Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 19-21 September 2023 – A seminar on “Raising Awareness on Climate Change Adaptation and Climate-Related Risks in Various Sectors of Turkmenistan’s Economy and Economic Activities” was held, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, the Scientific Information Center of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (SIC ICWC), and the Scientific Information Center of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (SIC ICSD), with financial support from the Green Climate Fund.
Key topics discussed included the fundamentals of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and its role in climate change adaptation, projected development plans for Turkmenistan’s water sector, demand and supply management of water resources, and the water-energy-food nexus in the context of climate change.
Seminar of raising awareness in water adaptation in progress. Photocredit to UNDP Turkmenistan.
A significant contribution to the seminar was made by SIC ICSD national expert Mr. Ch. Taganov, who delivered a presentation on the development of IWRM in Turkmenistan. He emphasized that the main goal of IWRM is to ensure long-term, sustainable, fair, and effective access to water resources for both users and the natural environment. His presentation highlighted the key principles of IWRM, including the Dublin Principles, as well as the legal framework enshrined in the Water Code of Turkmenistan. Special attention was given to the importance of training highly qualified specialists in water use and protection. In this regard, it was noted that in 2022 the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan developed a curriculum on “Integrated Water Resources Management”, recommended for students of the Turkmen Agricultural Institute in fields related to agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.
The seminar reaffirmed the importance of combining scientific knowledge, regulatory frameworks, and practical experience to strengthen the resilience of the water sector and to effectively adapt to climate change in Turkmenistan.
***
The seminar was conducted under the UNDP/GCF project “Advancing the National Adaptation Planning Process in Turkmenistan”. It combined two key areas of work: enhancing the knowledge of decision-makers about complex climate risks, and delivering training sessions on integrating climate change adaptation into water management planning. The event brought together about 30 specialists, including representatives of relevant ministries, state committees, academic and educational institutions, and local authorities.
The event supports the achievement of:
| Priority area of REP4SD dedicated to SDG 4 on “Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning op-opportunities for all” |
| 1.1 Capacity building of existing institutions including training, retraining and professional development of personnel in the field of climate change adaptation for interested government agencies, academic and private sectors, NGOs, etc., considering international experience. |
| 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. |