On 23 February 2026, an extended working meeting was held in the building of the Environmental Protection Department of Lebap Velayat of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan with the participation of the Director of the Project Office of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) in Turkmenistan, national experts, and international expert Ibragim Khashtyrov.
The meeting was attended by:
- Derya Deryaev, Deputy Head of the Environmental Protection Department of Turkmenistan,
- Aziz Sultanov, Head of the Environmental Protection Department of Lebap Velayat of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan,
- representatives of the Hakimlik of Lebap velayat,
- representatives of “Lebapsuvhojalyk”,
- representatives of the Forestry Department of Lebap velayat of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan,
- representatives of the Land Service Department of the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan,
- representatives of the Department of the State Association of Livestock and Poultry Industry of Lebap velayat,
- representatives of the Hydrometeorological Service of Lebap velayat of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan.
The working meeting was organized within the framework of the preparation of a new regional programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF): “Sustainable Landscapes and Climate-Resilient Livelihoods in Central Asia: A Transboundary Approach to Climate Action.
Focus on National Priorities and Regional Coordination
During the meeting, participants discussed in detail:
- The current system of natural resource management in Lebap Velayat,
- the institutional functions and mandates of relevant agencies,
- issues of sustainable land and water resource management,
- measures for adaptation to climate change,
- the potential for introducing climate-oriented approaches in the agricultural and forestry sectors.
Particular attention was given to the alignment of national strategic documents with the objectives of the developing regional programme, as well as to identifying possible pilot areas for Lebap Velayat and the impact of the Aral Sea on this region.
The Role of CAREC: A Regional Platform for Cooperation
The Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) acts as a regional platform for coordinating interaction between national partners, international organizations, and donors.
Within the framework of the programme preparation, Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the Project Office of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia in Turkmenistan, provides expert support to the process, facilitates the development of institutional dialogue, and contributes to the consolidation of proposals from relevant agencies.
“The preparation of this programme is an opportunity to combine national priorities with a regional approach to climate action. Lebap Velayat has significant potential for the implementation of sustainable landscape solutions and climate-adapted practices. It is important that the proposals of Turkmenistan are developed on the basis of inter-agency cooperation and scientifically grounded data”, noted Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the Project Office of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia in Turkmenistan.
The Role of the FAO of the GCF: International Support for Climate Initiatives
FAO, as an accredited entity of the GCF, provides methodological and technical support to countries of the region in the development of programmes aimed at increasing the resilience of ecosystems and the livelihoods of the population.
The developing programme is oriented toward a transboundary approach, which is particularly relevant for Central Asia, taking into account the shared nature of natural resources and common climate challenges.
“The integrated landscape approach makes it possible to simultaneously address the tasks of ecosystem conservation, increasing agricultural productivity, and strengthening the resilience of local communities to climate risks. Turkmenistan demonstrates a systematic approach to the development of project initiatives”, emphasized Ibragim Khashtyrov, international expert.
Meeting Outcomes
Following the discussions, the parties confirmed their interest in further cooperation and agreed to continue consultations on the formation of project components for Turkmenistan, including clarifying indicators, the institutional architecture of implementation, and monitoring mechanisms.
Work on the program continues, taking into account national needs, the regional context, and strategic priorities of sustainable development.
Additional information:
Mergen Kepbanov– Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan, turkmenistan@carececo.org