President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, speaking at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, announced Turkmenistan’s accession to the Global Methane Commitment.

The head of state recalled that at the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow, Turkmenistan expressed support for the new initiative on the Global Methane Commitment, and also expressed interest in a detailed study of the document and participation in its implementation.

Taking into account the recommendations of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and with the active support of the UN Development Programme, Ashgabat prepared and in May 2022 approved the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) of Turkmenistan to the Paris Climate Agreement. This strategic document provides for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 20% in 2030 relative to 2010 levels.

“Today, from this high rostrum, Turkmenistan officially announces its accession to the Global Methane Commitment,” Serdar Berdimuhamedov said, TDH reports. Turkmenistan will continue ongoing cooperation with international organizations and partner states within the framework of existing projects and programs aimed at the practical implementation of the conditions arising from the Global Methane Commitment, the head of state emphasized.

Serdar Berdimuhamedov also noted the importance of the signing on November 13 of this year of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) to develop regional programs aimed at transferring climate technologies to Turkmenistan and the states of Central Asia.

“We consider this document as the first step and a serious legal prerequisite for substantive consideration of the issue of opening a UN Regional Center for Technologies related to Climate Change in Central Asia in Turkmenistan,” Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized.

The initiative of Turkmenistan to create a specialized UN center for a region with a population of almost 80 million, possessing unique natural resources, biodiversity, and at the same time located in a zone of serious environmental risks, is now gaining real prospects, the head of state said.

Turkmenistan also welcomes the proposed Declaration on Climate and Health and considers it important to support it to reaffirm our common resolve and unity on health issues in implementing the Paris Agreement, Serdar Berdimuhamedov said.

The President of Turkmenistan also said that Turkmenistan fully supports the Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Sustainable Food Systems and the Fight against Climate Change.

Recognizing the importance of coordination between national and subnational governments in the fight against climate change, Turkmenistan is ready to support the Initiative to create a COP28 Coalition for a multi-level partnership with high ambitions to combat climate change, Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted.

The head of state also expressed his readiness to strengthen cooperation at the regional and global levels in agriculture, ecology, energy, finance and healthcare with all stakeholders to achieve the goals of the Emirates Declaration, taking into account the national interests of Turkmenistan.

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