a virtual meeting was held between professors and lecturers from Turkmenistan’s Magtymguly Turkmen State University, the S.A. Nyýazow Turkmen Agricultural University, the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, and several universities from the Federal Republic of Somalia. The conference, which focused on environmental protection and water diplomacy, aimed to foster international collaboration in addressing climate change and sustainable water management.

During the meeting, Şeker Aşyrmyradowa, Head of the Department of Ecology at Magtymguly Turkmen State University and Coordinator of the "Strengthening Higher Education in the Water Sector to Ensure Climate Stability and Security in Central Asia" (HWCA) project under the Erasmus+ program, emphasized the critical role of higher education and international cooperation in adapting to climate change. She pointed out that universities play a vital role in preparing specialists to address climate-related challenges, including ecological management, water governance, energy efficiency, and agricultural adaptation.

Also speaking was Gapurjan Hamraýew, Head of the Department of Hydrometeorology at Magtymguly Turkmen State University. His presentation, titled "Study of the Movement of Sand Dunes in Western Turkmenistan," covered ongoing research in the region's natural resources and the importance of managing the movement of dunes to ensure sustainable development.

Somali representatives also made key contributions. Dr. Sherif Osman, Director of the Peace, Water, and Environment Institute at Mogadishu University, discussed Somalia's water diplomacy, highlighting the challenges and opportunities facing the country. Abdilatif Hussein Omar, Lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Management at Somali National University, presented on "Somalia's Environmental and Climate Change Challenges: Government, Civil Society, and Academia Collaborating." Dr. Abdirahman Ismail Dakane, from Mogadishu University’s Engineering Faculty, spoke about managing the Juba-Shabelle river basin as a key to regional stability and development. Additionally, Muhammed Okash, from the Air and Environmental Institute at SIMAD University, shared insights on the role of higher education in combating climate change in Somalia.

The meeting concluded with both sides expressing readiness to continue collaboration on environmental and climate-related issues.

Sona GURBANOVA,
student at Institute of International Relations
of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan

Source: Education.gov.tm