On May 31, 2025, Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the Project Office of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) in Turkmenistan, addressed the plenary session of the heads of delegations of the High-level International Conference on Glacier Preservation. He delivered his speech on behalf of CAREC, emphasizing the importance of a joint approach to glacier preservation and water resource management.
The meeting brought together high-level participants: speeches were delivered by representatives of the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), and other international and regional organizations. Ambassadors and official delegations from Europe, Asia, and Africa also participated in the discussion, underscoring the global significance of climate challenges associated with glacier melting.
Mergen Kepbanov's speech came amid growing attention to issues of sustainable water use and adaptation to climate change. In recent decades, Central Asia has already lost a significant part of its ice cover, which has an impact on ecosystems, agriculture and the energy sector. According to the World Meteorological Organization, 2024 was the warmest year in the history of observations, and this had a particularly noticeable effect on the state of glaciers.
"Climate change is not a challenge of the distant future, but our current reality, which requires coordinated and concrete solutions," Kepbanov stressed. He noted that the countries of the region are at an important stage when the promotion of the climate agenda will largely depend on their willingness to work together.
Among the significant regional events, he recalled the 7th Central Asian Climate Change Conference (CACCC-2025), held in Ashgabat with the support of the Government of Turkmenistan and international partners. The conference gathered more than 700 participants and became a key platform for discussing issues of adaptation, climate finance and sustainable development.
At the end of his speech, Mergen Kepbanov stressed that CAREC, as a neutral regional organization, remains a reliable partner of the Central Asian countries in developing climate dialogue, sharing experiences and coordinating joint actions. He recalled that under the slogan "5 countries — 1 region — 1 voice", the Centre promotes the voice of the region at the global level.
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Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan,