Climate Seminar for Civil Society Held in Turkmenabat

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 .

Berkeli Atayev.