On 22 September 2026, a working meeting was held in Ashgabat between Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the Project Office of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) in Turkmenistan, and H.E. Gismat Fizuli oglu Gozalov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan.
During the meeting, the parties discussed current cooperation and prospects for further developing interaction between the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan and the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the areas of environmental protection, climate change, sustainable development, and conservation of the Caspian Sea ecosystem.
Mergen Kepbanov briefed the Azerbaijani side on the main areas of activity of CAREC and its Project Office in Turkmenistan. It was noted that the Project Office has been operating in the country since 2014, contributing to the development of regional environmental cooperation, cross-sectoral dialogue, and partnerships among government institutions, international organizations, experts, and civil society.
Particular attention was paid to the established cooperation between CAREC and Azerbaijani partners. In particular, representatives of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan have participated in international events in Baku, including events held within the framework of COP29 in 2024, as well as forums and initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation between civil society organizations in Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of further developing environmental dialogue in the “Central Asia + Azerbaijan” format. The parties discussed opportunities for expanding cooperation in the areas of climate change, conservation of the Caspian Sea’s biodiversity, water resources, combating land degradation, development of renewable energy, environmental education, and youth engagement in the environmental agenda. CAREC views these areas as a promising basis for strengthening regional cooperation.
Particular attention during the meeting was given to methane emissions reduction. Mergen Kepbanov informed the Azerbaijani side that an international conference dedicated to methane emissions reduction is planned to be held in Ashgabat on 29–30 October 2026 with the support of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan. The forthcoming event is intended to provide a platform for sharing experience and discussing modern approaches and practical solutions for reducing methane emissions and implementing climate initiatives. Methane-related issues are also among the prospective areas of cooperation identified by the Project Office.
The meeting emphasized the importance of further developing contacts among government institutions, the diplomatic community, research and expert organizations of Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. The organization of joint conferences, round tables, and expert meetings in Ashgabat and Baku was identified as one of the prospective formats for cooperation.
Following the meeting, the parties expressed their interest in maintaining an active working dialogue and further strengthening partnership relations. It was noted that the common environmental challenges facing the Caspian region and the experience accumulated through cooperation create favourable conditions for developing more systematic cooperation among Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and the countries of Central Asia in the fields of environment, climate, and sustainable development.
The CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan confirms its readiness to further develop constructive cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Turkmenistan and to implement joint initiatives aimed at strengthening regional environmental and climate partnerships.