Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the Project Office of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) in Turkmenistan, held a meeting with Azizbek Madmarov, Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the prospects for developing regional cooperation among the countries of Central Asia in the fields of environmental protection, climate change, sustainable development and environmental education, according to the news website Turkmenportal.

Mergen Kepbanov spoke about the activities of CAREC and its role in developing regional environmental cooperation, focusing in particular on the work of the project office in Turkmenistan — its contribution to the implementation of initiatives on the sustainable management of natural resources, adaptation to climate change, the conservation of biodiversity and the development of environmental capacity.

The participants discussed the Central Asian Climate Change Conference (CACCC) as a platform for exchanging experience on climate policy and sustainable development. The parties noted that the 9th CACCC will take place in 2027 as part of the Mountain Summit in Bishkek. Kepbanov confirmed the CAREC’s readiness to assist with its preparation and organisation.

The meeting participants also touched upon the training of young professionals to work in the environmental and climate sectors, emphasising the need to expand opportunities for specialised education for young people in Central Asian countries.

The parties expressed an interest in developing cooperation between the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic and the CAREC project office, as well as in increasing the participation of Kyrgyz representatives in the Centre’s regional events and initiatives – including joint conferences, the exchange of expertise and staff training.