PREVENTING DESERTIFICATION: A NEW INITIATIVE OF TURKMENISTAN
13 In his historic speech at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the founding of this international organization, the President of Turkmenistan Hero Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that ensuring universal peace and security is a key area of our country’s cooperation with the UN, and that Turkmenistan, as a permanent neutral state, is prepared to further implement constructive measures aimed at fostering a dialogue of mutual respect as a fundamental and defining condition capable of ensuring sustainable development at the global and regional levels. In this context, the initiative was announced to establish a regional centre to combat desertification for the countries of Central Asia.
Currently, desertification is a global environmental and socioeconomic problem, and according to the UN Environment Programme, 69% of the world’s drylands are affected by desertification. Globally, 30% of irrigated lands, 47% of bogar (rainfed) lands, and 73% of pastures have been degraded. Total losses due to desertification are estimated at 50 billion US dollars. Desertification is viewed, on the one hand, as a natural drying of land, and on the other, as a result of human activity.
In 1992, the World Conference on Environment and Development, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, accepted the recommendation of developing countries on the need to prepare a Convention to Combat Desertification. In December 1992, the UN General Assembly established the Intergovernmental Committee, headquartered in Geneva, to develop this international agreement. The text of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification was developed by international scientists and experts, including representatives of Turkmenistan. The Convention was adopted and opened for signature on June 17, 1994. This day was declared by the UN as the International Day to Combat Desertification. The Convention entered into force on December 26, 1996, after it was signed and ratified by the first 50 states, including Turkmenistan, which signed the Convention on March 27, 1995. The Parliament of Turkmenistan ratified the Convention on September 18, 1996.
The main target of the Convention to Combat Desertification is to prevent and stop desertification caused by human activity and, where possible, restore the biological productivity of degraded lands within ecological limits. The countries that sign the Convention undertake to implement the requirements of this global instrument at the national and regional levels. Specifically, in accordance with Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention, these include developing a national action programme to combat desertification; establishing a national system for monitoring, research, and forecasting desertification processes; promoting the rational use of land, water, forest, and pasture resources; and conserving biological diversity; improving environmental legislation; promoting environmental education and engaging the population, particularly rural residents, in efforts to combat desertification; implementing scientific research results in production; and developing international and regional cooperation.
The Central Asian region, comprising Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, shares a common cultural and historical development and forms an arid and semi-arid zone with significant transboundary desertification problems. This region is among the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to its arid and semi-arid ecosystems. Countries in the region are susceptible to extreme climate change impacts, and these impacts are projected to intensify in the future.
The deserts and mountain steppes of Central Asia provide forage for livestock and are used primarily as pastures. The pastures occupy approximately 68% of the region’s total area, and maintaining these areas in productive condition is crucial. The human impacts, i.e. economic activity of human being (overgrazing, deforestation, plowing and land development, and fires) lead to reduced pasture fertility and degradation. Observations show that the restoration of desert wormwood pastures requires at least 20–25 years.
Drought and desertification negatively impact agricultural productivity and biodiversity, increasing the incidence of climate-related natural disasters, dust and sandstorms, and extreme weather conditions, and predicting water shortages.
Deforestation and overgrazing have led to the significant reduction in forest area. The mountain forests protect soil and water resources on slopes, and their reduction leads to increased soil erosion in the lower parts of the mountains and the development of desertification.
Due to increased soil erosion, irregular seasonal rainfall, severe drought, and delayed vegetation recovery, soil degradation and desertification are occurring particularly rapidly in the southern mountainous regions — the Western Tien Shan, Pamir-Alai, and Kopetdag. Due to the felling of trees, riverine forests on the plains and in the mountains, as well as saxaul forests in the deserts, have become sparse, and their area has also significantly decreased.
In September, 1995, the International Conference on the Aral Sea in Nukus (Uzbekistan) adopted the Declaration on Sustainable Development of the Aral Sea Region. The document outlined the commitments of its participants to further cooperation in all areas at the regional level based on mutual respect and good-neighbourly relations. Strive to achieving significant progress in solving the environmental problems of the Aral Sea coast was also expressed.
Currently, all countries of Central Asia are parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. In accordance with the provisions of the Convention, these countries have adopted and are implementing National Action Programmes to Combat Desertification. Furthermore, in accordance with the Convention, the Subregional Action Programme for Central Asian Countries to Combat Desertification was developed and adopted.
Since desertification and drought are transboundary problems, joint efforts are needed to combat them. It is necessary to ensure interaction with other global environmental conventions and relevant legal instruments, as well as regional and global initiatives to combat desertification and drought.
In this regard, to coordinate actions to combat desertification and land degradation in the region and to restore and preserve desert ecosystems, Turkmenistan proposes establishing a Regional Centre to Combat Desertification for Central Asia and Neighbouring Countries. The establishment of such a Centre will facilitate the consolidation of regional capacities, strengthen cooperation in environmental protection, expand regional and international exchange of information and experience, engage bilateral and multilateral donors in the implementation of the Convention, and successfully implement national and regional action plans to combat desertification.
Mukhammet Durikov,
Scientific Information Centre of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea
