On September 22, 2019, CAREC Executive Director Mr. Zafar Makhmudov took part in the launching event of ECCA30 – The New forest landscape restoration initiative in Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia to unlock climate action. The event took place in New York, USA and brought together restoration champions, high-level representatives and leaders from government ministries and international community.
The ECCA30 initiative aims to unite the regions of Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia in promoting the potential of the forest landscape restoration (FLR) method as a means of adaptation to climate change. Governments, private entrepreneurs and other interested parties will be able to interact and improve their knowledge through the ЕCCA30 platform, it will also serve as a means to mobilize resources and attract financing for the implementation of FLR projects in the region.
Central Asia, as a region particularly affected by the threat of serious consequences from climate change, is especially interested in introducing comprehensive adaptation measures. In his keynote speech, Mr. Makhmudov emphasized the peculiarities of the region and its changing climate, as well as expectations from using the FLR method in a number of Central Asian countries. For instance, it is expected that 66.000 ha in Tajikistan and 1.500 000 ha in Kazakhstan will be brought under restoration by 2030. Initial estimates in Kyrgyzstan suggest that Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) efforts in the country could result in 23,200 ha. being brought into restoration by 2028.
Mr. Makhmudov also made references to the role of CAREC in providing technical and expert support in development of recommendations for integrated natural resources management, such as water and landscapes. Under its current projects, CAREC implements a set of measures to reduce land degradation, desertification and forests loss through promotion reversal of land degradation, introduction of sustainable agro-practices and energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy sources, improving local community’s sustainable livelihood, promotion and sharing of the effective technologies and best practices.
Mr. Makhmudov expressed his appreciation to the organizers of the event and in particular the World Bank for inviting CAREC, and in turn, invited participants to the Central Asian Climate Change Conference planned to be held in Dushanbe in June 2020.