“International Combating Desertification Training” was held in Konya, Mersin, and Adana, Turkey from 30 May to 5 June, 2016. The training course was conducted by the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs, supported by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA). 68 participants attended to the Training Course from 29 African Countries. 

The training course covered technical issues such as causes of desertification/land degradation, seed and seedling production, forestation, erosion control and participatory approach with the aim of increasing the level of regional collaboration among the countries of the region and enabling each country in the region to share the technical experience. It included field trips in Konya, Mersin, and Adana. 

Mr. Tahir Akyürek, Mayor of Konya, Mr. Akif Özkaldi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs, and Mr. Amedi Camara, Minister of the Environment and Sustainable Development of Mauritania were among the high level officials who joined the opening session of the one-week training course.

At the last UNCCD Conference of the Parties (COP12), the Ankara Initiative was launched to strengthen implementations of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) for the period from 2016 to 2019. The Initiative supports the global sustainable development agenda and leverage the lessons learned from Turkey’s past experience and approaches to land management. The training course is part of the Ankara Initiative actions.

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