Regional cooperation
International Conference on Cold Winter Deserts in Tashkent (2-3 December 2021)
On 2-3 December 2021, an International Conference on Cold Winter Deserts was held in Tashkent within the framework of the Central Asian Desert Initiative (CADI) project. It was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the State Forestry Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan in cooperation with the University of Greifswald (Germany) and the Michael Succow Foundation.
Bringing together the researchers, academia, scientific institutions, as well as stakeholders, students from local and international universities, representatives of international organizations, the conference became a platform for discussing options for the development and conservation of the temperate desert territories, as well as to raise awareness of advanced technologies for sustainable land management, disseminating knowledge about biodiversity conservation in ecosystems of temperate desert zones.
The results of the conference are presented in the just published Proceedings.
Article about the workshop (in Russian) in gazeta.uz
Online inception workshop on CADI Secretariat’s 5-year Plan of Work (5 October 2021)
Experts from Central Asian countries discussed the conservation and sustainable use of cold winter deserts in Central Asia at the virtually held inception workshop. The workshop was organized by the Interim Regional Central Asian Desert Initiative (CADI) Secretariat, which started its work in Tashkent in 2021. The main objective of the virtual meeting was to ensure participation of stakeholders and to include their views and comments for the further elaboration of the CADI Secretariat’s plan of work.
The seminar has facilitated the exchange of views and ideas between participants. It was recommended to take measures for the modification of the border zone barriers between countries and to establish cooperation with border services in order to address the impact these barriers have on migrating species. Furthermore, establishing international collaborations with the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) and Green Central Asia (initiative of the German Agency for International Cooperation – GIZ) is advised to be included in the Secretariat’s work programme. The possibility of setting up the Aral Sea Regional Geopark has also been discussed in the workshop.
Taking into account the specific activities planned in the CADI member countries, a 5-year plan of work for the Secretariat has been developed. The composition of the Interim National CADI Secretariats in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan has been approved as a result of the workshop. Along with this, registration of the Interim CADI Secretariat as an NGO in Uzbekistan has also been elaborated on.
Articles about the Workshop:
CADI Regional Awareness Rising Workshop in Tashkent (22-23 October 2019)
In Tashkent, a new Interim Regional Secretariat on deserts will be established. This is the result of a CADI Regional Workshop held by the FAO in Tashkent on 22-23 October with representatives from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
The Secretariat aims to preserve the biodiversity and ecosystem services of the temperate deserts in Central Asia.
For an interim period, the Regional Secretariat will receive financial and administrative support through the CADI project and the State Committee on Forestry of the Republic of Uzbekistan. A Steering Committee as a decision-making body will be linked to the Regional Secretariat, as well as National Secretariats in the participating countries Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
The aim is to turn the interim secretariat into a broadly accepted and effective structure that is permanently anchored in the region and will continue the Central Asian Desert Initiative (CADI) beyond the end of the CADI project.
In a Tashkent Declaration, the participants agreed on the future mandate of the Secretariat and the framework of a preliminary Programme of Work (PoW).
Article about the workshop (in Russian) in gazeta.uz
IPBES
IPBES Workshop in Kazakhstan
Orientation workshop, dedicated to IPBES took place in Astana on 20 September. The event was organized by CADI in order to support international cooperation for nature conservation in Central Asia. The major goal of the workshop was the introduction to the structure and processes of IPBES (Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services). The presentations from Axel Paulsch from the Institute for Biodiversity-Network (Germany) provoked hot discussions. It became clear, that joining Central Asian countries to the platform would allow experts from the relevant governmental agencies, scientific institutions and NGOs to increase their capacity as well as influence international agenda with the consideration of regional priorities. Decision-makers from the governmental agencies, as well as representatives of scientific, non-governmental, and International Organizations from Kazakhstan took part in the event.
Uzbekistan becomes 136th member state of IPBES
The Republic of Uzbekistan has formally joined the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) as the 136th member state.
Joining the IPBES platform gives experts from relevant governmental agencies, academic institutions and NGOs access to up-to-date scientific results that help the country to take appropriate measures to conserve biodiversity and combat land degradation. Uzbekistan’s influence on the international agenda is also increasing.
„I extend to Uzbekistan our warmest welcome – the IPBES family continues to grow, both in size and extent of engagement and impact, “ says Dr. Anne Larigauderie, Executive Secretary of IPBES.
The CADI project in close cooperation with the Institute for Biodiversity has accompanied and supported the IPBES accession of Uzbekistan in various workshops and negotiations with political decision-makers.
IPBES workshop on 18 September 2018 in Tashkent
IPBES Workshop in Turkmenistan
An IPBES workshop took place on May 16th in Ashgabat (Turkmenistan). The event was organized by CADI in order to support international cooperation for nature conservation in Central Asia.
Within the seminar, the goals, mechanisms, and current results of the platform were presented as well as the benefits offered by the IPBES membership. Turkmenistan currently is one of the Observer States of the 132-country’s body.
The final discussion made it clear that Turkmenistan’s possible membership of the IPBES platform will allow experts from relevant government agencies, academic institutions, and NGOs to significantly increase their access to up-to-date regional scientific results on biodiversity and ecosystem services, as well as the influence on the international agenda. The decision to join the IPBES platform should be made by the respective government.
Decision-makers from the governmental agencies, as well as representatives of scientific, non-governmental, and International Organizations from Turkmenistan, took part in the event.
Side-Events on CADI
Side-Event at COP 13 UNCCD 2017 in Ordos (Inner Mongolia, China)
At the COP13 to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) from 6-16 September, 2017 in Ordos (Inner Mongolia, China) the Michael Succow Foundation in close cooperation with the University of Greifswald and the FAO organized a Side-Event on Central Asian Desert Initiative (CADI).
During the event, the key CADI project partners provided information about CADI goals and what has been achieved so far. In the moderated discussion main emphasis was put on the establishment of a CADI interim secretariat. The secretariat shall coordinate and implement the CADI activities aimed at the conservation of cold winter deserts of Central Asia beyond project duration. All gathered suggestions during the Side-Event will be considered for a proposal of an organizational structure of a secretariat that will work effectively and with broad regional political support.
The Side-Event caused high interest. Besides the national focal points of the main CADI target countries, other experts from neighboring countries like Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan took part in the Side-Event and demonstrated interest to get involved in the work of a future CADI secretariat.
The Side-Event was moderated by the CADI project partner FAO.
Presentation University of Greifswald
Side-Event at COP14 UNCBD 2018 in Sharm El Sheik (Egypt)
A Side-Event on desert conservation and sustainable use will take place 26 November at UNCBD COP14 in Sharm El Sheik, building 1, room Luxor, 1:15 pm.
Here, the Michael Succow Foundation will present the current activities and results of the CADI project.
Photo Gallery: CADI Side-Event at the COP13 UNCCD in Ordos (Inner Mongolia, China)
