Spotlight on Methane Emissions Reduction at the 7th Central Asian Climate ChangeConference in Ashgabat

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan – 13- 14th May 2025 – The 7th Central Asian Climate Change Conference (CACCC-2025) brought together regional stakeholders to align national efforts with global climate goals set at COP29 and to contribute to the ongoing preparations for COP30. Under the theme “Achieving the Global Climate Finance Goal through Regional and National Actions in Central Asia,” the conference highlighted the critical role of climate finance, particularly in light of new commitments related to Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) 3.0.

With over 250 participants, CACCC-2025 convened senior government officials from across Central Asia, international organizations, research institutions, and civil society actors. The event served as a key regional platform for advancing dialogue, collaboration, and policy alignment on climate change.

One of the standout sessions of the conference focused on reducing methane emissions—a powerful greenhouse gas—and explored the role of the Global Methane Pledge in the context of regional climate strategies. The session facilitated the exchange of practical measures and policy approaches to mitigate methane emissions, which are essential for achieving short-term climate targets.

The session featured contributions from the project “EU for a Green Turkmenistan: Policy Dialogue and Climate Action 2024–2028,” co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Foreign Office and implemented by GIZ. The project team presented insights from a pilot initiative focused on the introduction of LDAR (Leak Detection and Repair) technologies, aimed at reducing methane emissions in the natural gas sector. The session also included the sharing of international best practices, early research results, and efforts to promote renewable energy solutions across Turkmenistan.

The discussion was co-moderated by Dr. Caroline Milow, Programme Manager for “Green Central Asia” at GIZ, and James Turitto, Director of Global Campaigns for Methane Pollution Prevention at the Clean Air Task Force. Both underscored the urgency of joint action and international collaboration to address methane emissions in the region.

Dr. Caroline Milow stated:
“CACCC-2025 has become a key platform for exploring how Central Asian countries can capitalize on new climate financing mechanisms introduced after COP29. Our dialogue on the Global Methane Pledge, in the context of updated NDCs, reflects the region’s growing commitment to tangible emission reductions and a more sustainable future.”

The session’s primary goal was to foster constructive dialogue among government authorities, industry leaders, and international partners to accelerate methane mitigation efforts. It also aimed to strengthen regional cooperation, enhance technical assistance, and support transparent implementation of climate commitments across Central Asia.