On December 17, 2025, important talks were held between the Minister of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and the Ambassador of Spain to Russia and Turkmenistan, Ricardo Martínez Vázquez, at a meeting in Ashgabat. The meeting discussed issues of cooperation in combating land degradation and strengthening anti-desertification measures in Central Asia.
This initiative is connected with the proposal put forward by the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the United Nations General Assembly. Our esteemed President had announced the initiative to create a specialized regional center to combat desertification in the region. The goal is to enhance cooperation between the countries of the region, attract international experience and financial resources.
As noted in diplomatic sources, the talks will not only focus on combating desertification, but also include joint projects on environmental protection, plastic waste management and environmentally sustainable development.
If a regional center is established, its tasks will include:
- Coordination of measures to combat land degradation in the countries of Central Asia;
- Introduction of international experience and scientific research in the region;
- Attraction of financial resources and technologies;
- Development of ecological diplomacy;
- Will include areas such as expanding regional cooperation.
This initiative is an important part of Turkmenistan’s international environmental policy and is considered an important step in achieving the country’s sustainable development goals and ensuring environmental security in the region.
«THE ASHGABAT TIMES».
