Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 6 February 2024 – A representative of the Scientific-Information Center of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (SIC ICSD) participated in the inception workshop of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) project “Strengthening Turkmenistan’s Capacity to Comply with the Enhanced Transparency Framework under the Paris Agreement”, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan. The workshop brought together representatives of government institutions, international organizations, the scientific community, and development partners to discuss the preparation of the project and strengthen national capacity for climate reporting in accordance with the requirements of the Paris Agreement.
The workshop focused on the implementation of the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) established under Article 13 of the Paris Agreement, which aims to strengthen national systems for measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) and to ensure the regular submission of information on climate change mitigation and adaptation actions, as well as support provided and received. The project is financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with FAO serving as the GEF implementing agency in close cooperation with the Government of Turkmenistan.
Participants of the Inception Workshop. Photocredit to nCa.
During the opening session, representatives of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and FAO underscored the strategic importance of the project for supporting the country's continued implementation of its commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, as well as for establishing a sustainable institutional foundation for the preparation of future Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs).
As part of the thematic session, the representative of the SIC ICSD delivered a presentation entitled “National Strategies and Initiatives to Address Climate Change in Turkmenistan and Commitments under the Paris Agreement.” The presentation outlined the main directions of Turkmenistan’s national climate policy, reviewed progress in implementing the country's international climate commitments, and highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen national monitoring systems and climate reporting processes. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of inter-agency coordination, institutional capacity-building, and the development of scientific and information support for climate-related decision-making.
Participants of the Inception Workshop. Photocredit to the Newspaper Altyn Asyr Turkmenistan.
Representatives of FAO introduced participants to the GEF programming cycle, the overall project structure, and the main stages of project preparation, providing a detailed overview of the proposed project components. Discussions focused on strengthening national mechanisms for climate data collection and management, enhancing greenhouse gas monitoring systems, building the technical capacity of national institutions, and improving the effectiveness of national reporting under the Enhanced Transparency Framework.
During the second half of the workshop, the representative of the SIC ICSD moderated an expert group discussion dedicated to the project's key components. Participants jointly identified potential areas of project intervention, examined existing opportunities and constraints, and discussed mechanisms for promoting synergies between the new GEF project and ongoing national and regional climate transparency initiatives. Particular attention was given to inter-institutional coordination, data-sharing mechanisms, the sustainability of institutional arrangements, and the integration of climate information into national planning and decision-making processes.
In the concluding session, participants reviewed the next steps in project preparation, including the development of detailed project documentation, the organization of additional stakeholder consultations, and the identification of priority areas for technical assistance. Participants reaffirmed the importance of strengthening partnerships between national institutions and international organizations to support the effective implementation of the Enhanced Transparency Framework and the fulfilment of Turkmenistan's commitments under the Paris Agreement.
The participation of the SIC ICSD in the inception workshop of the GEF/FAO project contributes to strengthening regional cooperation on climate transparency and enhancing scientific and information exchange among the countries of Central Asia. The knowledge gained and partnerships established through the workshop will further support regional efforts to strengthen climate governance and promote the effective implementation of international climate commitments across Central Asia.
The event supports the achievement of:
| Priority Area of REP4SD No 4 dedicated to SDG 13: “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts” |
| 4.3 Assessment of climate risks and vulnerabilites through the application of corresponding models of a climate change impact on water resources, terrestrial ecosystems and natural disasters, tackling the development of state policies and strategies in this area. |
| Priority area No 6 of REP4SD dedicated to SDG 17: “Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development” |
| 6.1 Involvement of the region into implementation of global environmental conventions, programmes and initiatives. |
| 6.2 Strengthening of cooperation among international organizations and regional and national institutions for better access to new technologies, preparation of legal and regulatory frameworks, development and implementation of national and regional strategies and plans and development of sustainable financing opportunities. |