Ovezgeldi Goshjanov, Minister of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, highlighted the consistent implementation of the country’s environmental policy at the conference ‘Protecting the Caspian Sea Ecosystem: Regional Cooperation and Sustainable Development’. This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan.

According to him, the main priorities remain the development of a ‘green’ economy, the introduction of environmentally friendly technologies, the protection of biodiversity and the assurance of environmental safety. Turkmenistan is also strengthening trade, economic and humanitarian ties in the Caspian region and putting forward international initiatives to protect the sea’s ecosystem.

The Minister for Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan recalled that the first Caspian Summit took place in Ashgabat in 2002, the first Caspian Environmental Forum in ‘Awaza’ in 2012, the first Caspian Economic Forum in 2019, and the sixth Caspian Summit on 29 June 2022. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the entry into force of the Tehran Convention, which was signed in 2003 and came into force on 12 August 2006.

O. Goshjanov also highlighted the risks associated with climate change and fluctuations in the water level of the Caspian Sea. The Minister for the Environment recalled the proposal by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, to promote the Caspian Environmental Initiative and to hold the Caspian Environmental Forum in 2026.

According to O. Goshjanov, the implementation of the initiative will enable the Caspian states to join forces to ensure the region’s environmental well-being.