On November 29, Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov held talks in Ashgabat with Arnold Kreilhuber, Director of the Regional Office for Europe of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The parties discussed the situation of the Aral Sea, as reported by the press service of the Turkmen Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The interlocutors emphasized the importance of the planned regional meeting of Central Asian countries in Ashgabat under the auspices of ESCAP to determine the format and structure of a special UN program for the Aral Sea basin.
Meredov and Kreilhuber also touched upon the Caspian Sea topic. They exchanged views on developing the “Caspian Environmental Initiative,” a proposal made by Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.
Additionally, the parties discussed the possibilities of strengthening Turkmenistan’s cooperation with UNEP on projects related to climate change adaptation in the Caspian region. Meredov and Kreilhuber also expressed their support for continuing active dialogue and practical cooperation in the field of environmental protection.
