Ahead of the International Day for Biological Diversity, celebrated on May 22nd, the global community once again emphasizes the need to conserve the richness of life on Earth, protect and restore ecosystems, halt species extinction, and use natural resources wisely. These efforts are aimed at maintaining ecological balance, enhancing human well-being, and ensuring the sustainability of our planet's life support systems. In this context, Turkmenistan, actively supporting international environmental initiatives, makes a significant contribution to the protection of biodiversity and the promotion of sustainable development in the face of a changing climate.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Turkmenistan is one of the country's key partners in implementing these efforts. UNDP implements one of the largest environmental programs in the country and serves as a key partner for international funds such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Together, they actively support Turkmenistan in fulfilling its obligations under multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), helping to integrate environmental aspects into national strategies and development plans, as well as implementing programs aimed at increasing national resilience and adaptation to the impacts of climate change.

The Aral Sea: A Common Tragedy, Common Efforts

One of the most acute environmental problems requiring special attention is the Aral Sea crisis. Less than 10% of its original volume remains - 68,000 km² (divided into the North Aral Sea and the South Aral Sea, with the latter almost completely dried up). This environmental catastrophe, affecting millions of people in Central Asia, has become a "symbol" of the negative human impact on the environment. The disappearance of the sea, land degradation, and increased dust storms are just some of the devastating consequences requiring immediate and comprehensive solutions.

Turkmenistan, as one of the Aral Sea riparian states, actively participates in international efforts to restore ecosystems and manage water resources rationally. At the national level, Turkmenistan is implementing the National Aral Sea Program for 2021–2025, aimed at mitigating the negative consequences of the crisis. An important element of this program is the partnership with international organizations such as UNDP, GEF, and other agencies, whose joint projects contribute to achieving a neutral balance of land degradation, conserving biodiversity, and introducing water-saving technologies.

One striking example of such cooperation is the joint project of the Ministry of Environment Protection of Turkmenistan and UNDP, implemented with financial support from the GEF - “Conservation and Sustainable Management of Land Resources and High Nature Value Ecosystems in the Aral Sea Basin for Multiple Benefits.”

This joint project aims to conserve and effectively use key ecosystems, as well as land and water resources in the Turkmen part of the Aral Sea basin. The project aims to help combat land degradation, restore and improve the management of land and water resources, and conserve biodiversity in the impact zone of the Aral Sea crisis in the Lebap and Dashoguz regions.

"The Aral Sea, once the fourth largest inland sea in the world, is gradually disappearing, causing a water and food crisis, deteriorating public health, and changing the climate of the region," noted Narine Sahakyan, UNDP Resident Representative in Turkmenistan. "In cooperation with the GEF and national partners, we are focusing on increasing the resilience of pilot regions in Turkmenistan to the environmental and socio-economic consequences of the Aral crisis."

Within the framework of the project, UNDP and partners strive to increase the resilience of the local population and conserve globally significant ecosystems in the Aral crisis impact zone in accordance with the national climate agenda.

Water Resources: A Key Factor for Sustainable Development in a Changing Climate

Water is a key resource for the sustainable development of Turkmenistan, especially in conditions of drought and climate change. Agriculture remains the largest consumer of water, and irrigation plays a critical role in agricultural production and ensuring harvests.

UNDP promotes an energy- and water-saving approach to water resource management, reducing land degradation, greenhouse gas emissions, and improving the living standards of the rural population.

Within the framework of the Aral Sea project, measures are being implemented to restore land, modernize irrigation methods, and introduce water-saving technologies in pilot regions. Water resource monitoring and dust storm analysis are also being carried out. Regional cooperation is developing in the field of water diplomacy, transboundary water resource management, and climate risks.