Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 21 May 2026 — The Scientific-Information Center of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development of Central Asia (SIC ICSD), jointly with the UNDP-GEF project “Conservation and Sustainable Management of Land Resources and High Nature Value Ecosystems in the Aral Sea Basin,” participated in the organization and conduct of a Round Table aimed at supporting the integration of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) principles into national land-use planning policies and desertification control mechanisms. The event was held in a hybrid format at the United Nations building in Ashgabat and brought together representatives of профильных ministries and agencies, scientific institutions, regional experts, as well as international specialists in sustainable land management engaged through the programme “Russian Experts for International Development.”
The Round Table served as a logical continuation of the expert discussions initiated during the meeting of the LDN Working Group held on 15 May 2026 and was aimed at expanding inter-agency and regional cooperation with the participation of representatives from the pilot regions of the UNDP Aral Sea Project. Particular attention during the meeting was devoted to the integration of LDN principles into national strategic planning mechanisms, the enhancement of land degradation monitoring systems, and the introduction of modern digital and geospatial tools to support evidence-based decision-making.
Presentation by the UNCCD NFP Muhammet Durikov. Photocredit to SIC ICSD.
In his presentation, Muhammet Durikov, Director of SIC ICSD and National Focal Point of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Turkmenistan, highlighted Turkmenistan’s key environmental initiatives, including the promotion of the initiative to establish a Regional Desertification Control Centre for Central Asian countries. He also presented the current status of the preparation of the updated National Action Programme to Combat Desertification of Turkmenistan, which is being developed in line with the priorities of the UNCCD and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Experts from SIC ICSD made a substantial contribution to the work of the Round Table by presenting practical results related to the application of modern geoinformation technologies and methodological approaches under the UNCCD framework. Nikolai Nikolayev, GIS Expert of SIC ICSD, delivered a presentation on the pilot application of the methodology for assessing local land degradation and identifying LDN “hotspots” within agricultural lands, pastures, forest fund territories, and specially protected natural areas. The presentation included the results of field verification missions conducted in the Dashoguz and Lebap velayats and demonstrated the potential for integrating Earth observation data and GIS tools into the national land monitoring system.
Participants of the Round Table. Photocredit to SIC ICSD.
During the event, participants discussed contemporary approaches to land degradation assessment based on dynamic trend analysis, mechanisms for improving national monitoring indicators, and issues related to the institutional development of land resource management systems. Particular attention was also devoted to environmental sustainability, the development of specially protected natural areas, the preservation of migratory routes of rare animal species, and the establishment of biological corridors in the Kaplankyr and Amudarya nature reserves.
At the conclusion of the Round Table, participants reaffirmed the importance of strengthening intersectoral cooperation and coordinated regional approaches towards achieving Land Degradation Neutrality in Central Asia. Recommendations were developed for the further improvement of the national land degradation monitoring system, the establishment of a unified digital database, and the strengthening of national expertise in sustainable natural resource management and international environmental reporting.
The participation of SIC ICSD as a co-organizer and leading expert partner of the event reaffirmed its important role in promoting science-based approaches to combating desertification, supporting the implementation of Turkmenistan’s international environmental commitments, and strengthening regional cooperation in the field of sustainable land management and environmental protection in 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. |