Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan – The European Union (EU) Award Ceremony “The Most Energy Efficient School” was held today in Turkmenbashi, as part of the EU–Turkmenistan Sustainable Energy Days 2024 (SEDs).
School № 10 was recognised as the most energy efficient among the public schools of the city. The School teachers, students, parents, the representatives of the EU, the UNDP in Turkmenistan, Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan, Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, and Turkmenbashi city administration gathered at the event to celebrate the School’s achievement.
H.E. Ms Beata Peksa, EU Ambassador to Turkmenistan, said: “This European Union Award is, first and foremost, the recognition of the teachers’ invaluable contribution to developing children’s skills in careful and rational use of natural resources, and protecting the environment and the Planet. I wholeheartedly congratulate the School, its teachers and students for this outstanding achievement. Spread the word and inspire others. Tell your relatives, friends, neighbours to save energy. By using energy more efficiently, we build a brighter and healthier future for all of us”.
The Award Ceremony was followed by the environmental action for schoolchildren. It involved an introductory lecture titled “Nature is our common home”, mini-sports competitions and a bicycle ride to promote environmentally friendly mobility, and the tree planting ceremony, during which children and the esteemed guests planted trees together, thus, doing their bit to greening Turkmenistan and contributing positively to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
The SEDs campaign takes place in Ashgabat and Turkmenbashi from 27 April to 3 May 2024 and aims to raise awareness on energy efficiency, renewable energy and the interlinkage between energy and climate change among the national stakeholder groups and the broader public, including youth and schoolchildren.
The events within the campaign are held by the EU through its project “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA)”, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) project “Sustainable Cities in Turkmenistan: Integrated development of green cities in Ashgabat and Avaza”, and with the support of the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan, the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, and Turkmenbashi city administration.
Background:
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 European countries. It is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. It acts globally to promote sustainable development of societies, environment and economies, so that everyone can benefit.
The EU-funded project “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA)” (from March 2022 to March 2026) aims to promote a sustainable energy mix in the Central Asia region in line with EU best practices. To fulfil its mission, SECCA strives to provide for strengthened and more inclusive policy, regulatory and institutional framework for the transition to a sustainable energy system, within a regional context, and focuses on contributing to the fulfilment of international human rights commitments in CA countries, including equal access to energy, and supporting gender inclusive policies and legislation for energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE). The project activities include capacity development for EE and RE deployment, awareness raising on EE and RE, and improving investment climate for EE and RE projects. Website: www.secca.eu.
UNDP project “Sustainable Cities in Turkmenistan: Integrated development of green cities in Ashgabat and Avaza”. The objective of the project is to significantly reduce the negative effects of urban growth in Turkmenistan and simultaneously achieve the goals of social and economic development. To this end, the project provides technical assistance, organizational and political support, the organization and development of programs, as well as the promotion of behavior change in combination with national priorities and specific needs formulated by the Government. The measures introduced in Ashgabat and Avaza have led to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and social benefits in themselves, as well as creating the basis for replication in other regions of Turkmenistan.
The EU–Turkmenistan Sustainable Energy Days is part of the broader EU–Central Asia Sustainable Energy Days campaign. Its purpose is to enhance the awareness of all national stakeholder groups and the broader public in the region on the significance, benefits and accessibility of sustainable energy.
For additional information, please contact Mrs Yelena Serebrennikova, Communication strategist, SECCA, email: media@secca.eu, WhatsApp: +77019814020, Mrs Nurgul Smagulova-Dulic, Digital Communication Expert, SECCA, email: nurgul.smagulova@secca.eu, WhatsApp: +77012066760, or the EU Delegation to Turkmenistan: Aygul.BASHIMOVA@eeas.europa.eu.
