On 14 November in Antalya, as part of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), Turkmenistan held a thematic session entitled ‘Climate Reporting and Transparency: Turkmenistan’s Contribution through National Communications, NDCs and Biennial Transparency Reports to Global Efforts to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions’. This was reported by the press office of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The session took place in the country’s national pavilion and was attended by representatives of government bodies, international organisations and climate experts.

Participants were briefed on Turkmenistan’s work to improve its national climate reporting system and enhance transparency in accordance with the Paris Agreement.

During the discussions, the implementation of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), the preparation of national communications and biennial transparency reports, as well as the development of mechanisms for monitoring greenhouse gas emissions, were examined.

Particular attention was paid to the preparation of Turkmenistan’s Fourth National Communication, the First Biennial Transparency Report and the updated NDC 3.0. The latter document sets out the country’s national climate priorities for the period up to 2035.

Representatives from the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, the State Concern ‘Türkmengaz’ and UNDP discussed improving the national greenhouse gas inventory and the introduction of modern systems for measuring, reporting and verifying methane emissions. Issues relating to inter-ministerial cooperation in the implementation of climate policy were also addressed.

The participants exchanged views on the prospects for further cooperation between Turkmenistan and the UNDP, as well as other international partners, to strengthen national capacity and fulfil commitments under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.

Following the session, the need was emphasised to further develop climate reporting mechanisms, expand international cooperation and introduce modern technologies to enhance the transparency of the measures being taken.