AGP Executive Report

Caspian Sea Crisis: Iran’s environmental officials say the Caspian Sea has dropped to its lowest level in about 200 years, with water retreat driven by rising temperatures, faster evaporation, reduced inflows and lower rainfall—warning that shrinking shorelines could damage coastal infrastructure, wetlands and ecosystems. Regional Cooperation: Turkmenistan marked Caspian Sea Day in Avaza with a scientific conference on “Protecting the Caspian Sea Ecosystem,” bringing together Caspian littoral states and international partners to push sustainable development and regional action. Security & Environment: Russia’s envoy in Turkmenistan urged Caspian littoral states to prevent escalation after attacks on civilian vessels and infrastructure, warning the risks to navigation and the sea’s fragile ecosystem. Turkmenistan Health Preparedness: WHO and Turkmen health authorities met in Ashgabat to strengthen public health emergency planning at points of entry, including draft national action plans and standard operating procedures. Climate Context: A new report says July 2026 tied July 2024 as Earth’s hottest month on record, underscoring the broader heat pressure behind regional environmental stress.

Caspian Sea Ecosystem: Turkmenistan marked Caspian Sea Day at Awaza with an international scientific forum on “Protecting the Caspian Sea Ecosystem,” tying the push to the Tehran Convention’s 20th anniversary and calling for regional cooperation to safeguard a fragile marine environment. Security & Environment: Russia warned that attacks on civilian vessels and infrastructure in the Caspian threaten navigation, regional stability, and the sea’s ecosystem, urging littoral states to prevent escalation. Water Levels Research: At the same conference, Russia said there’s no single scientific explanation yet for the receding Caspian water levels, and called for pooled research and forecasts to reduce climate-related damage. Regional Monitoring: Kazakhstan announced 1.1 billion tenge for marine monitoring equipment and labs, supporting an interstate adaptation program and an action plan under discussion. Marine Litter Awareness: UNDP/UNEP-backed events in Avaza brought children into Caspian biodiversity and marine plastics awareness, promoting shared responsibility for the sea. Climate Signal: July 2026 tied with July 2024 as the hottest July on record, reinforcing the urgency behind regional climate and water efforts.

Caspian Sea Ecosystem & Diplomacy: Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov met UN, EU and OSCE representatives in Awaza, stressing environmental sustainability and ecosystem protection for the Caspian as a shared priority. Caspian Sea Day & Regional Action: International Caspian Sea Day (Aug. 12) closed Caspian Sea Action Week 2026 in Kazakhstan with seminars, coastline cleanups, tree planting and youth volunteer activities, while Turkmenistan’s President backed a conference on protecting the Caspian ecosystem and highlighted Avaza as a key venue for upcoming Caspian environmental talks. Water-Linked Risk: Iran’s proposal to ratify a Caspian legal-status convention and calls for cooperation come alongside renewed focus on falling water levels and the need for practical action among littoral states. Climate Pressure: A new global temperature report says July 2026 tied July 2024 as Earth’s hottest month on record, underscoring the urgency of climate and water resilience. Green Schools: UNICEF and Turkmenistan’s education ministry expanded the Green School Programme to 100 new schools, aiming to make schools safer, healthier and more climate-ready. Internet & Rights: A report highlights how Turkmenistan’s internet censorship is among the harshest in Central Asia, with widespread blocking and a costly workaround market.

Caspian Sea Protection: Turkmenistan marked Caspian Sea Day on 12 August with a presidential address at a scientific conference on ecosystem protection, pointing to earlier Caspian summits and environmental forums as key milestones. Marine Litter & Youth Action: In Avaza, UNDP and UNEP backed a Caspian Sea Day event for children focused on biodiversity and the dangers of marine plastics and microplastics. Caspian Water Worries: Iran’s ambassador urged closer Iran–Turkmenistan cooperation on transport and also flagged the falling Caspian water level as a shared concern. Regional Diplomacy: Iran said a high-level Caspian meeting is planned for 23 September in Tehran, with Turkmenistan proposing an Ashgabat summit on 9 October to discuss the sea’s environmental situation and water changes. Climate Heat Record: July 2026 tied with July 2024 as the hottest July on record, underscoring the wider climate pressure affecting the region’s water and ecosystems. Green Schools: UNICEF and Turkmenistan’s education ministry expanded the Green School Programme by adding 100 new schools, aiming to make campuses safer, healthier, and more climate-resilient. Water Management in Central Asia: Central Asian states approved steps to automate Syrdarya water accounting and discussed reservoir limits for the 2026 growing season, including a World Bank-backed water efficiency effort.

Caspian Sea diplomacy: Iran proposed deeper transport and transit cooperation with Turkmenistan by linking the Port of Turkmenbashi with Iranian Caspian ports, while also urging joint action as the Caspian’s water level keeps falling. Caspian Sea environment: Iran also backed a high-level Caspian meeting in Tehran on Sept. 23, with Turkmenistan pushing for an Ashgabat summit on Oct. 9 focused on the sea’s environmental situation and water changes. Climate record: July 2026 tied July 2024 as Earth’s hottest month on record, with global temperatures running at record highs for the first seven months. Marine litter awareness: UNDP and UNEP marked Caspian Sea Day in Avaza with an environmental event for children, focusing on biodiversity and the threat of marine plastics and microplastics. Green schools: UNICEF and Turkmenistan’s education ministry expanded the Green School Programme by adding 100 new schools, aiming to make schools safer, healthier, and more climate-ready. Water management: Central Asian states approved plans to automate Syrdarya water accounting, supporting more coordinated basin management. Energy & skills: Turkmen specialists joined a Germany internship under an EU-backed climate action project, training in renewable energy efficiency, methane reduction, and applied digital methods.

Caspian Sea Day in Avaza: UNDP and UNEP marked Caspian Sea Day with an environmental awareness event for children in Turkmenistan’s Avaza, focusing on marine biodiversity and the harms of marine litter, plastic pollution and microplastics. Green Schools Expansion: UNICEF and Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Education brought 100 new schools into the Green School Programme, aiming to make schools safer, healthier and more climate-ready through governance, greener facilities, updated teaching and community action. Inclusive Education Push: A UNICEF-supported week-long mission helped Turkmenistan review progress on inclusive education and plan next steps to better support children with disabilities and learning needs. Water Security in Central Asia: Ministers approved a plan to automate Syrdarya water accounting and discussed reservoir limits for Syrdarya and Amudarya basins, with a working group set to form by September. Climate Reality Check: A Kyrgyz climatologist warned the region is warming faster than the global average, with Turkmenistan among the places seeing sharper temperature rises, especially in lowland areas. Caspian Under Pressure: A new study links falling Caspian Sea levels to reduced river inflows, including major losses from the Volga, raising alarms about withdrawals pushing the sea toward collapse. Renewables Skills for Turkmenistan: Turkmen specialists joined a Germany internship under an EU/GIZ “Green development” project, training on renewable efficiency, methane cuts and applied digital tools. TAPI Talks in Herat: Turkmenistan’s leader met Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs in Herat, with TAPI pipeline progress among the key topics.

Green Schools Expansion: UNICEF and Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Education brought 100 new schools into the Green School Programme, aiming to make campuses safer, healthier, and more climate-ready through governance, greener facilities, updated teaching, and community action. Inclusive Education Push: A week-long UNICEF-supported technical mission helped Turkmenistan map next steps to expand inclusive education, focusing on teacher training, better support for schools, and improved ways to identify and respond to children’s learning needs. Water & Aral Sea Cooperation: Central Asian states approved a plan to automate Syrdarya water accounting for the 2026 growing season, with a working group set by September, while also discussing water-efficiency work under a World Bank-backed project. Caspian Sea Under Pressure: New reporting links the Caspian’s shrinking to sharply reduced river inflows, raising alarms about decades of withdrawals and the wider regional water stress affecting Turkmenistan and neighbors. Climate Skills & Research: Turkmen specialists joined a German internship under an EU/GIZ climate-action project, training on renewable energy efficiency, methane reduction, and industry-focused digital tools. Nature Spotlight: Turkmenistan highlighted its oldest black saxaul, “Sazak-Palvan,” in the Repetek Biosphere Reserve—an enduring symbol of desert resilience.

Green Schools Expansion: UNICEF and Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Education added 100 new schools to the Green School Programme, aiming to make campuses safer, healthier, and more climate-ready through governance, greener facilities, updated teaching, and community action. Inclusive Education Push: A week-long UNICEF-supported technical mission helped Turkmenistan review progress and plan next steps to expand inclusive education for children with disabilities and learning needs, with focus on teacher training and better school support. Water & Aral Sea Cooperation: Central Asian water ministers approved a draft plan to automate Syrdarya water accounting for the 2026 growing season and discussed World Bank-backed water-efficiency work, with Turkmenistan’s water committee chair among participants. Caspian Under Pressure: New reporting links falling Caspian Sea levels to reduced river inflows and decades of withdrawals, raising alarms for the sea’s collapse—an issue that directly affects the region’s environment and livelihoods. Climate Skills for Energy: Turkmen specialists joined a Germany internship under an EU/GIZ climate-action project, training on renewable efficiency, methane reduction, and applied digital tools for industry. Nature Heritage: Turkmenistan highlighted its oldest black saxaul “Sazak-Palvan,” a century-old desert tree in Repetek Biosphere Reserve, protected by fencing and ongoing scientific care.

Caspian Sea Legal Push: Iran is moving to ratify the long-delayed Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, citing a changing security environment and aiming to boost economic cooperation among littoral states. Green Schools Expansion: UNICEF and Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Education added 100 new schools to the Green School Programme, designed to make campuses safer, healthier, and more climate-ready. Inclusive Education Boost: A UNICEF-supported technical mission helped Turkmenistan review progress and plan next steps to expand inclusive education for children with disabilities and learning needs. Water Management in Focus: Central Asian states approved plans to automate Syrdarya water accounting for the 2026 growing season, with Turkmenistan’s water authorities among participants. Climate Skills for Youth: Turkmenistan sent specialists to Germany for training under an EU-backed climate action project, including work on renewable energy efficiency and methane reduction. Biosphere Conservation Spotlight: Turkmenistan highlighted its oldest black saxaul “Sazak-Palvan” in the Repetek Biosphere Reserve, stressing ongoing protection of the century-old tree.

Green Schools Expansion: UNICEF and Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Education added 100 new schools to the Green School Programme, aiming to make campuses safer, healthier, and more climate-ready through governance, greener facilities, climate-aware teaching, and community action. Inclusive Education Support: A week-long UNICEF-backed technical mission helped Turkmenistan review progress and plan next steps to expand inclusive education, including better teacher preparation and support for children with disabilities and learning needs. Water & Aral Sea Cooperation: Central Asian water ministers approved a draft plan for automated water accounting in the Syrdarya basin for the 2026 growing season, with a working group to be set up by September, alongside work under CAWEC and Aral Sea saving efforts. Caspian Sea Under Pressure: A new report links the Caspian’s shrinking to sharply reduced river inflows, including major losses from the Volga, warning that decades of withdrawals are pushing the sea toward collapse. Climate Skills for Glaciers: An international summer school in Kyrgyzstan trained early-career specialists from across Central Asia, including Turkmenistan, on modern monitoring methods for glacier change and water risks. Agronomy Training: Turkmenistan published a new university textbook, “Innovative technologies in agronomy,” covering modern crop cultivation, rational water use, plant nutrition, and environmental protection.

Water & Aral Sea Basin Cooperation: Central Asian water ministers, including Turkmenistan’s State Committee on Water Resources, approved a draft plan for automated water accounting in the Syrdarya basin and discussed reservoir limits for the 2026 growing season, with a working group set to form by September. Green Schools: UNICEF and Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Education expanded the Green School Programme by adding 100 new schools, aiming to make campuses safer, healthier, and more climate-ready through governance, facilities, teaching, and community action. Inclusive Education: A UNICEF-supported technical mission helped Turkmenistan map next steps to expand inclusive education, focusing on teacher preparation and better support for children with diverse needs. Caspian Under Pressure: A new report links falling Caspian Sea levels to sharply reduced river inflows, highlighting how decades of withdrawals are pushing the sea toward collapse. Climate Skills for Glaciers: An international summer school in the Inner Tien Shan trained early-career specialists from across the region, including Turkmenistan, on modern glacier monitoring methods. Energy & Climate Training: Turkmen specialists joined a Germany internship under an EU/GIZ climate action project, working on renewable efficiency, methane reduction, and applied AI for industry.

Transboundary Water Management: Central Asian states approved a draft plan to automate water accounting for the Syrdarya basin during the 2026 growing season, with a working group set to form by September; officials also discussed limits for the Syrdarya and Amudarya basins and progress under the World Bank-backed CAWEC water-efficiency project, aiming for more sustainable use of shared rivers. Green Education Expansion: UNICEF and Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Education added 100 new schools to the Green School Programme, building safer, healthier, climate-ready campuses and embedding climate change, environmental protection, and disaster risk reduction into everyday learning. Climate Skills & Resilience: Turkmen specialists joined a Germany internship under an EU-backed climate action project, focusing on renewable energy efficiency, methane reduction, and practical training tied to digital tools and industry innovation. Caspian Sea Under Pressure: A new report warns the Caspian Sea is nearing collapse as river inflows drop sharply due to decades of water withdrawals across bordering countries, raising urgent questions for water governance and environmental protection. Desert Nature Protection: Turkmenistan highlighted its oldest black saxaul “Sazak-Palvan” in the Repetek Biosphere Reserve, a century-old tree that helps stabilize sands and signals the value of protecting fragile desert ecosystems.

Green Schools Expansion: UNICEF and Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Education added 100 new schools to the Green School Programme, aiming to make campuses safer, healthier, and more climate-ready through governance, greener facilities, climate-focused teaching, and community action. Inclusive Education Support: A UNICEF-backed week-long technical mission helped Turkmenistan review progress and plan next steps to expand inclusive education, including better teacher preparation and stronger support for children with disabilities and learning needs. Caspian Water Stress Warning: New reporting links falling Caspian Sea levels to sharply reduced river inflows, pointing to major water withdrawals across the region—including Iran, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia—raising fears of further ecological collapse. Climate Skills for Water Security: Turkmen specialists joined an EU/GIZ-backed internship in Germany focused on renewable energy efficiency, methane cuts, and applied digital tools for industry, supporting climate action capacity at home. Desert Nature Protection: Turkmenistan highlighted its oldest black saxaul “Sazak-Palvan” in the Repetek Biosphere Reserve, a living example of how desert ecosystems resist extreme heat and frost. Agronomy for Sustainability: A new Turkmen university textbook, “Innovative technologies in agronomy,” covers modern crop cultivation, rational water use, plant nutrition, and environmental protection methods.

Caspian Sea at risk: A new study links the Caspian’s rapid shrinkage to sharply lower river inflows, including major losses from the Volga, as water withdrawals across bordering countries intensify—raising fears of a “brink of collapse” scenario. Climate-and-energy training: Turkmen specialists are in Germany for an EU-backed internship focused on renewable energy efficiency, methane cuts, and practical work on digital tools for industry. OSCE and water/environment cooperation: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov met Swiss OSCE leadership, stressing expanded collaboration on energy security, transport, environmental protection, and rational water use. Biodiversity spotlight: Turkmenistan’s “Sazak-Palvan” black saxaul in the Repetek Biosphere Reserve is highlighted as a rare, century-old desert survivor helping stabilize sands and ecosystems. Health policy with SDG links: Turkmenistan approved a national program for 2026–2030 to strengthen maternal and child health, prevention, and early diagnosis. Agronomy education: A new agronomy textbook for Turkmen universities covers innovative crop cultivation, rational water use, plant nutrition, and environmental protection. Regional glacier know-how: A Central Asia summer school in Issyk-Kul trains young specialists on monitoring glaciers and water risks.

Caspian Sea Crisis: New research links the Caspian’s rapid shrinkage to sharply reduced river inflows, including major losses from the Volga—while water withdrawals and even wartime pressures are making recovery harder. Climate & Water Skills: Turkmenistan joined a Central Asia summer school in Kyrgyzstan focused on glacier monitoring and modern data tools, training young specialists to better model cryosphere change and its flood risks. Green Energy Cooperation: Turkmen specialists are in Germany for an EU-backed internship on renewable efficiency, methane cuts, and AI for industry—covering topics like well integrity and photovoltaiс tech. OSCE & Environment: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov met Swiss OSCE leadership, stressing cooperation that includes environmental protection and rational water management. Nature Conservation Spotlight: A century-old “Sazak-Palvan” black saxaul in the Repetek reserve is highlighted as a living symbol of desert resilience and ongoing protection efforts. Health & Sustainability: Turkmenistan launched a new national maternal and child health program for 2026–2030, aiming to strengthen prevention and early diagnosis.

OSCE & Environment Cooperation: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov met Swiss OSCE chair Ignazio Cassis, with both sides stressing expanded partnership on peace, human rights, energy security, environmental protection, and rational water management. Climate & Water Skills: A Central Asia summer school in Kyrgyzstan trains young hydrology and glaciology specialists on monitoring glacier change in the Inner Tien Shan, using field stations and modern measurement tools. Maternal Health (Public Health): Ashgabat hosted a national roundtable on strengthening exclusive breastfeeding support, backed by UNICEF and the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation. Biodiversity & Nature Heritage: Turkmenistan highlighted its oldest black saxaul “Sazak-Palvan,” a century-old desert tree in Repetek, protected by fencing and ongoing scientific care. Caspian Pollution Control: UNDP and partners discussed strengthening waste-management laws to cut plastic and marine litter entering the Caspian, including new monitoring and standards. Health Strategy: Turkmenistan approved “Healthy Mother – Healthy Child – Healthy Future” for 2026–2030, prioritizing maternal/child care, prevention, and workforce upgrades. Agriculture (Resilience): Farmers in Dashoguz harvested sesame yields of about 10 centners per hectare, citing the crop’s heat and drought tolerance. Regional Green Agenda: Turkmenistan’s upcoming Central Asia–Azerbaijan summit agenda includes environment and climate cooperation, with focus on water resources and Aral Sea restoration. Digital Connectivity: Turkmenistan joined a CAREC Digital Corridor consultative meeting in Islamabad, pushing modern digital ecosystems and digital government services, including healthcare.