Environmental Civil Society organizations strengthen cooperation with CAREC

Date of publication: 03 May 2024 / Views: 292

In late April, a meeting was held between the Chairman of the Civil Society organization “Nature Preserving Society of Turkmenistan” and the director of its enterprise “Tebigy Kuwwat” with Mergen Kepbanov, newly appointed director of the Regional Environmental Centre of Central Asia (CAREC) project Office in Turkmenistan.

During the negotiations, which were held in an atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding, a number of issues of further cooperation in the field of environmental protection were discussed, as well as the role of civil society in this activity.

In the course of the negotiations, the parties exchanged experience in working with international organizations, as well as in interacting with ministries and organizations of Turkmenistan. The issues of attracting national experts to various national and regional projects in all areas of environmental protection were touched upon.

The activities of the Aarhus Centre in Ashgabat, which has been operating since 2012, were also noted on the meeting. The Centre regularly provides support in holding meetings, round tables, seminars and other events with representatives of state bodies on the Aarhus Convention implementation and other environmental issues. It should be recalled that Turkmenistan joined the Aarhus Convention in 1999.

In addition, there was talk about a possible joint effort to implement CAREC’s goals in priority areas. This includes participation in the implementation of national, regional and international projects and events to raise public awareness about international environmental conventions and international agreements signed by Turkmenistan in this area. Initiatives to improve national environmental legislation, including regulatory legal acts arising from the provisions of the Aarhus Convention, were considered.

In conclusion, after a fruitful meeting and discussions, a Memorandum of Understanding was prepared and signed between the Nature Preserving Society of Turkmenistan and CAREC, and between the PAE “Tebigy Kuwwat” and CAREC.

Berkeli Atayev.