To enhance the knowledge of forests in the region the UNECE and FAO are preparing the “State of forests of the Caucasus and Central Asia”, the first ever publication providing an overview of forests and forest management in the region.

The study was reviewed during a regional meeting in Georgia (Tbilisi), on 3-5, December 2018 by experts from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The study, together with the supporting data, is expected to be published in mid 2019.

The study will contain an overview of the institutional structure, the state of forest resources as well as current challenges of different countries in the region. It will also contain an analysis of trends since the independence of countries of the region.

 “The last available statistical review of forests from 1988 would be used to compare the most recent information provided by national correspondents and thus to see the real situation on the basis of the best available information,” said Kit Prins, lead author of the study. Roman Michalak, manager of the study also noted that “the study will help countries to strengthen visibility of forests and forest management in both international fora and within governments, stakeholders and the society at large.

The study is an activity of the capacity building pillar of the Joint UNECE/FAO Warsaw Integrated Programme of Work helping countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia develop sustainable forest management and achieve coherent forest policies.  

Recognizing the importance of the information source in ensuring sustainable forest management, FAO and UNECE also support national data collection processes. On 5 December, the workshop focused on the FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020 country reports. National correspondents had the opportunity to review and finalize their country reports together with FAO and UNECE experts, solve any remaining issues, and benefit from the experiences sharing with other colleagues from the Caucasus and Central Asia as well as partner organizations.

The overall goal of the workshop was to contribute to the improvement of the quality and consistency of the reported data, to ensure that the best possible data and information is provided for Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020 in terms of completeness, consistency and transparency.