During the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov proposed the creation of a Regional Centre for Combating Desertification for Central Asian countries. This was reported by IIC Turkmenistan.

According to the Head of State, the new centre will enable the countries of the region to join forces in addressing environmental challenges and strengthen cooperation in the field of environmental protection.

Turkmenistan has been implementing national and international environmental projects for many years, including large-scale campaigns to green and restore the Karakum Desert.

The future centre will engage in scientific research, technology exchange, training of specialists and the development of joint programmes to prevent land degradation. The initiative is seen as Turkmenistan's contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and strengthening environmental diplomacy in Central Asia.