During his visit to the Republic of Austria, the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, took part in the International Vienna Energy and Climate Forum. This was reported by the website AsmanNews.

The forum is held under the auspices of UNIDO and the Austrian Government and has served as a platform for discussing climate and energy initiatives since 2008. Unlike major climate summits, it focuses on practical tools – technologies and project financing. The agenda includes the energy transition, the development of ‘green’ hydrogen, the digitalisation of the energy sector, the reduction of methane emissions and the creation of sustainable supply chains. Particular attention is being paid to access to clean energy in landlocked developing countries.

Turkmenistan has announced systematic work in the climate sphere. The country is participating in the Global Methane Pledge and is implementing measures to reduce emissions in the oil and gas sector. In parallel, projects are being developed in the renewable energy sector, including the construction of a solar-wind power plant in the Balkan velayat. Work is also underway to combat desertification, expand forest areas and implement digital monitoring of natural resources. Programmes are being implemented to conserve biodiversity and expand protected areas.

The event took place at the Hofburg Palace. Forum participants were welcomed by UNIDO Director-General Gerd Müller and Austrian Foreign Affairs Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger. Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen addressed the participants via video link.

Hero Arkadag spoke at the forum. He thanked the organisers and noted that energy and climate remain the most vulnerable areas of the global agenda today.

The National Leader of the Turkmen people emphasised Turkmenistan’s role as a major producer of energy resources and stated the need for international cooperation based on equality. Among the proposals were the development of an ‘Energy Code’ under the auspices of the UN and the establishment of a universal international mechanism in the energy sector.

A separate initiative was presented on the creation of a Global Security Strategy, in which energy security is regarded as a key element. The need to depoliticise energy processes and abandon political restrictions in this sector was emphasised. Turkmenistan also proposed expanding the use of renewable energy sources and developing hydrogen energy. In this regard, the idea of a 10-year global programme for the transition to hydrogen energy was put forward.

The country’s readiness to develop regional cooperation and introduce climate technologies was declared. Plans are in place to launch a UN Regional Centre for Climate Change Technologies in Ashgabat. A separate section of the speech was devoted to supporting landlocked developing countries. The need for equal access to water resources and international support for such states was emphasised.

The National Leader of the Turkmen people recalled the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries and the significance of the Awaza Declaration adopted there. Turkmenistan declared its intention to seek the implementation of its provisions.

In conclusion, it was noted that the country would continue to work with the UN and its agencies, including UNIDO, on the implementation of climate and energy initiatives.

Following the conclusion of the visit, the Turkmen delegation departed for Ashgabat. Upon arrival in the capital, Hero Arkadag was met by officials.

The visit reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s commitment to developing international cooperation and strengthening the country’s position as a participant in the global energy and climate agenda.