Countries meet to discuss strategies for mainstreaming forest biodiversity

Forest biodiversity experts and policymakers from five Central Asian countries, along with Azerbaijan, Montenegro and Türkiye are gathering in Trabzon for a regional training workshop on “Mainstreaming forest biodiversity into national strategies and action plans” to chart a course towards healthier, more resilient forests. 

The multicountry training, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in close collaboration with the Turkiye-based NGO Doğa Koruma Merkezi (DKM), brings together participants from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Montenegro, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan to exchange experiences and practical approaches.

The training aims to enhance national capacities to integrate forest biodiversity considerations into national and sectoral policies, biodiversity strategies and action plans. It also marks the launch of the Guidelines on mainstreaming forest biodiversity, a practical resource designed to support countries in implementing the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The guidelines focus on ways of integrating forest biodiversity into the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans – key instruments for implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity at the national level, guiding countries in conserving and sustainably using biodiversity in line with their global commitments. 

During the three-day workshop, participants will learn how to apply the guidelines step by step, as well as discussing the challenges and opportunities that biodiversity mainstreaming presents. The programme will feature expert-led presentations, interactive group exercises and a field visit to Altındere Valley National Park, a protected forest area in Trabzon Province, providing participants with an opportunity to explore biodiversity communication approaches in the field. 

“Forest biodiversity underpins the ecosystem services that are essential for food security, climate regulation and sustainable livelihoods,” said Peter Pechacek, FAO Forestry Officer. “Integrating biodiversity into forest and land management helps prevent forest degradation, curb illegal forest activities, strengthen the tenure rights of local communities and promote ecosystem restoration.”

Building knowledge and cooperation

According to FAO’s Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025, 94 percent of all forests in Europe benefit from a management plan, covering a total of 972 million hectares. With appropriate legal frameworks in place, the forest management plans can serve as a powerful tool for promoting more sustainable practices in the forestry sector.

The workshop specifically aims to strengthen participants’ understanding of mainstreaming forest biodiversity into policies and forest management plans, improve knowledge of the content and steps involved in implementing the relevant FAO guidelines, and foster a regional network on forest biodiversity mainstreaming across Central Asia and the Caucasus region. Representatives from the eight participating countries will also have the opportunity to exchange experiences, identify gaps and share lessons learned. 

The training will also consider FAO’s recommendations on mainstreaming biodiversity across all agricultural sectors, with a particular focus on forestry. In context of the participating countries, this includes integrating biodiversity considerations into sustainable forest management, combatting illegal and unregulated activities, managing invasive species, and promoting multisectoral collaboration and economic incentives for forest-dependent communities. 

By the end of the training, participants will be better equipped to apply the regional guidelines in their respective countries and to strengthen governance frameworks for biodiversity mainstreaming. The initiative reflects a shared regional commitment to the balanced conservation and sustainable use of forest ecosystems.