On August 26, Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the Project Office of the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC) in Turkmenistan, held a meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tajikistan to Turkmenistan, Niyatbekzoda Vafo Alibek.

The parties exchanged views on the current state and prospects of regional cooperation in Central Asia in the field of environmental protection, climate change, and sustainable development. Mergen Kepbanov briefed the ambassador on CAREC's activities and the project office's main areas of work in Turkmenistan, and also spoke about initiatives implemented with the center's support.

One of the key topics of the meeting was the development of the regional climate agenda. CAREC's work at the Regional Environmental Summit, held April 22–24, 2026, in Astana, during which the 8th Central Asian Climate Change Conference (CACCC-2026) took place, was noted. The meeting participants emphasized the importance of this platform for professional dialogue and exchange of experience on issues of adaptation to climate change and sustainable development in the region.

Special attention was paid to the education and training of young specialists. The project office director discussed CAREC's collaboration with Green University in Tashkent and opportunities for Central Asian citizens to study ecology, climate, and sustainable development at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Niyatbekzoda Vafo Alibek noted the importance of developing educational cooperation and training qualified personnel to address environmental and climate challenges. The parties also discussed the possibility of project office representatives participating in events organized by the Tajik Embassy in Ashgabat on environmental and climate issues, and expressed their willingness to further exchange information and develop professional contacts.