Ashgabat, 14 May 2010 – On the day of environmental awareness, which is celebrated in Turkmenistan on 12 May, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Project "Conservation and Sustainable Use of Globally Significant Biological Diversity in the Hazar Nature Reserve on the Caspian Sea Coast" launched a Training Center for Environmental Management based in the National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna of the Ministry of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan. The presentation ceremony was attended by the officials of the Ministry of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan, as well as students of higher education establishments.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Nature Protection Jumamurad Saparmuradov, who is also the National Project Coordinator, said the center is an excellent resource for biology and ecology students to develop knowledge in the field of environmental protection through free access to environmental internet portals and direct interaction with researchers of the Hazar Nature Reserve.

During the presentation, the UNDP project experts spoke about the project objectives and activities, one of which is the recent monitoring of fluctuations in the level of the Caspian Sea in order to determine the impact of these processes on the biodiversity of the Hazar Nature Reserve. The presentation participants were also informed about the current approaches to conservation of unique natural complexes and objects providing for the harmonious combination of environmental goals and sustainable use of natural resources.

The main task of the training center is to strengthen the scientific platform and management capacity of protected areas of the country. Students of higher education establishments of Turkmenistan specializing in environmental issues can also use extensively the training center services. The training center has a library, computers and high-speed Internet that will allow students to expand knowledge about the Hazar Nature Reserve as well as new adaptive management of protected areas proposed by the UNDP project that seeks to involve local people in addressing issues of environmental protection.

Demonstration of ecologically balanced socio-economic empowerment of the local population in the context of protected areas is one of the priorities of the project. The best practices attained by the project can be replicated throughout the system of national protected areas. A special role for promotion of this practice is given to environmental education as the basis to establish a balanced relationship between man and nature.

The UNDP/GEF project «Conservation and Sustainable Use of Globally Significant Biological Diversity in the Hazar Nature Reserve on the Caspian Sea Coast» started in 2006. It is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan. The main goal of the project is to preserve globally significant biological diversity of Turkmenistan through strengthening sustainability of the country’s national protected areas system.