Turkmenistan takes an active part in maintaining ecological well-being
International cooperation on environmental protection is a key aspect of the foreign policy of Turkmenistan that takes an active part in addressing the issues of concern to all mankind. This is vividly evidenced by the ratification of the environmental conventions of the United Nations on biological diversity, desertification control, climate change, protection of the ozone layer, the protection and use of transboundary watercourses and international lakes. Dozens of environmental programmes and projects are being implemented at national and regional levels jointly with the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Global Environment Facility and other authoritative international organisations.
Turkmenistan has put forward the proposals for the opening of the Regional Centre for Climate Change Technologies in Central Asia in Ashgabat, the drafting of the UN Special Programme for the Aral Sea and the United Nations document on water – the Water Strategy of the United Nations and the development of effective multilateral cooperative mechanisms on environmental and technological safety in the Caspian Sea, the unique ecosystem of which, without exaggeration, belongs to all mankind.
It should be emphasized that putting forward these initiatives, Turkmenistan takes concrete steps to implement them. Much work is being done to ensure effective management of water, land and biological resources, conserve biodiversity and natural landscapes, combat desertification and deforestation and raise public awareness on environmental issues. The laws on the protection of the environment, specially protected natural territories, the protection of the ozone layer, the fishery and conservation of aquatic biological resources, flora and fauna and the Forest Code that meet the international standards were adopted. Consistent measures are taken to implement the National Climate Change Strategy and the National Forest Programme of Turkmenistan approved by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
In Turkmenistan, mandatory ecological insurance is introduced for institutions, enterprises, organisations regardless of the pattern of ownership, including foreign legal entities, their branches, representative offices as well as individuals engaged in entrepreneurial activities without forming a legal entity which carry out environmentally hazardous activities.
Innovative, resources saving technologies are being introduced in all sectors of the national economy, consistent measures are being taken to improve atmosphere control and ensure the compliance of factories and other facilities under construction with environmental standards and requirements.
In 2015, a total of 1.5 million young trees are to be planted on an area between the towns of Anau and Baharly and the same number of deciduous, coniferous and fruit trees and vines are to be planted in the regions of the country during the tree planting campaign.
Primary attention is given to the protection of natural monuments and the development of a network of protected areas, including nature reserves and wildlife preserves which are of tremendous natural, scientific, cultural and recreational value. Currently, Turkmen specialists are working towards the inclusion of the unique protected areas in the Karakum Desert and other parts of the country in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The preliminary list of the national natural sites for the inclusion in this prestigious roster includes the Repetek International Biosphere Reserve, Badhyz, Syunt-Hasardag, Amudarya, Hazar and Koitendag Nature Reserves.
Today, the experience in nature conservation and the profound potential of Turkmen science is of great demand all over the world, as illustrated by the selection of Turkmenistan as the venue for major environmental forums, conferences and seminars.
The Ecological Culture and Environmental Protection Journal published by the Ministry of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan is intended to popularize worldwide the achievements of Turkmenistan in protecting the environment and spotlight critical environmental problems.
