IRENA Urges Turkmenistan to Accelerate Shift to Clean Energy

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has called on Turkmenistan to step up efforts toward a sustainable, low-carbon future, highlighting the growing importance of regional cooperation in Central Asia.

The appeal was made by IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera during a roundtable discussion at ADA University, held to mark the International Day of Clean Energy, The Caspian Post reports via local media.

La Camera said that Central Asia stands at a critical crossroads. Rising energy demand across the region, combined with abundant renewable resources, creates what he described as a unique opportunity to move away from excessive reliance on fossil fuels and toward a resilient low-carbon energy system.

“Turning this potential into reality requires a strong foundation for regional cooperation and investment mobilization,” La Camera said. He noted that this was the rationale behind the launch of the Accelerated Partnership for Central Asia (APCA) at COP29, an initiative designed to unite international and regional partners around four key pillars of cooperation.

La Camera added that Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan are already working together within this framework.

“We encourage Turkmenistan to join them and accelerate its own path toward a sustainable future,” he said, underscoring IRENA’s view that coordinated regional action is essential for Central Asia’s clean energy transition.