Youth of Turkmenistan Take Climate Action: National Conference Prepares for COY19 and COP29

September 16, 2024, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan - the Government of Turkmenistan, in collaboration with the UN Resident Coordinator's Office, the UN Development Program (UNDP), the Embassies of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Great Britain and the United Arab Emirates in Turkmenistan, and supported by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), hosted the National Conference of Youth on Climate Change. This event held at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and brought together young participants from across the region to discuss environmental issues and explore opportunities for youth involvement in climate action.

The conference was attended by guests of honor: Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Gismet Fizuli oglu Gezalov, British Ambassador in Turkmenistan Mr. Stephen Conlon, Ambassador of the UAE Mr. Ahmed Al Hameli, the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan Mr. Dmitry Shlapachenko, Director of the EU for Green Turkmenistan Program Ms. Caroline Milow; young people aged 17 to 35, young SDG Ambassadors, eco-activists, as well as representatives of UNDP, UNICEF, FAO, European Union, GIZ and specialists from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Education and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan.

The Conference of Youth on Climate Change, attended by more than 700 young people from all over Turkmenistan, was held ahead of the 19th Conference of Youth (COY19) and the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The conference aimed to raise awareness among younger generations about climate change, its impact on socio-economic development, environmental sustainability and biodiversity, and to develop common approaches to implement innovative solutions that promote climate change adaptation and mitigation.

This year the conference has further expanded its scope. Regional meetings were held in the cities of Dashoguz, Balkanabat, Mary, Turkmenabat and Bezmein, thereby covering all 5 velayats of Turkmenistan. Young SDG Ambassadors and eco-activists interacted with youth from these cities, facilitating the exchange of ideas and providing the opportunity for the most active participants to show their projects at the final conference.

After the opening ceremony, where the youth were welcomed by the honorable guests of the Conference, the first session commenced with a presentation by the Ozone Center representative on the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. Then youth representatives presented the results of the conferences held in the velayats.

During the second session, the participants divided into working groups, each of which discussed different aspects of environmental challenges and possible ways to address them. Key topics of discussion included the sustainable management of natural resources in the Turkmen region of the Caspian and Aral Seas in the context of climate change, sustainable water management in agriculture, the role of IT technologies in addressing climate change, the benefits of renewable energy sources, air quality, ozone layer protection and environmental education.

Experts and facilitators led the discussions, outlining the objectives and expected outcomes of each session. Following the discussions, each group prepared their proposals for inclusion in the preliminary version of the Turkmenistan Youth Statement.

At the final session, the leaders of each working group presented their proposals, which were included in the preliminary version of the Youth Roadmap for Climate Action. These proposals will be included in the final version of the Turkmenistan Youth Statement, which will be presented at COY19 and then at COP29.

The conference served as a vital platform to empower Turkmenistan's youth, foster dialogue and equip the next generation of climate leaders with the knowledge and tools to make a lasting impact. The final Youth Climate Statement will reflect the collective vision of Turkmen youth and contribute to the broader UNFCCC processes, emphasizing their commitment to a sustainable and climate-resilient future.

The Conference of Youth (COY) is an annual event that brings together young people from across the globe to engage in climate action discussions. COY19 will serve as a preparatory platform for youth engagement ahead of COP29, the pivotal UN conference dedicated to global climate change solutions. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) serves as the international framework for addressing climate change, and the Conference of the Parties (COP) is its highest decision-making body.