Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 15 May 2026 — The Scientific-Information Center of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development of Central Asia (SIC ICSD), in partnership with the UNDP-GEF project “Conservation and Sustainable Management of Land Resources and High Nature Value Ecosystems in the Aral Sea Basin” and national counterparts, organized a meeting of the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Working Group to support the integration of LDN principles into national policy instruments and land-use planning. The meeting brought together approximately twenty representatives of relevant ministries and agencies, with technical support provided by international GIS expert Mikhail Markarov under the “Russian Experts for International Development” programme, ensuring a comprehensive and cross-sectoral approach to sustainable natural resource management in line with national development priorities.
Presentations during the Working Group Meeting. Photocredit to SIC ICSD.
The primary objective of the meeting was to promote the application of modern methodological approaches and digital tools for assessing land degradation and enhancing land-use planning within the framework of the State Programme for the Development of the Digital Economy of Turkmenistan for 2026–2028. Discussions focused on strengthening land monitoring systems, integrating Earth observation data, advancing the national system of indicators, and reinforcing institutional capacities.
A presentation on national and regional environmental initiatives, including the establishment of a Regional Desertification Control Centre for the countries of Central Asia and the preparation of an updated National Action Programme to Combat Desertification of Turkmenistan, was delivered by Mukhammet Durikov, Director of SIC ICSD and National Coordinator of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Turkmenistan. Practical results from the pilot application of the UNCCD methodology for local land degradation assessment and the verification of LDN “hotspots” in pilot areas, based on recent field missions to the Lebap and Dashoguz regions, were presented by Nikolay Nikolaev, GIS Expert of SIC ICSD.
Presentations during the Working Group Meeting. Photocredit to SIC ICSD.
During the meeting, participants reviewed issues related to land resource governance, the possible refinement of national land degradation monitoring indicators in accordance with UNCCD international standards, and the establishment of an integrated digital database to support evidence-based decision-making. Particular attention was given to the analysis of field survey results from irrigated agricultural lands, rangelands, forest fund territories and specially protected natural areas.
As a result of the meeting, participants agreed on further steps to validate land degradation data, improve the national monitoring system, and strengthen the technical capacities of national specialists.
The participation of SIC ICSD as both co-organizer and lead technical partner underscored its important role in strengthening the scientific and analytical foundation for addressing land degradation and desertification, while advancing coordinated regional approaches to achieving Land Degradation Neutrality and promoting sustainable natural resource management across Central Asia.
The event supports the achievement of:
| Priority Area No 5 of REP4SD dedicated to SDG 15: “Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems” |
| 5.1.7 use of modern monitoring methods to account for flora and fauna species, ecosystem conditions, land resources. |
| Priority area No 6 of REP4SD dedicated to SDG 17: “Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development” |
| 6.1 Involvement of the region into implementation of global environmental conventions, programmes and initiatives. |