Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 14 May 2025 - A significant leadership development for the region took place during the closing session of the Central Asian Climate Change Conference (CACCC-2025). Mr. Batyr Mammedov, Head of the Secretariat of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (ICSD), was officially announced as the new Executive Director of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC).
Mr. Mammedov is a recognized expert in sustainable natural resource management and regional cooperation. He graduated from Turkmen Agricultural University with a degree in Hydraulic Engineering and defended his PhD thesis at the Institute of Deserts of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, focusing on sustainable watershed management of the Central Asian takyr landscapes. To date, he has authored more than 100 publications addressing the conservation of arid lands and combating desertification.
Since 2015, Mr. Mammedov has led the ICSD Secretariat and has played a key role in the development and coordination of the Regional Environmental Programme for Sustainable Development in Central Asia (REP4SD-CA). He brings over 30 years of experience in scientific and international cooperation, including engagement with UN programmes, GIZ, and other reputable organizations. His background also includes international training and research assignments in Israel, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
Mr. Mammedov’s appointment reflects recognition of his long-standing contribution to advancing regional cooperation in the fields of environmental protection, water and land resource management, sustainable land use, and desertification control. Under his leadership, CAREC will continue its efforts to promote the sustainable development agenda in Central Asia, strengthen collaboration with international partners, and support the advancement of climate-responsive policies.