Regional scale and Turkmen specifics

Central Asian countries are facing serious consequences of climate change, which have a negative impact on various aspects of life and the economy of the region. Critical problems include rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, melting glaciers, increasing frequency of extreme weather events, the Aral crisis, shallowing of the Caspian Sea and others.

Of all the Central Asian countries, Turkmenistan is in particularly unfavorable weather and climate conditions with its hot, dry summers, vast desert territories, 80 percent of which are occupied by the Karakum Desert, and water shortages. On Thursday, April 10, the visit to Turkmenistan of the new head of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation mission in Central Asia, Mr. Andre Algermissen, in the rank of Regional Authorized Representative of the above-mentioned organization, ended.

During the visit, the new head of the association, together with his assistant Ashraf Alikulov and the NGO "Society for the Protection of Nature of Turkmenistan", held seminars in Turkmenabat and Ashgabat on the topics of "Environmental Problems in Central Asia in the Context of Global Climate Change" and "The Role of Germany in Solving Environmental Problems in the Context of Global Climate Change".

The visitors also held a number of meetings, including at the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Center for Strategic Studies of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and other departments.

One of the results of Andre Algermissen's visit was the signing of a Memorandum between the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the NGO "Society for the Protection of Nature of Turkmenistan".

On the eve of the signing, a meeting was held at the Center for Strategic Studies of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, where, as in other departments, the topic of global climate challenges was discussed, and there was a conversation about the possibilities of minimizing their negative impact both at the regional and national levels.

Water stress: Amu Darya, heat and melting glaciers

Climate change has a significant impact on ecological systems around the world. In Turkmenistan, located in an arid zone, water resources have suffered the most damage, creating serious challenges for sustainable development. In addition, disappointing forecasts predict an increase in the average annual temperature in the region, which may lead to even more frequent and prolonged droughts.

Thus, the severe climate burden is aggravated by weather and climate "scissors": on the one hand, an expected decrease in precipitation, and on the other, an increase in summer temperatures, which will negatively affect water supply and the production of agricultural crops, the yield of which is directly dependent on artificial irrigation.

Turkmenistan's water needs depend on transboundary rivers, and to a large extent on the Amu Darya. Rising average annual temperatures and the associated early melting of glaciers in the Pamirs, which are the main sources of water for the Amu Darya, lead to a decrease in the accumulation of snow and ice even in high-mountain permafrost regions, and therefore to a reduction in the river's flow.

In addition, an aggravating factor is the increase in evaporation in the lower reaches of the river due to hot summer temperatures. And a decrease in the volume of water in the rivers provokes an increase in the concentration of salts and pollutants, which worsens the quality of the water.

All this together creates a water deficit, especially in the summer months, which negatively affects irrigation, drinking water supply, increased salinity of lands, soil degradation, and a reduction in pastures. Rising temperatures and increased frequency of extreme weather events may lead to increased incidence of heat stroke, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

Turkmen adaptation strategy - from documents to actions

Turkmenistan is doing a lot to minimize negative climate factors. Thus, in 2012, the main national document on the implementation of activities in the field of climate change was developed, and seven years later, in 2019, a new version of the National Strategy on Climate Change was approved, aimed at mitigating the consequences and adapting to changing conditions, which ORIENT wrote about at the time.

Let us list some of the priority areas for the implementation of urgent measures. These are water resources management, modernization of agriculture taking into account new challenges, further development of healthcare, strengthening the fight against desertification, etc. Let us consider them separately.

Water resources management is work aimed at modernizing irrigation infrastructure, increasing the efficiency of water use and introducing modern water-saving technologies.

As the climate changes, agriculture will constantly need to develop and introduce drought-resistant varieties of crops (this is currently being done by specialized scientific structures), improve agricultural technologies and diversify agricultural production.

Effective protection of public health in a changing climate is the goal of the scientific and practical activities of the national healthcare system, the level of development of which is capable of adequately responding to climate challenges and risks, as well as educational work aimed at raising public awareness of precautions in extreme heat conditions.

The fight against desertification also yields positive results, this is the goal of comprehensive measures to restore degraded lands, plant protective forest belts and introduce scientifically based agricultural methods. Turkmenistan is a party to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. The National Strategy on Climate Change (in the new edition), fully meeting the objectives of the Program for the Socio-Economic Development of Turkmenistan, is aimed at comprehensive planning for sustainable development, preparing the economy for the consequences of climate change and increasing the level of economic, food, water and environmental security.

Green Shield: Tree planting and a lake in the desert

Turkmenistan is pursuing a policy of greening (afforestation) the entire territory of the country, annually planting at least 3 million seedlings, and in some years even more.

It is extremely important that Turkmenistan is implementing large-scale environmental projects. One of them is the construction of a giant artificial lake filled with waste water.

Altyn Asyr Lake was built in the Karakum Desert to collect drainage water from all over the country and accumulate it in a natural depression for the purpose of secondary use (after natural purification), which prevents land degradation. Thanks to this, the quality of irrigation lands is improved and their pollution is eliminated.

Particular attention in Turkmenistan is paid to monitoring the state of the environment and early warning of desertification. An important place is occupied by activities to improve the environmental culture of the younger generation and youth. For this purpose, ecology subjects are taught in secondary and higher educational institutions.

Joint response to climate challenges

Turkmenistan is actively involved in regional cooperation on environmental protection and climate change. The development of the Regional Environmental Protection Program for Central Asia has been initiated.

Positive results are achieved by international cooperation on environmental protection and climate change, as well as participation in the development of programs to improve the environmental situation in the Aral Sea Basin (ASBP). For example, within the framework of the International Commission on Sustainable Development (ICSD), the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), etc.

This year, multi -sectional dialogs for adaptation to climate change, which took place from December 2022 to February 2025 as part of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) project “Development of the national adaptation planning in Turkmenistan”, ended. Dialogs have united representatives of government structures, the private sector, scientific circles and public organizations.

The discussions that provided the platform for the exchange of opinions and coordinate efforts in solving the problems of adaptation to climate change were focused on the integration of politics, financing and insurance, stable business methods and adaptation initiatives under the leadership of communities.

The platform has successfully achieved key results, including strengthening partnerships, developing adaptation and investment strategies, determining the possibilities of financing and innovative decisions, strengthening partnerships and knowledge exchange. Participants discussed intersectoral interaction on adaptation to change in the climate of agricultural territories of Turkmenistan.

In the same year, the project "Ecosystem approach to land and forest management in the Amu Darya River zone", aimed at improving the lives of local populations and strengthening the ecological capabilities of coastal tugai ecosystems was launched.

The project will include measures to ensure rational water use and reduce anthropogenic pressure on ecosystems. A strategy for the development of local communities to adapt to climate change and develop regional scientific cooperation has been developed.

It is planned to restore saline lands by growing salt-tolerant plants. The Amu Darya State Nature Reserve preserves unique tugai ecosystems with valuable species of flora and fauna Turkmenistan at one time, during the regular session of the UN General Assembly, put forward initiatives to preserve the Caspian Sea and save the Aral Sea. In addition, the country fruitfully cooperates with neighboring states in the region on issues of transboundary water resource management, primarily with Uzbekistan.

Adaptation and international cooperation

Climate change poses a serious threat to the Central Asian states, especially in the areas of water resources, agriculture, health and land conditions.

A comprehensive strategy is needed, including both national adaptation and mitigation measures, as well as active regional and international cooperation to effectively counter these challenges.

The measures taken for adaptation and sustainable development, including the development of national strategies and the introduction of innovative technologies, help reduce risks and increase the country's resilience to climate change.

However, without additional coordinated actions at the regional levels, the risks to the economy, ecology and social life will increase. The key solution to climate problems in Central Asia, as well as throughout the world, is a skillful combination of adaptation measures, technological innovations and international partnership.

And since climate change is our common problem, the countries of Central Asia should solve it only together.

Bekdurdy AMANSARYEV