At the Central Asian Conference on Climate Change (CACIC-2026) in Astana, Deputy Minister of Education of Turkmenistan Azat Atayev outlined the nation's strategic approach to environmental literacy. Within the framework of the RES 2026 regional summit, it was emphasized that the education sector is no longer viewed as a secondary field but as a primary driver for achieving environmental sustainability. The state policy focuses on integrating economic advancement with eco-friendly technologies and significant emission reductions.

A major focus is being placed on the "green" transformation of the higher education system. Collaborating with international bodies such as the European Training Foundation, Turkmenistan has developed a "Map of Future Professions," which identifies 156 specialized roles across 11 economic sectors. The professional standards for most of these roles now include mandatory competencies in climate resilience and ecological management, ensuring that the future workforce is equipped to handle the demands of a sustainable global economy.

The integration of climate topics begins at the earliest stages of the educational journey. Following the 2019 rollout of the "Climate Box" in secondary schools with UNDP support, the curriculum was further updated in 2022 to weave environmental themes into five core subjects. As of 2025, in partnership with UNICEF, similar climate-focused educational materials have been introduced to preschools. This establishes a continuous vertical of environmental education, fostering ecological awareness from early childhood through to university graduation.

On a regional scale, Turkmenistan remains committed to advancing climate technology and cooperative planning. During the plenary sessions, Atayev highlighted the significance of the Turkmen President’s initiative to establish a Regional Center for Climate Technologies. This center is envisioned as a vital hub for coordinating long-term climate strategies and fulfilling Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), providing the necessary technological infrastructure to support Central Asia’s collective environmental goals.