FAO Türkiye’s efforts to combat threats to Mediterranean forests at the forefront of COFO27
30 July 2024, Rome –In a dynamic panel discussion organized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on the sidelines of the 27th Session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO27), experts and stakeholders gathered to address pressing challenges in the forestry sector. The event entitled “Empowering Communities, Restoring Landscapes and Conserving Ecosystems: Diverse Partnerships, Innovative Results”, was held at FAO headquarters in a hybrid format, and focused on highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions and collaborative efforts in forest landscape restoration (FLR).
Landscape degradation and deforestation pose significant threats to environmental stability, biodiversity and human well-being, especially for local communities. The discussion underscored the critical role of FLR in mitigating these impacts by enhancing ecosystem services, biodiversity and livelihoods. However, the implementation of FLR is fraught with technical, legislative and policy challenges that require integrated approaches and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
A highlight of the panel was a presentation by Eray Ozdemir of the General Directorate of Forestry at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye. Entitled “Leading the Change: Türkiye and FAO Partnership in Restoring Forests and Woodlands in the Mediterranean and Beyond”, Ozdemir shed light on the state of Mediterranean forests and Türkiye’s comprehensive restoration and afforestation activities. He provided details of the FAO-Türkiye Forestry Partnership Programme (FTFP), emphasizing its main pillars and projects aimed at combating deforestation and promoting sustainable forest management.
Ozdemir discussed the significant challenges facing Mediterranean forests including climate change, forest fires and unsustainable land use practices. He highlighted Türkiye’s proactive measures in forest restoration, showcasing successful initiatives and projects under the FTFP. This partnership programme, a testament to Türkiye’s commitment to forest conservation, aims to restore degraded landscapes, enhance biodiversity and improve the resilience of ecosystems against climate change.
The panel discussion provided a valuable platform for sharing field experiences, lessons learned and diverse perspectives from various actors in the forestry sector. Innovation was a central theme, with discussions on how various platforms and networks facilitate knowledge sharing as an innovative approach to address these complex challenges.
The event underscored the importance of collective action in addressing landscape degradation and deforestation. By fostering partnerships and leveraging innovative solutions, the FAO-Türkiye Forestry Partnership Programme continues to play a pivotal role in driving positive change.
As the global community grapples with environmental challenges, the insights and outcomes from this panel discussion will contribute to shaping effective strategies for forest landscape restoration, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
About the FAO-Türkiye Partnership Programmes
The objectives of the FAO-Türkiye Partnership Programmes are to provide support to ensure food security, rural poverty reduction and sustainable forest management; combat desertification; and preserve ecosystems in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and other countries of mutual interest.
Established in 2007, the first phase of the FAO-Türkiye Partnership Programme on Food and Agriculture (FTPP) has benefited from trust fund contributions totalling USD 10 million, financed by the Government of Türkiye and represented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. During the first phase of the programme, 28 projects were implemented in 16 countries between 2009 and 2015.
In 2014, Türkiye and FAO commenced the second phase of the FTPP along with the first phase of the FAO-Türkiye Forestry Partnership Programme (FTFP) with additional funding of USD 20 million, bringing Türkiye’s total contribution to USD 30 million.
LINKS:
· FAO-Türkiye Partnership Programmes