Viewing results 313 - 318 of 348
Uncategorized
A roundtable discussion on Central Asia’s cooperation with the European Union was held on February 2nd at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Office in Brussels, Belgium. The event brought together representatives from UNDP, the European Commission, and ambassadors of Central Asian countries to the EU. The participants discussed ways to boost sustainable economic growth in the region by creating partnerships to ensure a steady supply of critical raw materials, and enhancing the efficiency of the Trans-Caspian Corridor, also known as the Middle Corridor. The participants also emphasized the importance of supporting the transition of Central Asian economies towards environmentally friendly and sustainable systems, in line with their climate commitments on emissions. Katarzyna Wawiernia, the UNDP resident representative in Kazakhstan, emphasized the significance of the Trans-Caspian Corridor and the sustainable development of the Caspian region overall. “We recommend adopting a sustainable landscape management approach for the future development of the Caspian region. In this regard, UNDP, in partnership with the Government of Kazakhstan, is planning a large-scale initiative to promote an integrated ecosystem-based approach to conserve key species and habitats of the Caspian Sea and ensure sustainable economic development for local communities. Throughout its history, the Caspian Sea has been a significant source of biological resources. They make up a single ecosystem that requires strong protection from natural and people-made factors,” Ms Wawiernia said.
Uncategorized
Two forest nurseries have been created in Turkmenistan's Kopetdag State Reserve. One of the nurseries, two hectares in size, is located in the Kopetdag Mountains; the other, smaller site is in the Gyavers oasis area near the Karakum desert. The trees were planted as part of a joint ecology project between the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization and the Turkmen Ministry of Environment. The young forests will eventually contribute to restoring Turkmenistan's forest resources, which is an important part of the country's efforts to make its industrial sectors more sustainable. Forest nurseries grow and breed saplings and trees, as well as forest plants. The nurseries in Kopetdag and by the Karakum will also house nut and berry orchards, where pistachio, almond, hawthorn, blackberry, and cherry trees will be grown. Expanding forested areas in mountainous parts of Turkmenistan is an effective way to reduce the impact of water erosion and prevent dangerous mudflows. It is also an important step in conserving biodiversity and preserving unique ecosystems. Forest nurseries additionally contribute to improving yields from agricultural pastures, which in turn improves the welfare of local farmers.
Uncategorized
On January 27th Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) of Turkmenistan, met with the managing director of the German consulting company Goetzpartners Emerging Markets GmbH, Vladimir Mathias. Goetzpartners won an international tender to consult on the creation of a medical cluster in the Turkmen city of Arkadag, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry has reported. Germany is one of Turkmenistan’s key European partners. Several German companies are involved in large-scale projects in the fields of transport, communications and logistics in the country. At the meeting Mr Mathias explained to Mr Berdimuhamedov that the planned medical cluster in Arkadag is designed to produce various types of medical products not only for the domestic market, but also for export. The city of Arkadag was unveiled on June 29th, 2023. The “smart” city, designed to be home for 70,000 people and costing billions of dollars to construct, is located 30km south of the capital, Ashgabat.
Uncategorized
A leopard was recently shot dead in the Etrek district of Balkan province, Turkmenistan. According to local press it was killed by a shepherd on December 28th. Soon after the incident police and reserve staff arrived at the site to conduct an investigation. The shepherd had his gun confiscated and was fined 1,700 manat ($486 at the state exchange rate or $87 at the black market rate). The leopard’s body was disposed of by reserve staff. According to reports the leopard killed was a juvenile. Young leopards are often less cautious and more likely to attack livestock. The leopard population in Turkmenistan has been reduced to a critically low level of less than 100 individuals. It is known that they live in the Kopetdag Mountains, as well as in the Badkhyz region. They are not often seen in the district where the leopard was killed, but they do occasionally migrate there.
Uncategorized
Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov led a delegation from Turkmenistan, which visited Japan from January 22nd to 23rd. During the visit, the development of bilateral cooperation and the organization of the first Summit of Heads of State of the Central Asia-Japan Dialogue were discussed. According to information received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, the diplomats met with Yoshimashi Hayashi, Secretary General of the Japanese Cabinet of Ministers During the visit, they discussed the involvement of Japanese companies in the export of high value-added products, diversification of project financing, study of experience in "green" and hydrogen energy, as well as the creation of modern high-tech industries. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Japanese companies showed great interest in cooperation in infrastructure and energy transition. Meredov also met with Ken Saito, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan. A number of important issues related to cooperation between Central Asia and Japan were discussed. A proposal was made to hold the next Ministerial Dialogue on Energy Economy within the framework of the Dialogue "CA+Japan". The topic of developing a Roadmap on decarbonization, which will be aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transition to cleaner energy sources, was also touched upon. One of the key topics of discussion was the possibility of introducing the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM). This mechanism will allow the countries of Central Asia and Japan to share knowledge, technologies and resources in the field of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transition to sustainable development. The topic of developing cooperation in the field of e-commerce was also touched upon. The idea is to create an electronic platform to improve trade relations between CA and Japan. This will reduce trade barriers and simplify procedures for importing and exporting goods. Finally, joint work in the field of hydrogen development and transportation technologies was discussed. Hydrogen is one of the promising sources of energy, and its efficient utilization can have a significant impact on addressing climate change. This meeting was an important step in strengthening cooperation between Turkmenistan and Japan in the fields of economy, trade and industry. It opens new perspectives for the development of the energy sector, industry, trade and technology.
Uncategorized
On January 24th Italy’s deputy minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli, and deputy minister for the environment and energy security, Vannia Gava, held a meeting with the ambassadors of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan in Italy. At the meeting, the top management of SOGESID SPA, an engineering and specialized technical support company wholly owned by the Italian state, presented a project proposal to mitigate the consequences of climate change in the Aral Sea, an area of Central Asia at high risk of desertification. The project idea, which envisages targeted interventions for the integrated environmental regeneration of the Aral Sea basin, also falls within the framework of the Italian presidency of the EU-Central Asia High-Level Conference on Environment and Water, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said. During the meeting, it was also proposed to consider the involvement of the Italian Climate Fund, the main national public instrument for pursuing the objectives undertaken by Italy in the context of international agreements on climate and environment. The meeting also discussed issues of content for the upcoming meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs in the “Italy + Central Asia” format, which will be held in 2024 in Rome, the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry said.
