Photo: ©FAO

Istanbul – Ministers and high-level representatives from across Central Asia, Turkey and Azerbaijan met with representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today to participate in a two-day Sub-Regional Workshop on GEF-8.

The partnership between FAO and the GEF has grown significantly in recent years with 22 projects implemented in Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan), Azerbaijan and Turkey. While most of these projects focused on land degradation, FAO also supported projects on biodiversity, chemicals and waste, and international waters. From GEF-5 (2010–2014) to the current GEF-7 (2018–2022) funding cycle, received contributions amount to more than USD 83.3 million.

The event began with a presentation of results achieved with the support of GEF in the region. The participants then discussed the competitive advantage of FAO and thematic areas for interventions. The countries in the region also presented their priorities for the GEF-8 cycle.

The workshop kicked off with an opening speech by Viorel Gutu, FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for Central Asia and Turkey Representative.Gutuexplained that the GEF-8 consultation was devised as a dialogue platform for brainstorming and discussing existing and new programmes and projects, and represented an opportunity to refresh the regional collaboration and partnership. He continued: “I believe that today’s meeting has particular importance for the development of Central Asian and Caucasus countries, for their populations, as well as for the governments of these countries and for FAO and other stakeholders”.

Mr Gutu also emphasized that the FAO team is ready to support the countries in facilitating and accessing funds from GEF-8, the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation fund, as well as from other sources.

Ahmet Volkan Güngören, General Manager of EU and Foreign Relations, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkey, provided some background to the partnership. “FAO-Turkey relations date back over 70 years. FAO and Turkey have worked in close cooperation and implemented various joint studies and projects in the areas of food security, agriculture and forestry. We appreciate the services and efforts of FAO to achieve sustainable agricultural development and food security all over the world.”

He then elaborated on Turkey’s role in the partnership: “Turkey contributes to ongoing international efforts through knowledge and experience transfers to other countries in close collaboration with FAO, with the aim of increasing food security and eliminating poverty in the world.”

Mr Güngören continued: “What is needed in the fight against climate change and environmental destruction is the mobilization of resources and coordination between institutions. It is at this point, that the importance of financing sources becomes apparent. As a member of the Global Environment Facility since 1994, we have disbursed approximately USD 130 million in financing as grants. In addition, USD 1.3 billion in co-financing was drawn from different sources. During the GEF-7 period, we allocated USD 15.37 million to projects that we are sure will be beneficial. In conjunction with the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, 29 countries agreed to pledge USD 5.25 billion to GEF. This will result in a 29 percent increase in funding from the GEF-7 replenishment period, an outcome that is highly appreciated.”

The workshop continues with interactive discussions among the participants on the topics of FAO’s competitive advantage, GEF policies including gender, civil society participation and private sector engagement processes, possible project ideas at the national level and GEF-8 programming priorities.