Ashgabat, 4 March 2022: Within the framework of the joint project of UNDP and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan "Sustainable Cities in Turkmenistan: Integrated Green Urban Development in Ashgabat and Avaza”,  UNDP with the support of UNEP organized a webinar on the intermediate results of the preparation of the Fourth National Communication on Climate Change (NC4) and First Biennial Update Report of Turkmenistan under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). During the meeting the briefing on the development of the updated draft Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) of Turkmenistan under the Paris Climate Agreement was made.

Turkmenistan is committed to limiting greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing the country’s capacity to respond to climate change. In this regard, the preparation of the Fourth National Communication on Climate Change will intensify the implementation of national measures on limiting greenhouse gas emissions, increase capacity in the area of climate change and promote further dialogue, exchange of information and cooperation among all stakeholders. The preparation of NC4 also contributes to the process of practical implementation of the climate measures outlined in the National Strategy of Turkmenistan on climate change (new edition, 2019).

Currently, in accordance with the commitments under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Turkmenistan, with the support of UNDP and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is developing the Fourth National Communication on Climate Change and the First Biennial Update Report for submission to UNFCCC Secretariat.

The webinar was attended by representatives of line ministries and entities of Turkmenistan, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment Protection, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, the Ministry of Construction and Architecture, the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Textile, the State Committee for Water Resources, the State Committee for Statistics, the State Concerns “Turkmengaz”, “Turkmennebit”, “Turkmngeologiya”, “Turkmenhimiya” and “Turkmenebitonumleri”, the Agencies “Turkmenhowayollary", “Turkmenavtoulaglary", “Turkmendemiryollary" and “Turkmnedenizderyaellary”, and Hiakimlik of Ashgabat.

The meeting participants presented the intermediate results of the preparation of the above-mentioned strategic documents on climate change and discussed in detail plans on greenhouse gas inventory, climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, energy efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

“The preparation of the NC4 will contribute to the assessment of implementation of national measures on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, assess vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, increase public awareness and knowledge on climate change issues and strengthen the institutional, scientific-technical and human capacities of Turkmenistan,” – noted Farhat Orunov, Programme Analyst of the UNDP Environmental Portfolio in Turkmenistan.

Another important topic of the meeting was a review of the process of preparing the updated draft Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement on Climate, presented by the project manager, Batyr Ballyev. This document, after possible official adoption by the Government of Turkmenistan, will be submitted to the UNFCCC Secretariat to demonstrate the country's intentions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the commitments of the country under the Paris Agreement and in support of global efforts to combat climate change.

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Turkmenistan ratified the UNFCCC in 1995 and the Paris Agreement in 2016 and continuously takes relevant measures to address a wide range of tasks set forth in these documents.

From 1999 to 2015, the country prepared and submitted to the UNFCCC Secretariat three National Communications on Climate Change, which included in-detail measures taken by Turkmenistan to prevent global climate change.

The Fourth National Communication, which is currently being developed, is a logical continuation of the previous three National Communications