TRAINING SESSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
On June 5, 2026, the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan hosted a training session at its specialized training center for key areas of Turkmen diplomacy, specifically focusing on the Water Diplomacy branch. The lecture covered two major topics: “The Experience of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan in utilizing Central Asian Water Resources” and “The Significance of Celebrating World Environment Day”.
The session was conducted by Italmaz Saparlyev, Head of the Department of Hydraulic Structures at the S.A. Niyazov Turkmen Agricultural University, Professor, Member of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Member of the Council of Elders under the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship, and an Honored Elder of Turkmenistan.
During the lecture, the experienced mentor provided a detailed overview of the shared and individual experiences of Turkmenistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Republic of Tajikistan across several key domains:
- Water resources management and utilization in Central Asia;
- Ensuring sustainable development across the region;
- Food and energy security.
Special attention was dedicated to the expertise of Turkmenistan in sustainable Water Diplomacy and the implementation of large-scale hydraulic engineering projects. In particular, the lecturer highlighted the “Altyn Asyr” Turkmen Lake project – one of the most monumental and unique achievements of the country, designed to collect and reuse drainage (agricultural return) water right in the heart of the Garagum Desert.
The session also covered the international initiatives of Turkmenistan, which are consistently put forward within the UN framework to establish a sustainable regional water strategy. Furthermore, the professor highlighted the numerous international platforms organized during the country’s chairmanships of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) to promote effective water resource management.
In conclusion, it was strongly emphasized that June 5, World Environment Day, holds immense global and regional significance. It plays a vital role in ensuring ecological sustainability on the planet, and specifically within Central Asia, while safeguarding natural resources and strengthening diplomatic ties in this field.
The training session was highly engaging and interactive, concluding with students receiving comprehensive answers to all of their questions.
Hajygylych HAJYBERDIYEV,
the 1st-year student at the Faculty of International Economic Relations
of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan