A Video Conference with Somali Universities Was Held

On December 23, a video conference was held between professors and lecturers from Magtymguly Turkmen State University, S.A. Niyazov Turkmen Agricultural University, the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, and universities of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The conference was dedicated to environmental protection and water diplomacy.

At the meeting, the Head of the Ecology Department at Magtymguly Turkmen State University, coordinator for the university under the project “Strengthening Higher Education in the Water Sector for Climate Resilience and Security in Central Asia” (HWCA), implemented within the framework of the European Commission’s Erasmus+ program, Sheker Ashyrmyradova, delivered a presentation on “The Role of Higher Education and International Cooperation in Adapting to Climate Change in Central Asia.” The presentation highlighted that higher education is an important platform for training specialists capable of addressing issues related to climate change. Through specialized programs and projects in areas such as ecology, water resource management, energy efficiency, agriculture, and economic adaptation, it is possible to offer solutions aimed at addressing regional issues. The higher education system not only prepares specialists in climatology, sustainable development, and environmental management but also aims to equip them to address interregional challenges.

The Head of the Hydrometeorology Department at Magtymguly Turkmen State University, Candidate of Geographical Sciences Gapurdjan Hamrayev, delivered a presentation titled “Study of the Movement of Sand Massifs in Western Turkmenistan,” providing a detailed overview of the work being carried out in this field in the country. He specifically noted studies of modern exodynamic processes and landform formation processes to successfully resolve issues related to the rational use of natural resources in the Western Turkmen Lowlands. In this context, studying the movement of shifting sands in the region is particularly relevant.

The Federal Republic of Somalia also made several presentations. Dr. Sherif Osman, Director of the Institute for Peace, Water, and the Environment at Mogadishu University, spoke on “Somali Water Diplomacy: Existing Challenges and Missed Opportunities.” Abdilatif Hussein Omar, a lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Management at Somali National University, delivered a presentation titled “Somali Environmental Protection and Climate Change: Joint Efforts of the Government, Civil Society, and Academia.” Dr. Abdirahman Ismail Dakane from the Faculty of Engineering at Mogadishu University presented on “Integrated Water Resource Management in the Juba-Shabelle Basin: A Key to Sustainability and Regional Development.” Muhammad Okash from the Institute of Climate and Environment at SIMAD University gave a presentation titled “The Role of Higher Education in Combating Climate Change in Somalia.”

During the video conference, both sides expressed their readiness for further cooperation.

Magtymguly Turkmen State University