The youth of Turkmenistan actively works on the environmental agenda for sustainable development

On October 13, 2025, the Oguz Han Engineering and Technology University of Turkmenistan hosted the National Youth Climate Conference, bringing together more than 120 young leaders, SDG Youth Ambassadors, eco-activists, representatives of government entities, UN agencies, as well as  experts.

The LCOY 2025 conference in Turkmenistan was officially endorsed by YOUNGO, the authorized group on children and youth issues at the UNFCCC, and organized by YOUNGO members in collaboration with the country’s young leaders.

The event, organized with the support of the Government of Turkmenistan and UN agencies, served as an effective platform for exchanging ideas, discussing climate change issues, and adopting a unified Youth Climate Roadmap, which will be presented at the upcoming Youth Conference and Conference of the Parties in Belém, Brazil.

Opening the conference, representatives of the Government and the UN system noted the commitment of young people to climate protection and their strive to contribute to the implementation of national climate priorities. It was emphasized that young people are key partners in achieving national commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.

“The youth of Turkmenistan are demonstrating inspiring leadership, knowledge, and solidarity in face of climate challenges. Their ideas and actions not only reflect national priorities – they make a significant contribution to the global dialogue. The UN system highly values the active participation of young leaders in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future”, said Dmitry Shlapachenko, UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan.

During the conference, participants were divided into six thematic working groups: climate change mitigation, adaptation, climate finance, environmental education, biodiversity conservation and environmental protection, and integrated water resources management. Technical experts and coordinators of the respective groups explained the objectives and expected outcomes to the delegates, while the young people shared their experiences of working in their communities, presented climate-oriented initiatives, and deepened their knowledge of environmental policy.

After the working sessions, the leaders of each group presented their proposals, which were included in the preliminary version of the Youth Roadmap for Climate Action. These proposals will be included in the final version of the Turkmenistan Youth Statement, which will be presented at COY20 and then at COP30.

The Conference of the Youth (COY) is an annual international event that brings together young leaders and activists to discuss climate solutions. In 2025, COY20 will take place in early November in Belém, Brazil, and will serve as a preparatory platform for youth participation in COP30, the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which will take place from November 10 to 21.