Early July, an Asian Development Bank (ADB) delegation and FutureWater visited Ashgabat for meetings and consultations with specialists from Turkmenistan’s Ministries of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, as well as the State Committee of Water Resources. The goal was to establish scientific and practical cooperation for a new climate adaptation-focused project.

The proposed project focuses on greening agricultural production and environmental management. It will include:

•     Strengthening institutional and legislative processes
•     Measures to adapt to climate change
•     Mitigation strategies (reducing greenhouse gas emissions)
•     Digitalization in the water sector
•     Promotion of space technologies

FutureWater is mapping climate-related hazards and climate vulnerability factors, in order to select focus areas and priority actions.

Following consultations, a consolidated meeting defined the project’s preliminary content. This incorporates presentations by ADB representatives and proposals from Turkmen government officials regarding natural resource protection and use. The project structure will involve three parts: monitoring and modelling; implementation of activities; knowledge capacity building in modern practices.

ADB climate specialist Leo Kris Palao and consultant Johannes Hunink emphasized the importance of a practical and specific approach to maximize the partnership’s effectiveness. Turkmen representatives highlighted the ADB’s history of supporting domestic environmental management practices. They noted previous successful joint projects in nature conservation, food production, and agriculture.

More information about the project can be found here.