THE ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION OF YOUTH IN ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
On May 25, 2026, on the occasion of World Environment Day, the Seyitnazar Seydi Turkmen State Pedagogical Institute hosted the 4th Scientific-Practical Conference entitled “The Role of Environmental Education of Youth in Achieving Sustainable Development” which was organized by the institute’s UNESCO Chair “Environmental Education for Sustainable Development”. This high-level conference featured a broad scope of participation, reflecting the key priorities of national policy and environmental diplomacy.
Professors, instructors, young scientists and students from higher educational institutions across the country, alongside heads of UNESCO Chairs and Clubs with members operating within Turkmenistan, actively participated in the conference. In particular, representatives of the “Culture of Peace” UNESCO Club of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan demonstrated remarkable engagement throughout the event.
During the plenary session, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan, Hero of Turkmenistan Chinar Tadjievna Rustemova highly praised the comprehensive work carried out at the institute to elevate the quality of environmental education in the country, scientifically enhance the youth's outlook on nature and cultivate an environmental culture. Alongside her address, heads of UNESCO Chairs and Clubs, faculty presented detailed insights on the strategic significance of youth’s intellectual potential in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) nationally and advancing innovative ecological projects.
Following the plenary session, the scientific-practical conference continued its work in four thematic sessions, where participants thoroughly elaborated on key strategic objectives: the first session, titled “The Triumph of the Environmental Policy of Our Esteemed President: International Cooperation in Environmental Issues” analyzed Turkmenistan’s active role in global environmental diplomacy and its joint initiatives with major international organizations, particularly UNESCO; the second session, “Nature Conservation and Environmental Well-being” focused on scientific pathways for preserving the country’s rich flora and fauna, optimizing natural reserve management; the third session, “Ecology of the Biosphere, Soils, Water, and Climate: Global Environmental Issues” evaluated global climate change, advanced innovative proposals for water conservation and combating land desertification; and the fourth session, “Scientific-Methodological Foundations of Forming Environmental Habits in the Younger Generation” was dedicated to ecologizing the educational system through the efforts of future educators and young scientists, presenting new scientific and methodological approaches to continuously fostering a love for nature among schoolchildren and youth.
The academic presentations and innovative insights shared during these sessions served as a valuable platform for exchanging experience aimed at the further development of environmental education.
At the conclusion of the conference, the participants expressed their profound gratitude to the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Hero-Arkadag and to the Honorable President, Arkadagly Hero Serdar, for the wide-ranging opportunities and consistent support provided to advance the modern scientific-educational system, ensure the environmental well-being of our motherland and achieve sustainable development on a global scale.
Aygozel OVEZOVA,
a Senior Lecturer of the Department of World Languages
of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign affairs of Turkmenistan