FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia

Inception workshop of the “Improving Biodiversity and Sustainable Forestry” project

Ankara (Türkiye), 08/04/2025

The inception workshop of the “Improving Biodiversity and Sustainable Forestry” project will mark the official launch of a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management across Central Asia, the Caucasus and Montenegro.

Implemented under the FAO–Türkiye Forestry Partnership Programmes (FTFP) and funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye, the project will support Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Montenegro, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in enhancing the resilience of forest ecosystems through regional cooperation, capacity development and pilot initiatives.

Through the introduction of advanced management planning systems for forests and protected areas, the project will mainstream biodiversity conservation with sustainable forestry practices, contributing to carbon storage, water regulation and ecosystem resilience. A strong focus on knowledge-sharing and best practices will further reinforce national and regional forestry networks.

The inception meeting will bring together representatives from participating countries, FAO experts and key stakeholders to outline project objectives, discuss implementation strategies and foster regional collaboration.