The current leaders’ summit in Yerevan offers a valuable opportunity to reaffirm countries’ shared political commitment to conserving the planet’s biodiversity and to move from pledges to concrete practical action. Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedow made the remarks on October 16 at the Leaders' Summit on Biodiversity held as part of COP17.

Berdimuhamedow expressed confidence that COP17 would provide additional momentum for fulfilling countries’ commitments and strengthening international cooperation.

Turkmenistan reaffirmed its readiness to engage constructively with all interested countries and international organizations. The president said that bringing together political will, scientific knowledge and practical capabilities would make it possible to preserve the planet’s natural heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.

He emphasized that international efforts to conserve biodiversity should be guided by the principles of justice, solidarity and equal partnership. Multilateral cooperation mechanisms were expected to play an important role in this process by enabling countries to pool their experience, knowledge and capabilities to achieve shared environmental goals.

Turkmenistan consistently supports the objectives and principles of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, as well as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The country recognizes biodiversity loss, climate change, desertification and land degradation as interconnected challenges that directly affect countries’ environmental security and sustainable development.

Particular attention in Turkmenistan is devoted to the environmental well-being of the Caspian Sea, the preservation of ecosystems in the Aral Sea basin and combating desertification.

Berdimuhamedow added that Turkmenistan would continue to promote initiatives aimed at strengthening international cooperation on environmental security and climate resilience.