ECO countries discuss progress on combating desertification

Antalya, Turkey – The workshop “Development of Project Proposal to Combat Desertification in the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) region” took place on 14-16 December 2021, organized by the Republic of Turkey, the General Directorate of Combating Desertification and Erosion, and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). The workshop brought together countries ECO region including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as the representatives of the UNCCD and FAO.

During the workshop, participants got a chance to discuss the country- and region-specific environment problems, ongoing work on combating desertification, and expectations for further joint activities. UNCCD Regional Liaison Officers for Annex II and Annex IV were on hand to provide participants with information about the Convention, as well as on issues and current activities related to desertification, land degradation and drought throughout Asia, Northern Mediterranean and Central and Eastern Europe regions such as the Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting Programme. The workshop also provided an opportunity for FAO representatives to brief participants on regional projects that cover the ECO region.

The participants have rated the workshop as a successful information-sharing exercise that will contribute to the development of future projects in the ECO region as well as to enable further discussions at the upcoming UNCCD COP15 in May 2022.

Read more:

• The role of regions under the UNCCD
• Achieving Land Degradation Neutrality