BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 13. Turkmenistan and the United Nations discussed joint efforts to promote environmental sustainability and preserve the Caspian Sea.

This was reflected in a press release issued by the Turkmen MFA following a meeting between Minister Rashid Meredov and UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan Xiaojun Grace Wang.

“The interlocutors discussed priority areas of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the United Nations, as well as issues related to further coordination and practical cooperation,” the ministry said.

Particular attention was paid to upcoming joint events and the promotion of Turkmenistan's international initiatives within the UN framework.

Turkmenistan and the UN have been working on environmental issues through the UN’s broader sustainable development framework, with climate change, water management, land degradation and ecosystem protection among the areas of cooperation. The Caspian Sea is particularly important because environmental pressures in the region affect biodiversity, coastal ecosystems and the sustainable use of natural resources. For Turkmenistan, cooperation with UN agencies provides a framework for coordinating environmental initiatives with the other Caspian littoral states.

The Caspian agenda is also connected to Turkmenistan’s wider climate and environmental priorities. The country has worked with UN institutions on climate adaptation, sustainable land management, biodiversity protection and more efficient use of water resources. These areas are increasingly interconnected: changes in water availability and climate conditions can affect agriculture, ecosystems and infrastructure, while measures to improve resource efficiency can support both environmental protection and economic development.

Within the Caspian framework, international cooperation focuses on scientific research, environmental monitoring, data exchange and coordinated measures among the five littoral states. Turkmenistan has also promoted the idea of strengthening international attention to the Caspian’s environmental challenges, including through a proposed special environmental summit. This places cooperation with the UN alongside Turkmenistan’s broader efforts to keep the Caspian issue on the international agenda.