On April 4, 2025, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who arrived in Samarkand for the first "Central Asia – European Union" Summit, also participated in the opening ceremony of the international forum "Central Asia in the Face of Global Climate Challenges: Consolidation for Common Prosperity" being held there.

The two-day forum, organized at the Congress Center of the "Silk Road Samarkand" complex, became one of the most important global events in the field of ecology and climate change.

Its participants included the heads of state of Central Asia, leaders of the European Union, leading global experts, statesmen and members of governments of a number of foreign countries, representatives of international organizations and major financial institutions.

Among the high-level guests were the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Council António Costa, the Deputy Secretaries-General of the UN – the Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Ana Claúdia Rossbach and the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Tatiana Molcean, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Ibrahim Thiaw, as well as the Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ivana Živković, the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Odile Renaud-Basso, the Vice-President of the European Investment Bank Kyriacos Kakouris, and others.

Warmly welcoming the numerous participants of the international climate forum dedicated to the main challenge of our time – global climate change, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the importance of ensuring environmental well-being and, in this regard, noted the need to strengthen dialogue and develop joint actions to address the climate problems relevant to all mankind as a key factor in universal sustainable development.

A video message from the UN Secretary-General António Guterres was then shown, in which the head of the authoritative international organization especially emphasized the relevance of the topic raised and the initiatives put forward by the Central Asian states, wishing success to the climate forum aimed at consolidating efforts to solve common environmental issues of the modern world.

Addressing the audience, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that issues related to climate change traditionally occupy a special place within the framework of the "Central Asia – European Union" format.

"I believe that our task today is to set the main, priority guidelines for cooperation and create a solid basis for their implementation," said the President of Turkmenistan, emphasizing that the European Union is seen as a promising partner on fundamental issues of the climate agenda.

Among the most important issues, the head of Turkmenistan primarily identified decarbonization and the reduction of methane emissions.

"An important aspect of the partnership is the implementation of Turkmenistan's environmental initiatives, which are well-known and are of both regional and global nature. These include the creation of a Regional Center for Climate Change Technologies in Central Asia and the preparation of a Program for the Transition to a Circular Economy," continued the head of state, noting that Turkmenistan counts on the support of the European Union in the process of their implementation.

As emphasized, the priorities of the partnership with the EU also include the "green transition" in energy, industry, transport, and other important areas of the economy related to production and life support.

"We invite the European Union to substantive and long-term joint work. Proposing to intensify the dialogue on 'green' issues, we consider it advisable to выделять it as a separate area of activity of our format and begin developing concrete plans for interaction in the near future," said President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

Special emphasis was also placed on water issues, which are of fundamental importance for the region. And here, according to the head of state, the technological and methodological assistance of the European Union can have a positive impact on solving existing difficulties.

"Turkmenistan's position on water policy in the region is well-known. These issues should be resolved on the basis of three key principles: respect for international law; mutual consideration of interests; and the involvement of international organizations, primarily the UN," stated the President of the country.

As noted, in order to preserve and strengthen good neighborliness, development, and cooperation in Central Asia, and to establish a mechanism for water use from the transboundary rivers of the region, Turkmenistan proposed to the UN General Assembly to consider an initiative to create a UN Regional Council on Water Use in the Countries of Central Asia.

Among the key issues of environmental, socio-economic, and humanitarian well-being in the region, the rescue of the Aral Sea was also highlighted. It was emphasized that Turkmenistan expects a more concrete and focused international discussion of this problem, including the development of measures to support the activities of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea on the basis of relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly. In this regard, it was proposed to jointly and persistently strive for the full implementation of these documents.

In conclusion of his speech, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov once again thanked the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the excellent organization of the Summit, and the entire people of fraternal Uzbekistan for their hospitality and warm welcome.

Today, the forum will continue its work within the framework of specialized sessions: "Green Economy as a Path to Sustainable Development"; "Conservation of Biological Diversity and Natural Ecosystems of Central Asia in Response to Climate Challenges"; "Clean Energy: The Basis of Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Development"; "Integrated Water Resources Management in the Context of Climate Change in Central Asia"; "Youth: Looking to the Future with Optimism"; "Sustainable Cities and Climate Problems: Integrated Planning and Management"; "Scientific Approaches and Innovative Solutions to the Problem of Climate Change: Global Challenges and Local Strategies."

Upon completion of the two-day working visit program, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov headed to the Samarkand International Airport, from where he departed for his homeland.