Statement by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the Caspian Environmental Summit

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Distinguished Heads of State!
Distinguished Members of Delegations!
Dear Friends!

I warmly welcome the Presidents of the Caspian littoral States to Turkmenistan. Thank you for accepting the invitation to participate in the Caspian Environmental Summit.

Today’s event is of particular significance: the environmental situation in the Caspian Sea has been placed on the agenda as a distinct subject for discussion at the highest State level. In my view, this demonstrates the profound sense of responsibility of the leaders of the Caspian littoral countries and their recognition of the need for systematic, consistent and sustained steps and efforts to remedy, stabilize and improve the current difficult environmental situation.

I am convinced that this can only be achieved together, through frank, trust-based and constructive discussion, as befits good neighbours, friends and like-minded partners working to preserve our shared home and heritage, the Caspian Sea, with its unique natural wealth and diversity.

It was these principles that guided Turkmenistan when it first put forward the Caspian Environmental Initiative at the seventy-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly and, within its framework, proposed convening the Caspian Environmental Summit. I express my sincere gratitude to all Caspian littoral States for their understanding and support for our initiative and their active participation in its implementation.

Distinguished Participants!

We support the idea of establishing a Commission on the Decline in the Water Level of the Caspian Sea at the level of deputy heads of government. We believe that the Commission should, on the basis of objective scientific data, develop and propose coordinated measures to counter the adverse processes associated with falling water levels. We propose issuing instructions to accomplish this task within a short time frame.

To enhance the Commission’s effectiveness, it is also proposed that specialized working groups be established under it, with the participation of scientists, experts, specialists and representatives of government bodies from our countries.

Turkmenistan fully welcomes these proposals and will participate actively in the Commission’s work.

We favour holding the Commission’s first meeting in Azerbaijan in the first half of 2027.

Turkmenistan also welcomes the initiative to develop an Interstate Programme for the Conservation of the Water Resources of the Caspian Sea. It is fully consistent with Turkmenistan’s firm position on the careful stewardship and sustainable use of the Caspian Sea’s biological resources.

Distinguished Heads of State!

I am convinced that the establishment of five-party mechanisms, coordinated measures at governmental and departmental levels and other important and necessary joint actions must be based on the fundamental documents: the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea and the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea, as well as the agreements reached at the summits of the Caspian littoral States. Turkmenistan reaffirms its commitment to these documents and decisions.

It is adherence to their letter and spirit, and the responsible fulfilment of agreed goals and objectives, that will enable us to succeed in each individual area of the Caspian environmental agenda.

In this connection, I would like to note the successful holding, on 23 September this year, of the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Tehran Convention, at which important decisions were adopted, including on joint work concerning declining water levels within this cooperation framework.

Alongside effective measures within the five-party format, it is important to ensure substantive engagement with international organizations.

We advocate further developing dialogue with the United Nations system and its specialized agencies in support of joint projects involving all Caspian littoral States.

The unity of the Caspian littoral States is our greatest resource. It is rooted in a centuries-old history of good-neighbourliness and the distinctive Caspian spirit and outlook of our peoples, who cherish and love the sea, which together we must preserve as a space of peace, harmony and cooperation.

Today, we are taking five-party dialogue to a new level. We have every reason to believe that this meeting will mark the starting point for systematic practical work on the most pressing issue, the decline in the Caspian Sea’s water level, and provide sound guidance on other environmental agenda items. I therefore propose transforming the Caspian Environmental Summit into a permanent platform for cooperation.

Once again, I express my appreciation to the distinguished Presidents for their constructive approach and readiness to work together.

(Awaza National Tourist Zone, 9 October 2026)

Source: Turkmenistan: Golden Age