Monday, August 30, 2010 -
Turkmenistan has submitted a proposal to the United Nations requesting that a regional center be established in the Central Asian or Caucasus regions to focus on environmental concerns, the Trend news agency reported on Saturday.
Turkmenistan is actively working to preserve the Caspian Sea and is eager to work with regional partners to address environmental concerns, said UN Resident Representative Lenni Montiel, according to Trend. Talks are under way to open a regional bureau for the UN Office for Project Services to foster regional cooperation.
Ashgabat is an active proponent of environmental protection, climate change and energy efficiency, Trend reported.
“These issues will be addressed during the negotiations among the UN member-states,” Trend quoted Montiel as saying. “As the Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, I fully support these aspirations and wish Turkmenistan success in this important work.”
The UN has focused attention on working with states on the Caspian Sea in protecting the sea’s biodiversity. The UN Development Program (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) have hosted workshops in Turkmenistan and discussed new ways to undertake cattle farming that will not harm the health of the Caspian.
Montiel also underscored Turkmenistan’s advancements in general international cooperation, pointing to the country’s involvement in the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UNDP and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).
Turkmenistan has expressed an eagerness to join various UN councils and organizations.