Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 27-29 February 2024 – Representatives of the Scientific-Information Center of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (SIC ICSD) and the ICSD Secretariat participated in the National Workshop on Amendments to the Forest Code of Turkmenistan, organized within the framework of the FAO-GEF regional project "Integrated Natural Resources Management in Drought-Prone and Salt-Affected Agricultural Production Landscapes in Central Asia and Türkiye (CACILM-II)." The workshop brought together representatives of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, the Ministry of Agriculture, national research institutions, national and international experts, and development partners to discuss the modernization of the country's forest legislation and the introduction of contemporary approaches to sustainable forest management.
Over the course of three days, participants reviewed international approaches to the development of Criteria and Indicators (C&I) for Sustainable Forest Management (SFM), discussed the future development of the Forest Code of Turkmenistan, institutional mechanisms for strengthening national forest legislation, and examined sustainable forest management practices in the context of climate change. Particular attention was devoted to the development of a national set of SFM Criteria and Indicators, their practical application in forest monitoring and reporting systems, and the formulation of recommendations for amending the Forest Code of Turkmenistan.
The participation of representatives of SIC ICSD and the ICSD Secretariat contributed to strengthening regional cooperation on sustainable natural resource management and promoting the exchange of knowledge and experience among Central Asian countries. During the discussions, regional approaches to improving environmental governance were presented, highlighting the importance of aligning national legislation with international environmental commitments and the principles of sustainable development.
As an outcome of the workshop, participants developed a set of recommendations for further improving the Forest Code of Turkmenistan, advancing the implementation of national Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management, and identifying follow-up actions to strengthen interagency cooperation and enhance the institutional capacities of relevant organizations.
SIC ICSD and the ICSD Secretariat remain committed to fostering regional dialogue and promoting sustainable natural resource management across Central Asia by supporting initiatives aimed at conserving ecosystems, enhancing resilience to climate change, and advancing the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The event supports the achievement of:
| Priority Area of REP4SD No 5 dedicated to SDG 15: “Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems” |
| 5.1.2 capacity-building for sustainable management of forests, land, and pastures. |