Ashgabat, June 18, 2025 — A seminar titled “Principles and Benefits of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)” was held in the capital of Turkmenistan, bringing together representatives of government institutions, international organizations, and the expert community. The event was organized within the framework of the OSCE project aimed at strengthening national and regional capacities for SEA in Central Asia.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by representatives of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, the OSCE, the Secretariat of the UNECE Espoo Convention, and international partners. Participants were introduced to international SEA standards, including the Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment to the Espoo Convention and the EU Directive 2001/42/EC, as well as the current status of SEA implementation in Turkmenistan.
A keynote address was delivered by OSCE national expert Serdar Mamedniyazov, who emphasized the importance of integrating SEA into national and sectoral planning processes. Special attention was paid to the role of relevant national institutions, including environmental and health authorities, in ensuring the quality and effectiveness of strategic assessments.
During the seminar's practical segment, participants discussed the types of documents subject to SEA procedures and presented group conclusions. The event concluded with a presentation of best practices from Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus, highlighting the critical importance of institutionalizing SEA in Turkmenistan to support sustainable and environmentally sound development.
Source: Scientific and Information Center of the ICSD
