Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 15-16 October 2025 — A series of meetings dedicated to the assessment of management effectiveness of protected areas (IBEX) within the transnational serial UNESCO World Heritage Site “Cold Winter Deserts of Turan” were held in the conference hall of the Hydrometeorological Service of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan.
The meetings were organized with the support of the Michael Succow Foundation for Nature Conservation (MSF, Germany) and brought together representatives of the Bereketli Garagum State Nature Reserve and the Repetek State Biosphere Reserve of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, as well as experts from Conservation X Labs.
Meeting participants. Photocredit to organizers of the event.
The purpose of the meetings was to introduce the new International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) programme, “Green List,” aimed at improving the management effectiveness of protected areas (PAs) and conducting IBEX assessments of the Bereketli Garagum and Repetek reserves in accordance with Green List standards.
The objective of the programme is to increase the number of protected areas that achieve successful outcomes for both nature and people. Participation in the initiative results in improved management quality and conservation outcomes, enhanced access to funding, and a strengthened international reputation.
During the discussions, promising pilot protected areas in Turkmenistan were preliminarily identified, where efforts are already underway to strengthen their capacity for future nomination under the IUCN Green List Programme. International consultants from the Michael Succow Foundation for Nature Conservation and the project team of Conservation X Labs will provide support for the implementation of this programme in Turkmenistan in cooperation with representatives of the pilot state reserves.
Prepared by: Ms. Sh. Karryeva, Technical Advisor, Conservation X Labs
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” |
| 5.2.3 development of ecological corridors for migratory species of animals and birds, transboundary cooperation on protection of key habitats, including protected areas; |
| Priority area No 6 of REP4SD dedicated to SDG 17: “Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development” |
| 6.5 Conducting joint activities for the protection and conservation of the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites. |