), held at the open-air “Amphitheater” square on the occasion of celebrating International Youth Day. The celebration was attended by the Akim of Aktau, Abilkair Baipakov.
On August 9, the 4th day of the International Volunteer Action Week on the Caspian Sea, an excursion to the Boszhira tract—one of Kazakhstan’s most popular natural attractions—was organized for the participants according to the program. This is a ridge of rock formations varying in size and shape. A mountain of the same name is also located here, with its highest point reaching 287 meters.
The stunning chalk remnants and desert mountains resemble the scenery of sci-fi movies. By the way, according to the Forum organizers, global cinema star Jackie Chan came here to shoot certain scenes for his movie Armour of God. Furthermore, they noted that the famous Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen chose this unique location to film one of his music videos.
The road was long, and in some places, it was necessary to travel off-road. However, upon reaching the destination, everyone was so inspired by the natural beauty that they completely forgot about the difficult journey.
At Boszhira, it is impossible not to take plenty of photos and videos. A traditional group photo session took place, where the country delegations took pictures with their national flags.
Afterward, the hospitable staff of the Kyzylsai State Regional Natural Park, which oversees the Boszhira tract, put on a spectacular show infused with national flavor for their dear guests. This featured live open-air music, traditional drinks, and sweets. Inside a yurt, they served delicious pilaf, salads, refreshing beverages, and tea. Representatives of the country delegations expressed their deep gratitude to the organizers of the forum and the Kyzylsai Natural Park for such an excursion and for the Forum as a whole!
August 10 marked the end of four days of intensive Forum work—heated discussions, knowledge exchange, excursions, and new acquaintances. On the fifth day, the delegates visited the city’s main center of culture and creativity—the Abai Cultural and Leisure Complex in Aktau. On this day, the 181st anniversary of the great poet and thinker was celebrated. Flowers were laid at the monument of the great Kazakh poet Kunanbaev. The ceremony, attended by the First Deputy Akim of the Mangystau Region Askhat Razdykovich Oralov and the Akim of Aktau Abilkair Zhanaevich Baipakov, brought together public figures, poets, writers, admirers of the poet’s work, and residents of Aktau.
This day reminded us all that any large-scale forum is not only about numbers, reports, and agreements, but primarily about people and their shared cultural memory. Laying flowers and paying respects was a sincere and touching moment for everyone.
The great poet’s contribution to the Turkic world is so immense that his creative legacy is honored in many countries globally. A testament to this was the grand opening of a monument to Abai Kunanbaev on October 10, 2024, in Ashgabat, attended by the leaders of both countries.
Later that same day, at the initiative of the regional administration (akimat), the delegates were treated to a trip to the seaside tourist site «Caspian Paradise,» which is decorated with authentic national flavor. The fresh, salty wind of the Caspian Sea instantly blew away any remaining travel fatigue, leaving behind only pure admiration for the seashore and the unique ecosystem—the beauty of which you feel the moment you step onto the wild coast. The location turned out to be truly astonishing. The rugged rocky shores, carved by time and winds, created a mesmerizing landscape. We gladly swam and strolled through this wonderful place. In the distance, the famous Blue Bay glowed sapphire. It was absolutely impossible to resist the sea. Some joyfully plunged into the refreshing water, washing away the tension of the workdays, while others preferred a leisurely boat ride, cutting through the sun-sparkled waves. In such moments, you acutely feel the living, powerful pulse of the Caspian Sea.
And then came lunch. Eating outdoors is always a special pleasure, but here the organizers outdid themselves by setting tables in traditional, cozy yurts. The air was thick with the scent of a campfire. We were treated to magnificent fish, caught right on-site, and a hearty, hot dish of rice and meat infused with the aromas of spices and smoke. But the most soulful moment was the tea. Brewed directly over an open fire, it acquired that unique, unmistakable taste of camping romance. In those yurts, over bowls of scalding tea and baursaks, accompanied by the distant sound of the surf and music, conversations flowed completely differently—not like official delegates, but like good old friends united by a common cause. «Caspian Paradise» gave us not just relaxation, but a true reboot of the soul!
On the third day of the Week, an environmental campaign was organized for the participants on the shore of the Caspian Sea. The right mood for the eco-campaign participants was set by a mass outdoor warm-up, led by a professional instructor to rhythmic music.
Participants were given bags and gloves, and along a half-kilometer stretch of the beach zone, volunteers collected various trash—plastic waste, broken glass, wipes, cigarette butts, and more. They cleared not only easily accessible debris but also reached into hard-to-access places. Litter in nature not only ruins the aesthetics by generating unpleasant odors, microbes, and harmful bacteria, but it can also cause fires.
The delegation from Turkmenistan took an active part and collected a considerable amount of garbage. The forum organizers’ idea to hold a coastal community clean-up (subbotnik) became a symbol of friendship with the leitmotif “Bir Kaspi – bir bolashak” (“One Caspian – one unity”). At the event site, a fair was organized selling eco-goods, souvenirs, and crafts handmade by local artisans.
The procession of volunteers to the beat of drums was especially spectacular!
The eco-campaign continued on the city embankment, where, by decision of the city administration (akimat), a new park was established. As a sign of friendship among the delegates of the participating countries, it was appropriately named “Dostyk” (Friendship). It was there that Abilkair Zhanaevich Baipakov, the Mayor (Akim) of Aktau—holding a child as a representative of the city’s future generation—along with the delegates of the participating countries, held a ceremony to place a time capsule into the stele of the new park! The event was solidified by the planting of young trees in the new park as a symbol of a shared goal and cooperation.
The head of the city spoke briefly, but the main essence of his words was that this day is not just a ritual, but a true contribution to the environment in which future generations will live. The capsule was not laid for the archives, but for those who will come here years from now. When they open it, they will not see dry protocol lines, but a real message from the people who stood side by side on this day, planting these trees and leaving a legacy.
The “International Volunteer Action Week on the Caspian Sea – 2026 – Caspian Sea Action Week – 2026” kicked off in Aktau, Kazakhstan, on August 6, 2026. A delegation from Turkmenistan, consisting of five representatives from civil society organizations—PAE “Tebigy Kuwwat,” the Aarhus Centre in Turkmenistan, and “Dap Dessur” (Mary city)—arrived at the forum at the invitation of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Upon crossing the border of the Republic of Kazakhstan at the Temir Baba checkpoint, the delegates received a warm welcome featuring shubat (chal) and baursaks, organized by the staff of the Youth Resource Center under the Akimat of the city of Zhanaozen, Mangystau Region. From the border checkpoint to the hotel in Aktau, the vehicle carrying the guests from Turkmenistan was escorted by a traffic police patrol. Furthermore, in front of the hotel in Aktau, volunteers in national attire welcomed the guests from Turkmenistan with baursaks, shubat, and the live sounds of the national musical instrument, the dombra.
The forum brought together over 100 participants from 8 countries: Kazakhstan, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. It is worth noting that representatives of volunteer organizations from many regions of Kazakhstan attended the forum.
At the very beginning of the opening ceremony, held on August 6, 2026, at Rixos Water World Aktau, the forum participants were shown a video about the growing problems of the Caspian Sea, followed by the national anthem of the Republic of Kazakhstan performed by a children’s choir. The Akim of the Mangystau Region, Nurdaulet Kilybay, opened the forum with a welcoming speech. The attendees were also greeted by Mahir Aliyev, Coordinator of the Tehran Convention, and Mr. Kairat Kambarov, Chairman of the Committee of Youth and Family Affairs of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
This was followed by a short show program featuring vibrant color laser installations and performances by the renowned pianist Ratovich, pop singers, and dance ensembles. Notably, on the opening day, samples of water from the Caspian Sea, brought by delegations from the Caspian countries, were presented in vessels.
During the first half of the second day, a round table titled “Joint Scientific Research – the Key to Solving Current Problems of the Caspian Sea” was held. This event coincided with the 20th anniversary of the entry into force of the Tehran Convention, which aims to protect the Caspian ecosystem from pollution. The meeting was moderated by the First Deputy Akim of the Mangystau Region, Askhat Razdykovich Oralov. Welcoming remarks were delivered by Mansur Tursynovich Ashurbayev, Vice-Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Kairat Kambarov; Mahir Aliyev; Vera Alexandrovna Kim, Deputy of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Chairwoman of the National Volunteer Network; and Thomas Price, UNOPS Advisor for the “Blueing the Caspian Sea” project.
Sakhetmyrat Mammedov, Head of the Scientific Department of the Khazar State Nature Reserve of Turkmenistan, delivered a report on the current state of affairs on the Caspian coast of Turkmenistan. He noted that on August 12, an international scientific conference and exhibition would take place in the “Awaza” national tourist zone in the city of Turkmenbashi, with the participation of international partners (UNDP, FAO, EU, GIZ, OSCE) as well as the heads of all diplomatic missions of the Caspian states. “I am confident that today’s exchange of experience in the field of hydrometeorological and hydrological research will be another step in realizing the principle ‘One Caspian – One Future’,” added S. Mammedov.
After a short break, the first thematic session dedicated to hydrometeorological and ecological research of the Caspian Sea commenced. Its first part was moderated by Daulet Yesmagambetov, Director of the Department of Ecological Culture and Policy of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Nemat Gasanov, Senior Advisor of the Caspian Complex Ecological Monitoring Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, delivered an online report on the environmental security of the Caspian Sea, comprehensive monitoring of the water area, and modern coastal zone protection systems. Andrey Kostyanoy, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and Professor at the P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, provided an overview of the interannual variability of the Caspian Sea level and its forecasting. Petr Zavyalov, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Doctor of Geographical Sciences, spoke about the features of coastal circulation in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea based on field measurement data. Thomas Price presented the Global Environment Facility project “Caspian Sea Ecosystem Recovery: Capacity Building in Pollution Management and Biodiversity Conservation” — “Blueing the Caspian Sea.”
The second half of August 7 at the International Volunteer Week was dedicated to the “Caspian Team Building” event, which took place on the seashore at the O’Mir Glamping ethno-hotel. All participants were divided into four teams and created their own logos and slogans. The delegates from Turkmenistan were on the same team as participants from Kazakhstan and Russia. The team’s creative logo, designed in the style of volunteer symbolism with the abbreviation CIT (Caspian International Team), was complemented by the slogan “Sun, air, and water – our countries are friends forever!” The goal of this competition was to unite the delegates, help them learn more about each other, and become a single team. Although there were four teams competing against each other, an atmosphere of friendship, respect, and joy prevailed on the sandy beach by the sea.
After numerous competitions, the teams enjoyed swimming in the sea, and during dinner at a seaside restaurant, distinctive certificates were awarded to the teams. The CIT team, which included representatives from Turkmenistan, was awarded a Certificate as the most creative team. In the concluding part of the program during dinner, country presentations took place. Most countries demonstrated national dances. The Turkmen delegates, wearing national costumes, performed the famous Kushdepdi dance. The dancers ignited the audience with their skill so much that many joined in the dancing!
The culmination of an action-packed day was a gathering of all teams and organizers at a focal point around a campfire. In such a cozy and friendly atmosphere, the forum delegates shared stories, exchanged their vivid impressions, and sang national and well-known popular songs.
The cooperation between the civil sector in Turkmenistan and international institutions is reaching a qualitatively new level. From June 15 to 20, 2026, a delegation from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), led by Mr. André Algermissen, the Regional Representative of the Foundation for Central Asia, arrived in Turkmenistan for an official visit.
As with previous visits, the delegation’s agenda included meetings with representatives of both government agencies and civil society.
On June 16, a meeting was held with representatives of the Mejlis (Parliament) of Turkmenistan, specifically the Committee on Environmental Protection, Natural Resources, and the Agro-Industrial Complex, and the Committee on International and Inter-Parliamentary Relations.
As noted during the meeting at the Mejlis, the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation signed in Ashgabat in April 2025 between the Public Association «Nature Preserving Society of Turkmenistan» (NPST) and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Central Asia solidified the parties’ commitment to implementing systemic initiatives in key areas. These include joint actions on projects aimed at improving the environmental situation in the Central Asian region, enhancing environmental education in educational institutions across Central Asia, fostering and developing environmental awareness among citizens, and promoting public participation in environmentally significant decision-making.
On the same day, a series of expert seminars under the general title «Strengthening the Role of Youth in Responding to Climate Change Risks in Turkmenistan» commenced at the «Ish Nokady» co-working center in the «Arkach» shopping and entertainment center in Ashgabat. On June 18, the seminar series continued in the conference hall of the «Charlak» Hotel in the city of Turkmenbashi. The events were organized by the Nature Preserving Society of Turkmenistan in cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and with the support of the «Tebigy Kuwwat» Public Association Enterprise.The Ashgabat seminar brought together representatives of public organizations, active civil society youth, and the media. The Turkmenbashi seminar was attended by representatives of public organizations, the Hazar State Nature Reserve, the administration of the Balkan velayat (province), educational institutions, and the media.
At the opening of the sessions, the moderator of the dialogue platforms, Berkeliy Atayev, Director of the «Tebigy Kuwwat» Public Association Enterprise, floor to Serdar Allekov, Chairman of the Central Council of the NPST, and Mr. André Algermissen for their welcoming remarks.
Serdar Allekov noted:
– Our structure spans all regions of the country, but we do not stop there. We are breaking stereotypes, introducing innovations, and teaching young people to translate complex environmental protocols into tangible actions. Our main distinguishing feature is an extensive network covering 100% of the territory of Turkmenistan. We successfully combine a rich history with modern innovative formats, turning the requirements of environmental protocols into applied solutions.
He emphasized that he highly values the cooperation with the Foundation, as evidenced by the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation signed in Ashgabat in 2025. He also stressed their readiness to collaborate, share experiences, and actively engage and train the younger generation.
Mr. André Algermissen presented a comprehensive vision of the climate agenda. In his speech, he outlined the primary climate targets:
• Climate neutrality by 2045.
• Reduction of emissions by 65% by 2035.
• Expansion and utilization of renewable energy sources.
• Protection and restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity.
He emphasized that young people play a crucial role in climate and environmental protection worldwide, including in Germany. Their involvement influences policy, public awareness, innovation, and daily behavior. He highlighted youth activism in Germany, specifically referencing the «Fridays for Future» movement. In this regard, he underscored the importance of raising public awareness and educating the new, well-informed generation globally. This is the core mission of the Foundation, achieved through knowledge exchange, training sessions, seminars, educational grants, conferences, and roundtables. These platforms enable young people to hear and understand alternative perspectives and policy criteria, exchange experiences, and voice their opinions in an argumentative and professional manner.
The moderator, Berkeli Atayev, Director of «Tebigy Kuwwat», delivered a presentation titled «Urbanization in the context of Climate Change.» He detailed how modern cities can adapt to rising temperatures and resource scarcity while maintaining the quality of life for citizens, drawing the audience’s attention to recent innovations in urban environments. He provided examples of effective approaches along with specific figures for current trends and future projections. How do we build cities free from extreme heat? How do we transform concrete «jungles» into comfortable spaces? He demonstrated that this is a matter not only of architecture but of survival.
Special emphasis during the seminars was placed on the potential of youth. Representatives of civil society presented their initiatives, highlighting that their implementation requires not only resources but also professional competencies, such as project management skills, leadership, and proficiency in digital technologies to drive social change.
Guncha Yusupova, Chairwoman of the Public Organization «Ecological Movement of Turkmenistan», gave a presentation titled «The Role of the Public in the Development of the Eco-Movement of Turkmenistan.» She spoke about her organization’s focus on establishing accessible digital databases of environmental information and conducting active public outreach.
Merdan Arazmedov, Head of the General Department of the NPST, presented a report titled «Activism and the Youth Movement: Youth Participation in Climate Initiatives.» He analyzed successful local and international case studies where volunteers became the linchpin of environmental projects. He elaborated on youth volunteerism, providing examples of how personal initiative transforms into successful climate projects.
Ovlyaguly Kurbanov, Director of the Balkan velayat Branch of the NPST, speaking in Turkmenbashi, focused on regional specificities in his presentation, «Environmental Protection Activities of the Balkan velayat in the context of Climate Change.» He emphasized the conservation of fragile Caspian ecosystems and outlined the specific nature of environmental work in the Caspian region, focusing on the protection of unique ecosystems amid a changing climate.
The seminars proved to be more than a mere series of meetings; they fostered an intensive exchange of experience between participants and speakers. Moving forward, the organizers took note of several key proposals from the participants: establishing an application process for young people from Turkmenistan to access the scholarship programs of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, organizing long-term certified seminars featuring international experts, and maintaining feedback channels for future cooperation.
On May 4, 2026, the Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting of the Policy Forum on Development (PFD 2026) in Jakarta, Indonesia, concluded its two-day event, bringing together experts from 40 countries.
On the first day of the Forum, participants took part in three sessions. On the second and final day, they continued their work by discussing key issues in the following three sessions.Within Session 4, “Global Gateway Strategy and Just Transition: Localizing Global Gateway in the Asia-Pacific Region (APAC),” moderated by Ms. Michela Tomasella — Head of Sector for Dialogue with Civil Society and Foundations at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (G2) — an overview of the Global Gateway initiative’s operations in the Asia-Pacific region was presented. Additionally, the session examined local resource management in the context of the strategy’s implementation, using specific case studies.
Participants split into two working groups to analyze practical cases and formulate specific recommendations for Global Gateway projects in the region, aiming to strengthen partnerships and deliver benefits to local communities:
Group A: Renewable Energy and Critical Raw Materials (CRM).
Group B: Urban and Rural Climate Resilience.
Session 5: “Climate Mobility: From Displacement to Decent Lives.”
This session addressed the challenges associated with climate-induced migration in the region. Climate mobility was framed as a legitimate adaptation strategy capable of providing people with decent sources of income and a secure future. The event opened with a panel discussion featuring invited experts, followed by breakout sessions in three sub-regional groups: the Pacific, Southeast Asia, and other sub-regions.
At the end of the session, conclusions were summarized and insights were shared during a general plenary meeting.
Session 6: Concluding SessionIn the final session, participants were given the opportunity to highlight priority recommendations based on the outcomes of the meeting, evaluate the event, and deliver closing remarks. Below is a brief summary of the preliminary two-day report:
Climate Finance
Fulfill climate commitments (including ODA) and provide local structures with access to flexible instruments: funds, small grants, green bonds, cooperative and blended finance.
Climate Investment
Direct funds toward peace and prosperity, as climate change exacerbates local crises. Investments must guarantee decent work, the self-determination of indigenous peoples, and the rights of vulnerable groups (women, youth, and people with disabilities).
Equal Partnership
Make equality the foundation of the Global Gateway strategy through inclusive governance, accountability, community information, and dialogue with local authorities.
The Role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Local Authorities
Involve CSOs and local authorities as co-creators (rather than mere implementers) during the planning phase. Transparency within Global Gateway processes is essential to protect the rights of people on the ground.
Capacity Building
Train local communities, CSOs, and authorities, ensuring their leadership and active participation in climate projects.
On June 2, 2026, driven by a spirit of broad international cooperation, the Regional Meeting of the Policy Forum on Development (PFD) for Asia and the Pacific opened in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. This prestigious gathering brought together over 100 European Union officials, civil society leaders, and representatives of local organizations. They all united around a single, urgent mission: to breathe local life into global climate ambitions.
Central Asia was represented by civil society stakeholders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Berkeli Atayev, Director of the Enterprise of the “Tebigy Kuvvat” Public Organization and representative of the Aarhus Center in Turkmenistan, is participating in this global dialogue.
The introductory session was moderated by Ms. Michela Tomasella, Head of Sector for Dialogue with Civil Society and Foundations at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (G2). She welcomed all participants and officials, including the honorable ambassadors of Greece and Romania to Indonesia, and outlined the goals and objectives of the 2-day forum (PFD 2026).
Welcome remarks were then delivered by: Mr. Leonardo A. A. Teguh Sambodo, Expert Staff for Food, Natural Resources, and Environment at the Ministry of National Development Planning of Indonesia (Bappenas); Mr. Sujiro Seam, EU Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); and Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary General of the United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC).
Session 1, titled “Localizing the Climate Agenda for Shared Prosperity,” featured a panel discussion dedicated to different paradigms of climate action as a development priority rooted in equity.
Ms. Shivangi Hasmukhlal Chavda, India Programme Manager at the Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR), moderated the panel session. The discussion aimed at understanding various forms of climate finance (beyond the public sector and Official Development Assistance — ODA), as well as the roles of different actors, including governments, local authorities, banks, the EU, civil society organizations, and foundations.
The panel speakers included: Ms. Monalisa Kashyap, Programme and Advocacy Coordinator for the Asia and Pacific Youth Committee of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA-AP); Mr. Jodel Dacara, WINGS Regional Coordinator for Asia Pacific; Ms. Emeline Siale Ilolahia, Executive Director of the Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (PIANGO); and Ms. Pefi Kingi, Coordinator of Pacific Migration Partners, a partner organization of PIANGO.
The second session, “Rethinking Climate Governance and Financing,” explored creative and innovative financing models to understand how climate finance, loss and damage funds, and adaptation funding can be co-designed, managed, and monitored by local communities. The panel, moderated by Ms. Usha Menon (GNDR), focused on finding alternative, community-driven economic pathways. Speakers for this session included: Ms. Lazina Rahman (Asian Development Bank), Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif (former Executive Director of UN-Habitat), Mr. Suhrit Bajwa (EdelGive), Ms. Elenita San Roque (Association of Asian Confederation of Credit Unions), and Mr. Ravi Ranjan Kumar Guru (All India Institute of Local Self-Government).
In the afternoon, the forum split into specialized breakout groups under Session 3, “Just Climate Finance, Business, and Partnerships.” Here, abstract financial concepts were tightly linked with strict ethical principles. A particular emphasis was placed on compliance with the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) to guarantee that “green” investments are never made at the expense of social safeguards and human rights.
At the conclusion of the day’s work, the forum participants reconvened for a general plenary session. The breakout group facilitators presented their findings to finance experts. The subsequent analysis served as a prime example of open, honest, and constructive dialogue.
Ultimately, the first day of the Jakarta meeting left a strong, positive impression on the participants. Everyone arrived at a unanimous conclusion: a massive and genuine green transformation in the Asia-Pacific region will remain a mere dream unless it is anchored by three interconnected pillars: deeply localized governance, radically inclusive partnerships, and a fair, uncompromising financial architecture.
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