Bukhara, Uzbekistan, 3-4 October 2024 – A representative of the Secretariat of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (ICSD) participated in the Completion Workshop of the FAO/GEF regional project "Integrated Natural Resources Management in Drought-Prone and Saline Agricultural Production Landscapes in Central Asia and Türkiye (CACILM-2)." The event was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in cooperation with the project's national partners and brought together representatives of government institutions, international organizations, research institutions, and technical experts from the countries of Central Asia and Türkiye.
During the first day of the workshop, national coordinators and technical experts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan presented the key achievements of the project, including the introduction of innovative approaches to integrated natural resource management, strengthening the capacities of national institutions, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and enhancing transboundary knowledge exchange.
As part of the roundtable discussions, participants reviewed the project's achievements, examined the draft project completion report, and exchanged views on the future application of the methodologies and cooperation mechanisms developed under the project. A dedicated session focused on opportunities for scaling up successful practices, ensuring the sustainability of project outcomes beyond its completion, and identifying new avenues for regional cooperation in sustainable natural resource management.
The representative of the ICSD Secretariat actively contributed to expert discussions on integrating the knowledge and experience generated by the project into regional environmental cooperation processes and strengthening mechanisms for knowledge exchange among the countries of Central Asia. The discussions highlighted the importance of utilizing the project's results in the development of national and regional programmes on sustainable land management, climate change adaptation, and combating land degradation.
On the second day of the Workshop, participants visited project sites in the Bukhara Region, where they observed the practical outcomes of the project, including the implementation of sustainable land-use technologies, land restoration measures, and improved water resource management practices. The field visit enabled participants to assess the effectiveness of the implemented interventions and discuss opportunities for replicating these approaches across the countries of the region.
Participants visiting project sites in the Bukhara Region. Photocredit to event organizers.
At the conclusion of the workshop, participants reaffirmed the importance of regional partnership as a key driver for the successful implementation of sustainable natural resource management approaches. Particular emphasis was placed on the need to continue interstate cooperation, strengthen scientific and technical knowledge exchange, and mobilize joint efforts to address the interconnected challenges of land degradation, desertification, ecosystem conservation, and enhancing the climate resilience of agricultural landscapes.
The participation of the ICSD Secretariat in the Project's Completion Workshop is fully aligned with the Commission's mandate to promote regional cooperation in environmental protection and sustainable development. The knowledge gained, expert recommendations formulated, and partnerships established during the event will contribute to the continued implementation of the Regional Environmental Programme for Sustainable Development for Central Asia (REP4SD) 2020-2030, particularly its priorities related to sustainable land and water resources management, restoration of degraded ecosystems, climate change adaptation, and strengthening regional cooperation among the countries of Central Asia.
The event contributes to the achievement of:
| Priority Area No 5 dedicated to SDG 15: “Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems” |
| 5.1.1 Integration of the ecosystem approach for climate change adaptation at the strategic, programmatic and project levels to improve cross-sectoral collaboration (and sectoral plans) and ecosystem protection, restoration and sustainable management. |
| 5.1.2 Capacity-building for sustainable management of forests, land, and pastures. |