The President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Zhaparov, visited a landfill in Bishkek on May 11 to check on a new power plant being built. This special plant will turn household garbage into electricity and should be finished by December 2025. City officials told President Zhaparov that this project will solve two problems at once: getting rid […]
International Conference TESC 2025: Innovations, Ecology and Development of the Hydrocarbon Industry
In June 2025, the capital of Turkmenistan will once again become an international energy arena, hosting the International Scientific and Practical Conference “Environmental Aspects of Implementing Innovative Technologies in the Development of Hydrocarbon Deposits” (TESC 2025) (https://tesc-turkmenistan.com/ru). This landmark event, initiated by the State Concerns “Turkmengas”, “Turkmennebit” and “Turkmengeology” in partnership with the Turkmen Energy […]
Turkmenistan’s Environmentalists Discuss SMART Inspection Implementation in Nature Reserves
On 14 March 2025, a training session on SMART inspection was held at the Hydrometeorological Service building of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan. The event, organized by the Ministry in cooperation with the Center for the Conservation of Large Landscapes (CLLC) and Conservation X Labs, focused on the implementation of the SMART mobile […]
The Executive Director of RECCA, Zafar Makhmudov, discussed preparations for the Central Asian Climate Change Conference 2025 with representatives from Turkmenistan
The Executive Director of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (RECCA), Zafar Makhmudov, held a series of meetings with representatives of Turkmenistan’s government agencies during a working visit to Ashgabat from 28 January to 1 February 2025, according to a RECCA press release. On 31 January 2025, meetings were held with officials from the […]
EU Provides €8.8 Million Grant to Uzbekistan for Aral Sea Basin Land Restoration
The European Union has committed €8.8 million in grant funding to support land restoration efforts in Uzbekistan’s Aral Sea Basin, with a new environmental initiative set to launch in 2025. This investment falls under the EU’s broader “Green Central Asia” initiative, which tackles regional challenges related to water resources, energy, and climate change. The project […]
The Regional Environmental Center of Central Asia has signed a memorandum of cooperation with NGOs in the eastern region of Turkmenistan.
Last week, the project office of the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CARECECO) in Turkmenistan signed a memorandum of understanding with the Taze Zaman NGO, which operates in the Lebap province, the eastern region of Turkmenistan. The memorandum is aimed at strengthening the long-term partnership between CARECECO and Taze Zaman in order to improve […]
Uzbekistan’s Eco-Course: Ban on AI-80, New Industrial Restrictions and Mandatory Plastic Recycling
By the end of 2025, Uzbekistan plans to completely abandon the use of AI-80 gasoline, which does not comply with the Euro-4 environmental standard and significantly pollutes the environment. This is reported by the Uz Daily agency. The ban stems from recommendations received from various sources, including the general public, international and local environmental organizations, […]
Kazakhstan Launches New Phase of Aral Sea Greening Project
A new stage of greening of the drained bottom of the Aral Sea launched in Kazakhstan as part of the implementation of a large-scale program to restore the ecosystem of the Aral Sea. The Ministry of Ecology, Geology, and Natural Resources has signed an agreement with the KATCO joint venture, comprising French state-owned Orano Mining […]
Turkmen experts visited the Surkhan State Nature Reserve in Uzbekistan – Transnational Nomination Koitendag and Surkhan nature reserves aim for UNESCO World Natural Heritage List
From December 16 to 20, 2024, specialists from Turkmenistan undertook a working trip to Uzbekistan as part of the Center for the Conservation of Large Landscapes (CLLC) project, “Improving the potential and connectivity between the reserves of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.” The trip included visits to Termez and the Surkhan State Nature Reserve. This project, implemented […]
Turkmen Environmentalists Focus on Biodiversity Conservation in Amudarya and Kaplankyr Reserves
A meeting was held in Ashgabat to discuss the outcomes of scientific and practical activities, along with biodiversity assessments within the Amudarya and Kaplankyr State Nature Reserves. This event was organized as part of the Aral Sea Project, with participation from the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and the UNDP/GEF. The meeting brought together […]
Environmental safety: Turkmen fuel and energy complex tests a Russian reagent for soil purification
Turkmenistan’s rapid development of its fuel and energy sector is closely intertwined with a commitment to environmental sustainability. A significant focus is on greening production processes and reclaiming landscapes impacted by hydrocarbon extraction and processing. One pressing issue is the remediation of soil contaminated with petroleum products, particularly in oil storage areas known as “barns.” […]
OGT 2024: Environmental aspects in the extraction of hydrocarbon resources: Focus on reducing methane and CO2 emissions
The last 6th session of the OGT 2024 International Oil and Gas Conference in Ashgabat considered environmental aspects in the extraction of hydrocarbon resources. Turkmenistan, which has huge reserves of hydrocarbons, strives to minimize the environmental impact during oil and gas operations. Turkmen specialists have achieved a significant reduction in emissions in the Darvaza crater […]
“What Can I Do to Preserve the Ozone Layer?” – Competition announced for children in Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan’s public organization “Ýaş tebigatçy” and the Ozone Center, a division of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, are inviting young minds to participate in a creative competition titled “What Can I Do to Preserve the Ozone Layer?” The competition is aimed at fostering environmental awareness and literacy among Turkmenistan’s students and at encouraging creative thinking […]
Success of Russian project ‘Ecology’ inspires Central Asia
nCa Report Russia launched its national project ‘Ecology’ in 2018. It had ambitious targets, to be achieved by 2024. The latest reviews suggest that the implementation is proceeding satisfactorily. This has inspired Central Asia, especially Uzbekistan, to streamline the efforts to repair and safeguard ecology and environment through the integrated and holistic approach. The project […]
Caspian Sea is a region of great opportunities and true neighborliness
Allaberdy Niyazov, Senior Researcher at the Scientific Center for Strategic Studies at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Almost six years ago, the heads of the five Caspian littoral states (Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Russia) signed the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea in […]
Turkmen Experts Undergo Climate Change Training in Uzbekistan
A group of Turkmen environmental specialists have completed training courses at the Central Asian University for the Study of Environment and Climate Change in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The program, aimed at equipping state and public sector ecologists with climate change adaptation and risk assessment skills, is part of a broader initiative to address climate challenges in […]
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan Collaborate on New Eco-Friendly Air Corridor
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have joined forces to implement a new air navigation corridor designed to minimize the hydrocarbon footprint of air travel. Officially launched on 11 July 2024, this route reduces flight distances, leading to a significant decrease in harmful transportation emissions. The Ministry of Transport in Uzbekistan announced the official opening of new segments […]
Lake Balkhash needs more attention
nCa Commentary Lake Balkhash is located in southeastern Kazakhstan. It is one of the largest lakes in Asia and the 15th largest in the world. The basin drains seven rivers, the primary of which is the Ili, bringing most of the riparian inflow; others, such as the Karatal, bring surface and subsurface flow. The Ili […]
International Youth Environmental Camp Kicks Off in Uzbekistan
On 23 June, an international environmental camp was launched in Samarkand. This year’s edition brings together eco-activists from across Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan) alongside participants from Azerbaijan, Hungary, and Türkiye, according to the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and climate Change of Uzbekistan. The camp is a joint effort by the […]
Ashgabat Announces Winners of “Realize Your Eco-Dream” Environmental Project Contest
On 21 June, Ashgabat held a ceremony to award the winners of the “Realize Your Eco-Dream!” environmental project competition organized by the Yaş Tebigatçy (Young Naturalist) Public Organization. Over 30 applications came in from students across 14 universities and colleges nationwide. These students presented their solutions to pressing environmental issues to the competition jury. The […]
Health audit of honeybees in Central Asia needed urgently
nCa Report Honeybees hardly ever get the attention they deserve. The World Bee Day (20 May) came and went without much fanfare in Central Asia. The honeybee population has been under constant threat for a long time. Dr Anneke Veenstra, the Senior Lecturer at the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University (Australia), writes […]
Central Asian countries join forces to combat air pollution: The first high-level political dialogue has started
On 19 June 2024, Tashkent hosted the first high-level political regional dialogue under the slogan “Building a clean air future in Central Asia”, organized by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of Uzbekistan jointly with the World Bank and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The regional dialogue brought together representatives of […]
TESC 2024: UN Resident Coordinator Dmitry Shlapachenko Advocates for Sustainable Energy Practices at International Scientific Conference in Turkmenistan
Ashgabat, 5 June 2024 – Dmitry Shlapachenko, the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, participated in the International scientific conference “Energy perspectives, new technologies and environmental aspects in the development of hydrocarbon resources” held on 5-6 June 2024. The conference convened global experts, government officials, and industry leaders to discuss crucial topics such as energy perspectives, […]
CIS Strengthens Cooperation in Energy, Chemical Industry, and Environmental Protection
The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member countries have agreed to enhance cooperation in energy, chemical industries, and environmental protection. This decision comes after a meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government in Ashgabat, where relevant concepts and action plans were approved. These documents were developed taking into account the need to reach […]
Vortex Laser Rangefinders Track Wildlife in Turkmenistan’s Koitendag Reserve
Vortex laser rangefinders are being used in eastern Turkmenistan’s Koitendag State Nature Reserve to monitor ungulate populations, including the endangered Marhur screw-horned goat and the argali mountain sheep, according to the report by the newspaper “Neutral Turkmenistan”. The teams working concurrently in the reserve employ two rangefinders, allowing for comprehensive landscape surveys. The technology functions […]
Deserts in Central Asia – Part Three
nCa Report In the previous part of this series, we gave some information about the Central Asia Southern Desert, comprising Kyzylkum and Karakum deserts. Now let us look at what is called the Central Asian Northern Desert. Central Asian Northern Desert Again, the narrative is from One Earth, with some slight editing: https://www.oneearth.org/ecoregions/central-asian-northern-desert/ The Central […]
Kazakhstan handed over the chairmanship of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development to Tajikistan
On 28 March 2024, Kazakhstan hosted a meeting of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (ICSD) in Astana, according to the Kazakh Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. Representatives from the environmental ministries of Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) attended the meeting. Additionally, representatives from the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (RECCA), […]
Annual Spring Tree Planting Campaign started in Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan started its annual spring tree planting campaign on Saturday, 15 March, led by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. Traditionally, the goal is to plant a total of 3 million seedlings across the country. The campaign prioritizes both urban and rural areas. 1.5 million seedlings will be planted in the capital, Ashgabat and Arkadag. President Berdimuhamedov personally […]
OSCE-Central Asian Meeting in Ashgabat Paves Way for Stronger Climate Action
On 4 March 2024, Ashgabat hosted a forum of the OSCE and Ministers of Environmental Protection of Central Asian countries on issues related to climate change and sustainable development. OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid commented on the outcomes of the meeting in an interview with the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper. Here are the key points mentioned […]
Realize Your Eco-Dream!: NGO “Young Naturalist” announces a competition for students of Turkmenistan
The public organization “Ýaş tebigatçy” (“Young Naturalist”) is excited to announce a new competition, “Realize Your Eco-Dream!”, designed to empower students to turn their environmental ideas into action. Chairman Leyli Shykhmadova said: “We believe young people hold the key to a greener future. This competition aims to ignite their passion, support their innovative solutions, and […]
Uzbekistan to suspend operation of polluting businesses with new law
Uzbekistan has strengthened its environmental protection efforts by introducing amendments to key laws. These changes empower authorities to suspend or restrict the operations of businesses that excessively pollute the environment, posing a threat to public health and safety. The President of Uzbekistan signed a law on amendments to the laws “On Nature Protection”, “On protection […]
Ecology, climate and water are the foundation of effective domestic and foreign policy
Ismail Dairov “Our country is part of a transboundary water system” — President Sadyr Japarov, II People’s Kurultai, Bishkek, December 15-16, 2023 Environmental, climate change and water policy issues have been the focus of the author’s professional interests throughout his more than 30-year career at the national and regional levels. Moreover, if the first part […]
Turkmen Scientists are Experimenting with Microalgae-based Green Wastewater Treatment
Combating environmental challenges with nature’s help, Turkmen scientists are making strides in “green” wastewater treatment using microalgae. 2023 saw promising experiments demonstrating the effectiveness of these microscopic plants in cleaning collector and drainage waters, even those burdened with pollutants. Ovezdurdy Djumadurdiyev, a Senior researcher at the Renewable Energy Research and Production Center of the State […]
Chinese scientists visited the Turkmen village of Bokurdak in Karakum
Specialists from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography and its Green Development Research Center for the Great Silk Road, as well as the Institute of Geology and Geophysics affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, other scientific institutions of the Chinese Academy of Sciences visited Turkmenistan in late December. They had meetings with Turkmen […]
Turkmenistan Keeps City Air Clean Despite Dust Challenges
Turkmenistan’s capital and major cities breathe easy, according to environmental experts. Air pollution indicators stay within established limits, despite the ever-present challenge of natural dust. The Ministry of Environmental Protection, through its Environmental Control Service, diligently monitors air quality twice a day. Victoria Akopova, a specialist with the ministry and UNDP joint project “Sustainable Cities […]
Environmental Solidarity: Central Asian Countries Unite to Address Shared Challenges
The governments of the Central Asian countries are determined to jointly solve environmental problems, which was demonstrated at the high-level meeting “Solidarity and Unity in the face of the challenges of the triple planetary crisis”, organized on the sidelines of COP28 in Dubai. According to the Regional Environmental Center of Central Asia, the meeting was […]
Arkadag City of Turkmenistan – official inauguration opens doors for inclusive partnership
Tariq Saeedi and Elvira Kadyrova The Arkadag City of Turkmenistan was formally opened on 29 June 2023. There were several ceremonies throughout the day, led by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, to highlight the futuristic and inclusive nature of the City that is designed to serve as the global prototype for a sustainable city. [We have reported […]
International experts discuss the state of the Caspian seal population
Recently, an international webinar “The state of the Caspian seal population in the present and future” was held in a hybrid format. The event was attended by representatives of research centers and experts on biodiversity of five countries of the Caspian region, including Turkmenistan, the newspaper “Neutral Turkmenistan” reports. During the webinar, the results of […]
Russia and Turkmenistan to realize specific projects in the field of water use and ecology
On the sidelines of the visit of the Russian delegation to Ashgabat last week, the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan and the Russian Academy of Sciences signed an Action Plan (“roadmap”) of cooperation between Russian and Turkmen experts in the field of water use and ecology. The draft document was prepared by the Russian Academy […]
Turkmenistan: Environmental health of the cities under the reliable protection
This year, the Environmental Control Service, which runs under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, marks its decade of activity. This institution, which has been operating since 10 January 2013, oversees the application of legislation in the field of industrial and other economic operations, as well as guaranteeing ecologically safe conditions and […]
30 March proclaimed International Day of Zero Waste
The “Zero Waste Project”, which has entered its fifth year under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s wife Emine Erdoğan, received support at the UN level and 30 March was proclaimed “International Day of Zero Waste”. Launched five years ago under the patronage of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s wife Emine Erdoğan, The Zero Waste […]
Ak Tarap – Be on the bright side!
The Turkmen company “Ak Tarap” is one of dozens of local enterprises operating in the field of waste processing. However, unlike other companies of a similar profile, Ak Tarap is engaged in the disposal of industrial waste, which can be especially toxic and currently the company is a leader in the field of management of […]
Ecology and Environmental protection — priority areas of cooperation between the SCO countries
Sh. Fayziev, Head of the Department, and N. Khasanov, Chief Researcher, International Institute of Central Asia The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) attaches great importance to the issues of ecology and environmental protection, considering them as one of the key elements of sustainable development. In the founding documents adopted by the SCO — the Shanghai Declaration […]
Саммит прикаспийских государств в Астрахани – Роль и место Туркменистана
Доклад nCa Ашхабад, 28 сентября 2014 (nCa) — Четвертый саммит глав прикаспийских государств пройдет в Астрахани, в каспийском портовом городе России, 29 сентября 2014 года. В ходе саммита, как ожидается, прикаспийские страны подпишут три основных соглашения. Туркменистан сыграл ключевую роль в завершении разработки всех трех документов: Соглашение по сохранению и устойчивому использованию водных и биологических […]
Саммит глав прикаспийских государств в Астрахани – Итоги
Доклад nCa Ашхабад, 30 сентября 2014 (nCa) — Четвертый саммит глав прикаспийских государств, состоявшийся 29 сентября в Астрахани, превзошел все ожидания. Президенты всех прибрежных стран – России, Казахстана, Туркменистана, Ирана и Азербайджана, назвали работу саммита значительным успехом; президенты России и Казахстана обозначили саммит важнейшим «прорывом». Помимо сближения позиций по правовому статусу Каспийского моря, прибрежные страны […]
Caspian Summit at Astrakhan – The Outcome
nCa Report Ashgabat, 30 September 2014 (nCa) — The fourth summit of the heads of Caspian states, held in Astrakhan city of Russia on 29 September 2014, delivered fairly beyond expectations. The presidents of the littoral states – Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Azerbaijan – described it as huge success; the presidents of Russia and […]
Caspian Summit at Astrakhan – The Expectations
nCa Report Ashgabat, 29 September 2014 (nCa) — The foreign ministers of the Caspian littoral states met in Astrakhan on Sunday (28 Sep) to fine-tune their positions ahead of the fourth heads-of-state summit that is taking place today. Three important agreements will certainly be signed today: 1. Agreement on conservation and sustainable use of water […]
Caspian Summit at Astrakhan – Role and Position of Turkmenistan
nCa Report Ashgabat, 28 September 2014 (nCa) — The fourth summit of the heads of Caspian states will take place in Astrakhan, the Caspian port city of Russia, on 29 September 2014. The Caspian countries are expected to sign three important agreements during the summit. Turkmenistan has played a key role in finalizing the text […]