In the Epoch of the Revival of a new era of powerful state, a policy of universal peace is being widely promoted in our beloved Motherland, under the leadership of our Hero-Arkadag and the esteemed President. The international community broadly supports the esteemed President's foreign policy, which is aimed at active cooperation in achieving peace. Particular attention is being paid to the application and implementation of advanced technologies for the efficient use of environmentally friendly energy sources in our country. Given the current circumstances, hydrogen, as the fuel of the future, is one such source. In recent years, with the intensification of efforts to transition to low-carbon energy and hydrogen fuel worldwide, a shift in the structure of energy demand is expected. In the context of global challenges related to the environment and climate change, studying the possibilities of hydrogen production and use has become particularly relevant. Currently, in matters of global security, much attention is being paid to the development of hydrogen energy in the region and worldwide to prevent global warming and greenhouse gas emissions, and a number of research projects are being conducted in this area.

    In accordance with the "Roadmap for the Development of International Cooperation in Hydrogen Energy in Turkmenistan for 2022-2023," approved by the Decree of the President of Turkmenistan, the Yagshygeldi Kakayev International Oil and Gas University has established a Hydrogen Energy Center, and the objectives of its Work Plan, approved in agreement with the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, have been fulfilled.

    Currently, relevant work is underway jointly with leading international universities, research centers, and companies to train highly qualified specialists in hydrogen energy and establish an educational and scientific laboratory. In this regard, in 2022, the University held digital seminars with specialists from the Hydrogen Energy Center, the University of Tsukuba (Japan), Iwatani and Kawasaki Heavy Ind., the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the Sustainable Gas Institute at Imperial College London (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) to share experiences in the production of hydrogen energy.

    In 2023, the Hydrogen Energy Center, opened at the University, organized practical training sessions for representatives of the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan, the “Turkmengas” and “Turkmennebit” state concerns, and the “Turkmengeologiya” State Corporation. Working meetings were also held using a digital system between specialists from the Hydrogen Energy Center and the German Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations on the development of hydrogen energy in Turkmenistan, "Green Transformation Meetings" and "Bilateral Energy Cooperation," and a meeting between Sinopec (People's Republic of China) on the procurement of laboratory equipment. Discussions were also held on cooperation opportunities within the framework of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization's (UNIDO) Global Hydrogen Energy Program.

    In 2023, the Yagshygeldy Kakayev International Oil and Gas University hosted the International Scientific and Practical Conferences "Scientific and Technical Possibilities of Generating Hydrogen Energy from Natural Gas" and "Energy Prospects and New Technologies for Hydrocarbon Deposit Development." These international scientific and practical conferences discussed important energy issues, new technologies, and significant environmental challenges in hydrocarbon deposit development. The holding of these international conferences is a clear indication of the current work being done in this field.

    To establish and develop hydrogen energy in the country, the University's Hydrogen Energy Center conducted a series of research projects on producing hydrogen fuel from water using electrolysis, resulting in green hydrogen energy. The center's specialists also created a laboratory setup for producing hydrogen fuel from natural gas using an innovative plasma-chemical method. The hydrogen fuel obtained by this method was analyzed on an “Agilent Technologies 6890’ gas chromatograph and it was fully proven that hydrogen and carbon black are formed from natural gas.

    During the President of Turkmenistan's working visit to Japan during the International Year of Peace and Trust, a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in joint scientific research on hydrogen energy was signed between the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan and the University of Tsukuba, a leading Japanese university. A draft Work Plan for the University's Hydrogen Energy Center for 2025-2026 was developed to implement the activities outlined in the Roadmap for the implementation of the agreements reached. To implement the objectives of the Plan, the university is conducting comprehensive work to study and implement international experience in the field of hydrogen energy.

    As a result of these activities, it is planned to send representatives from the Yagshygeldi Kakayev International Oil and Gas University to the University of Tsukuba in 2026 to receive advanced training in hydrogen energy and participate in the proposed training programs.

    Turkmenistan's energy security initiatives are undoubtedly of particular importance in ensuring global peace, security, and sustainable development. The successful implementation of the objectives set for the fuel and energy sector, which occupies a key position in the national economy, serves as clear evidence of its rapid development. We wish Hero-Arkadag, Arkadagly Hero Serdar, who is pursuing a far-sighted and wise policy for the peace, prosperity, and development of an independent, permanently neutral Turkmenistan, strengthening friendly and fraternal relations with the peoples of the world, good health, a long life, and prosperity in his endeavors that serve the state and national interests!

Bayram Velhanov,

Director of the Hydrogen Energy Center, Yagshygeldi Kakayev International

Oil and Gas University.