On June 4, 2026, Ashgabat hosted a round table dedicated to climate risk management and rational use of water resources in the Murghab basin. The meeting concluded an awareness campaign conducted in late May across the cities of Yoloten, Murgap, and Mary, which involved around 240 people among local authorities, farmers, doctors, teachers, university students, and schoolchildren.
During the round table, GIZ presented a report on the completed activities. These were carried out based on the findings of Climate Risk Assessment in the Murghab River Basin. Additionally, experts shared the outcomes of implementing adaptation methods derived from this assessment. A successful example highlighted was the “Maldar” farm, where using a solar-powered system to lift water from a depth of over 150 meters led to significant fuel savings for sustainable pasture management.
Overall, the participants of the round table focused their discussions on four critically important topics: the link between water quality and disease prevention, water conservation methods in daily life and agriculture, first aid rules for heatstroke during extreme temperatures, and the implementation of renewable energy sources alongside new irrigation methods. These same topics served as the core themes throughout the entire awareness campaign.
Special attention was also given to creating a platform for dialogue between the public and state sectors on climate issues. Representatives from the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the State Committee for Water Management, the Ministry of Agriculture, emergency specialists, and members of the business community all participated in the discussion.
These meetings are expected to help the population prepare for extreme weather events and promote sustainable water management, which is particularly critical for Turkmenistan.
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Photos from the information sessions in the cities of Yoloten, Murgap, and Mary can be viewed here.
