Members

Image source:
Unsplash.com
Buildings
Turkmenistan
Ratification
UNCCD annex
Appendix II: Asia
UNCCD Subregion
Central Asia

Ministries

Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan

The Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan is responsible for developing and implementing national environmental policy. It focuses on protecting ecosystems, monitoring environmental conditions, and ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources. It also coordinates actions related to climate change, biodiversity, and environmental legislation.

Website
www.mineco.gov.tm
Minister

Charygeldi Babanyyazov

Turkmenistan flag

Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan

The Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan oversees the development of agriculture and land use in the country. It works on increasing crop and livestock production, managing irrigation and water resources, and supporting agricultural reforms and food security. It also promotes sustainable agricultural practices and rural development.

Minister

Charyar Chetiev

Charyar Chetiev

National Focal Points

Muhammet Durikov
Position
Director of Scientific-Information Center of Interstate Sustainable Development Commission of International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS)+
Institution
Ministry of Environment Protection

Voluntary LDN Targets

Turkmenistan has defined the following voluntary targets for setting LDN:

Update of National Action Program to Combat Desertification
Desert afforestation and pasture improvement
Planting at least 3.5 million seedlings annually
Minimizing Aral crisis effects
Enhanced environmental monitoring system
Update of National Action Program to Combat Desertification

Conducting an inventory of soils and land resources.

bcc439cb1a11e31ba4c72ee53d413f4a4767f4b0
Desert afforestation and pasture improvement

Landscaping and creation of forest belts on 160 thousand hectares.

bcc439cb1a11e31ba4c72ee53d413f4a4767f4b0
Planting at least 3.5 million seedlings annually

Deciduous, coniferous, fruit and desert plants.

bcc439cb1a11e31ba4c72ee53d413f4a4767f4b0
Minimizing Aral crisis effects

Buffer forest belt of 20 thousand hectares in Dashoguz velayat.

bcc439cb1a11e31ba4c72ee53d413f4a4767f4b0
Enhanced environmental monitoring system

Improving control over the condition of soil, air and water.

bcc439cb1a11e31ba4c72ee53d413f4a4767f4b0

Reports on the Implementation of the UNCCD

2022 Report
Download
Document
2018 Report
Download
Document
2014 Report
Download
Document
2010 Report
Download
Document
2006 Report
Download
Document
2002 Report
Download
Document
2000 Report
Download
Document

Environmental challenges covered by the UNCCD

Desertification
Desertification and drought

Arid climate, decreased amount of precipitation; lowering of groundwater levels, increasing deficit of water resources; evaporation of water from the surface of reservoirs, secondary salinization of irrigated lands, which aggravates the problems of agriculture; decrease in the yield of major agricultural crops.

desert with trees
Soil erosion

Wind and water erosion, especially in the southern regions of the country. Loss of fertile soil layer due to intensive agricultural use. Insufficient protection of soils from erosion processes, which leads to their degradation.

green grass
Soil degradation

Reduction of soil organic carbon stocks affecting fertility; improper use of agricultural land. 

green trees
Increased processes of technogenic desertification

Caused by the construction of various engineering facilities in the Karakum Desert and the extraction of hydrocarbon resources. Increased deflation processes, the emergence of shifting sands, an increase in the number and frequency of dust and sand storms (DSS). 

desert and grass
Depletion of water resources

High dependence on irrigation, declining levels of rivers and reservoirs; irrational management of water resources, which increases the salinization of irrigated soils.

Causes of degradation and desertification:

Natural factors:

  • Climatic conditions – aridity, extreme temperatures.

  • Geographical location – a significant part of the territory is occupied by the Karakum Desert.

  • Wind erosion processes (deflation) – strong winds and reduction of the projective cover of vegetation, leads to the degradation of typical desert ecosystems.

Anthropogenic factors:

  • Excessive pressure on pasture ecosystems can contribute to reduced vegetation cover and deterioration of soil conditions.

  • Inappropriate water use practices: ineffective use of available water resources for land irrigation, which increases soil salinization processes.

  • The practice of intensive cultivation of land without taking into account the principles of sustainable use of natural resources can lead to soil depletion and a decrease in its fertility.

Recommendations for mitigating land degradation and desertification

  1. Sustainable water management: improving irrigation systems to minimize water losses; introducing digital technologies into water management.

  2. Land restoration measures: use of phytomelioration methods (planting forest belts to protect the soil); introduction of technologies to preserve soil moisture.

  3. Environmentally oriented agricultural policy: optimization of cropping patterns to preserve soil fertility; support for tenants in using sustainable methods of climate-smart agriculture (CSAA).

  4. Development of programs to combat desertification: continuation of the implementation of national programs, such as the National Aral Program of Turkmenistan; expansion of forest plantations, especially in areas subject to deflation and drought.

  5. Raising awareness and cooperation: involving local populations in land conservation programs; developing international cooperation and attracting investment in environmental projects.

 

Governmental plans to recover and combat these issues

  1. National Strategy of Turkmenistan on Climate Change (NSCC) includes updating the National Action Programme to Combat Desertification (NAPCD); includes measures for the rational use of natural resources, afforestation and restoration of irrigated lands.

  2. National Aral Sea Program of Turkmenistan (2021-2025) developed to mitigate the consequences of the Aral Sea crisis; it provides for the restoration of water resources and improvement of lands in the Aral Sea regions.

  3. The Second National Forestry Program of Turkmenistan (2021-2025) is aimed at expanding forest cover, preventing erosion and enhancing biodiversity.

  4. Tactical measures: development of methods to combat soil salinization and restore degraded lands; comprehensive inventory of soils and land resources (planned for 2025); development of agroforestry – planting forest belts to protect the soil; optimization of crop structure and implementation of moisture conservation technologies.

  5. International cooperation: implementation with joint project with GIZ, UNDP and GEF on land management and adaptation to climate change; regional initiatives to combat land degradation in Central Asia – CACILM program.

More featured news