On the sidelines of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), held in Antalya, Republic of Türkiye, a meeting took place between Jumamyrat Gurbangeldiyev, Minister of Education of Turkmenistan, and Professor Bakhtiyor Pulatov, Rector of the Central Asian University for the Study of the Environment and Climate Change (Green University, Republic of Uzbekistan).

During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for developing cooperation in environmental education, training specialists for the green economy, conducting joint scientific research, and introducing modern educational technologies aimed at ensuring sustainable development.

The Minister of Education spoke about the large-scale transformations being implemented in Turkmenistan under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and based on the strategic initiatives of the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Particular attention was paid to fostering environmental awareness among the younger generation, developing scientific and educational potential, and training highly qualified professionals equipped with modern competencies in climate resilience, the rational use of natural resources, and green technologies.

In this regard, the particular relevance of Turkmenistan's new international initiatives, presented by Hero-Arkadag at the COP31 Leaders' Summit, was highlighted. These initiatives include the establishment of the Ashgabat Climate Dialogue, the development of a Digital Atlas of Climate Change, and the formation of a global partnership for the provision of climate technologies. The importance of the Regional Centre for Climate Change Technologies in Central Asia, which is scheduled to commence its activities in 2027, was also emphasized. The implementation of these initiatives opens up additional opportunities for scientific and educational cooperation among the countries of the region.

Special attention was also given to Turkmenistan's accession, on 11 November 2026, to the Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action, signed by the Minister of Education within the framework of COP31. This step reflects the country's consistent efforts to strengthen the role of education and young people in addressing global climate challenges.

In turn, Professor Bakhtiyor Pulatov presented the activities of Green University as a regional scientific and educational centre specializing in sustainable development, environmental governance, the green economy, circular technologies, climate research, and the rational use of natural resources.

The parties paid particular attention to opportunities for organizing joint educational programmes, academic exchanges, professional development for teaching staff, conducting applied research, and implementing joint projects involving higher education institutions of Turkmenistan. Promising areas of cooperation included water resource management, combating desertification, monitoring climate change, the application of geoinformation technologies, and training specialists to support the environmentally sustainable development of the economy.

Following the meeting, both sides expressed their mutual interest in further strengthening cooperation between the educational and scientific institutions of the two countries, exchanging best practices, and exploring opportunities to implement joint initiatives aimed at advancing environmental education, scientific research, and human resource capacity in Central Asia.

Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan