Oriented on making people closer

Today, on 12 May 2025, a seminar was held in Ashgabat on a topical issue – strengthening the role of youth and women in responding to climate change risks in Turkmenistan and Central Asia. The event was organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

The seminar served as an important preparatory event for the upcoming 7th Central Asia Climate Change Conference (CACCC-2025), which will be held in Ashgabat from May 13 to 15. The OSCE Centre organized the seminar in partnership with the Central Asia Water and Energy Program (CAWEP), the World Bank and the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC).

The seminar was attended by students from leading Ashgabat universities – the International University of Humanities and Development, the Yagshygeldy Kakayev International University of Oil and Gas, and the Oguzkhan Engineering and Technology University. They were joined by young activists from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, which emphasized the regional nature of the meeting.

During the seminar, national experts from Turkmenistan shared information on the international and national climate agenda, spoke about youth environmental movements and key conditions for the active involvement of youth and women in climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives. The role of education and awareness raising as key tools in this process was particularly emphasized.

Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat John MacGregor noted that involving youth and women not only expands participation of the whole society, but also brings innovation, sustainability and diversity of views to the development and implementation of climate measures. He expressed confidence that the seminar will contribute to the promotion of an inclusive approach to climate action.

Representatives of the Water and Energy Programme for Central Asia and the Regional Climate Network of Civil Society, as well as the Regional Youth Conferences (RCOY) spoke about their programs, regional cooperation of activists and the involvement of youth in the implementation of climate initiatives.

An important part of the seminar was practical work: participants in groups developed action plans to reduce climate risks. At the same time, the national policy of Turkmenistan was taken into account, and special attention was paid to the mechanisms for involving youth and women in these plans.

The results of today's seminar will be presented tomorrow, on May 13, at one of the parallel sessions of the main conference of CACCC-2025. The SDG Ambassador from Turkmenistan will deliver a report at the session "Climate Actions of Civil Society and Youth in Central Asia".

The Central Asian Climate Change Conference (CACCC), organized by CAREC since 2018, is a key platform for regional dialogue on adaptation and mitigation of climate change.

ORIENT

Photo: OSCE