Ahal velayat, Turkmenistan, 16 April 2024 — The second inception seminar under the project on the development of a “Comprehensive Plan for the Restoration of Degraded Desert Pastures of the Central Karakum and Their Sustainable Management under Intensifying Drought Conditions” was held in the Bokurdak village ("Erbent" Daykhan Association) of Ahal velayat. The event was organized by the Scientific-Information Center of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (SIC ICSD) with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) CACILM-II project, which aims to promote sustainable land management across Central Asia.
The seminar brought together specialists in natural resource management, pasture management, representatives of the scientific community, and experts involved in project implementation in the pilot areas of the Central Karakum Desert. The main objective of the event was to present the key directions of the project, discuss the current state of pasturelands, and strengthen cooperation among experts and stakeholders engaged in the development of the comprehensive pasture restoration plan.
Speakers presenting duing the event. Photocredit to SIC ICSD.
The seminar also provided an overview of the CACILM-2 initiative, which supports sustainable land management and the restoration of degraded ecosystems across Central Asia. Particular attention was given to the current condition of pasturelands in Turkmenistan and existing management approaches. Project experts presented key challenges related to pasture degradation, as well as potential pathways for their sustainable use and restoration.
Dedicated sessions addressed the legal and institutional frameworks for sustainable pasture management in Turkmenistan, as well as issues related to the rational use of desert forests and prospects for their restoration. These presentations enabled participants to gain deeper insight into existing regulatory mechanisms and to explore opportunities for improving pasture management practices.
The practical component of the seminar included group exercises aimed at facilitating knowledge exchange and strengthening the practical skills required for further research and the development of the comprehensive pasture restoration plan. During discussions, participants had the opportunity to engage with project experts, ask questions, and exchange views on the implementation of planned activities.
In concluding the seminar, participants emphasized the importance of a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to addressing the degradation of desert pastures in the Central Karakum. The inception seminar marked an important step in project implementation and contributed to strengthening cooperation between SIC ICSD, FAO, and national experts in the field of sustainable natural resource management, with a view to enhancing the resilience of pasture ecosystems to drought and climate change.
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. |