Presidential Resolution No. 660 “On issues of the Ministry of Environmental Protection”.

This Presidential Resolution establishes the organizational framework, staffing structure, and regulations for the newly created Ministry of Environmental Protection following the reorganization of government institutions. The resolution approves the ministry’s central office structure and governing statute, sets the central staff complement at 53 positions, and provides for its financing from the state budget. The ministry is headquartered in Ashgabat and succeeds to the rights, functions, and privileges previously held by the former Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection in matters related to environmental governance.
The statute defines the Ministry of Environmental Protection as the central executive authority responsible for environmental protection and hydrometeorology policy. Its core functions include implementing state environmental programs, developing environmental legislation, coordinating environmental and climate-related activities across government bodies, managing international environmental cooperation, conducting hydrometeorological monitoring and forecasting, and promoting scientific research and innovation. The ministry is charged with protecting ecosystems, biodiversity, forests, water resources, the Caspian Sea environment, the atmosphere, and the ozone layer, while also overseeing environmental education, ecological monitoring, environmental impact assessments, waste management, greenhouse-gas emission controls, and compliance with international environmental agreements.
The regulation grants the ministry extensive supervisory and regulatory powers, including issuing permits, conducting inspections, enforcing environmental laws, approving environmental standards, maintaining environmental and natural-resource cadastres, and suspending environmentally harmful activities when necessary. It also oversees protected areas, wildlife conservation, hydrometeorological information services, environmental safety certification, and digitalization initiatives within the ministry and its subordinate entities. The ministry is headed by a minister appointed by the President, assisted by two deputy ministers, and supported by specialized departments covering environmental protection, biodiversity, forestry, international cooperation, hydrometeorology, finance, investments, and digital technologies.