Preparations for the upcoming COP-28 Conference in Dubai and climate issues were discussed in a telephone conversation on Monday by the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the US Presidential Special Representative for Climate Action John Kerry, TDH reports.

 The main topics of the conversation also included issues of interaction between Turkmenistan and the United States in the field of reducing methane emissions into the atmosphere and the possibility of legally consolidating cooperation in this area.

 As Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted, Turkmenistan considers climate change issues as one of the priority aspects of its foreign policy.  In this regard, the President emphasized that Turkmenistan respects the position of the states of the world, including the United States, regarding the measures taken to consolidate the efforts of the international community on this issue, and the proposals put forward are positively assessed by the Turkmen side.

 Expressing gratitude to the head of Turkmenistan for the work being done in addressing such a significant issue of our time as the fight against climate change with an emphasis on reducing methane emissions into the atmosphere, John Kerry put forward a number of specific proposals.

 During the conversation, it was stated that global environmental challenges pose new tasks for the states of the world, primarily related to the modernization of national plans and strategies, including modern standards for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  At the same time, it is necessary to resolve issues of investment in renewable energy sources and develop technologies for adaptation to climate change.

 As noted, Turkmenistan actively participates in the implementation of international initiatives and agreements in this area, and also takes specific measures to implement relevant conventions and treaties at the national level.  Thus, the signing by Turkmenistan of a Memorandum of Cooperation with UNEP on November 13 this year was the first practical step towards the practical implementation of Turkmenistan’s proposal to create a Regional Center for Technologies related to Climate Change.

 During the conversation, it was also emphasized that during the COP-26 Conference, Turkmenistan expressed support for the Global Methane Commitment initiative and is interested in its detailed study.  In this regard, the priority positions of Turkmenistan on this issue were announced.

 At the end of the conversation, Serdar Berdimuhamedov and John Kerry spoke in favor of further constructive interstate cooperation.  The telephone conversation took place at the initiative of the American side.