British Embassy Ashgabat hosts a COP26 follow-up conference, March 2022
British Embassy invites key partners to an online event to discuss COP26 achievements and enhance future cooperation on climate change projects.
On March 24, the British Embassy Ashgabat was delighted to organise an online conference in Ashgabat, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan.
The conference focussed on the outcomes and achievements of last year’s COP26 climate summit in Glasgow and was an opportunity to generate new ideas and improve cooperation to take forward the Glasgow Climate Pact. The conference was a continuation of the high-level roundtable that the British Embassy held in March 2021 in Ashgabat, ahead of the COP26.
Building on the momentum and direction set out at COP26, representatives discussed the best ways to deliver stronger sectoral action to accelerate Turkmenistan’s transition to a low-carbon, more resource-efficient and sustainable economy.
The conference helped international partners and donors better understand plans the Turkmenistan government has for decarbonisation and reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These plans are outlined in the final draft of their new NDC, as part of their commitments under the Paris Agreement. Participants from both the UK and Turkmenistan announced new climate change initiatives between national and international partners.
Those attending the event included representatives of the ministries of Turkmenistan, the UN agencies, foreign diplomatic missions, international organisations and development partners, financial institutions, university students and others. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan moderated the event.
The Turkmen Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment Protection announced that the country’s next set of climate change plans would soon be submitted to the UN. These plans include projects to reduce both carbon dioxide and methane emissions.
UN agencies pledged to continue working with Turkmenistan to address challenges of mapping emissions, changing legislation, provide technical assistance and support education.
Nick Bridge, the British Foreign Secretary’s Special Representative for Climate Change, stressed the need to go clean and green and deliver on our promises faster. Kenan Poleo, the UK’s Trade Commissioner for Central Asia, highlighted that change can support growth – in the last 30 years the UK has cut emissions by 44% while growing its economy 78%.
The British Ambassador, Lucia Wilde, reaffirmed the Embassy’s commitment to support both the implementation of climate change policies and support for Turkmenistan to introduce more green energy technologies.
Star speakers at the conference were youth representatives who talked of the need for action to ensure their future health, prosperity and well-being.
Participants identified joint priorities and new areas of climate cooperation in the run-up to COP27. Climate change and increasing greenhouse gas emissions negatively affects the health and well-being of people and countries around the world. As such, experts at the event agreed that it is important to learn from each other and continue a productive dialogue and exchange of professional experience in this important area.
At the end of the conference, experts and participants thanked the organisers and highlighted how important it was to continue these discussions in order to help the transition of Turkmenistan to a green economy.