Central Asian countries ready to start second phase of ambitious regional SLM programme 

Ankara – 7-8 December 2017 – The regional workshop for Central Asia met to finalize national and regional working programmes of five countries under the Central Asian Countries Initiative on Land Management Phase 2 (CACILM 2). The next step of the initiative builds on the successful implementation of the first stage of the programme to scale up integrated natural resources management on 2 600 000 hectares of drought-prone and salt-affected agricultural landscapes in Central Asia and Türkiye, aiming to sequester 6.8 mln ton CO2e. The UNCCD secretariat played a catalytic role in supporting the UNCCD National Focal Points during the initial conceptualization phase.  

Welcoming the ambitious regional programme, the head of the FAO Sub-regional office for Central Asia and Türkiye, Ms. Yuriko Shoji emphasized that “partnerships and collaboration is at essence of CACILM2.”

The representative of UNCCD Secretariat Ms. Jamal Annagylyjova in her presentation explained that CACILM programme was established back in 2006 as a platform for enhancing implementation of the convention in the region and that CACILM2 will enable capacity building of the countries in implementation of their obligations under the convention.

Special session of the meeting was dedicated to the synergies between UNCCD and the regional programme. CACILM 2 will be closely linked to UNCCD by providing the platform for strategic dialogue for the countries, technical agencies, donors and partners on issues of LDN targets mainstreaming and measures, as well as LDN data in CACILM activities. CACILM 2 will also focus on the development of regional drought vulnerability mapping, thus contributing to the UNCCD Drought Initiative and providing new opportunities for collaboration. A proposal to include the UNCCD Secretariat in the Regional Coordination Council was also presented. 

The multi-country programme, implemented by FAO (FAOSEC and AGL) and supported by GEF, governments of Central Asia and Türkiye, ICARDA, ICBA, GIZ, ZOI and other regional organizations, will start operating in early 2018.