National Strategy and Action Plan to combat desertification (2024-2030)

2024-2030 NATIONAL STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT URBANIZATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF COMBATING DESERTIFICATION AND EROSION NATIONAL STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION 2024-2030 Republic Of Türkiye Ministr y of Environment Urbanization and Climate Change, Directorate General of Combating Deser tification and Erosion © All rights reserved. Quotations are allowed provided the source is cited. Bibliography Information: ÇMUSEP (2024), National Strategy and Action Plan for Combating Desertification 2024-2030, General Directorate of Combating Desertification and Erosion Publications, Ankara. Design/Print: Asma Köprü Medya Ltd. Şti. Zübeyde Hanım Mh. Devrez Sk. No:1/1 Altındağ/Ankara Phone: 0312 384 78 98 Printing Press Certificate Number: 71674 ISBN: 978-625-7076-84-5 Photos: DG ÇEM Archive 2024-2030 NATIONAL STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN TO REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT URBANIZATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF COMBATING DESERTIFICATION AND EROSION COMBAT DESERTIFICATION N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 02 3 FOREWORD .................................................................................................................................................. 7 MINISTER’S MESSAGE .................................................................................................................................. 9 EXECUTIVE INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 11 ABBREVIATIONS.......................................................................................................................................... 13 STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN OVERVIEW ................................................................................................ 17 SECTION I STRATEGIC PLAN DEVELOPMENT: AUTHORITY, FRAMEWORK, METHOD, AND PROCESS ..................... 21 1.1 Authority of the Directorate General of Combating Desertification and Erosion (DG ÇEM) to Develop the National Strategy and Action Plan .................................................................................................................21 1.2 Strategic Plan Development Framework ............................................................................................................................ 22 1.3 Strategic Plan Development Methodology and Process ............................................................................................... 23 SECTION II SITUATION ANALYSIS ................................................................................................................................ 25 2.1 Global Context and Trends in Desertification .................................................................................................................... 25 2.1.1 Responding to Desertification and Land Degradation around the World ............................................... 28 2.2 Desertification and Land Degradation in Türkiye: Current Status and Projections ..............................................31 2.2.1 Managing Efforts to Combat Desertification in Türkiye ............................................................................... 33 2.3 Institutionalization of Desertification Control Management ..................................................................................... 35 2.4 An Overview of the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan .................................................................................................................... 37 2.4.1 Coordination, Monitoring, and Evaluation of NSAPCD ................................................................................. 38 2.5 Overview of Legislation and Top Policy Documents .......................................................................................................40 2.5.1 Overview of International Top Policy Documents ............................................................................................41 2.5.2 Overview of National Top Policy Documents ...................................................................................................42 2.5.3 The Analysis of Legislative Framework on Desertification/Land Degradation ....................................43 2.6 Stakeholder Analysis ..................................................................................................................................................................43 2.6.1 Identifying Key Stakeholders for Combating Desertification .....................................................................43 2.7 SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) .....................................................................47 TA B LE O F C O N TE N TS N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 04 SECTION III FUTURE OUTLOOK ......................................................................................................................................49 3.1 Mission ............................................................................................................................................................................................49 3.1.1 Mission Components and Strategic Axes ............................................................................................................49 3.2 Vision ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 52 3.3 Core Principles And Values ....................................................................................................................................................... 52 SECTION IV MONITORING AND REPORTING OF THE ACTION PLAN ............................................................................ 55 4.1 Monitoring of the Strategy and Action Plan, National and International Reporting .........................................55 4.1.1 Monitoring of the Strategy and Action Plan and Annual Evaluation Reports .....................................55 4.1.2 Performance Review and Assessment of Implementation System (PRAIS) Reporting ....................56 4.2 Institutional Arrangements, Responsibilities, Financing and Coordination .........................................................56 4.2.1 Synergy and Cooperation with other Rio Conventions (Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Change Mitigation) ....................................................................................................................................56 4.2.2 Financing of Action Plan Implementation ........................................................................................................58 SECTION V TARGET CARDS (2024-2030) ........................................................................................................................61 APPENDICES APPENDIX 1: National Top Policy Documents .......................................................................................................................... 83 APPENDIX 2: Legislation Related to Desertification Mitigation ....................................................................................... 87 APPENDIX 3: Elaborate SWOT Analysis ......................................................................................................................................90 APPENDIX 4: Linking Situation Analysis Results to the Strategic Plan .........................................................................96 REFERENCES ..............................................................................................................................................103 5 TABLES Table 1 Overview of Strategic Axes, Goals and Targets ......................................................................................................... 19 Table 2.1 Türkiye’s Desertification Criteria and Indicators ....................................................................................................32 Table 2.2 NSAPCD 2019-2023 Action and Indicator Achievement Rates as of the End of 2022.............................. 39 Table 2.3 Stakeholders’ SWOT Analysis ..................................................................................................................................... 46 FIGURES Figure 2.1 Global Desertification Vulnerability Map (Tal and Bukchin, 2017). .............................................................. 26 Figure 2.2 Geographical distribution of arid lands defined by the Aridity Index (AI) .................................................27 Figure 2.3 Türkiye Desertification Sensitivity Map (DG ÇEM 2019). ..................................................................................32 Figure 2.4 Institutionalization Process .......................................................................................................................................35 TA B LE S an d FI G U R ES N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 06 7 FO R EW O R D unctioning as Türkiye’s focal point for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the Directorate General of Combating Desertification and Erosion (DG ÇEM) is responsible for ensuring coordination and synergy among relevant institutions. The National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Desertification (NSAPCD) outlines Türkiye’s roadmap for combating desertification from 2024 to 2030. Formulated with the active involvement of all relevant stakeholders in desertification mitigation efforts which require an integrated approach, the NSAPCD aligns directly with the Sustainable Development Goal of achieving a “Land Degradation Neutral World.” The foregoing document represents Türkiye’s national implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and it is designed to support the monitoring and reporting of the actions which our country is required to take. Covering national targets up to 2030, the Strategy and Action Plan will make a direct contribution to Türkiye’s overarching goals, including the 2053 net-zero emissions target, particularly through climate change adaptation initiatives. In five dedicated sections, the document offers a snapshot capturing the current state of desertification and land degradation in Türkiye, alongside a comprehensive stakeholder analysis, an assessment of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, a review of the previous Strategy and Action Plan, and an outline of Türkiye’s vision and mission in combating desertification. Following these analyses, a thorough evaluation has been conducted by incorporating the expectations and recommendations of all relevant stakeholders, leading to the establishment of 2024-2030 targets in light of these findings. F N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 08 9 M IN IS TE R ’S M ES SA G E ounting environmental issues in recent years have become a pivotal factor, directly influencing the policy-making processes of governments and state authorities worldwide. While this century has brought numerous technological advancements to serve humanity, it has also led to the irreversible depletion of natural resources assets that are cherished by all. As environmental challenges increasingly disrupt community life, administrations at all levels are compelled to develop new strategies and policies that align with environmental needs and effectively implement them. Among these global efforts, combating desertification, erosion, and drought stands as one of the most critical shared battles worldwide. Türkiye is among the leading nations in the action against erosion and desertification. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), a cornerstone in the struggle against desertification and land degradation, was adopted in Paris in 1994 and took effect in 1996. Türkiye became a party to the Convention in 1998 and commenced the implementation of the ‘National Action Program to Combat Desertification (NSAPCD),’ developed in 2005, as part of its commitments under the UNCCD obligations resulting from its membership. Since then, our country has consistently updated and sustained its strategies and action programs. Today, the NSAPCD presents Türkiye’s renewed strategic approaches to combat desertification and land degradation from 2024 to 2030, summarizing the efforts planned for the next six years. As is well known, sustainable land management plays a crucial role in addressing climate change and drought. In this context, our nation continues to extend both financial and capacity-building assistance to its neighbors, the Balkans, Central Asia, and African countries in their desertification and erosion mitigation efforts. Türkiye has also been supporting the Great Green Wall Project, which stretches from Djibouti in the east to Senegal in the west of Africa. Our ultimate goal is to create a livable environment for future generations through committed efforts. Looking beyond 2030, we remain steadfast in our mission by fostering long-term policies that align with our national goals for 2053 and 2071, with support from all institutions and organizations. Our vision is to lead the implementation of Türkiye’s comprehensive green growth policies while safeguarding the rights of both present and future generations. I am confident that this meticulously prepared initiative will provide a new perspective for our nation’s future, and I extend my gratitude to all organizations and agencies involved, especially the dedicated personnel of our Ministry. Murat KURUM Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change M N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 010 11 EX EC U TI VE IN TR O D U C TI O Nombating desertification and climate change stands out as a key focus in addressing the environmental challenges crucial for the sustainable development of nations around the world. Our Directorate General is a leading follower and implementer of global policies at every stage of the action against desertification. In this regard, Türkiye bears the mission of being an exemplary model in the international arena. Covering the period from 2024 to 2030, the new Strategy Document and Action Plan has been developed to guide our country a step further into the future, building on the knowledge and experience accumulated in previous years. This initiative aims to fulfill our national responsibilities in achieving a “Land Degradation Neutral (LDN) World” in the most effective way possible, thereby contributing to our efforts in the field of climate action and conservation of biodiversity. The contributions of stakeholder organizations and agencies are indispensable in every step of the way to combating desertification in our country, including the practical initiatives carried out by our Directorate General, the monitoring systems established, the Action Plans prepared, and the process of setting LDN targets. While formulating the new Strategy Document and Action Plan, we adopted an integrated approach where all relevant stakeholders were included in the process. The importance of land-based initiatives has gained further recognition within the context of Türkiye’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and our path toward the 2053 net-zero emissions target. However, if we aspire to leave a livable world for future generations, it is essential that we take planned steps to achieve this goal. In this context, prepared under the coordination of our Directorate General, the foregoing document is designed to serve as a guide for all our institutions in their efforts to combat desertification in Türkiye. I extend my heartfelt thanks to all my colleagues, academics, and institutions involved in this initiative. Prof. Dr. Kasım YENİGÜN Director General of Combating Desertification and Erosion C N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 012 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 012 13 A B B R EV IA TI O N SEU European Union EEA European Environment Agency MoFSS Ministry of Family and Social Services AFAD Disaster and Emergency Management Authority LDN Land Degradation Neutrality R&D Research and Development BILGEM Center for Information and Security Technologies Research UN United Nations UNCBD United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity UNCCD United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change DGoPP Directorate General of Plant Production DGGIS Directorate General of Geographic Information Systems COP Conference of the Parties CORINE Coordination of Information on the Environment CRIC Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention CST Committee on Science and Technology DLDD Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought ÇATAK Environmentally Based Agricultural Land Protection Program DG ÇEM Directorate General of Combating Desertification and Erosion NSAPCD National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Desertification MoEUCC Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change DGEM Directorate General of Environment Management DEMIS Dynamic Erosion Model and Monitoring System NCM Nature Conservation Center DG NCP Directorate General of Nature Conservation and National Parks EBP RDA Eastern Black Sea Project Regional Development Administration RDA Regional Development Administration SAP RDA Southeastern Anatolia Project Regional Development Administration DSİ State Hydraulic Works DoTP Department of Training and Publishing MoENR Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations GEF Global Environment Facility DGFC Directorate General for Food and Control GM Global Mechanism DGoL Directorate General of Livestock DG Mapping Directorate General of Mapping HIDS Watershed Monitoring and Evaluation System N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 014 IACS Integrated Administrative Control System IPA Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance IPARD Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance Rural Development MERS Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting System DSS Decision Support System LPIS Land Parcel Identification System MoNE Ministry of National Education DG Meteorology Directorate General of Meteorology DGSP Directorate General of Spatial Planning DGFRI Directorate General of Forestry Research Institute NWFP Non-Wood Forest Products DGF Directorate General of Forestry FVA Forestry and Village Affairs MoFWA Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs (Abolished) PRAIS The Performance Review and Assessment of Implementation System SLM Sustainable Land Management SDG Sustainable Development Goals SFM Sustainable Forest Management STATIP Detection and Treatment of Problematic Cultivated Lands Project MoIT Ministry of Industry and Technology NGO Non-Governmental Organization DSDB Digital Soil Database DG WM Directorate General of Water Management TAD Portal Agricultural Land Evaluation Portal DG ARP Directorate General of Agricultural Research and Policies TARSIM Agricultural Insurance Pool TEMA Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, for Reforestation and the Protection of Natural Habitats DG AE Directorate General of Agricultural Enterprises TIKA Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency ARDSI Agriculture and Rural Development Support Institution MoAF Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry DG SCAI Directorate General of Soil Conservation and Agricultural Irrigation DGAR Directorate General of Agricultural Reform TÜBİTAK Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye TurkStat Turkish Statistical Institute DG NCP Directorate General of Nature Conservation and Cultural Heritage UASIS National Land Cover Classification and Monitoring System NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan UDREMIS National Dynamic Wind Erosion Model and Monitoring System UNDP United Nations Development Programme 15 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 016 17 he National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Desertification (NSAPCD) serves as Türkiye’s fundamental document outlining the strategies, objectives, and actions the country will implement in its efforts against desertification. Within the framework of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Türkiye participated in the 8th Conference of the Parties held in 2007, during which the 10-Year Strategic Plan for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification for the period 2008-2018 was adopted. As part of the adopted strategy, state parties were requested to align their National Action Plans with this 10-Year Strategic Plan. In this context, our General Directorate developed the National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Desertification for the years 2015-2023. Following the release of the new strategy document (2018-2030) by the UNCCD, Türkiye updated its National Strategy Document. This update took into account the National Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets established after the 12th Conference of the Parties held under UN auspices in 2015, leading to the development of the National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Desertification for the period 2019-2030. The framework plan established for this twelve-year period (2019-2030) has outlined and materialized the targets and actions for the first five years, covering the timeline until the end of 2023. This plan aims to define the targets and actions for the remaining seven years (2024-2030) to achieve the strategic goals outlined in the framework plan for 2019-2030. At its core, the NSAPCD aims to create a resilient environment and socio-economic structure that will help mitigate desertification risks by 2030. This long-term strategy and action plan places the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) approach at the heart of desertification management, incorporating social, economic, scientific, and technological dimensions. The selected targets and actions are structured to form an integrated and mutually supportive approach. What distinguishes this strategic plan from the previous one is that it incorporates three additional pillars “Policy and Strategy Development,” “R&D,” and “Monitoring and Evaluation” to address desertification more effectively, taking both national and international developments into account. Drawing from past experiences, these pillars have been individually addressed to create guiding policies, establish a robust legislative foundation for effective implementation, advance efforts based on science and technology, and build institutional capacity for data-driven monitoring, evaluation, and reporting at both national and international levels. T STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN OVERVIEW N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 018 NSAPCD is rooted in the idea that a comprehensive and effective response to the escalating negative impacts of desertification, driven by climate change and human activities, requires strengthened stakeholder governance and proactive intervention tools. Accordingly, NSAPCD adopts network governance as its main strategy, moving away from traditional centralized and hierarchical management structures toward a collaborative, horizontally coordinated approach that engages public, civil, and private sectors alike. In alignment with this approach, NSAPCD defines shared responsibilities with stakeholders and delineates activities to be conducted in accordance with these shared responsibilities. It aims to achieve these goals through a proactive vision, which anticipates potential impacts and initiates preventive measures before events occur, rather than relying on reactive interventions that respond only after crises arise. In other words, these efforts aim to drive practical and tangible change in the field. NSAPCD consists of five sections, the first of which addresses the preparation process, purpose, scope, and development methodology of the document. The second section analyzes the state of desertification and land degradation both around the world and in Türkiye, providing findings and recommendations for future targets and actions. The third section outlines the mission, vision, core principles, and values that will guide long-term desertification mitigation efforts. The fourth section provides an overview of the monitoring, evaluation, and reporting activities necessary for the effective implementation of the strategy and action plan, while the final section incorporates the target cards. In addition, the National Strategy to Combat Desertification is built around six main axes: These are: The strategies to be pursued and the actions to be implemented are concretized in the form of target cards in alignment with these axes. Each target card includes: the strategic axis, goal, targets, actions, and performance indicators. The actions have been defined to encompass a broad range of projects, activities, and initiatives. Strategic Axis Strategic Axis Strategic Axis Strategic Axis Strategic Axis Strategic Axis Policy and Strategy Development LDN and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources National and International Coordination and Cooperation Socio- Economic Activities R&D Activities Monitoring and Evaluation 1 2 3 4 5 6 Table 1 Overview of Strategic Axes, Goals and Targets SA1: Policy and Strategy Development G1: Develop policies, strategies, and legislation T1: Policies, legislation, and strategies designed to prevent land degradation will be developed. SA2: LDN and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources G2: Ensure the sustainable use of natural resources T1: Degraded areas in agricultural and pasture lands will be restored and rehabilitated. T2: Degraded areas in forest lands will be restored and rehabilitated. T3: Greater resilience of urban and rural areas to climate change will be achieved. T4: Conservation, improvement, and sustainable use of water resources will be promoted. SA3: National and International Coordination and Cooperation G3: Ensure coordination at national and international levels in combating desertification/land degradation, enhance capacity, and establish effective cooperation mechanisms for a sustainable solution T1: Cooperation, coordination, and synergy at global, regional, and national levels in combating desertification will be scaled up. SA4: Socio-Economic Activities G3: Improve the living conditions of populations affected by or likely to be affected by desertification/ land degradation T1: The living conditions of populations affected by land degradation will be improved, their resilience will be enhanced, and rural-to- urban migration will be reduced. SA5: R&D Activities G5: Utilize scientific approaches and technological innovations for effectively combating desertification T1: The capacity, functionality, and effectiveness of R&D in combating desertification will be increased. SA6: Monitoring and Evaluation G6: Monitor, evaluate, report on, and reflect the efforts to combat desertification/land degradation at the national level T1: National Monitoring Systems for Combating Desertification/Land Degradation will be developed, data produced by monitoring systems will be reported periodically, and capacity building activities will be carried out. STRATEGIC AXES GOALS TARGETS 19 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 020 21 STRATEGIC PLAN DEVELOPMENT: AUTHORITY, FRAMEWORK, METHOD, AND PROCESS SECTION I Authority of the Directorate General of Combating Desertification and Erosion (DG ÇEM) to Develop the National Strategy and Action Plan The duties and authorities of the Directorate General of Combating Desertification and Erosion (DG ÇEM) have been defined by the Presidential Decree No. 85. Article 108/A of the Decree grants the following duties and mandates with a view to “safeguarding the soil, improving natural resources, and combating climate change”: a) Combat desertification and erosion with a focus on the integrity of river basins, develop integrated rehabilitation plans and projects aimed at controlling avalanches, landslides, and floods, conduct the necessary studies and project work for these initiatives, implement the projects, monitor their progress, provide project support to relevant institutions, and facilitate cooperation and coordination among organizations to establish policies and strategies related to these actions and operations. b) Plan for the enhancement of watersheds at both national and regional levels to address desertification and erosion, and to define corresponding policies and strategies. c) Collaborate with organizations responsible for afforestation and forestry to carry out or commission a range of activities, including private afforestation outside forest boundaries, when necessary, as part of efforts to combat desertification, erosion, and climate change; establish or commission the establishment of nurseries for producing tree or plant species used in outdoor settings; and support individuals or entities investing in these initiatives. ç) Conduct research and development activities in collaboration with universities and R&D institutions, establish monitoring and evaluation systems, and engage in educational, publication, and promotional activities. 1.1 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 022 d) Carry out, commission and approve studies, research, development of job descriptions, analyses, and setting of unit prices within relevant areas of responsibility, and establish their implementation principles. e) Oversee the sending of satellites and the provision of satellite data for combating desertification and erosion, as well as for climate and environmental action purposes. f) Monitor and evaluate the implementation of international treaties and decisions to which our country is a party in relevant areas, ensuring effective coordination among related organizations and agencies. Strategic Plan Development Framework The national strategy has been developed within the framework of five interrelated questions: Where Are We? To understand our current situation regarding desertification and the challenges we face, as well as to identify our strengths and capabilities, we have employed classical analytic tools such as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) and Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal (PESTLE) analyses. Where Do We Want to Be? By addressing the question of where we aim to be in our efforts against desertification over the long, medium, and short term, we have developed future perspectives and identified optimal success targets achievable within our resource limitations. What Needs to Change? To achieve our targets in the short, medium, and long term, we explored what actions we need to take. This exploration is based on the identified strategic axes and targets to determine the different actions required today to realize the desired future success. How Should Changes Be Implemented? We sought to identify where and how to effectively implement the strategy and action plan we have formulated. To answer this question, we collaborated with stakeholder institutions, organizations, and experts to develop proposals. How Should Progress Be Measured? We explored how to measure the effectiveness of the strategy and action plan’s implementation. In this context, we established a roadmap to outline the methods, standards, and procedures for collecting, 1.2 23 storing, periodically analyzing, and reporting data to evaluate changes, developments, and progress in the field of desertification mitigation. Strategic Plan Development Methodology and Process The methodology employed in the National Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2030 follows the guidelines outlined in the “Strategic Plan Development Guide for Public Administrations,” published by the Presidency of Strategy and Budget. This Strategy has been formulated as a collaborative effort among various stakeholders, including the Directorate General of Combating Desertification and Erosion (DG ÇEM), to define shared national goals and targets as indicated by the Decree. DG ÇEM has been entrusted with the responsibility of fostering collaboration and coordination throughout the strategy development process. Stakeholders have clear roles and responsibilities during the implementation, monitoring, and reporting phases of the identified common targets and actions. To facilitate the work within the Directorate General, a dedicated team of experts has been established, assigned with conducting research, group discussions, and meetings on each component of the plan. To ensure active participation from institutions and gather their insights and recommendations, a three-day “Collaborative Brainstorming Stakeholder Workshop on Combating Desertification” was organized from November 22 to 24, 2023. Professionals representing various organizations actively participated in this workshop. Drawing from the preliminary studies conducted by these experts, along with the insights and recommendations provided by the participants, a first draft was created. This draft was then shared with the relevant stakeholder organizations, and after incorporating their feedback and recommendations, the final version was produced, thus completing the strategy development process. 1.3 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 024 25 The situation analysis aims to identify the threats, risks, and challenges Türkiye faces by examining environmental changes at global, regional, and national levels, thereby shaping the national strategy and actions. In this context, the current state of desertification and land degradation worldwide has been analyzed, followed by an assessment specific to Türkiye. This analysis also provides an overview of institutional structures, previously implemented strategic plans, top policy documents, and pieces of legislation related to combating desertification, and identifies relevant stakeholders. The findings from these assessments lay the groundwork for achieving future goals, targets, and actions. Global Context and Trends in Desertification The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) defines desertification as “land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors, including climatic variations and human activities.” Although land degradation occurs across diverse landscapes worldwide, its implications are often more pronounced in arid regions, leading to desert-like conditions often referred to as desertification. However, desertification does not imply the transformation of land into deserts or its loss due to sand encroachment; rather, it refers to the degradation of land influenced by factors like climate change and human activity (DGAR, 2022). The Convention further defines land degradation as “reduction or loss, in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, of the biological or economic productivity and complexity of rainfed cropland, ... such as soil erosion caused by wind and/ or water; deterioration of the physical, chemical and biological or economic properties of soil; and long-term loss of natural vegetation;” Land degradation and subsequent desertification rank among the most critical global challenges (Figure 2.1). Today, increasing erosion potential in arid regions, driven by climate change and human activities, has intensified the visible effects of desertification and land degradation. This makes ecosystems in arid and semi-arid regions increasingly vulnerable and negatively impacts the living conditions of communities across these ecosystems. SITUATION ANALYSIS SECTION II 2.1 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 026 Desertification first garnered international attention after a severe drought and desertification crisis struck Africa’s Sahel Region from 1968 to 1973, claiming approximately 100,000 lives (Görcelioğlu, E. 1992). Since then, desertification has remained a critical issue on the global agenda. International actors have committed to tackling desertification by convening on platforms like the UNCCD, founded in 1994, to develop, discuss, and implement solutions aimed at protecting vulnerable ecosystems and communities, particularly in Africa, that are affected or at risk of desertification. Currently, the arid regions most impacted by desertification cover approximately 46% of the world’s land surface and are home to three billion people. Desertification hotspots, marked by a decline in vegetation cover, grew considerably between the 1980s and 2000s, affecting nearly 500 million people by 2015 (Ünal, 2022). In this context, regions with the largest populations affected include South and East Asia, as well as the areas surrounding the Sahara in North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula in the Middle East. These areas are among those most severely impacted by desertification. Future projections indicate that without necessary interventions, the degradation of ecosystem services from desertification could significantly disrupt these communities. Desertification and land degradation are now actively reducing agricultural productivity, affecting water resources, causing sand and dust storms, and driving loss of biodiversity. As a result, these impacts undermine human well-being, health, and living conditions. Due to these challenges, desertification is regarded as one of today’s most pressing environmental issues and represents a major barrier to meeting fundamental human needs in arid regions. Figure 2.1 Global Desertification Vulnerability Map (Tal and Bukchin, 2017). 27 Based on high-emission scenarios, the global extent of arid lands is projected to expand by approximately 10% by the end of the century (Abatzoglou et al., 2018). Rising global temperatures will increase the vulnerability of sensitive ecosystems to desertification. Less-developed and developing countries, many of which have more than 60% of their land classified as arid (Figure 2.2), are expected to face the most severe impacts of desertification. Geographical distribution of arid lands defined by the Aridity Index (AI) Classification of AI: Humid AI > 0.65 Dry sub-humid 0.50 < AI ≤ 0.65 Semi-arid 0.20 < AI ≤ 0.50 Arid 0.05 < AI ≤ 0.20 Hyper-arid AI < 0.05 Data Source: TerraClimate - Precipitation and Potential Evapotranspiration (1980-2015) (Abatzoglou et al., 2018) Africa, in particular, faces intense adverse effects from desertification. The Sahara Desert expanded by roughly 10% in the 20th century, while significant soil degradation has impacted the Nile (42%), Niger (50%), Senegal (51%), Volta (67%), Limpopo (66%), and Lake Chad (26%) river and lake basins. In Africa, approximately 500,000 km2 of land is degraded each year due to the conversion of forests into agricultural areas and the expansion of settlements to meet the needs of a growing population (IPCC, 2019). In Asia, desertification impacts 38 of the 48 countries on the continent. Northern, northeastern, and northwestern China —largest country in Asia— have an arid to semi-arid climate, with annual rainfall below 450 mm. Projections indicate declines in livestock and grain production in these regions between 2040 and 2099, which may compromise food security (IPCC, 2019). Communities on the Figure 2.2 Geographical distribution of arid lands defined by the Aridity Index (AI) N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 028 Tibetan Plateau that rely on livestock and have limited options for crop diversification are among those most vulnerable to desertification. In Central Asia and the Middle East, prolonged heat waves and decreasing rainfall are expected to reduce agricultural yields, diminish rangeland vegetation, and lead to biodiversity loss, with anticipated negative effects on public health. (IPCC, 2019) In Latin America, arid regions make up 25% of the total land area, with approximately 516 million hectares highly vulnerable to desertification and 378 million hectares already severely degraded. In South and Central America, declines in net primary productivity and ecosystem efficiency affect approximately 300 million hectares. In Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru, between 27% and 43% of land is affected by desertification, with an estimated 77% of Bolivia’s population living in degraded areas and facing severe consequences. Additionally, 75% of land in Argentina, 8% in Brazil, and 34% in Peru are affected by degradation. (IPCC, 2019) In Türkiye and across Europe, the risk of desertification is also rising. The European Environment Agency (EEA) has classified 8% of EU territory —covering regions in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Romania, Spain, and Portugal— as highly or very highly vulnerable to desertification. Including moderately vulnerable areas, this percentage rises to 23%. Türkiye’s state of desertification is comprehensively examined in the section “Desertification and Land Degradation in Türkiye: Current Status and Projections.” 2.1.1 Responding to Desertification and Land Degradation Around the World Desertification is widely regarded as one of the most pressing environmental issues, affecting approximately one-fifth of the world’s population. The initial severe impacts of desertification and land degradation were observed between 1968 and 1973 in Africa’s Sahel Belt, where an estimated 100,000 people lost their lives, and around 750,000 became reliant on food aid (Görcelioğlu, E. 1992). In response to this tragedy, world leaders convened at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (UNCHE) on June 5, 1972, in Stockholm to address the issue and initiate urgent solutions. Subsequent discussions at the UN General Assembly in 1974 further established a framework for international cooperation to combat desertification. This was followed in 1977 by the United Nations Conference on Desertification (UNCOD) in Nairobi, Kenya, where the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification was developed and adopted, outlining measures to be taken at national, regional, and international levels. To monitor and assess the outcomes of this plan, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee was established in 1992, culminating in the drafting of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), formally titled the “United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa.” This Convention was adopted on June 17, 1994, and has since been implemented worldwide. The UNCCD’s objective is to support the development and implementation of policies, programs, and measures to prevent, control, and mitigate desertification and land degradation at both national and regional levels. To date, 197 countries are signatories to the Convention. 29 The UNCCD provides long-term strategies and goals for combating desertification, land degradation, and drought through land rehabilitation, sustainable land management, and sustainable water resource management. A core aspect of this approach is the implementation of national and regional action programs. These action programs are designed to determine the priorities of each member country’s efforts in combating desertification. They aim to facilitate contributions to regional cooperation, enhance public awareness regarding land degradation issues, integrate strategies for addressing land degradation into national policies and plans, promote collaboration among stakeholders, and define the financial strategies necessary to support the actions to be undertaken. At the UN Sustainable Development Summit in 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Goal 15, “Life on Land,” calls for protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems; managing forests sustainably; combating desertification; halting and reversing land degradation; and curbing biodiversity loss. Aligned with Goal 15, Target 15.3 is set to “combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation- neutral world by 2030.” At the Conference of the Parties (COP)13 in 2017, after the conclusion of the UNCCD’s 2008-2018 Ten-Year Strategic Plan, the UNCCD 2018-2030 Strategic Framework was adopted, reflecting the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and integrating the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) approach as a core element of the vision. Additionally, a fifth strategic objective was added to the UNCCD’s mission: “To mitigate, adapt to, and manage the effects of drought in order to enhance the resilience of vulnerable populations and ecosystems.” During COP 12, hosted in Ankara, Türkiye, from October 12-23, 2015, parties to the UNCCD discussed voluntary LDN targets for countries and the monitoring of land degradation trends in line with SDG Target 15.3. LDN is defined as a state in which the quantity and quality of land resources necessary to support ecosystem functions and services and enhance food security remain stable or increase within specified temporal and spatial scales. It assesses degraded and reclaimed land assets using three core indicators: land cover and land-use change, land productivity or net primary production change, and changes in organic carbon stocks/ soil organic carbon (Orr et all., 2017). In the Strategic Framework Document for the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) 2018-2030, the empowerment of women, girls, and youth is emphasized, highlighting its contribution to both the implementation of the UNCCD and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. The UNCCD encourages parties to ensure the full and effective participation of women, girls, and youth in planning, decision-making, and implementation processes, particularly in areas that are most affected. Moreover, the importance of the active participation of all actors, especially civil society, in planning, decision-making, and implementation processes has been emphasized. To support and coordinate member countries in achieving the targets of the convention, various mechanisms have been defined and implemented. One of these mechanisms would be the Committee on Science and Technology (CST). The CST is tasked with providing scientific information and advice to the Conference of the Parties (COP) and comprises qualified government officials with a multidisciplinary structure. Another N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 030 committee working under the convention is the Committee for the Review of Implementation of the Convention (CRIC). As its name suggests, the CRIC submits reports to the COP on the progress with the implementation of the Convention. Like many other conventions, the UNCCD has a secretariat. The secretariat generally coordinates the necessary communication, organization, and publication processes for the implementation of the Convention, primarily focusing on the COP. It is also responsible for assisting member countries as needed. Another mechanism operating under the convention is the Global Mechanism (GM). The GM facilitates the mobilization of resources for activities related to the Convention. Like other mechanisms, the GM functions under the COP. The secretariat oversees various mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the Convention. Among these, the Performance Review and Assessment of Implementation System (PRAIS) reporting system, developed specifically for member countries, stands out. Sustainable Land Management (SLM) is essential for achieving the goals of combating desertification and promoting land degradation neutrality. Through SLM, land degradation can be prevented, reduced, or even reversed, thereby contributing to the targets to which the countries have committed regarding land degradation neutrality. Some SLM practices may specifically focus on one of the three categories of the “intervention hierarchy” (prevent, reduce, reverse), but many relate to two or even three categories. The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (UNDER) 2021-2030, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly on March 1, 2019, aims for the large-scale restoration of degraded and destroyed ecosystems, which have proven effective measures in combating climate change (through mitigation and adaptation). It also aims to enhance food security, water supply, and biodiversity while managing risks related to conflict and migration. UNDER focuses on promoting long-term resilience by balancing ecological, social, and development priorities in areas where different land-use patterns interact. Eight different ecosystems identified by UNDER for restoration and their contributions to the UNCCD intervention hierarchy for achieving LDN are presented. Findings and Recommendations from the Analysis of Trends in Desertification and Management of Combating Desertification: • Desertification and land degradation are among the most pressing global environmental challenges facing humanity today. Desertification is linked to a global chain of causality, and its ramifications extend beyond the boundaries of the affected areas, resonating in broader contexts. • Climate change is expected to influence both the global water cycle and local precipitation patterns. There is a high likelihood that abnormal climate events will intensify, leading to increased flooding and droughts. • In a world lacking cooperation and coordination, combating desertification presents significant challenges. If a fragmented and reactive approach continues to dominate, the scope and impact of desertification will inevitably escalate to a threatening scale for humanity. This fragmented and reactive strategy will hinder the achievement of desired outcomes in combating desertification due to insufficient interest beyond national or regional borders and inadequate resource allocation. Furthermore, should this approach persist, market-driven trends and policy missteps observed globally will exacerbate the risk of desertification. 31 • Desertification mitigation, climate action, biodiversity conservation, and environmental management are all interrelated approaches that connect in various ways. Thus, the joint implementation of significant environmental agreements can foster greater synergy and yield more effective results. • Combating land degradation and desertification should be a central agenda item for every country and must be addressed with particular emphasis on policy formulation and capacity-building efforts. Addressing land degradation and desertification not only benefits local populations but also provides various advantages that extend to different scales of sustainable land management. Preventing, reducing, and reversing land degradation could represent more than one-third of the most cost-effective greenhouse gas emission reduction measures necessary to maintain global warming below the 2°C threshold established by the Paris Agreement by 2030. This effort can also enhance food and water supply security, support biodiversity conservation, and help prevent conflict and forced displacement. • Considering the environmental and socio-economic ramifications, land degradation is a crucial issue for sustainable development. This topic was formalized in 2015 with the global target of achieving land degradation neutrality, currently defined as Target 15.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals. Achieving this target requires the simultaneous implementation of long-term integrated strategies that focus on enhancing land productivity, rehabilitating, conserving, and sustainably managing land and water resources in affected areas. These strategies can be applied at various levels to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and the pursuit of land degradation neutrality. Desertification and Land Degradation in Türkiye: Current Status and Projections In Türkiye, the “Desertification Model and Sensitivity Map,” developed in collaboration with TÜBİTAK under the coordination of the General Directorate of Combating Desertification and Erosion, identified the primary criteria contributing to desertification, ranked by significance and weight: Climate (35.6%), Water (18.4%), Soil (17.2%), Land Cover and Land Use (11.6%), Topography and Geomorphology (6.3%), Socio-economics (6.2%), and Management (4.7%) (Table 2.1). Taking all these criteria into account, approximately 18% of Türkiye’s land is classified as having low sensitivity, 50.9% as moderate sensitivity Map, and 22.5% as high sensitivity in terms of desertification (Figure 2.3). An additional 8.6% of the land falls under the “other areas” classification (including “Glacial and Permanent Snow,” “Rocky,” and “Sparsely Vegetated Areas” at elevations of 1,750 meters and above). Among the nine different combinations of sensitivity classes and levels (low, moderate, and high) under three distinct sensitivity categories (low, moderate, and high), the areas that fall into the moderate-high sensitivity combination are undoubtedly the most sensitive to desertification (Figure 2.3). The proportion of land classified as moderate-high sensitivity according to Türkiye’s Desertification Sensitivity Map stands at 21.6%. Unless swift and effective measures are implemented to combat desertification and land degradation in these areas, they are likely to remain within the high sensitivity classification in the near future. Therefore, it is safe to suggest that nearly half of Türkiye’s land area (44.1%: current status 22.5% + potential 21.6%) is at high sensitivity to desertification. If effective measures (policies, actions, 2.2 and initiatives) are implemented to combat desertification and land degradation, it is feasible to lower the sensitivity classification of the 15.6% of the area within the high-low group to moderate sensitivity (DG ÇEM, 2017). Table 2.1 Türkiye’s Desertification Criteria and Indicators Climate 10 Water 3 Soil 10 Land Cover and Land Use 2 Topography and Geomorphology 6 Socio-economic factors 7 Management 10 TOTAL 48 Criteria Number of Indicators Ç Ö L L E Ş M E Y L E M Ü C A D E L E U L U S A L S T R A T E J İ V E E Y L E M P L A N I 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 032 Figure 2.3 Türkiye Desertification Sensitivity Map (DG ÇEM 2019). 33 As of 2022, the current status of land degradation in Türkiye has been assessed using three indicators (Land Cover, Land Productivity Dynamics, and Soil Organic Carbon) (UNCCD, 2021), with the proportion of degraded land calculated to be 13.4% of the total country area (SDG 15.3.1). To monitor land degradation, the Decision Support System developed by the Directorate General of Combating Desertification and Erosion allows for the assessment of land degradation not only through these three indicators but also in relation to erosion and desertification parameters. The system also accommodates conducting analyses and evaluations in conjunction with projection maps, such as those for climate and soil organic carbon. By incorporating erosion into these three indicators, a new methodology has been developed based on the Hierarchy of LDN Intervention (Prevent, Reduce, Reverse), resulting in action proposals for Sustainable Land Management for each land cover type. This study has enabled a national assessment of “land degradation” and has established a “balancing” program at the provincial level through Sustainable Land Management approaches and practices (DG ÇEM, 2023). 2.2.1 Managing Efforts to Combat Desertification in Türkiye Türkiye signed the UNCCD on October 15, 1994, to combat the effects of desertification, land degradation, and drought. Türkiye’s accession to the convention was formalized by Law No. 4340 of February 11, 1998, and published in the Official Gazette on May 16, 1998, thereby coming into force. Türkiye is part of the “North Mediterranean Regional Implementation Office,” one of the five Regional Implementation Offices of the Convention. This region also includes Albania, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain. Member countries listed in the annex of the Convention have an obligation to actively participate in and contribute to the activities conducted in this region. The focal point for Türkiye regarding the Convention is the Directorate General of Combating Desertification and Erosion under the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change. Türkiye actively engages in bilateral and multilateral collaborations for knowledge sharing and financial support, particularly in regions such as Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Moreover, Türkiye plays a significant role in the activities conducted under the UNCCD framework, offering substantial support to various processes, especially the Conference of the Parties (COP). In 2015, Türkiye hosted COP12 and held the COP presidency for two consecutive years. Türkiye has initiated efforts to combat desertification/land degradation and drought effects through the “National Action Program for Combating Desertification in Türkiye,” which came into force in 2005. At COP 8 in 2007, the “10-Year Strategic Plan of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification,” covering the period from 2008 to 2018, was adopted, prompting the UNCCD Secretariat to request member countries to align their national and regional strategies with this document. In this context, the “National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Desertification (2015-2023)” was prepared in a participatory manner and implemented from 2015 to 2019 through collaboration and coordination among all relevant institutions, led by the DG ÇEM. In addition, a web-based monitoring, evaluation, and reporting system has been established and implemented to effectively collect and report the activities conducted by institutions/organizations under the Strategy and Action Plan. This system enables regular monitoring each year, allowing independent experts to prepare annual progress reports that keep track of the actions and developments related to desertification and land degradation. To date, within the framework of the aforementioned programs and plans, numerous initiatives have N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 034 been undertaken in areas such as strategy and policy development, institutionalization, legislative amendments, planning, project development, awareness raising, research and development as well as capacity building, all contributing directly or indirectly to the action against desertification and land degradation. One of the key developments that has accelerated efforts against desertification and land degradation in Türkiye would be the incorporation of the concept of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) as part of the vision outlined in the “UNCCD 2018-2030 Strategy Framework” in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, leading to the updating of strategic goals accordingly. Following the decisions made at COP 12 in October 2015, Türkiye established its national LDN targets for forests, pasture lands, and agricultural areas to be achieved by 2030. As part of the “Phase 2 of the LDN Target Setting Program” initiated by the UNCCD Secretariat, work to update targets has begun with the participation of 18 countries, and Türkiye is also updating its targets in this direction. Since 1946, Türkiye has made significant achievements and gained experience in combating desertification and land degradation, particularly in afforestation, erosion control, rehabilitation of degraded forest areas, and pasture remediation. Erosion control efforts are crucial in combating desertification and land degradation and hold significant importance. These efforts include establishing forests in water catchment basins, degraded forest areas exposed to erosion, and slopes where vegetation cover has been destroyed, converting degraded forest areas into productive forestlands or rehabilitating vegetation cover and constructing facilities in upper stream beds to regulate water flow, aimed at restoring the natural balance. Moreover, within the scope of soil conservation measures, activities are conducted to combat water and wind erosion, as well as projects related to sediment detection, flood control, landslide management, and avalanche prevention. Under the Erosion Control Action Plan (2013-2018), soil conservation infrastructure projects were implemented across a total area of 514,813 hectares. The Upper Basin Flood Control Action Plan (2013-2019) involved 346 flood basin interventions, while the Reservoir Basin Green Belt Afforestation Action Plan (2013-2019) encompassed afforestation projects in 516 reservoir and pond basins. As a result of these extensive efforts, the amount of soil transported by rivers due to erosion has seen a marked reduction. According to the findings of the “Determination of National Sediment Delivery Ratio Based on Micro-Basin scale” project, finalized by the DG ÇEM, sediment transport levels had decreased to 113 million tons annually by 2022. Integrated watershed rehabilitation efforts hold a vital role in combating desertification and land degradation. Recent watershed projects aim not only to protect natural resources but also to improve livelihoods and reduce poverty. By 2019, 17 Integrated Watershed Rehabilitation Projects had been developed and assigned to implementing agencies with a view to managing and restoring natural resources—such as forests, grasslands, agricultural lands, water, and soil—in collaboration with local communities. To mitigate the impacts of climate change, DG ÇEM has conducted R&D projects focused on identifying plant species adaptable to arid and semi-arid conditions, creating gene pools for these species, and establishing vegetation and afforestation in these areas. There are also ongoing efforts to establish monitoring systems for desertification, land degradation, and erosion to improve the precision of project implementation. As part of these efforts, national criteria and indicators for desertification have been defined, leading to the development of the Türkiye Desertification Model and Sensitivity Map. In addition, a suite of monitoring tools has been created 35 to support both national and global Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) indicators. These include the Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) Stock Monitoring and SOC Map, Soil Information System, Dynamic Erosion Model and Monitoring System for Water Erosion (DEMIS), National Dynamic Wind Erosion Model and Monitoring System (UDREMIS), and the Water Erosion Map. The National Land Cover Classification and Monitoring System (UASIS) is also in development. These systems are designed to enable accurate assessments of Türkiye’s current situation, supporting the development of targeted policies for future initiatives. In summary, a series of strategies and action plans have been developed nationwide, to strengthen efforts against desertification and erosion, protect soil and water resources, and promote sustainable land management. These key initiatives include the National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Desertification, National Watershed Management Strategy, Erosion Control Action Plan, Action Plan for Greenbelt Afforestation in Watershed Basins, Action Plan for Upper Basin Flood Control, and the Action Plan for the Rehabilitation of Mining Sites. Institutionalization of Desertification Control Management Following Türkiye’s accession to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the issue of desertification has gained greater prominence, leading to steps toward institutionalizing systematic efforts to address it and developing strategic approaches for sustainable long-term solutions. Türkiye’s efforts in combating desertification, land degradation, drought, flood, climate change, and erosion have, however, a longstanding history. The Directorate General of Combating Desertification and Erosion (DG ÇEM) stands as the first directorate-level institution worldwide created to address desertification. Its establishment, structuring, and growth as a dedicated institution can be traced through four distinct phases (Figure 2.4). In 1996, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification was signed, and Türkiye became a party to the Convention in 1998. In 2011, the Directorate General for Combating Desertification and Erosion (DG ÇEM) was established under the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs.” In 2018, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry was established, and the DG ÇEM continued to operate under this ministry until 2021 In accordance with the Presidential Decree No. 85, published in Official Gazette No. 31643 on October 29, 2021, the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization was renamed as the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, and DG ÇEM was included as one of its central units. On January 2, 2024, upon a Ministerial Approval, 14 Branch Directorates for Combating Desertification and Erosion were established. Figure 2.4 Institutionalization Process 2.3 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 036 Initiation of the institutionalization process, with the signing of the UNCCD in 1996, and Türkiye’s ratification in 1998: As per the Convention, parties are required to undertake various activities, foremost among them being the development of national action plans. To improve the efficiency of desertification control, ensure interagency coordination, fulfill Convention obligations, and monitor activities consistently, a small Desertification and Erosion Control Department was established within the Directorate General for Afforestation and Erosion Control. Expansion and elevation of the existing department-level structure, raising desertification control efforts to the Directorate General level in 2011: Following the dissolution of the Directorate General for Afforestation and Erosion Control in 2011, the Directorate General of Combating Desertification and Erosion (DG ÇEM) was formally established the same year. Following the closure of the former Directorate General, the department-level structure previously established for combating desertification was broadened in scope and elevated to the level of a Directorate General. This restructuring was formalized through the publication of the “Decree on the Organization and Duties of the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs” in the Official Gazette No. 27984 on July 4, 2011, where DG ÇEM was listed among the Ministry’s central service units. Operation of DG ÇEM within the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry from 2018 to 2021: Article 410 of Presidential Decree No. 1 on the Organization of the Presidency, published in Official Gazette No. 30474 on July 10, 2018, merged the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Livestock with the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs, thereby establishing the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. DG ÇEM continued to operate under this new organizational structure for the 2018- 2021 period. DG ÇEM’s transition to the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change in 2021: In accordance with the Presidential Decree No. 85, published in Official Gazette No. 31643 on October 29, 2021, the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization was renamed as the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, and DG ÇEM was included as one of its central units. Establishment of Desertification and Erosion Control Branches upon the Ministerial Approval on January 2, 2024: To create new sink areas through afforestation and planting activities across all 81 provinces, enhance Türkiye’s carbon retention capacity, and promote income-generating afforestation initiatives as part of green development—thereby indirectly contributing to the economy and employment— “Branch Directorates of Combating Desertification and Erosion” have been established in addition to the existing branch directorates within 14 Provincial Directorates of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change in the provinces of Afyonkarahisar, Ankara, Antalya, Erzurum, Istanbul, Izmir, Kahramanmaraş, Kayseri, Konya, Malatya, Samsun, Şanlıurfa, Trabzon, and Van. Formalization of the Desertification Coordination Council: Addressing desertification requires a comprehensive, multi-actor, long-term, and strategic approach. Therefore, having a guiding coordination council in place at the national level is essential. A draft circular on the “Desertification Coordination Council” has been drawn up, aiming to identify needs in the action against desertification, support the development of policies and strategies, integrate the targets into national plans and programs, ensure the efficient use of resources, prioritize activities, support implementations, promote results 37 nationally and internationally, and facilitate the establishment of a system for sharing knowledge and experiences. If implemented, this council will significantly enhance the effectiveness of national efforts against desertification. Moreover, revising the council to operate as the “Climate Change and Desertification Coordination Council,” merging it with the Climate Change Coordination Council, will further facilitate the Ministry’s areas of work. An Overview of the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan In 2019, following the conclusion of the five-year implementation period of the previous action plan (2014-2018), in view of the release of the new strategic document under the UNCCD (2018-2030), and the National Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets, the National Desertification Strategy and Action Plan (2019-2030) was developed. This document comprises: • 5 strategic goals • 16 expected impacts • 29 outputs • 88 actions and • 115 indicators. The Action Plan incorporates insights and contributions from nearly 50 institutions and organizations, including relevant ministries, NGOs, and universities. The “National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Desertification (NSAPCD 2019-2030)” took effect in 2019. The NSAPCD delineates the actions and activities planned by designated institutions and organizations to achieve the strategic goals set forth within the framework of the UNCCD to combat desertification and land degradation. The Directorate General of Combating Desertification and Erosion (DG ÇEM) facilitates coordination and collaboration among the institutions and organizations referred to in the NSAPCD. The NSAPCD (2019-2030) includes 5 strategic goals aligned with the UNCCD 2018-2030 Strategic Framework Document, adapted to national conditions in concert with the LDN process. In the context of achieving these strategic goals, 16 expected impacts are articulated. The highest level of objectives established in the NSAPCD comprises strategic goals, with the necessary actions to achieve these strategic goals defined as expected impacts. Under the outputs that define the actions required for achieving the strategic goals, which represent the highest level of the objectives established within the strategy and encompass a long-term perspective, 88 actions and 115 indicators are listed. To respond to the developments at national and international levels as part of a strategic plan and to finalize the implementation of the existing Action Plan (2019-2023), Türkiye has formulated its fourth National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Desertification (2024-2030). 2.4 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 038 2.4.1 Coordination, Monitoring, and Evaluation of NSAPCD Following the enactment of the NSAPCD, a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting System (MERS) was established to facilitate institutional reporting. Each year, owner institutions have submitted regular reports to the MERS regarding the indicators they coordinate or contribute to in relation to the achievement of the strategic goals. Based on these reports, key developments during the Action Plan implementation period and a general evaluation are summarized in Table 2.2. 2.4.2 Action Plan 2019-2023 Implementation Period Achievements and Evaluation Significant efforts have been undertaken and successfully completed by relevant institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector to conserve natural resources, manage land and resources sustainably, adapt to climate change, and enhance ecosystem resilience. Areas such as soil erosion, landslides, floods, desertification, carbon management, land use, sustainable forest management, water management, biodiversity, avalanche control, grassland and pasture management, agricultural management, environmental management, and socio-economics are being monitored through established systems. In this context, numerous basin- and national-scale projects have been initiated, with several successfully completed and others currently being implemented with strong determination. In addition, environmentally friendly agricultural projects aimed at promoting sustainable land use management through integrated basin rehabilitation and good agricultural practices have been recognized as highly significant. These initiatives focus on improving living conditions for rural populations in micro-basins, enhancing soil organic carbon levels, managing land use and land cover changes, and informing decision-making processes related to sustainable land management approaches. Forestry projects implemented in the context of climate change mitigation not only enhance the carbon sequestration capacity of our forests but also improve their resilience, contributing to the enhancement of data quality for greenhouse gas inventories reported annually in compliance with Türkiye’s obligations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. During the 2019-2023 implementation period of the NSAPCD, Türkiye has achieved notable success in raising public awareness about combating desertification and land degradation by fulfilling its responsibilities regarding the designated actions and indicators, facilitating technology transfer, and strengthening its administrative structure. Türkiye has developed an extensive communication network for addressing desertification and land degradation, particularly with African and Balkan countries, establishing itself as a leading model nation with a significant voice on both national and international platforms dedicated to these issues. Nonetheless, within the framework of the goals outlined in the NSAPCD, it is essential to identify and mobilize the methods, tools, and financial resources necessary to integrate the strategy and action plan for combating desertification and land degradation into national action plans and programs, national and regional development plans, spatial plans, and sectoral investment decisions. Strategic Goal Number of Outputs Number of Actions Number of Indicators Achieved Indicators Achievement Rate % Table 2.2 NSAPCD 2019-2023 Action and Indicator Achievement Rates as of the End of 20221 Moreover, it is crucial to identify legal, financial, and socio-economic barriers, as well as overlaps and conflicts within various laws and regulations related to combating desertification and land degradation. Legislative amendments must be enacted, and regulations should be harmonized within the framework of addressing desertification and drought. The evaluation presented below is based on reports submitted to the MERS. However, it is important to note that some activities carried out by the relevant organizations have not been reported, while others may have been redundantly reported, and occasional reporting errors have occurred. Nevertheless, as indicated in Table 2.2, a significant portion of the plan has been successfully implemented. 1 Considering the action plan consists of actions planned for the 2019-2023 period, the achievement rates for the final year (2023) have not yet been tabulated into the system. 39 SG 1: Improve the conditions of affected and potentially affected ecosystems, combat desertification/land degradation, promote sustainable land management, and contribute to Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) 12 34 48 45 89,6 SG 2: Improve the living conditions of affected and potentially affected populations 3 11 18 13 72,2 SG 3: Reduce, adapt to, and manage the impacts of drought to enhance the resilience of vulnerable populations and ecosystems 4 18 18 9 50 SG 4: Contribute to the creation of global benefits through the effective implementation of the UNCCD 3 6 6 6 100 SG 5: Mobilize necessary financial/ non-financial resources to support the implementation of the convention by establishing effective partnerships among national and international actors; in this regard, lead cooperation at bilateral, regional, and global levels and share knowledge and experience with other parties 7 19 25 20 80 TOTAL/AVERAGE 29 88 115 93 80,8 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 040 The achievements under the 2019-2023 National Strategy and Action Plan can be summarized as follows: • A wide range of training and information activities have been carried out to raise awareness on combating desertification and land degradation. These efforts included educational sessions held in schools, universities, and civil society organizations, as well as the development of informational materials on the subject. • Various actions have been taken to utilize science and technology as part of the efforts for combating desertification and land degradation, along with enhancing monitoring and evaluation processes. This included supporting scientific research related to tackling desertification and land degradation as well as the development of monitoring and evaluation systems. • Initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions of affected and potentially affected populations have been developed and successfully carried out. • Numerous activities have been carried out to promote sustainable land management. which included providing training on land management and formulating land use plans. • Collaborative efforts have been strengthened at both national and international levels to combat desertification and land degradation. This involved forging partnerships with relevant international organizations under international agreements related to combating desertification (to which Türkiye is a party). • Various initiatives have been undertaken to establish the necessary policy and legislative framework for combating desertification and land degradation. • Efforts have also focused on building institutional capacities for combating desertification and land degradation. This includes the delivery of training and assistance aimed at enhancing institutional capabilities. • Several activities have been conducted to secure the necessary funding for combating desertification and land degradation. Overview of Legislation and Top Policy Documents There are numerous pieces of legislation and top policy documents related to desertification and natural resource management. This strategy, designed to combat desertification and land degradation, is underpinned by the existing legal frameworks and policies in place in Türkiye, as well as relevant international policies and strategies. In this context, the development process of the strategy and action plan involved a thorough examination of key instruments, including previously developed and currently active strategies, action plans, council decisions, and development plans. Special attention has been given to ensuring that plans drawn up by the relevant organizations in the past are considered in the foregoing Strategy and Action Plan. 2.5 41 2.5.1 Overview of International Top Policy Documents Tackling desertification is a dynamic process that requires a comprehensive approach. To effectively respond to this issue, Türkiye’s strategies are continually updated in view of evolving needs and conditions and in alignment with the global processes. In 2015, the United Nations (UN) adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at eradicating poverty, protecting our planet, and fighting inequality and injustice. Among these goals, Target 15.3 (SDG 15.3), which directly aligns with the mission of our Directorate General, calls for efforts to “combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world” by the year 2030. At the global level, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) plays a pivotal role in establishing shared objectives for tackling desertification. Adopted in 1994, this convention is the only legally binding international framework specifically designed to address the impacts of desertification and drought. Since becoming a party to the UNCCD in 1998, Türkiye has fostered strong collaborations and has actively engaged in efforts to combat desertification and drought at both national and international levels. The Convention – based on the principles of participation, partnership and decentralization – is a multilateral commitment to mitigate the impact of land degradation, and protect our land so we can provide food, water, shelter and economic opportunity to all people. It unites governments, scientists, policymakers, the private sector and communities around a shared vision to restore and manage the world’s land. This international agreement is crucial for ensuring the prosperity of future generations. There are 197 Parties to the Convention, including 196 country Parties and the European Union. At the 13th Conference of the Parties (COP13) of the UNCCD in 2017, the Strategic Framework for 2018-2030 was adopted, encouraging parties to implement national policies, programs, plans, and processes to respond to desertification, land degradation, and drought. The Strategic Framework comprises three main components: vision, strategic objectives, and implementation framework. The vision is a broad statement of Parties’ commitment: “A future that avoids, minimizes, and reverses desertification/land degradation and mitigates the effects of drought in affected areas at all levels and strive to achieve a land degradation neutral world consistent with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, within the scope of the Convention”. The Framework contains five strategic objectives that are meant to guide the actions of all UNCCD stakeholders and partners in the period 2018-2030: 1. To improve the condition of affected ecosystems, combat desertification/land degradation, promote sustainable land management and contribute to land degradation neutrality 2. To improve the living conditions of affected populations 3. To mitigate, adapt to, and manage the effects of drought in order to enhance resilience of vulnerable populations and ecosystems N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 042 4. To generate global environmental benefits through effective implementation of the UNCCD 5. To mobilize substantial and additional financial and nonfinancial resources to support the implementation of the Convention by building effective partnerships at global and national level Meeting these long-term objectives will contribute to achieving the vision within the scope of the Convention. UNCCD uses national reporting as a tool to monitor progress toward the strategic objectives. The reporting is based on indicators that have been defined over several years through collaboration between the Committee on Science and Technology (CST) and the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC), with strong support from the Science-Policy Interface (SPI). The national reports are submitted to the UNCCD roughly every four years. The data collected through the reports is synthesized, compiled and analyzed by the secretariat for a review at the CRIC, resulting eventually in a COP decision on the next steps to enhance implementation. The third main component of the strategic framework, the implementation framework defines the roles and responsibilities of Parties, UNCCD institutions, partners and stakeholders in meeting the abovementioned strategic objectives. The three global agreements adopted at the 1992 Rio Summit—the UNCCD, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD)—collaborate to ensure that land, climate, and biodiversity benefit from a unified approach aimed at restoring our balance with nature. 2.5.2 Overview of National Top Policy Documents Sustainable development goals, national development plans, laws, and regulations should be linked with the national projects/programmes, strategies, and action plans developed for combatting desertification and achieving land degradation neutrality (LDN). Türkiye’s Five-Year Development Plans provide the political and legal basis of the combat against desertification and land degradation. Although the word “desertification” was included in the 9th Development Plan (2007-2013), the necessity of combating desertification was acknowledged for the first time in the 10th Development Plan (2014-2018). Subsequently, the objectives and policies of the 11th Development Plan (2019- 2023) included provisions on measures for combating desertification/land degradation. The 12th Development Plan also addressed the issue of desertification while linking it with other sectors. The Turkish National Action Programme to Combat Desertification, which entered into force in 2005, laid out the first key strategy in this field. While laying the foundations for strategies to combat desertification, the Action Program also included the tools for integrating this perspective into other sectors and strategic plan/action plans. “National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Desertification (2015-2023)” was prepared in line with the UNCCD 10-year strategy document. It was followed by the “National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Desertification (2019-2030)”. The National Report on Land Degradation Neutrality (2016-2030) was one of the most important developments that assessed the situation and accelerated the work on desertification/land degradation in Türkiye. 43 Appendix 1 includes short descriptions about the above-mentioned development plans, reports, strategy action plans, laws, regulations and actions and strategy plans of other institutions/ organizations related to desertification, which constitute the pillars of our country’s policies for combatting desertification/land degradation. 2.5.3 The Analysis of Legislative Framework on Desertification/Land Degradation The framework for Monitoring the National Action Plan to Combat Desertification was developed based on the responsibilities and relevant goals stipulated in several legislative acts, including Article 44 (on “Land Ownership”) of our Constitution. The above-mentioned article of the Constitution on “Land Ownership” provided the basis for combatting desertification and stipulated that “the State shall take the necessary measures to maintain and develop efficient land cultivation, to prevent its loss through erosion, and to provide land to farmers with insufficient land of their own, or no land.” Türkiye’s efforts to combat desertification/land degradation and erosion have spanned a long time period. The efforts to combat desertification/land degradation and erosion are supported by the provisions of several laws and regulations, including Forest Law No. 6831, Environmental Law No. 2872, the National Afforestation and Erosion Control Mobilization Law No. 4122, the Law on Pastures No. 4342, the Agricultural Law No. 5488 and the Law No 540 on Soil Conservation and Land Use. The laws and regulations contained specific provisions for the management of production areas such as forests, agricultural lands, pastures, and the rehabilitation of these lands. Appendix 2 provides the details on legislation and policy documents on desertification/land degradation in Türkiye. Stakeholder Analysis Combating desertification is a process that requires multi-stakeholder cooperation. It is critically important to mobilize all relevant actors in terms of policy, strategy, finance, scientific, technical, and operational aspects at different levels and ensure cooperation and coordination between them to combat land degradation and desertification successfully at national and local levels. Although the General Directorate of Combating Desertification and Erosion is the direct leader and focal point in the coordination of the efforts to combat land degradation and desertification, it carries out this mission through institutions that undertake different tasks directly or indirectly related to desertification. Therefore, it is of great importance to consult with the national stakeholders and to engage all stakeholders effectively in the process to monitor and combat climate change, desertification/land degradation on a national scale. 2.6.1 Identifying Key Stakeholders for Combating Desertification Various stakeholders play key roles in implementing effective strategies and sustainable practices for combatting desertification. Collaboration and coordination among these stakeholders are essential for developing and implementing comprehensive and effective strategies to combat desertification in Türkiye. The following stakeholder groups play a key strategic role in combating desertification: 2.6 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 044 Public Agencies: State institutions at the national and local levels are the key stakeholders in the formulation and implementation of policies related to land management, afforestation, and sustainable agriculture. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): The NGOs often play a vital role in raising awareness, implementing projects in the field, and advocating policies that promote sustainable land use. Media and Communication Actors: The media plays a critical role in raising awareness and educating the public about the effects of desertification. Farmers: Farmers are the key target groups for combatting desertification since they are also the main groups that conduct agricultural activities. Academia and Research Institutions: Universities and research institutions provide important contributions by working and providing data to develop innovative solutions for sustainable land management and combating desertification. International Organizations: Collaborating with international organizations such as the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) facilitates access to resources, exchange of information, and coordinated efforts. Private Sector: Companies operating in agriculture, forestry and related sectors provide important contributions by adopting sustainable practices, investing in afforestation projects and promoting responsible land use. Although several institutions have responsibilities and powers related to desertification/land degradation in Türkiye, the relevant activities are mainly conducted by two ministries: the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Various general directorates within these institutions have different responsibilities. These responsibilities can be explained briefly as follows: The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change (MoEUCC) is the key actor responsible for higher-level planning, in addition to its other duties. Planning is the key step of combatting desertification and land degradation. The Directorate General of Environmental Management (DGEM) conducts activities in the fields of waste management, pollution of air, water, soil etc. The Climate Change Presidency develops the plans, policies, and strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts. The Directorate General of Meteorology (DG Meteorology) carries out activities and studies to monitor meteorological drought and the effects of climate change and modeling these changes. The Directorate General of Spatial Planning (DGSP) develops spatial strategy plans, environmental plans and integrated coastal areas plans. Directorate General of Nature Conservation and Cultural Heritage identifies, registers, and approves the protected areas under its authority while conducting several activities in the fields of biodiversity, habitat, and management planning. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MoAF) carries out efficient projects in the fight against desertification. 45 The Directorate General of Plant Production (DGoPP) conducts activities to increase plant production, yield and diversity to combat desertification/ land degradation; to develop and mainstream good practices related to organic agriculture; to promote the conscious use of fertilizers based on soil analysis; to carry out studies on the identification, development and management of agricultural basins; to create basin-based production policies. State Hydraulic Works (DSI) is the main organization responsible for the planning, management, development and operation of our country’s water resources. The main duties of DSI includes flood protection, promotion of irrigated agriculture, production of hydroelectric energy, and provision of drinking water to cities. The Directorate General of Nature Conservation and National Parks (DGNCP) is the organization responsible for the identification and management of protected areas, biodiversity, wildlife, hunting management and nature activities. It carries out the activities related to the identification, registration, and approval of protected areas under the authority of the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks and biodiversity, habitat management planning and combatting climate change in these areas. The Directorate General of Forestry (DGF) is responsible for the management and operation of Türkiye’s forests. Its main objectives are to protect, develop, increase and expand the productivity of forests and to make sustainable use of the products and services provided by forests. The Directorate General of Water Management (DGWM) is responsible for developing policies related to the protection, improvement and use of water resources; preparing river basin management plans on a basin basis in order to ensure their protection and development; establishing a national water database; identifying and implementing measures related to the prevention of pollution on a basin basis together with the relevant institutions and organizations; monitoring surface and underground water quality; establishing strategies and policies related to floods and developing flood management plans; ensuring the necessary coordination regarding the allocation of water resources on a sectoral basis in accordance with river basin management plans. The Directorate General of Agricultural Reform (DGAR) focuses on efforts such as the development of agricultural land use plans, the improvement of the soil database that will provide a basis for agricultural land use plans, the development of bases and systems for the protection and proper use of agricultural lands, and identification of the fields with high agricultural production potential. The Directorate General of Agricultural Research and Policies (DG ARP), together with its units and affiliated research institutes, conducts researches on desertification/land degradation, erosion and drought control; the necessary measures to prevent the negative effects of salinity, soil and water pollution; applicable breeding methods, utilization of various wastes and residues in agriculture without disturbing the soil quality, development and use of biological fertilizers; development of integrated control, biological control and prediction warning systems; protecting and developing domestic gene resources; saving water by evaluating the effects of climate change and all activities in water basins, reusing water in agriculture, investigating the possibilities of using water-saving systems in agriculture and creating irrigation programs, protecting water resources, identifying areas sensitive to agricultural drought and creating risk maps, conducting drought risk analyzes, soil moisture estimation and on-site conservation of soil moisture. Currently, it is of great importance to ensure horizontal and vertical coordination between these institutions since Türkiye has sufficient policies, legal frameworks, strategic approaches, systems monitoring, technological infrastructure, technical capacity, and NGO activities. In this respect, a workshop was held to bring institutions together and develop common understanding. The table below presents the issues highlighted in the workshop. Table 2.3 Stakeholders’ SWOT Analysis Lack of close and participatory cooperation between the stakeholders High Close and participatory cooperation between institutional stakeholders should be ensured by developing IEC materials and a communication strategy, and strategy and action plan monitoring activities should be shared with institutions through regular meetings at different stages by using the results such as progress reports. The lack of clear division of the responsibilities of institutions at the national and local levels Medium The legal responsibilities of different institutions should be clearly identified and defined. Lack of technical capacity at the national and local levels Medium Specific technical needs should be assessed together with the stakeholders and the stakeholders should receive information about any developments/updates by using an Information Sharing Form. Unpreparedness for natural disasters (drought, flood, earthquake, etc.) High Damages/delays caused by natural disasters should be evaluated in cooperation along with their possible effects on the work plan. Low resilience to climate change, desertification/land degradation High Research results should be used to increase the resilience of Sustainable Land Management, Sustainable Forest and Rangeland Management practices to address climate change, desertification/land degradation. Lack of effective communication between the institutions, which may lead to cooperation and coordination problems Medium Periodical meetings should be held to improve communication, communication channels should be clarified, project management tools should be used, and open communication approaches should be encouraged. Competition can lead to conflicts and hinder cooperation Low Common goals should be set, an open and fair competitive environment should be established, mediation or conciliation processes should be used to resolve conflicts. Lack of financial or human resources may adversely affect work flows High In order to manage resources effectively, budgeting processes should be improved, training and development programs should be implemented, and work flows should be optimized. Incompatible systems or technological problems between different institutions Medium Investments should be made to develop compatible technologies and systems, their integration should be improved, and training programs on technology should be provided. Incompatibility of strategic goals between institutions Medium Common strategic goals should be identified, vision and mission documents should be shared, and a joint strategic plan should be developed. Legal disputes Medium Relevant legal advice should be sought, contracts should be carefully reviewed, and disputes should be resolved by using alternative methods of resolution. Problems Probability Suggestions/ Expectations Ç Ö L L E Ş M E Y L E M Ü C A D E L E U L U S A L S T R A T E J İ V E E Y L E M P L A N I 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 046 47 SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) The SWOT analysis on combatting desertification highlighted important findings and recommendations (see Appendix 3 for the detailed SWOT analysis). 2.7 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 048 FUTURE OUTLOOK SECTION III Mission To develop strategies and policies in order to effectively combat desertification and erosion, to protect soil, to achieve land degradation neutrality, to increase ecosystem resilience, to mitigate the effects of climate change by ensuring cooperation and coordination at the national and international levels. 3.1.1 Mission Components and Strategic Axes The strategic axes or areas of activity of the mission should be defined in order to develop a comprehensive strategy to combat desertification and guide the relevant efforts effectively. The strategic axes of the mission should ensure systematic planning of sustainable land management while addressing the root causes and consequences of desertification. Strategic Axis 1: Policy and Strategy Development The policy and strategy development refers to the creation of a legal and institutional environment that will ensure a planned approach in combatting desertification/soil degradation. Sound policy frameworks, governance structures, legal and regulatory frameworks should be developed to regulate and ensure sustainable land use while promoting responsible good practices. This mission requires: a) An assessment of existing policies and institutional structures (evaluation and development of national policies, good practices of land use and ownership, integrated water resources management, protected area management, agriculture, and adaptation to climate change), b) Establishment and/or strengthening of intergovernmental mechanisms (establishment of coordination and consultation/partnership mechanisms at local, national and international levels, 49 3.1 integration of relevant action programmes and facilitation of localization of these programmes in connection with local and regional governments and local/regional development in order to solve specific problems more effectively and leveraging existing opportunities), c) It is also necessary to review the national legislation, international laws, and regulatory framework, to harmonize them and ensure compliance and coordination for their widespread use. The policies and strategies that combat desertification/land degradation should be aligned with the supportive political and legal environment so that the efforts can be effective and sustainable. Thus, the following actions should be taken within the framework of the policy and strategy development mission: National action plans and programs for combating desertification/land degradation should be developed and integrated in the national and regional development plans, spatial plans and sectoral investment decisions/programs; methods, tools and financial resources for their implementation should be identified and mobilized; legal, financial and socio-economic barriers should be addressed; conflicts and overlaps in different laws and regulations should be identified and the necessary legislative changes should be made. Strategic Axis 2: LDN and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources Our country’s efforts to combat desertification are based on the global sustainable development goal of “achieving a land degradation-neutral world by 2030”. Strategies and action plans should be implemented in order to specify national LDN targets, develop monitoring systems and good practices, and conduct all these activities in a systematic and planned manner. For this purpose, national efforts need to focus on combating desertification by developing and implementing sustainable land management plans and projects, protecting water resources, and restoring ecosystems. Strategic Axis 3: National/International Cooperation and Coordination Combating desertification requires extensive cooperation from local to global levels. Therefore, successful desertification management must be based on a multidisciplinary approach involving cooperation between governments, organizations, and local communities. In this respect, national and international cooperation and coordination are considered important strategic axes that complement the mission of combating desertification. National and international institutions should carry out all activities to combat desertification by using a strategic and planned approach, in coordination. This mission aims to support our country fulfill its international commitment within the scope of combating desertification and land degradation, and especially to ensure cooperation and coordination between national institutions and organizations. Ç Ö L L E Ş M E Y L E M Ü C A D E L E U L U S A L S T R A T E J İ V E E Y L E M P L A N I 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 050 Strategic Axis 4: Socio-economic Activities There is a two-way interaction between human activities and desertification: On the one hand, human land use practices cause desertification, on the other hand, soil degradation adversely affects people who depend on soil for their livelihood. Thus, reducing pressure in arid areas is strongly associated with poverty. Reducing land degradation will also alleviate poverty. 12. Thus, desertification is considered as a development problem as well as a natural disaster within the framework of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. In this respect, one of the strategic axes of the fight against desertification is socio-economic activities that will increase the resilience of the local people affected by desertification. The main purpose of socio-economic activities is to reduce the negative effects of human activities leading to desertification through education, information and awareness activities on the one hand, and to contribute to local development on the other. Strategic Axis 5: R&D It is strategically important to benefit from technological and scientific developments in the fight against desertification/land degradation. For this reason, this mission includes a separate component of developing scientific and technological methods to combat desertification. This mission aims to advance scientific understanding and develop innovative solutions to combat desertification, thus making these efforts more effective, efficient and economical by guiding decision-makers and practitioners with information and technology. This mission includes several activities such as conducting research and technology development activities in order to find innovative solutions to combat desertification, making investments in this respect, developing institutional capacities, developing research projects, launching initiatives to benefit from national/international project grants for developed research projects, encouraging the development of research projects, supporting research projects, conducting field research on soil improvement techniques, supporting policy and management decisions in the fight against land degradation with information-based approaches, carrying out R&D projects and model monitoring systems to prevent land degradation and adapt to climate change, cooperating with research institutions and academic circles. Strategic Axis 6: Monitoring and Evaluation Monitoring and evaluation are important areas of activity for combatting desertification. Monitoring and evaluation are considered as an important mission component, as these processes enable assessing the effectiveness of implemented strategies, learning, and improving future interventions. The purpose of the monitoring and evaluation is to provide information to decision-makers and practitioners by assessing the sustainability and long-term impacts of the efforts to combat desertification. The 51 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 052 monitoring and evaluation activities includes identifying specified and measurable indicators, collecting and analyzing information about efforts to combat desertification by using various data collection methods, effectively reporting the results obtained and sharing them with relevant stakeholders. Vision Our vision is to develop climate-compatible ecosystems and lead the efforts to combat desertification and erosion by using sustainable natural resource management. Core Principles And Values • Sustainability • Sensitivity to Nature, Human and Environment • Participation • Coordination • Efficiency • Effectiveness • Transparency and Accountability • Scientific approach • Reliability • Neutrality • Quality • Accessibility • Compliance with National Development Policies and Other National Strategy Documents • Fulfilling the Obligations Arising from International Contracts 3.2 3.3 53 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 054 55 MONITORING AND REPORTING OF THE ACTION PLAN SECTION IV Monitoring of the Strategy and Action Plan, National and International Reporting A web-based monitoring, evaluation and reporting system (MERS) has been developed and implemented in order to effectively collect and report the activities of institutions/ organizations online within the scope of the National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Desertification. The system regularly monitors the reports submitted by the institutions every year. Following the assessments, various evaluation reports are prepared by the Directorate General for Combating Desertification and Erosion and submitted to the relevant authorities. These authorities include institutions such as the Turkish Statistical Institute, the Ministry of Finance, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This section provides details about the basic monitoring, evaluation and reporting systems. 4.1.1 Monitoring of the Strategy and Action Plan and Annual Evaluation Reports The Web-Based Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting System (MERS) was implemented in 2014 within the scope of the National Action Plan for Combating Desertification Harmonization Project prepared and implemented in with DG ÇEM and FAO Sub-Regional Office for Central Asia. The purpose of the developed software is to review and analyze the existing resources and information management mechanisms, develop a design proposal accordingly and to propose an integrated and functional monitoring, evaluation and reporting system. While developing the MERS, UNCCD’s requests, criteria, indicators and reporting principles were taken as basis. The conditions of our country were also taken into consideration. At the beginning of the process, UNCDD criteria and indicators were examined to specify which information was requested and how. The actions included in the National Strategy and 4.1 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 056 Action Plan to Combat Desertification were reviewed, and the analysis phase of these actions was first carried out by meeting with the coordinator, the relevant institutions and stakeholders. In the following stages, the database design was prepared and the application was developed by using this design. The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting System (MERS) allows regular and annual reporting on the indicators for which the responsible institutions are coordinators or will strive to achieve the functional objectives. Desertification Progress Report based on MERS reports has been prepared 4 times so far; National Strategy and Action Plan Evaluation Report on Combating Desertification 2014-2015 (MoAF, 2017), Progress Report on Combating Desertification-2016 (MoAF, 2017) and Progress Report on Combating Desertification-2017 (MoAF, 2018), Progress Report on Combating Desertification-2018 These reports summarize the milestones reached by the activities carried out by different institutions within the scope of the action plan, at the same time, highlight the areas that need to be focused on in the coming years by indicating the activities and reasons that have not yet been implemented, and in a sense, specifying the priorities for combating desertification/land degradation. Annual Progress Reports are considered an important tool for monitoring desertification/land degradation efforts and updating the roadmap. The existence, quality and concreteness of measurable indicators of actions in the data provided by the institutions and the compatibility between actions and indicators are important factors for effective monitoring. While developing the National Strategy and Action Plan, special attention was paid to identifying the action indicators in a way that would enable monitoring. On the other hand, harmonization was ensured between the indicators requested within the scope of the PRAIS reporting for the UNCCD Secretariat with the National Strategy and Action Plan indicators. 4.1.2 Performance Review and Assessment of Implementation System (PRAIS) Reporting UNCDD places great importance on identifying key actions on a national and global scale, aiming to assess the current situation and trends of desertification/land degradation and drought to monitor and evaluate them effectively. The UNCDD Secretariat identified several indicators to monitor countries’ progress in combating desertification. These indicators provided the basis of the PRAIS (Performance Review and Assessment of Implementation System) reporting system. (For the details of the indicators, see. Appendix 3.) Countries are required to prepare their reports in accordance with this system when reporting and to fill them out on the Internet. Country Parties, NGOs and reporting organizations enter data into the system by using various templates. Türkiye reports both as an “affected” and “developed country” through this system. While countries are obliged to submit reports every two years through the system, as of 2018, it was decided that the main reports will be submitted every four years and the interim reports every two years. In this context, Türkiye submitted its first report in 2018. 57 Institutional Arrangements, Responsibilities, Financing and Coordination 4.2.1 Synergy and Cooperation with other Rio Conventions (Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Change Mitigation) The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), the Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) focus on the 3 (three) main environmental problems of the world, which are directly related to each other. Alignment and coordination between these three conventions should be ensured when developing and implementing national strategy and action plans. This section introduces the other two Rio conventions and their practices in Türkiye and outlines the approach on how this coordination can be achieved within the scope of implementation of the National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Desertification. Türkiye signed the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992 and ratified it by law No. 4177 of 29 August 1996. Directorate General of Nature Conservation and National Parks (DGNCP) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is the focal point of the Convention in Türkiye. Article 6 of the Convention on Biological Diversity requires the Parties to develop national biodiversity strategies and action plans to fulfill their contractual obligations. In this context, the Turkish National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) was developed in 2001 under the coordination of the former Ministry of Environment and updated in 2007 and lastly in 2017. NBSAP (2018-2028) aims to reduce the threats to biodiversity and ecosystems, to develop species-specific and ecosystem-based conservation approaches, to ensure the maintenance of healthy ecosystems, and sustainable use of biological diversity. Türkiye has become a party to the UNFCCC as the 189th country on 24th May 2004. The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate serves as the Turkish focal point of the Convention. Considering Türkiye’s obligations under the UNFCCC, a “Climate Change Coordination Board” was established in 2001 in order to coordinate the efforts to combat climate change. The National Climate Change Strategy 2010-2020 includes Türkiye’s mitigation, adaptation, financing and technology policies to the extent of availability of national resources, international financing and grants. In the National Action Plan on Climate Change (2011-2023) published in 2011, sectoral sub-actions are included under the main chapters of greenhouse gas emission control and adaptation to climate change. The Assessment of Türkiye’s National Capacity Project specified the actions to create synergies between the Rio conventions and these actions are still valid today. A data-based system should be established within the scope of Rio conventions. For this purpose, it is also necessary to establish a national database (data storage and management) center covering all three conventions, to identify data collection and reporting standards for the joint work under each convention and three convention areas by considering the principles of Rio conventions, to train the personnel of the relevant institutions, to meet the needs of the database center including the personnel, equipment and other needs as well as the needs of other institutions that collect and report data in these thematic areas, and to develop data verification mechanisms and to establish an information network for reporting. 4.2 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 058 Furthermore, R&D activities should also be supported for the effective implementation of conventions in synergy, to adapt the existing research infrastructure for shared use and to establish financing mechanisms for them. The involvement of the Turkish private sector in the implementation of conventions is not yet at the desired level. For this purpose, it is necessary to make the necessary legal arrangements, carry out training and awareness-raising activities, increase cooperation, mainstream social responsibility projects, identify social and economic tools to guide the private sector, and integrate the requirements arising from the obligations of the Rio conventions into the field of activity of the private sector. NSAPCD summarizes the activities planned to be conducted between 2024-2030 within the scope of combating desertification and land degradation in Türkiye. It aims to provide a basis for the effective and collaborative implementation of the activities planned by different institutions. This action plan was developed by considering synergies between the three Rio conventions. During the preparation of NSAPCD, the top policy documents related to climate change and biodiversity were also assessed and linked with the action plan. The action plan included actions to create synergies between the three Rio conventions. It also considered the issues related to ensuring synergy between climate change, biodiversity, species and habitat, ecosystem services and activities conducted in protected areas, and desertification and LDN activities. 4.2.2 Financing of Action Plan Implementation Financing and efficient use of the funds play an extremely critical role in the implementation of projects to combat desertification and land degradation. For this reason, UNCCD gives priority to financing and sets out different mechanisms for countries to establish an effective financial structure. Türkiye has a strong infrastructure and various mechanisms for financing the efforts to combat desertification/land degradation. In Türkiye, these activities are mainly carried out by public agencies and institutions. Several institutions, especially the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, employ effective financing mechanisms. In addition to its national efforts, Türkiye also provides financial support to other countries in order to combat desertification and land degradation at regional and global levels. These supports are provided within the framework of bilateral agreements and capacity-building projects. The priorities to combat desertification/land degradation should include plans and programs of public institutions, local governments, development agencies and regional development administrations, NGOs, universities and private sectors. It is also important to develop joint financial support programs, offer financial incentives and technical assistance mechanisms. In this way, financial, technical and technological resources can be increased. In particular, more funds should be provided for R&D and technology development. Several institutions, especially the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, provide support to the efforts of combating desertification/land degradation. However, it is highlighted that these support and incentive mechanisms should focus on the affected areas by taking into account the Desertification Sensitivity Map and prioritizing these areas. Furthermore, it is important to plan and implement grants, support and incentives that provide socio-economic improvement in the fields of agriculture, forestry and rural development, considering the needs of the affected population, especially women and young people, in the affected areas. The NGOs conduct effective activities on the issues they focus on with their local organizations and innovative solutions. Although Türkiye has its own financial resources, it will inevitably use different funding mechanisms to implement different approaches, especially for the information and technologies that are not locally available. One of these resources is the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The GEF provides environment-oriented support for issues that countries cannot develop solutions with their own resources. In this context, Türkiye implements several national projects and also carries out several activities as a stakeholder of the international projects to combat desertification/land degradation. These projects include “Sustainable Land Management and Climate-Friendly Agricultural Practices Project”, “Land Degradation Neutrality, Upper Sakarya Basin Project”, “Umbrella Project”, “The Project for Integrated Natural Resources Management in Drought Prone Areas in Central Asia and Türkiye (CACILM-II)”. 59 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 060 61 TARGET CARDS (2024-2030) SECTION V N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 062 63 St ra te gi c A xi s 1: P ol ic y an d St ra te gy D ev el op m en t G oa l ( G 1) : D ev el op p ol ic ie s, s tr at eg ie s an d le gi sl at io n Ta rg et (T 1. 1) : P ol ic ie s, le gi sl at io n, a nd s tr at eg ie s de si gn ed to p re ve nt la nd d eg ra da ti on w ill b e de ve lo pe d. St ra te gi es A ct io ns Re sp on si bl e In st it ut io n( s) St ak eh ol de r( s) Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to rs U ni t Q ua nt it y Pl an s th at c on tr ib ut e to th e pr ev en tio n of la nd de gr ad at io n w ill b e pr ep ar ed a nd d ev el op ed . Pr io rit ie s an d ac tio ns to co m ba t d es er tifi ca tio n/ la nd d eg ra da tio n w ill b e in cl ud ed in re gi on al a nd lo ca l ac tio n pl an s an d pr og ra m s of p ub lic in st itu tio ns , lo ca l g ov er nm en ts , N G O s (P ro fe ss io na l C ha m be rs , U ni on s, Co op er at iv es , e tc .), un iv er si tie s, th e pr iv at e se ct or an d de ve lo pm en t a ge nc ie s M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ) M oA F (D G F, D G A R, D G oP P, D G A RP , D G N CP , D SI , D G So ci al A ss is ta nc e ), M oE U CC (D G SP , D G EM , D G N CP , D G L oc al G ov er nm en ts ), Re le va nt L oc al A dm in is tr at io ns , R el at ed N G O s, U ni ve rs iti es , P riv at e Se ct or Th e nu m be r o f b as in -b as ed m an ag em en t a ct io n pl an s co ns id er in g th e pr io rit ie s to co m ba t d es er tifi ca tio n/ la nd de gr ad at io n U ni ts 8 M an ag em en t p la ns w ill b e de ve lo pe d an d im pl em en te d co ns id er in g de se rt ifi ca tio n an d la nd d eg ra da tio n in se ns iti ve a nd p ro te ct ed a re as (e sp ec ia lly in p ro te ct ed a re as in cl ud in g m aq ui s ar ea s, st ep pe s, w et la nd e co sy st em s, in la nd d un e ar ea s, co as ta l ar ea s) M oA F (D G N CP , D G F) , M oE U CC (D G N CP ) Re le va nt N G O s an d U ni ve rs iti es Th e nu m be r o f a ct iv iti es to pr ev en t l an d de gr ad at io n in cl ud ed in th e m an ag em en t pl an s of p ro te ct ed a re as th at a re aff ec te d an d lik el y to b e aff ec te d by d es er tifi ca tio n U ni ts 6 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 064 St ra te gi c A xi s 1: P ol ic y an d St ra te gy D ev el op m en t G oa l ( G 1) : D ev el op p ol ic ie s, s tr at eg ie s an d le gi sl at io n Ta rg et (T 1. 1) : P ol ic ie s, le gi sl at io n, a nd s tr at eg ie s de si gn ed to p re ve nt la nd d eg ra da ti on w ill b e de ve lo pe d. St ra te gi es A ct io ns Re sp on si bl e In st it ut io n( s) St ak eh ol de r( s) Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to rs U ni t Q ua nt it y Re so ur ce s w ill b e us ed m or e effi ci en tly to c om ba t de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd de gr ad at io n an d ad di tio na l fin an ci al re so ur ce s w ill b e pr ov id ed . D ev el op m en t o f fi na nc ia l su pp or t p ro gr am s an d pr oj ec ts in li ne w ith th e jo in t re qu es t o f t he in st itu tio ns fo r t he e ffe ct iv e an d effi ci en t u se o f r es ou rc es to co m ba t d es er tifi ca tio n/ la nd de gr ad at io n M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ), M oA F (D G A RP ) Pr es id en cy o f St ra te gy a nd Bu dg et M in is tr y of In du st ry a nd Te ch no lo gy , M oA F (D G F, D G A R, D G oP P) , M in is tr y of Tr ea su ry a nd F in an ce Th e nu m be r o f j oi nt fi na nc ia l pr og ra m m es a nd p ro je ct s re la te d to d es er tifi ca tio n/ la nd de gr ad at io n U ni ts 5 Es ta bl is hi ng fi na nc ia l in ce nt iv es (l oa ns , g ra nt s, et c. ) a nd te ch ni ca l a ss is ta nc e m ec ha ni sm s to d ev el op an d sh ar e te ch no lo gy a nd go od p ra ct ic es to c om ba t de se rt ifi ca tio n M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ), M oA F (D G A RP ) Pr es id en cy o f St ra te gy a nd Bu dg et M in is tr y of In du st ry a nd Te ch no lo gy , M oA F (D G F, D G A R, D G oP P, D G A RP ), M in is tr y of T re as ur y an d Fi na nc e Ra te o f i nc re as e in re so ur ce s al lo ca te d to c om ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd d eg ra da tio n % 6 A llo ca tin g th e ne ce ss ar y fin an ci al re so ur ce s fo r t he ha rm on iz at io n of n ew te ch no lo gi es th ro ug h re se ar ch to id en tif y th e be st m et ho ds a nd te ch no lo gi es in su st ai na bl e la nd m an ag em en t M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ), M oA F (D G W M , D G A RP ) M oA F (D G A R) , R D A RD A (S A P RD A ), TÜ Bİ TA K, Re la te d U ni ve rs iti es Th e ra te o f i nc re as e in th e re so ur ce s al lo ca te d fo r te ch no lo gy h ar m on iz at io n in su st ai na bl e la nd m an ag em en t % 29 65 St ra te gi c A xi s 1: P ol ic y an d St ra te gy D ev el op m en t G oa l ( G 1) : D ev el op p ol ic ie s, s tr at eg ie s an d le gi sl at io n Ta rg et (T 1. 1) : P ol ic ie s, le gi sl at io n, a nd s tr at eg ie s de si gn ed to p re ve nt la nd d eg ra da ti on w ill b e de ve lo pe d. St ra te gi es A ct io ns Re sp on si bl e In st it ut io n( s) St ak eh ol de r( s) Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to rs U ni t Q ua nt it y In st itu tio na l c ap ac ity a nd hu m an re so ur ce s w ill b e st re ng th en ed , i nc lu di ng te ch no lo gy d ev el op m en t an d ap pl ic at io ns to c om ba t de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd de gr ad at io n. D ev el op m en t a nd im pl em en ta tio n of tr ai ni ng pr og ra m m es to in cr ea se th e ca pa ci ty o f i ns tit ut io ns , un iv er si tie s, N G O s an d th e pr iv at e se ct or to c om ba t de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd de gr ad at io n M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ) M oA F, M oE U CC , R el at ed U ni ve rs iti es , R el at ed N G O s, Pr iv at e Se ct or Th e nu m be r o f t ra in in g pr og ra m m es o n co m ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd d eg ra da tio n U ni ts 5 Im pl em en tin g ex pe rt ex ch an ge p ro gr am s on d es er tifi ca tio n/ la nd de gr ad at io n, s us ta in ab le la nd m an ag em en t, dr ou gh t a nd LD N M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ) M oA F, M oE U CC , R el at ed U ni ve rs iti es , R el at ed N G O s, Pr iv at e Se ct or N um be r o f e xp er ts p ar tic ip at in g in e xc ha ng e pr og ra m m es o n de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd d eg ra da tio n, su st ai na bl e la nd m an ag em en t, dr ou gh t a nd L D N U ni ts 5 O rg an iz in g co or di na tio n m ee tin gs a nd c re at in g sy ne rg ie s be tw ee n na tio na l dr ou gh t p ol ic ie s an d pl an s an d po lic ie s an d pl an s fo r L D N an d de se rt ifi ca tio n M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ) M oA F (D G A R, D G W M ) M oA F (D SI , D G F, D G oP P, D G A RP , D G A R, D G A E) , M oE U CC (D G M et eo ro lo gy , Cl im at e Ch an ge P re si de nc y, D G EM ), RD A N um be r o f c oo rd in at io n m ee tin gs U ni ts 12 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 066 St ra te gi c A xi s 1: P ol ic y an d St ra te gy D ev el op m en t G oa l ( G 1) : D ev el op p ol ic ie s, s tr at eg ie s an d le gi sl at io n Ta rg et (T 1. 1) : P ol ic ie s, le gi sl at io n, a nd s tr at eg ie s de si gn ed to p re ve nt la nd d eg ra da ti on w ill b e de ve lo pe d. St ra te gi es A ct io ns Re sp on si bl e In st it ut io n( s) St ak eh ol de r( s) Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to rs U ni t Q ua nt it y N at io na l v ol un ta ry L D N ta rg et s w ill b e up da te d, re le va nt m ea su re s w ill b e de fin ed a nd im pl em en te d. Es ta bl is hi ng a n at io na l co or di na tio n m ec ha ni sm an d en su rin g its e ffe ct iv e op er at io n M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ) Th e nu m be r o f l eg al re gu la tio ns U ni ts 1 Th e nu m be r o f c oo rd in at io n m ee tin gs U ni ts 5 Ra is in g aw ar en es s on L D N an d en su rin g th at it is in cl ud ed in th e na tio na l p la ns an d in ve st m en t p ro gr am s M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ) Pr es id en cy o f S tr at eg y an d Bu dg et , M oE U CC , Re le va nt N G O s, Re le va nt M un ic ip al iti es Th e nu m be r o f p la ns , i nv es tm en t pr og ra m s an d st ra te gi es th at in cl ud ed L D N U ni ts 2 Th e nu m be r t ra in in g pr og ra m m es o n LD N U ni ts 10 Th e nu m be r o f n ew s/ ar tic le s on LD N U ni ts 10 Le gi sl at iv e an al yz es o f de se rt ifi ca tio n an d la nd de gr ad at io n w ill b e ca rr ie d ou t. Es ta bl is hm en t o f t ec hn ic al gr ou ps c on si st in g of re pr es en ta tiv es o f t he re le va nt s ta ke ho ld er in st itu tio ns a nd e va lu at io n of le gi sl at iv e ga ps , c on fli ct s an d re co m m en da tio ns fo r de ve lo pi ng le gi sl at io n M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ) Pr es id en cy o f S tr at eg y an d Bu dg et , M oA F, M oE U CC Th e nu m be r o f l eg is la tio ns pu bl is he d in th e O ffi ci al G az et te U ni ts 1 67 St ra te gi c A xi s 2: L D N a nd S us ta in ab le U se o f N at ur al R es ou rc es G oa l 2 : E ns ur e th e su st ai na bl e us e of n at ur al re so ur ce s Ta rg et (T 2. 1) : D eg ra de d ar ea s in a gr ic ul tu ra l a nd p as tu re la nd s w ill b e re st or ed a nd re ha bi lit at ed . St ra te gi es A ct io ns Re sp on si bl e In st it ut io n( s) St ak eh ol de r( s) Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to rs U ni t Q ua nt it y Th e fu nc tio ns o f a gr ic ul tu ra l la nd s a nd p as tu re s w ill b e pr es er ve d an d im pr ov ed . Co m pl et io n of a ct iv iti es fo r pa st ur e re st ric tio n M oA F (D G oP P) Pr ov in ci al P as tu re C om m itt ee s To ta l a re a of re st ric te d pa st ur es H a 70 .0 00 Re du ci ng g ra zi ng p re ss ur e an d en su rin g w at er a nd v eg et at io n m an ag em en t t o in cr ea se th e re sil ie nc e of p as tu re s t o de se rt ifi ca tio n an d dr ou gh t M oA F (D G oP P) To ta l a re a of p as tu re s w ith in cr ea se d dr ou gh t r es ist an ce H a 18 .0 00 In cr ea sin g fo ra ge c ro p pr od uc tio n (h a) M oA F (D G oP P) M oA F (D G AR P, D G AR ) To ta l p ro du ct io n ar ea H a 60 0. 00 0 Pr ep ar at io n of re st or at io n pl an s f or p as tu re s a nd in -fo re st pa st ur es a nd c on du ct in g pr od uc tiv ity a na ly se s M oA F (D G oP P, D G F) M oA F (D G AR P) , R el at ed U ni ve rs iti es To ta l a re a w he re p as tu re im pr ov em en t a nd m an ag em en t pl an s a re m ad e H a 65 .0 00 Pr ot ec tio n of a re as w ith hi gh a gr ic ul tu ra l p ro du ct io n po te nt ia l, w he re so il lo ss a nd la nd d eg ra da tio n ac ce le ra te d ra pi dl y as a re su lt of e ro sio n, po llu tio n an d m isu se M oA F (D G AR P, D G AR ) N um be r o f " la rg e pl ai ns w ith in pr ot ec te d ar ea s" U ni ts 50 0 In cr ea sin g th e ag ric ul tu ra l a re a w he re c on so lid at io n an d la nd pl an ni ng a ct iv iti es a re c ar rie d ou t M oA F (D SI , D G AR ) D G LR , D G oP P To ta l a re a w ith c om pl et ed la nd co ns ol id at io n an d on -fa rm de ve lo pm en t H a 3. 00 0. 00 0 Cr ea tin g so il m ap s a nd so il da ta ba se b y m ea su rin g so il fe rt ili ty M oA F (D G AR P) D G Ç EM , R el at ed U ni ve rs iti es To ta l a re a w he re so il fe rt ili ty is m ea su re d H a 70 0. 00 0 Co nd uc tin g re se ar ch es to ob ta in so il qu al ity p ar am et er s M oA F (D G AR P, D G F, D G AR ) Re le va nt U ni ve rs iti es Th e nu m be r o f r es ea rc h pr oj ec ts U ni ts 7 U se o f a dv an ce d irr ig at io n sy st em s ( su ch a s d rip ir rig at io n an d sp rin kl er ir rig at io n) M oA F (D SI ) M oA F (D G W M , D G AR ), Sp ec ia l Pr ov in ci al A dm in ist ra tio ns , RD A To ta l a gr ic ul tu ra l a re a w he re ad va nc ed ir rig at io n sy st em s ar e us ed a nd to ta l a re a w he re au to m at io n sy st em s a re im pl em en te d H a 75 0. 00 0 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 068 St ra te gi c A xi s 2: L D N a nd S us ta in ab le U se o f N at ur al R es ou rc es G oa l 2 : E ns ur e th e su st ai na bl e us e of n at ur al re so ur ce s Ta rg et (T 2. 1) : D eg ra de d ar ea s in a gr ic ul tu ra l a nd p as tu re la nd s w ill b e re st or ed a nd re ha bi lit at ed . St ra te gi es A ct io ns Re sp on si bl e In st it ut io n( s) St ak eh ol de r( s) Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to rs U ni t Q ua nt it y Su st ai na bl e la nd m an ag em en t a nd g oo d pr ac tic es to c om ba t de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd de gr ad at io n w ill b e sc al ed up . Sc al in g up s us ta in ab le la nd m an ag em en t a nd c lim at e- fr ie nd ly a gr ic ul tu ra l p ra ct ic es in a gr ic ul tu ra l l an ds a nd pa st ur e ar ea s M oA F (D G A R) M oA F (D G A RP , D G oP P) , RD A (S A P RD A ), Re le va nt N G O ’s, A gr ic ul tu re a nd Ru ra l D ev el op m en t S up po rt In st itu tio n (A RD SI ) Th e nu m be r o f p ro je ct s de si gn ed an d im pl em en te d fo r d ev el op in g m ec ha ni ca l w in d er os io n co nt ro l m et ho ds , b io lo gi ca l m ea su re s an d w in d cu rt ai ns (c lim at e- fr ie nd ly a gr ic ul tu re , p ro te ct ed ag ric ul tu re ) i n ag ric ul tu re a nd pa st ur e ar ea s U ni ts 3 Th e nu m be r o f p ro du ce rs u si ng go od a gr ic ul tu ra l p ra ct ic es U ni ts 3. 00 0 Ec os ys te m b as ed ap pr oa ch es a nd p ra ct ic es w ill b e im pl em en te d in ar ea s aff ec te d or li ke ly to b e aff ec te d by d es er tifi ca tio n/ la nd d eg ra da tio n. Re se ar ch o n th e eff ec ts of c lim at e ch an ge o n bi od iv er si ty a nd e co sy st em s al on g w ith d es er tifi ca tio n an d la nd d eg ra da tio n M oA F (D G A RP , D G F) Re le va nt N G O s, TÜ Bİ TA K, Re le va nt U ni ve rs iti es Th e nu m be r o f r es ea rc he s on cl im at e ch an ge a da pt at io n/ la nd d eg ra da tio n/ bi od iv er si ty in ag ric ul tu ra l a re as , p as tu re s an d fo re st s U ni ts 3 To ta l a re a w he re p ilo t p ro je ct s ar e im pl em en te d H a 49 0. 00 0 69 St ra te g ic A xi s 2: L D N a n d S us ta in ab le U se o f N at ur al R es ou rc es G oa l 2 : E ns ur e th e su st ai na bl e us e of n at ur al re so ur ce s Ta rg et (T 2. 2) : D eg ra d ed a re as in fo re st la n d s w ill b e re st or ed a n d re h ab ili ta te d . St ra te gi es A ct io ns Re sp on si bl e In st it ut io n( s) St ak eh ol de r( s) Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to rs U ni t Q ua nt it y Ar ea s a ffe ct ed o r l ik el y to b e aff ec te d by d es er tifi ca tio n/ la nd de gr ad at io n w ill b e pr ot ec te d, re ha bi lit at ed a nd re st or ed . Co nd uc tin g er os io n co nt ro l ac tiv iti es in si te s w ith h ig he r pr io rit y in te rm s o f e ro sio n ris k M oA F (D G F) M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ), Re le va nt N G O s a nd U ni ve rs iti es To ta l a re a w he re e ro sio n co nt ro l ac tiv iti es a re c ar rie d ou t w ith in th e sc op e of p ro je ct s H a 1. 88 5. 00 0 In cr ea sin g in te gr at ed m ic ro - ca tc hm en t r eh ab ili ta tio n pr oj ec ts pr ep ar ed w ith th e pa rt ic ip at io n of re le va nt in st itu tio ns / or ga ni za tio ns a nd lo ca l p eo pl e to in cl ud e aff ec te d ar ea s M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ) M oA F (D G F, D SI , D G W M ), Lo ca l G ov er nm en ts N um be r o f i nt eg ra te d m ic ro - ca tc hm en t p ro je ct s p re pa re d sp ec ifi ca lly fo r a re as a ffe ct ed b y de se rt ifi ca tio n U ni ts 12 In cr ea sin g pr od uc tiv e fo re st ar ea s w ith re ha bi lit at io n an d aff or es ta tio n ac tiv iti es in de gr ad ed fo re st a re as M oA F (D G F) To ta l a re a of p ro du ct iv e fo re st s H a 14 .1 50 .0 00 D ev el op in g an d im pl em en tin g pr oj ec ts fo r fl oo d co nt ro l, er os io n co nt ro l, ca rb on si nk a re a aff or es ta tio n, la nd sli de s, ro ck fa lls an d av al an ch es M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ), M oA F (D G F) AF AD , M oA F (D Sİ ) a nd L oc al G ov er nm en ts Th e nu m be r o f p ro je ct s ( un its ) U ni ts 75 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 070 St ra te g ic A xi s 2: L D N a n d S us ta in ab le U se o f N at ur al R es ou rc es G oa l 2 : E ns ur e th e su st ai na bl e us e of n at ur al re so ur ce s Ta rg et (T 2. 2) : D eg ra de d ar ea s in fo re st la nd s w ill b e re st or ed a nd re ha bi lit at ed . St ra te gi es A ct io ns Re sp on si bl e In st it ut io n( s) St ak eh ol de r( s) Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to rs U ni t Q ua nt it y Th e cu rre nt st at us o f e co sy st em se rv ic es w ill b e as se ss ed , m ai nt ai ne d an d/ or im pr ov ed , a nd pr io rit y w ill b e gi ve n to th e ar ea s aff ec te d by d es er tifi ca tio n/ la nd de gr ad at io n. In te gr at in g an d m on ito rin g bi od iv er sit y an d ec os ys te m se rv ic es in to th e m an ag em en t o f fo re st s M oA F (D GF ) M oA F (D GN P) , R el ev an t N GO s Nu m be r o f f or es t m an ag em en t p la ns w ith in te gr at ed b io di ve rs ity a nd ec os ys te m se rv ic es Un its 40 0 In te gr at in g an d m on ito rin g bi od iv er sit y an d ec os ys te m se rv ic es in to th e m an ag em en t pl an s f or p ro te ct ed a re as M oA F (D GN CP ), M oE UC C (D GN CP ) Nu m be r o f p ro te ct ed a re a m an ag em en t p la ns w ith in te gr at ed ec os ys te m se rv ic es Un its 6 D ev el op m en t a nd im pl em en ta tio n of sp ec ia l r eh ab ili ta tio n an d re st or at io n pr oj ec ts a t d es ig na te d ho ts po ts o f d es er tifi ca tio n an d la nd d eg ra da tio n M oE UC C (D G ÇE M ) M oA F (D GF ), M oE UC C (D GN CP ) Th e nu m be r o f n ew re ha bi lit at io n an d re st or at io n pr oj ec ts sp ec ifi c t o th e ar ea s t ha t a re p rio rit ize d Un its 12 Co nd uc tin g re se ar ch o n sp ec ie s th at a re re sil ie nt a ga in st th e eff ec ts of cl im at e ch an ge w ith in th e sc op e of p la nt in g/ aff or es ta tio n ac tiv iti es fo r t he p re ve nt io n of de se rt ifi ca tio n, e ro sio n an d la nd de gr ad at io n in n on -fo re st a re as , de ve lo pi ng a g en e po ol a nd ca rr yi ng o ut p la nt in g/ aff or es ta tio n w ith th es e sp ec ie s M oE UC C (D G ÇE M ) Re le va nt u ni ve rs iti es , M oA F (D GA E, D GA RP , D GF ) To ta l p ot en tia l a re a id en tifi ed a nd in cl ud ed in th e pr oj ec ts Ha 30 0 Fo re st a nd fo re st re so ur ce s w ill b e pr ot ec te d ag ai ns t bi ot ic a nd a bi ot ic d am ag es . In cr ea si ng p re ve nt iv e m ea su re s ag ai ns t f or es t fi re s, st re ng th en in g th e re sp on se ca pa ci ty M oA F (D G F) Re le va nt N G O s Th e ra tio o f t he n um be r o f m an - m ad e fir es to th e to ta l n um be r of fi re s % 81 A re a pe r fi re H a 5 M on ito rin g th e he al th o f f or es t ec os ys te m s, im pl em en ta tio n of n at ur al o r n at ur e- fr ie nd ly pr ev en tiv e m ea su re s in th e fig ht a ga in st d is ea se s an d pe st s; p ro te ct io n of fo re st s an d fo re st h ea lth M oA F (D G F) Re le va nt U ni ve rs iti es Th e nu m be r o f l ab or at or ie s es ta bl is he d U ni ts 11 Th e nu m be r o f p ho to tr ap s in st al le d ag ai ns t g ra zi ng lo ss U ni ts 40 52 71 St ra te gi c A xi s 2: L D N a nd S us ta in ab le U se o f N at ur al R es ou rc es G oa l 2 : E ns ur e th e su st ai na bl e us e of n at ur al re so ur ce s Ta rg et (T 2. 3) : G re at er re si lie nc e of u rb an a nd ru ra l a re as to c lim at e ch an ge w ill b e ac hi ev ed . St ra te gi es A ct io ns Re sp on si bl e In st it ut io n( s) St ak eh ol de r( s) Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to rs U ni t Q ua nt it y G re at er a da pt at io n to c lim at e ch an ge w ill b e ac hi ev ed in ur ba n an d ru ra l a re as . Ca rr yi ng o ut c lim at e ch an ge ad ap ta tio n w or k (p ro je ct s, pl an s, ac tiv iti es , e tc .) in u rb an an d ru ra l a re as M oE U CC (D G Ç EM , D G EM , D G SP ) M oA F (D G F, D G A R) M oE U CC (D G L oc al G ov er nm en ts ), lo ca l go ve rn m en ts , U ni on o f M un ic ip al iti es o f T ür ki ye Th e nu m be r o f c lim at e ch an ge ad ap ta tio n pr oj ec ts U ni ts 81 To ta l a re a of c ar bo n si nk s es ta bl is he d in u rb an a nd ru ra l ar ea s, in cl ud in g aff or es ta tio n an d er os io n co nt ro l a re as H a 60 0 A ct iv iti es to ra is e aw ar en es s w ill b e ca rr ie d ou t. D ev el op in g an d im pl em en tin g jo in t a nd c oo rd in at ed tr ai ni ng p ro gr am s sp ec ifi c to th e aff ec te d ar ea s (b as ic ed uc at io n, s ec on da ry ed uc at io n, v oc at io na l ed uc at io n, li fe lo ng le ar ni ng ) M in is tr y of N at io na l Ed uc at io n (M oN E) M oE U CC (D G Ç EM , D G EM ), M oA F (D G F, D G A R, D G A RP ) Th e nu m be r o f t ra in in g pr og ra m s im pl em en te d in a ffe ct ed a re as N um be r o f c ou rs es o ffe re d w ith in th e sc op e of E nv iro nm en t a nd Cl im at e Ch an ge A w ar en es s Co ur se Pr og ra m o rg an iz ed w ith in th e sc op e of n on -fo rm al e du ca tio n, En vi ro nm en t a nd C lim at e Ch an ge Aw ar en es s Pr og ra m (D is ta nc e Ed uc at io n- A sy nc hr on ou s) a nd G lo ba l C lim at e Ch an ge C ou rs e Pr og ra m s U ni ts 15 00 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 072 St ra te gi c A xi s 2: L D N a nd S us ta in ab le U se o f N at ur al R es ou rc es G oa l 2 : E ns ur e th e su st ai na bl e us e of n at ur al re so ur ce s Ta rg et (T 2. 4) : C on se rv at io n, im pr ov em en t, an d su st ai na bl e us e of w at er re so ur ce s w ill b e pr om ot ed . St ra te gi es A ct io ns Re sp on si bl e In st it ut io n( s) St ak eh ol de r( s) Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to rs U ni t Q ua nt it y Ba si n M an ag em en t P la ns w ill be d ev el op ed a nd fi na liz ed . Co m pl et io n of B as in M an ag em en t P la ns fo r 2 5 ba si ns in T ür ki ye M oA F (D G W M ) M oE U CC (D G Ç EM , D G EM ), M oA F (D SI , D G oP P, D G FC , D G A R, D G N CP , D G Ç EM , D G F, D G oL ), Re le va nt L oc al G ov er nm en ts N um be r o f R iv er B as in M an ag em en t P la ns U ni ts 25 Ac tiv iti es w ill b e ca rr ie d ou t f or th e pr ot ec tio n an d im pr ov em en t o f gr ou nd w at er . D ev el op m en t o f S ec to ra l W at er A llo ca tio n Pl an s w ith in th e sc op e of p ro te ct io n an d eff ec tiv e us e of w at er re so ur ce s in b as in s M oA F (D G W M ) M oE U CC (D G o f M et eo ro lo gy ), Th e M in is tr y of E ne rg y an d N at ur al Re so ur ce s, M oA F (D SI , D G oP P, D G N CP , D G A R) , Re le va nt L oc al G ov er nm en ts Th e nu m be r o f b as in s fo r w hi ch se ct or al w at er a llo ca tio n pl an s ar e de ve lo pe d U ni ts 25 W et la nd s w ill b e ec ol og ic al ly im pr ov ed a nd re st or ed . Co nd uc tin g im pr ov em en t an d re ha bi lit at io n ac tiv iti es to e ns ur e th e co nt in ui ty of fr es hw at er a nd w et la nd ec os ys te m s M oA F (D G N CP , D G W M ) M oA F (D G F, D SI ) Th e nu m be r o f b as in -b as ed p la ns im pr ov ed a nd re ha bi lit at ed U ni ts 25 W at er e ffi ci en cy w ill be e ns ur ed to c om ba t de se rt ifi ca tio n th ro ug h aw ar en es s- ra is in g ac tiv iti es on th e eff ic ie nt u se o f w at er re so ur ce s. O rg an iz in g ca m pa ig ns a nd tr ai ni ng p ro gr am s th at w ill ra is e aw ar en es s ab ou t t he effi ci en t u se o f w at er in a ll ar ea s, es pe ci al ly to c om ba t de se rt ifi ca tio n M oA F (D G W M ), M oN E M oA F (D SI ), M oE U CC (D G ÇE M ) Th e nu m be r o f t ra in in gs a nd ca m pa ig ns c ar rie d ou t U ni ts 12 0 73 St ra te gi c A xi s 3: N at io na l a nd In te rn at io na l C oo rd in at io n an d Co op er at io n G oa l 3 : E ns ur e co or di na ti on a t n at io na l a nd in te rn at io na l l ev el s in c om ba ti ng d es er ti fic at io n/ la nd d eg ra da ti on , e nh an ce c ap ac it y, a nd e st ab lis h eff ec ti ve c oo pe ra ti on m ec ha ni sm s fo r a s us ta in ab le s ol ut io n Ta rg et (T 3. 1) : C oo pe ra ti on , c oo rd in at io n, a nd s yn er gy a t g lo ba l, re gi on al , a nd n at io na l l ev el s in c om ba ti ng d es er ti fic at io n w ill b e sc al ed u p. St ra te gi es A ct io ns Re sp on si bl e In st it ut io n( s) St ak eh ol de r( s) Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to rs U ni t Q ua nt it y Co op er at io n, p ro je ct s an d pr og ra m s w ill b e ca rr ie d ou t w ith c ou nt rie s an d in te rn at io na l o rg an iz at io ns to co m ba t d es er tif ic at io n/ la nd de gr ad at io n an d dr ou gh t i n Tü rk iy e. In cr ea si ng c ap ac ity a nd te ch ni ca l c oo pe ra tio n su pp or t fo r A fr ic a, C en tr al A si a, M id dl e Ea st , B al ka ns a nd C au ca su s co un tr ie s o n de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd d eg ra da tio n, su st ai na bl e la nd m an ag em en t, dr ou gh t an d LD N M oE U CC (C lim at e Ch an ge P re si de nc y, D G Ç EM ) M oA F (D G A RP , D G F) TI KA , F AO , M oA F (D G A R) , D G N CP , D SI , D G W M ), M oE U CC (D G o f M et eo ro lo gy ), Th e M in is tr y of F or ei gn A ffa irs Th e nu m be r o f i nt er na tio na l tr ai ni ng s on d es er tifi ca tio n/ la nd de gr ad at io n, s us ta in ab le la nd m an ag em en t, dr ou gh t a nd L D N U ni ts 23 Th e nu m be r o f c oo pe ra tio n pr og ra m s/ pr oj ec ts o n de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd d eg ra da tio n, su st ai na bl e la nd m an ag em en t, dr ou gh t a nd L D N U ni ts 6 D ev el op m en t o f c oo pe ra tio n on d es er tifi ca tio n/ la nd de gr ad at io n w ith in te rn at io na l or ga ni za tio ns , e sp ec ia lly th e U ni te d N at io ns M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ) M oA F (D SI , D G A RP , D G F, D G A R, D G N CP ), M oE U CC (D G EM , D G SP ) Th e M in is tr y of F or ei gn A ffa irs FA O , U N D P Th e nu m be r o f i nt er na tio na l or ga ni za tio ns c oo pe ra tin g on de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd d eg ra da tio n U ni ts 4 Ac tiv el y pa rt ic ip at in g an d co nt rib ut in g to in te rn at io na l pr oc es se s, m ee tin gs a nd fo ru m s c on du ct ed w ith in th e fr am ew or k of th e U ni te d N at io ns C on ve nt io n to C om ba t D es er tifi ca tio n, th e U ni te d N at io ns C on ve nt io n on C lim at e Ch an ge , t he U ni te d N at io ns Co nv en tio n on B io lo gi ca l D iv er si ty , a nd h os tin g im po rt an t m ee tin gs ı CM oE U CC (C lim at e Ch an ge P re si de nc y, D G Ç EM ), M oA F (D G N CP ) M oA F (D SI , D G A R, D G A RP , D G F) , M oE U CC (D G EM , D G of M et eo ro lo gy , D G SP ), Th e M in is tr y of F or ei gn A ffa irs Th e nu m be r o f R io C on ve nt io ns m ee tin gs a tt en de d U ni ts 15 Th e nu m be r o f m ee tin gs a nd co nf er en ce s th at a re h el d U ni ts 10 Tü rk iy e’ s eff ec tiv en es s in in te rn at io na l o rg an iz at io ns an d de ci si on -m ak in g m ec ha ni sm s re la te d to d es er tif ic at io n/ la nd de gr ad at io n w ill b e in cr ea se d. Pa rt ic ip at io n of re le va nt Tu rk is h ex pe rt s in c om m itt ee s or w or ki ng g ro up s o f t he in te rn at io na l o rg an iz at io ns re la te d to d es er tifi ca tio n/ la nd de gr ad at io n M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ) M oA F( D G F, D G A R) , T IK A , U ni ve rs iti es Th e nu m be r o f e xp er ts in th e co m m itt ee s or w or ki ng g ro up s N um be r of Pe op le 20 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 074 St ra te gi c A xi s 3: N at io na l a nd In te rn at io na l C oo rd in at io n an d Co op er at io n G oa l 3 : E ns ur e co or di na ti on a t n at io na l a nd in te rn at io na l l ev el s in c om ba ti ng d es er ti fic at io n/ la nd d eg ra da ti on , e nh an ce c ap ac it y, a nd e st ab lis h eff ec ti ve c oo pe ra ti on m ec ha ni sm s fo r a s us ta in ab le s ol ut io n Ta rg et (T 3. 1) : C oo pe ra ti on , c oo rd in at io n, a nd s yn er gy a t g lo ba l, re gi on al , a nd n at io na l l ev el s in c om ba ti ng d es er ti fic at io n w ill b e sc al ed u p. St ra te gi es A ct io ns Re sp on si bl e In st it ut io n( s) St ak eh ol de r( s) Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to rs U ni t Q ua nt it y Pr oj ec ts fo cu si ng o n re le va nt co nv en tio ns (s uc h as th e Ri o Co nv en tio ns ) w ill b e im pl em en te d in o rd er to be ne fit fr om in te rn at io na l fu nd s to c om ba t de se rt ifi ca tio n. D ev el op m en t o f p ro je ct s an d es ta bl is hm en t of p ar tn er sh ip s w ith in te rn at io na l f un di ng ag en ci es to p ro vi de fin an ci al s up po rt u nd er R io an d ot he r c on ve nt io ns to co m ba t d es er tifi ca tio n/ la nd de gr ad at io n M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ) M oA F( D G oP P, D G A R, D G N CP , D G A RP , D G W M ), M oE U CC (C lim at e Ch an ge P re si de nc y, D G EM , D G SP ), Re le va nt N G O s Th e nu m be r o f r el ev an t p ro je ct s (t ha t f oc us ed o n co nv en tio ns li ke Ri o Co nv en tio ns ) U ni ts 2 Eff or ts w ill b e m ad e to e ns ur e co or di na tio n an d sy ne rg y be tw ee n th e na tio na l f oc al po in ts o f t he In te rn at io na l Co nv en tio ns . Im pl em en ta tio n of in te r- in st itu tio na l c om m un ic at io n/ co or di na tio n m ec ha ni sm s in o rd er to e ffe ct iv el y im pl em en t t he R io co nv en tio ns in T ür ki ye a nd to e ns ur e sy ne rg y be tw ee n th em Th e Pr es id en cy of S tr at eg y an d Bu dg et , M oE U CC (D G Ç EM , C lim at e Ch an ge P re si de nc y) , M oA F (D G N CP ), M in is tr y of F or ei gn A ffa irs M oA F (D G F, D G A R, D G oP P, D G A RP , D G W M , D G SP ), Re le va nt N G O s Th e nu m be r o f m ee tin gs w he re in st itu tio ns re pr es en tin g na tio na l fo ca l p oi nt s ca m e to ge th er U ni ts 6 Th e pa rt ic ip at io n an d co nt rib ut io n of a ll ac to rs w ill be e ns ur ed in th e pr oc es se s an d ac tiv iti es re la te d to co m ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd d eg ra da tio n. D ev el op m en t a nd im pl em en ta tio n of a co m m un ic at io n st ra te gy to e ns ur e eff ec tiv e co m m un ic at io n be tw ee n ac to rs M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ) M oA F (D G F, D G A R, D G oP P, D G A RP , D G N CP , D G W M , D SI ,), M o (D G SP , D G EM , M G M ), M in is tr y of In du st ry a nd Te ch no lo gy , A FA D , T ur kS ta t, Re le va nt L oc al G ov er nm en ts , Re la te d N G O s, Re la te d U ni ve rs iti es , P riv at e Se ct or Th e nu m be r o f m ee tin gs h el d by th e co m m un ic at io ns w or ki ng gr ou p U ni ts 1 75 St ra te gi c A xi s 3: N at io na l a nd In te rn at io na l C oo rd in at io n an d Co op er at io n G oa l 3 : E ns ur e co or di na ti on a t n at io na l a nd in te rn at io na l l ev el s in c om ba ti ng d es er ti fic at io n/ la nd d eg ra da ti on , e nh an ce c ap ac it y, a nd e st ab lis h eff ec ti ve c oo pe ra ti on m ec ha ni sm s fo r a s us ta in ab le s ol ut io n Ta rg et (T 3. 1) : C oo pe ra ti on , c oo rd in at io n, a nd s yn er gy a t g lo ba l, re gi on al , a nd n at io na l l ev el s in c om ba ti ng d es er ti fic at io n w ill b e sc al ed u p. St ra te gi es A ct io ns Re sp on si bl e In st it ut io n( s) St ak eh ol de r( s) Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to rs U ni t Q ua nt it y M or e ac tiv iti es w ill b e ca rr ie d ou t t o ra is e aw ar en es s an d bu ild c ap ac ity o f d iff er en t se gm en ts o f t he s oc ie ty o n co m ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd d eg ra da tio n Ca rr yi ng o ut a ct iv iti es to ra is e th e pu bl ic ’s aw ar en es s on co m ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd d eg ra da tio n M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ), M oA F (D ep ar tm en t of T ra in in g an d Pu bl ic at io n) , D G F, D G A R, D G A RP ), TR T, P re si de nc y of Re lig io us A ffa irs TR T, M oN E, M oE U CC (D G ÇE M , D G EM ), M oA F (D TP , D G F, D G A R, D G A RP ), Re le va nt N G O s, Re le va nt U ni ve rs iti es , R el ev an t L oc al G ov er nm en ts N um be r o f l oc al , n at io na l TV a nd ra di o pr og ra m s on de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd d eg ra da tio n (m ed ia fo llo w -u p re po rt s) U ni ts 24 2 Pr es id en cy o f Re lig io us A ffa irs Th e nu m be r o f s er m on s d el iv er ed in m os qu es o n de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd d eg ra da tio n U ni ts 6 Co nd uc tin g ca m pa ig ns , tr ai ni ng p ro gr am m es a nd pr oj ec ts o n co m ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd de gr ad at io n by n on - go ve rn m en ta l o rg an iz at io ns , sc ie nc e an d te ch no lo gy in st itu tio ns a nd th e pr iv at e se ct or M oE U CC (D G ÇE M ), Re la te d N G O s, Sc ie nc e an d Te ch no lo gy O rg an iz at io ns , Pr iv at e Se ct or TÜ Bİ TA K, R el ev an t L oc al G ov er nm en ts Th e nu m be r o f c am pa ig ns , tr ai ni ng a ct iv iti es a nd p ro je ct s on co m ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd de gr ad at io n U ni ts 91 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 076 St ra te gi c A xi s 4: S oc io -E co no m ic A ct iv it ie s G oa l ( G 4) : I m pr ov e th e liv in g co nd it io ns o f p op ul at io ns a ff ec te d by o r l ik el y to b e aff ec te d by d es er ti fic at io n/ la nd d eg ra da ti on Ta rg et (T 4. 1) : T he li vi ng co nd iti on s o f p op ul at io ns a ffe ct ed b y la nd d eg ra da tio n w ill b e im pr ov ed , t he ir re si lie nc e w ill b e en ha nc ed , a nd ru ra l-t o- ur ba n m ig ra tio n w ill b e re du ce d. St ra te gi es A ct io ns Re sp on si bl e In st it ut io n( s) St ak eh ol de r( s) Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to rs U ni t Q ua nt it y M or e su pp or t w ill be p ro vi de d to ru ra l de ve lo pm en t p ro je ct s. Pr io rit y w ill b e gi ve n to ru ra l de ve lo pm en t f un ds a nd pr oj ec ts w ill b e de ve lo pe d fo r id en tifi ed v ul ne ra bl e ar ea s M oA F( D G A R) R D A (S A P RD A ) M oA F( D G A RP , D G oP P) M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ), A RD SI Th e nu m be r o f r ur al de ve lo pm en t p ro je ct s im pl em en te d U ni ts 9 Ba se d on t he c ha ra ct er is tic s of th e re gi on s, tr ai ni ng pr og ra m m es w ill b e de liv er ed to im pr ov e in co m e- ge ne ra tin g lo ca l a ct iv iti es an d su pp or t l iv el ih oo ds M oA F (D G A R) , R D A (S A P RD A ) M oA F (D G A RP , D G oP P, D G F) , M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ) Th e nu m be r o f t ra in in g ac tiv iti es U ni ts 10 Ac tiv iti es w ill b e ca rr ie d ou t to re gi st er g eo gr ap hi ca l in di ca tio ns o f o ur p ot en tia l ag ric ul tu ra l a nd fo od pr od uc ts , t o in iti at e th e EU re gi st ra tio n pr oc es s of re gi st er ed p ro du ct s, to ra is e aw ar en es s of g eo gr ap hi ca l in di ca tio ns a m on g pr od uc er s, pr od uc er o rg an iz at io ns a nd co ns um er s M oA F (D G A R) M oA F (D G A RP , D G oP P) N um be r o f a w ar en es s ac tiv iti es ca rr ie d ou t f or a gr ic ul tu ra l a nd fo od p ro du ct s w ith g eo gr ap hi ca l in di ca tio ns a nd g eo gr ap hi ca l in di ca tio n po te nt ia l U ni ts 50 In cr ea si ng th e nu m be r an d eff ec tiv en es s of th e co op er at iv es /p ro du ce r as so ci at io ns M oA F (D G A R) M oA F (D G A RP , D G oP P) Th e nu m be r o f c oo pe ra tiv es U ni ts 14 .1 05 77 St ra te gi c A xi s 4: S oc io -E co no m ic A ct iv it ie s G oa l ( G 4) : I m pr ov e th e liv in g co nd it io ns o f p op ul at io ns a ff ec te d by o r l ik el y to b e aff ec te d by d es er ti fic at io n/ la nd d eg ra da ti on Ta rg et (T 4. 1) : T he li vi ng co nd iti on s o f p op ul at io ns a ffe ct ed b y la nd d eg ra da tio n w ill b e im pr ov ed , t he ir re si lie nc e w ill b e en ha nc ed , a nd ru ra l-t o- ur ba n m ig ra tio n w ill b e re du ce d. St ra te gi es A ct io ns Re sp on si bl e In st it ut io n( s) St ak eh ol de r( s) Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to rs U ni t Q ua nt it y Th e aw ar en es s o f t he lo ca l pe op le , e sp ec ia lly w om en an d yo ut h, w ill b e ra ise d on d es er tifi ca tio n/ la nd de gr ad at io n, a nd th ei r a ct iv e pa rt ic ip at io n in th e de ci sio n- m ak in g pr oc es se s w ill b e en su re d. Tr ai ni ng p ro gr am s, aw ar en es s- ra isi ng ca m pa ig ns a nd pa rt ic ip at io n ac tiv iti es (s tra te gi es /p ro gr am s/ ac tio ns ) w ill b e de ve lo pe d by co ns id er in g so ci o- ec on om ic fa ct or s, g en de r an d yo ut h re la te d iss ue s M oE UC C (D G ÇE M ), M oA F (E YD B) , M in ist ry of Fa m ily a nd S oc ia l Po lic ie s M oN E, M oA F (D GF ), RD A, Re la te d Un iv er sit ie s, Re le va nt NG O s Th e nu m be r o f d oc um en ts or ce rt ifi ca te s i ss ue d fo r t he be ne fic ia rie s w ho co m pl et ed tr ai ni ng pr og ra m s o n en vi ro nm en ta lly fri en dl y ag ric ul tu re (i nc lu di ng pr ot ec te d ag ric ul tu re a re as , g oo d ag ric ul tu ra l p ra ct ic es , o rg an ic fa rm in g, o rg an ic fe rt ili ze r u se a nd co ns ci ou s w at er u se ) Un its 15 00 Th e nu m be r o f h er d m an ag em en t st aff re ce iv ed tr ai ni ng p ro gr am s on h ow to re du ce d eg ra da tio n of m ea do w s a nd p as tu re s N um be r of Pe op le 80 00 D ev el op a nd im pl em en t j oi nt an d co or di na te d tra in in g pr og ra m s a nd in fo rm at iv e m at er ia ls sp ec ifi c t o th e aff ec te d ar ea s ( ba sic e du ca tio n, se co nd ar y ed uc at io n, v oc at io na l ed uc at io n, li fe lo ng le ar ni ng ) Th e M in ist ry o f Na tio na l E du ca tio n (M oN E) M oE UC C (D G ÇE M ), M oA F (D GF ) Th e nu m be r o f t ra in in g pr og ra m s im pl em en te d in th e aff ec te d ar ea s Un its 60 Pu bl ic a w ar en es s o n dr ou gh t w ill b e pr om ot ed a nd th e aff ec te d pe op le ’s ca pa ci ty to a da pt to d ro ug ht w ill b e in cr ea se d. Re se ar ch o n so ci o- ec on om ic fa ct or s r el at ed to la nd de gr ad at io n in d ro ug ht - aff ec te d ar ea s a nd co nd uc tin g vu ln er ab ili ty a nd im pa ct an al ys es o n co m m un iti es li vi ng in th es e ar ea s, in cl ud in g w om en an d ch ild re n M oE UC C (D G ÇE M ), RD A (S AP R DA ) M oF SS , R DA , R el at ed Un iv er sit ie s, Re le va nt N GO s Th e nu m be r o f r el ev an t s tu di es Un its 3 In cl us io n of d ro ug ht in fo rm al an d no n- fo rm al e du ca tio n pr og ra m s a nd im pl em en ta tio n of jo in t a w ar en es s p ro gr am s i n pr io rit y ar ea s M oN E, M oA F (D ep ar tm en t of Tr ai ni ng a nd Pu bl ic at io n) Nu m be r o f p ro je ct s/ tra in in g pr og ra m s on d ro ug ht Un its 27 0 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 078 St ra te gi c A xi s 5: R & D G oa l ( G 5) : U ti liz e sc ie nt ifi c ap pr oa ch es a nd te ch no lo gi ca l i nn ov at io ns fo r e ff ec ti ve ly c om ba ti ng d es er ti fic at io n Ta rg et (T 5. 1) : T he c ap ac it y, fu nc ti on al it y, a nd e ff ec ti ve ne ss o f R & D in c om ba ti ng d es er ti fic at io n w ill b e in cr ea se d. St ra te gi es A ct io ns Re sp on si bl e In st it ut io n( s) St ak eh ol de r( s) Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to rs U ni t Q ua nt it y R& D c ap ac ity w ill b e in cr ea se d. In cr ea si ng th e ca pa ci ty o f un iv er si tie s an d re se ar ch ce nt er s to d ev el op re se ar ch an d te ch no lo gy p ro je ct s on co m ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd d eg ra da tio n an d LD N M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ) M oA F( D G A RP , D G F) , Re le va nt U ni ve rs iti es M oA F( D G A R) , M in is tr y of In du st ry a nd Te ch no lo gy , U ni ve rs iti es , TÜ Bİ TA K Th e nu m be r o f p ro je ct s on co m ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd de gr ad at io n an d LD N U ni ts 4 R& D e xp er t c ap ac ity w ill b e st re ng th en ed . Ca pa ci ty b ui ld in g ac tiv iti es fo r e xp er t h um an re so ur ce s D ev el op m en t a nd im pl em en ta tio n of e xp er t ex ch an ge p ro gr am s in na tio na l a nd in te rn at io na l or ga ni za tio ns to s tr en gt he n in st itu tio na l c ap ac ity M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ) M oA F( D G A RP , D G F) , Re le va nt U ni ve rs iti es M oA F( D G A R) , U ni ve rs iti es , TÜ Bİ TA K Th e nu m be r o f t ra in ed e xp er ts N um be r of Pe op le 20 R& D p ro je ct s an d pu bl ic at io ns w ill b e in cr ea se d in a re as a ffe ct ed b y de se rt ifi ca tio n. In cr ea se th e nu m be r o f j oi nt R& D s tu di es o n su st ai na bl e la nd m an ag em en t ( SL M ) an d de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd de gr ad at io n in a gr ic ul tu ra l la nd s an d di ss em in at e th em to in fo rm th e pu bl ic M oA F( D G A RP ), U ni ve rs iti es Re le va nt N G O s Th e nu m be r o f p op ul ar a nd sc ie nt ifi c ar tic le s on S LM , de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd d eg ra da tio n U ni ts 15 Th e nu m be r o f R & D P ro je ct s U ni ts 5 79 St ra te gi c A xi s 6: M on it or in g an d Ev al ua ti on G oa l ( G 6) : M on it or , e va lu at e, re po rt o n, a nd re fle ct th e eff or ts to c om ba t d es er ti fic at io n/ la nd d eg ra da ti on a t t he n at io na l l ev el Ta rg et (T 6 .1 ): : N at io na l M on it or in g Sy st em s fo r C om ba ti ng D es er ti fic at io n/ La nd D eg ra da ti on w ill b e de ve lo pe d, d at a pr od uc ed b y m on it or in g sy st em s w ill b e re po rt ed p er io di ca lly , a nd c ap ac it y bu ild in g ac ti vi ti es w ill b e ca rr ie d ou t. St ra te gi es A ct io ns Re sp on si bl e In st it ut io n( s) St ak eh ol de r( s) Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to rs U ni t Q ua nt it y Th e na tio na l D ec is io n Su pp or t S ys te m (L D N -D SS ) an d si m ila r m on ito rin g sy st em s de ve lo pe d fo r na tio na l v ol un ta ry L D N ta rg et s an d gl ob al in di ca to rs w ill b e al ig ne d w ith th e ex is tin g m on ito rin g sy st em s of th e in st itu tio ns a nd co or di na te d m on ito rin g w ill be e ns ur ed . M on ito rin g Sy st em s su ch a s D EM IS -U D EM IS , T O K M od el , TC M , U A SI S w ill b e de ve lo pe d M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ) M oE U CC (D G M et eo ro lo gy ), M oA F( D G F, D G A R, D G A RP , D G W M , D G N CP ) N um be r o f u pd at e ru ns pe rf or m ed U ni ts 5 Co op er at io n w ith th e st ak eh ol de rs fo r r eg ul ar d at a flo w to L D N D SS M oE U CC (D G Ç EM ) M oE U CC (D G M et eo ro lo gy , D G EM ), M oA F( D G F, D G A R, D G A RP , D G W M , D G N CP ) N um be r o f c ol la bo ra tio ns w ith st ak eh ol de r i ns tit ut io ns fo r re gu la r d at a flo w to D SS U ni ts 3 Th e ca pa ci tie s of in st itu tio ns fo r m on ito rin g sy st em s th at co nt rib ut e to th e eff or ts to co m ba t d es er tif ic at io n an d la nd d eg ra da tio n w ill b e st re ng th en ed . Tr ai ni ng a ct iv iti es w ill b e he ld to e ns ur e th e aw ar en es s ab ou t t he s ys te m s th at s er ve to m on ito r l an d de gr ad at io n an d de ve lo pe d by d iff er en t in st itu tio ns M O ED B (M G M ), M oA F( D G F, D G A R, D G A RP , D G W M , D G N CP ) TÜ Bİ TA K, U ni ve rs iti es N um be r o f t ra in in gs U ni ts 3 D ev el op in st itu tio na l ca pa ci tie s fo r t he su st ai na bi lit y of s ys te m s M O ED B (M G M ), M oA F (D G F, D G A R, D G A RP , D G W M , D G N CP ) TÜ Bİ TA K, U ni ve rs iti es N um be r o f t ra in in gs U ni ts 5 N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 080 81 APPENDICES N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 082 83 Fo re st L aw (N o. 6 83 1 da te d 31 A ug us t 1 95 6) . Co ns er va tio n, s us ta in ab le m an ag em en t a nd e va lu at io n of fo re st s. En vi ro nm en t L aw (N o. 2 87 2 da te d 9 Au gu st 1 98 3) . Pr ot ec tio n of th e en vi ro nm en t, w hi ch is th e sh ar ed a ss et o f a ll liv in g th in gs , i n lin e w ith th e pr in ci pl es o f s us ta in ab le en vi ro nm en t a nd s us ta in ab le d ev el op m en t. N at io na l A ffo re st at io n an d Er os io n Co nt ro l M ob ili za tio n La w (N o. 4 12 2 da te d 23 Ju ly 1 99 5) . Th is la w re gu la te s t he p rin ci pl es a nd p ro ce du re s o f a ffo re st at io n an d er os io n co nt ro l c ar rie d ou t i n or de r t o re -e st ab lis h th e ba la nc e be tw ee n so il, w at er a nd p la nt s on a ll ki nd s of la nd u nd er th e ju ris di ct io n of th e st at e. La w o n Pa st ur es (N o. 4 34 2 da te d 25 F eb ru ar y 19 98 ). It ad dr es se s t he id en tif ic at io n, d el im ita tio n an d al lo ca tio n, u se , m ai nt en an ce a nd im pr ov em en t o f p as tu re s, ra ng el an ds , w in te r q ua rt er s, pu bl ic p as tu re s an d m ea do w s on b eh al f o f v ill ag e or m un ic ip al le ga l e nt iti es . La w o n So il Co ns er va tio n an d La nd U til iz at io n (N o. 5 40 3 da te d 3 Ju ly 2 00 5) . It ai m s to p ro te ct a nd im pr ov e th e so il by p re ve nt in g th e so il lo ss a nd lo ss o f i ts q ua lit ie s, an d to e ns ur e pl an ne d la nd ut ili za tio n ba se d on th e pr in ci pl e of s us ta in ab le d ev el op m en t a nd e nv iro nm en ta l p rio rit ie s. Ag ric ul tu re L aw (N o. 5 48 8 da te d 18 A pr il 20 06 ). Th is la w re gu la te s th e ac tiv iti es a nd p ro ce du re s ca rr ie d ou t f or th e eff ic ie nt u se o f a gr ic ul tu re a nd ru ra l a re as . Re gu la tio n on P as tu re s (d at ed 3 1 Ju ly 1 99 8) . It re gu la te s th e pr oc ed ur es a nd p rin ci pl es o f t he im pl em en ta tio n of th e Pa st ur e La w N o. 4 34 2 da te d 25 F eb ru ar y 19 98 an d th e La w o n th e A m en dm en t o f C er ta in A rt ic le s of th e Pa st ur e La w N o. 4 36 8 da te d 11 Ju ne 1 99 8. Re gu la tio n on t he P re pa ra tio n, I m pl em en ta tio n an d M on ito rin g Ba si n M an ag em en t P la ns (1 7 O ct ob er 2 01 2) . It co nt rib ut es to th e re gu la tio n of th e pr oc ed ur es a nd p rin ci pl es re la te d to th e pr ep ar at io n, im pl em en ta tio n an d fo llo w - up o f t he n at io na l w at er p la n an d ba si n- sc al e m an ag em en t p la ns b y us in g su rf ac e an d un de rg ro un d w at er b od ie s in a su st ai na bl e w ay . Re gu la tio n on th e Pr ot ec tio n of W et la nd s ( 04 M ay 2 01 4) . Th is re gu la tio n en su re s c oo pe ra tio n be tw ee n in st itu tio ns a nd o rg an iz at io ns re la te d to th e pr ot ec tio n an d de ve lo pm en t of a ll w et la nd s fo r t he im pl em en ta tio n of th e Ra m sa r c on ve nt io n. A PP EN D IX 1 : N at io na l T op P ol ic y D oc um en ts A PP EN D IC ES N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 084 Re gu la tio n on I de nt ifi ca tio n of S en si tiv e W at er B od ie s an d Th e A re as A ffe ct in g Th em a nd I m pr ov em en t of W at er Q ua lit y (2 3 D ec em be r 2 01 6) . It ai m s t o th e Id en tif y w at er b od ie s s en si tiv e in te rm s o f n ut rie nt s a nd u rb an a nd n itr at e- se ns iti ve a re as a ffe ct in g th em , re gu la te s t he re le va nt p rin ci pl es a nd p ro ce du re s w hi le sp ec ify in g th e ne ce ss ar y m ea su re s t o be ta ke n to im pr ov e w at er qu al ity in s en si tiv e w at er b od ie s. Re gu la tio n on Pr ep ar at io n, Im pl em en ta tio n an d M on ito rin g of F lo od M an ag em en t P la ns (1 2 M ay 2 01 6) . It re gu la te s t he a ss es sm en t o f fl oo d ris ks a t t he b as in sc al e in cl ud in g th e pr ep ar at io n, im pl em en ta tio n an d m on ito rin g of fl oo d m an ag em en t p la ns to m iti ga te th e ad ve rs e eff ec ts o f fl oo ds . Re gu la tio n on A ffo re st at io n an d Er os io n Co nt ro l S er vi ce s (1 1 Ja nu ar y 20 17 ). Th is re gu la tio n ai m s to in cr ea se th e fo re st a re a, im pr ov e b io di ve rs ity a nd re ge ne ra te th e de gr ad ed fo re st e co sy st em . Re gu la tio n on c on se rv at io n of b as in s s up pl yi ng d rin ki ng w at er (2 8 O ct ob er 2 01 7) . It ai m s to p ro te ct a nd im pr ov e th e qu al ity a nd q ua nt ity o f a ll su rf ac e an d gr ou nd w at er re so ur ce s su pp ly in g dr in ki ng w at er . Re gu la tio n on P ro te ct io n of W at er B as in s a nd P re pa ra tio n of M an ag em en t P la ns (2 8 O ct ob er 2 01 7) . It re gu la te s th e pr ep ar at io n of m an ag em en t pl an s an d pr ot ec tio n of b as in s w ith s ur fa ce a nd u nd er gr ou nd w at er re so ur ce s, in cl ud in g th e co as ta l w at er s ex ce pt th e se as . Re gu la tio n on co ns er va tio n, us e an d pl an ni ng of ag ric ul tu ra l l an d (0 9 D ec em be r 2 01 7) . It re gu la te s t he p ro te ct io n, d ev el op m en t a nd p la nn ed u se o f s oi l, la nd a ss et s a nd e ro si on -s en si tiv e ar ea s i n ac co rd an ce w ith th e pr in ci pl es o f s us ta in ab le d ev el op m en t. St ra te gi c Pl an (2 02 4- 20 28 ) o f t he M in is tr y of A gr ic ul tu re an d Fo re st ry . A lth ou gh it s s co pe is w id e, it is a st ra te gi c pl an th at in cl ud es th e pl an ne d ex ec ut io n of a gr ic ul tu ra l a ct iv iti es , p ro te ct in g ag ric ul tu re , c on se rv in g fo re st a nd w at er r es ou rc es a nd n at ur al e co sy st em s, id en tif yi ng a nd im pl em en tin g po lic ie s in o rd er t o en su re e ffi ci en t an d su st ai na bl e ag ric ul tu ra l p ro du ct io n, a cc es s to s uff ic ie nt a nd r el ia bl e fo od , a nd r ur al de ve lo pm en t. St ra te gi c Pl an ( 20 24 -2 02 8) o f th e G en er al D ire ct or at e G en er al o f F or es tr y. It is a st ra te gi c pl an th at e ns ur es t he p ro te ct io n, m an ag em en t, su st ai na bl e an d eff ic ie nt u se o f f or es ts a ga in st a ll ki nd s of fa ct or s. N at io na l Bi od iv er si ty St ra te gy an d Ac tio n Pl an (2 00 7- 20 17 ). It in cl ud ed a s tr at eg y an d ac tio n pl an t ha t ai m ed t o pr ot ec t an d su st ai na bl y us e bi ol og ic al d iv er si ty a nd r es ou rc es ba se d on th e Ri o Co nv en tio n. N at io na l B io di ve rs ity A ct io n Pl an (2 01 8- 20 28 ). Th is a ct io n pl an a im s to r eg ul at e va rio us e co sy st em s an d bi od iv er si ty b as ed o n th e pr in ci pl es o f co ns er va tio n an d su st ai na bl e us e. Tü rk iy e’ s Cl im at e Ch an ge S tr at eg y (2 01 0- 20 23 ). It se t o ut th e po lic ie s r el at ed to n at io na l m iti ga tio n, a da pt at io n, te ch no lo gy , f in an ci ng a nd c ap ac ity b ui ld in g w ith in th e sc op e of c om ba tin g gl ob al c lim at e ch an ge . 85 Tü rk iy e’ s Cl im at e Ch an ge A ct io n Pl an (2 01 1- 20 23 ). Th e pl an a im ed to h ar m on iz e na tio na l a nd /o r s ec to ra l d ev el op m en t s tr at eg ie s an d cl im at e po lic ie s w ith in st itu tio na l st ru ct ur in g an d le gi sl at io n; t o en su re t he u se o f c le an a nd r en ew ab le e ne rg y so ur ce s th at in te gr at e cl im at e ch an ge po lic ie s w ith d ev el op m en t p ol ic ie s; to im pr ov e lif e qu al ity a nd w el l-b ei ng to a ll its c iti ze ns w ith lo w c ar bo n in te ns ity . It al so in cl ud es s ho rt , m ed iu m a nd lo ng -t er m ta rg et s co ve rin g al l s ec to rs in o ur c ou nt ry th at c om ba t c lim at e ch an ge . Tü rk iy e’ s Cl im at e Ch an ge Ad ap ta tio n St ra te gy an d Ac tio n Pl an (2 01 1- 20 23 ). It fo cu se d on f iv e im po rt an t ar ea s of v ul ne ra bi lit y w ith r eg ar ds t o cl im at e ch an ge i n Tü rk iy e: W at er R es ou rc es M an ag em en t; Ag ric ul tu re a nd F oo d Se cu rit y, E co sy st em S er vi ce s, Bi od iv er si ty a nd F or es tr y; N at ur al D is as te r Ri sk M an ag em en t an d H um an H ea lth . Th es e ar ea s ar e ac ce pt ed b y us in g p ar tic ip at or y pr oc es se s an d su pp or te d by te ch ni ca l a nd s ci en tif ic s tu di es . N at io na l W et la nd S tr at eg y an d Ac tio n Pl an (2 01 1- 20 15 ). It in cl ud ed a s tr at eg y an d ac tio n pl an t ha t ai m ed t o id en tif y, p ro te ct , a nd im pr ov e th e in ve nt or ie s of o ur c ou nt ry 's w et la nd s w ith in th e fr am ew or k of th e Ra m sa r C on ve nt io n. N at io na l R ur al D ev el op m en t S tr at eg y (2 02 1- 20 23 ). It w as p re pa re d by th e fo rm er (r ep ea le d) M in is tr y of F oo d, A gr ic ul tu re a nd L iv es to ck . W ith in th e sc op e of th e pl an , i t ai m ed to id en tif y th e de ve lo pm en t d yn am ic s of ru ra l a re as , w hi ch a re re la tiv el y be hi nd th e na tio na l w el fa re le ve l, in a he al th y w ay a nd to m ob ili ze th e ec on om ic a nd h um an re so ur ce p ot en tia l i n th es e ar ea s w ith in th e fr am ew or k of th e id en tif ie d st ra te gi es . N at io na l W at er B as in M an ag em en t St ra te gy a nd A ct io n Pl an (2 01 4- 20 23 ). It w as p re pa re d by t he fo rm er (r ep ea le d) M in is tr y of F or es tr y an d W at er A ffa irs (M oF W A ). It in cl ud ed a s tr at eg y an d ac tio n pl an th at a im ed th e pr ot ec tio n, d ev el op m en t a nd s us ta in ab le u se o f w at er b as in s an d th ei r n at ur al re so ur ce s in ou r c ou nt ry . N at io na l D ro ug ht M an ag em en t S tr at eg y an d Ac tio n Pl an (2 01 7- 20 23 ). Pr ep ar ed b y th e fo rm er M oF W A . I t i nc lu de d a st ra te gy a nd a ct io n pl an th at a im ed s us ta in ab le d ro ug ht m an ag em en t on a b as in b as is . Tü rk iy e’ s Ag ric ul tu ra l D ro ug ht C om ba t St ra te gy a nd Ac tio n Pl an (2 02 3- 20 27 ). It w as p re pa re d by th e M in is tr y of A gr ic ul tu re a nd F or es tr y. It a im s to ta ke a ll ne ce ss ar y m ea su re s d ur in g dr ou gh t- fr ee tim es w ith e nv iro nm en ta lly s us ta in ab le a gr ic ul tu ra l w at er u se p la nn in g , a nd t o m in im iz e th e eff ec ts o f d ro ug ht b y im pl em en tin g an e ffe ct iv e co nt ro l p ro gr am in ti m es o f c ris is . D ec re e La w N o. 6 44 o n th e O rg an iz at io n an d D ut ie s of th e M in is tr y of E nv iro nm en t an d U rb an iz at io n (O ffi ci al G az et te d at ed 0 4 Ju ly 2 01 1 an d nu m be re d 27 98 4) . It au th or iz es th e M in is tr y of E nv iro nm en t a nd U rb an iz at io n to se t o ut th e pr in ci pl es a nd p ol ic ie s f or th e pr ot ec tio n an d im pr ov em en t of t he e nv iro nm en t an d th e pr ev en tio n of e nv iro nm en ta l p ol lu tio n, to d ev el op s ta nd ar ds a nd c rit er ia , an d to p re pa re p ro gr am s. Co m m un iq ué o n th e Es ta bl is hm en t, D ut ie s, W or ki ng Pr oc ed ur es an d Pr in ci pl es of Ba si n M an ag em en t Co m m itt ee s (O ffi ci al G az et te d at ed 2 0 M ay 2 01 5 an d nu m be re d 29 36 1) . It co ve rs th e es ta bl is hm en t o f t he C en tr al B oa rd o f B as in M an ag em en t, Ba si n M an ag em en t C om m itt ee s an d Pr ov in ci al W at er M an ag em en t C oo rd in at io n Bo ar ds , a lo ng w ith th e du tie s, w or ki ng p ro ce du re s an d pr in ci pl es o f t he se b oa rd s. Pr es id en tia l D ec re e N o 1. o n th e O rg an iz at io n of t he Pr es id en cy (D at ed 1 0 Ju ly 2 01 8 an d nu m be re d 30 47 4) . It de fin es th e du tie s an d po w er s of th e M in is tr y of E nv iro nm en t, U rb an iz at io n an d Cl im at e Ch an ge . N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 086 Ag ric ul tu re a nd F or es tr y Co un ci l ( 18 -2 1 N ov em be r 2 01 9) . It ai m s t o sc al e up th e ac tiv iti es /p ro ce ss es to b e ca rr ie d ou t w ith in th e sc op e of c om ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n an d er os io n, de ve lo p ex is tin g m on ito rin g an d ev al ua tio n sy st em s fo r n at io na l d es er tifi ca tio n an d er os io n co nt ro l, an d up da te th e ac tio n pl an s on d es er tifi ca tio n. In a dd iti on , i t al so c ov er s th e is su es o f eff ec tiv e an d effi ci en t co m ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n an d er os io n an d eff ec tiv e co op er at io n w ith in te rn at io na l o rg an iz at io ns . Cl im at e Co un ci l ( 21 -2 5 Fe br ua ry 2 02 2) . Th e co un ci l ta ke s de ci si on s re la te d to l an d de gr ad at io n ne ut ra lit y, i n ad di tio n to t he d ec is io ns r eg ar di ng c lim at e ch an ge m iti ga tio n an d ad ap ta tio n. A rt ic le 4 4 of th e Co ns tit ut io n da te d 18 O ct ob er 1 98 2 on N at ur al R es ou rc e M an ag em en t. A lth ou gh it s sc op e is w id e, th is a rt ic le a im s to p ro te ct a nd im pr ov e th e eff ic ie nt u til iz at io n of th e so il, a nd to p re ve nt its lo ss b y er os io n. 87 Fo re st L aw (N o. 6 83 1 da te d 31 A ug us t 1 95 6) . Co ns er va tio n, s us ta in ab le m an ag em en t a nd e va lu at io n of fo re st s. En vi ro nm en t L aw (N o. 2 87 2 da te d 9 Au gu st 1 98 3) . Pr ot ec tio n of th e en vi ro nm en t, w hi ch is th e sh ar ed a ss et o f a ll liv in g th in gs , i n lin e w ith th e pr in ci pl es o f s us ta in ab le en vi ro nm en t a nd s us ta in ab le d ev el op m en t. N at io na l A ffo re st at io n an d Er os io n Co nt ro l M ob ili za tio n La w (N o. 4 12 2 da te d 23 Ju ly 1 99 5) . It re gu la te s th e pr in ci pl es a nd p ro ce du re s of a ffo re st at io n an d er os io n co nt ro l a ct iv iti es t o be c ar rie d ou t by p ub lic ag en ci es a nd o rg an iz at io ns a nd re al a nd le ga l p er so ns in o rd er to e xp an d th e fo re st a re a, to im pr ov e th e de te rio ra te d ba la nc e be tw ee n so il, w at er a nd p la nt s an d to p ro te ct e nv iro nm en ta l v al ue s in s ta te fo re st s, la nd s un de r t he ru le a nd di sp os al o f t he s ta te , l ak es a nd s tr ea m s, la nd s ow ne d an d di sp os ed o f b y le ga l p er so ns . La w o n Pa st ur es (N o. 4 34 2 da te d 25 F eb ru ar y 19 98 ). It a dd re ss es th e id en tif ic at io n, d el im ita tio n an d al lo ca tio n, u se , m ai nt en an ce a nd im pr ov em en t o f p as tu re s, ra ng el an ds , w in te r q ua rt er s, pu bl ic p as tu re s an d m ea do w s on b eh al f o f v ill ag e or m un ic ip al le ga l e nt iti es . La w on So il Co ns er va tio n an d La nd U til iz at io n (N o. 5 40 3 da te d 3 Ju ly 2 00 5) . It ai m s to p ro te ct a nd d ev el op th e so il by p re ve nt in g th e so il lo ss a nd lo ss o f i ts q ua lit ie s, an d to e ns ur e pl an ne d la nd ut ili za tio n ba se d on th e pr in ci pl e of s us ta in ab le d ev el op m en t a nd e nv iro nm en ta l p rio rit ie s. Ag ric ul tu re L aw (N o. 5 48 8 da te d 18 A pr il 20 06 ). It pr ov id es th e ne ce ss ar y po lic ie s fo r t he d ev el op m en t a nd s up po rt o f t he a gr ic ul tu ra l s ec to r a nd ru ra l a re as , m ak in g ar ra ng em en ts , d et er m in in g th e sc op e an d is su es , d ev el op in g an d im pl em en tin g pr og ra m s, fin an ci ng a nd a dm in is tr at iv e st ru ct ur in g, h ig h- pr io rit y re se ar ch a nd d ev el op m en t p ro gr am s. Re gu la tio n on P as tu re s (d at ed 3 1 Ju ly 1 99 8) . It se ts th e pr oc ed ur es a nd p rin ci pl es o f t he im pl em en ta tio n of th e Pa st ur e La w N o. 4 34 2 da te d 25 F eb ru ar y 19 98 a nd th e La w o n th e A m en dm en t o f C er ta in A rt ic le s of th e Pa st ur e La w N o. 4 36 8 da te d 11 Ju ne 1 99 8. Re gu la tio n on th e Pr ep ar at io n, Im pl em en ta tio n an d M on ito rin g Ba si n M an ag em en t P la ns (1 7 O ct ob er 2 01 2) . It re gu la te s th e pr oc ed ur es a nd p rin ci pl es r el at ed t o th e pr ep ar at io n, im pl em en ta tio n an d fo llo w -u p of t he n at io na l w at er p la n an d ba si n- sc al e m an ag em en t p la ns b y us in g su rf ac e an d un de rg ro un d w at er b od ie s i n a su st ai na bl e w ay . I t ai m s t o pr ot ec t t he su rf ac e an d un de rg ro un d w at er b od ie s i n th ei r c ur re nt st at e w ith p hy si ca l, ch em ic al a nd e co lo gi ca l qu al ity c om po ne nt s on a b as in b as is w ith a h ol is tic a pp ro ac h, e ns ur in g th e su st ai na bl e us e of th e de gr ad ed o ne s by al lo ca tio n ba se d on th e ne ed s an d pr io rit ie s. Re gu la tio n on th e Pr ot ec tio n of W et la nd s (0 4. M ay 2 01 4) . Th is r eg ul at io n en su re s co op er at io n an d co or di na tio n be tw ee n th e in st itu tio ns a nd o rg an iz at io ns r el at ed t o th e pr ot ec tio n an d de ve lo pm en t of a ll w et la nd s, in p ar tic ul ar , f or t he im pl em en ta tio n of t he C on ve nt io n on W et la nd s of In te rn at io na l I m po rt an ce a s W at er fo w l H ab ita ts (R am sa r C on ve nt io n) . A PP EN D IX 2 : L eg is la ti on R el at ed to D es er ti fic at io n M it ig at io n N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 088 Re gu la tio n on I de nt ifi ca tio n of S en si tiv e W at er B od ie s an d Th e A re as A ffe ct in g Th em a nd I m pr ov em en t of W at er Q ua lit y (2 3 D ec em be r 2 01 6) . It a im s t o th e Id en tif y w at er b od ie s s en si tiv e in te rm s o f n ut rie nt s a nd u rb an a nd n itr at e- se ns iti ve a re as a ffe ct in g th em , se tt in g ou t th e re le va nt p rin ci pl es a nd p ro ce du re s w hi le s pe ci fy in g th e ne ce ss ar y m ea su re s to b e ta ke n to im pr ov e w at er q ua lit y in s en si tiv e w at er b od ie s. Re gu la tio n on Pr ep ar at io n, Im pl em en ta tio n an d M on ito rin g of F lo od M an ag em en t P la ns (1 2 M ay 2 01 6) . It re gu la te s th e as se ss m en t o f fl oo d ris ks a t t he b as in s ca le in cl ud in g th e pr ep ar at io n, im pl em en ta tio n an d m on ito rin g of fl oo d m an ag em en t p la ns to m iti ga te th e ad ve rs e eff ec ts o f fl oo ds o n hu m an h ea lth , s oi l, en vi ro nm en t, na tu ra l a ss et s, na tu ra l p ro te ct ed a re as , s pe ci al e nv iro nm en ta l p ro te ct io n zo ne s, cu ltu ra l h er ita ge , s oc ia l a nd e co no m ic a ct iv iti es . Re gu la tio n on A ffo re st at io n an d Er os io n Co nt ro l S er vi ce s (1 1 Ja nu ar y 20 17 ). It ai m s t o re gu la te th e ex pe nd itu re s t o be m ad e fo r a ffo re st at io n, re ha bi lit at io n, e ro si on a nd fl oo d co nt ro l, p re ve nt io n of av al an ch es a nd la nd sl id es , p as tu re im pr ov em en t, tr ee im pr ov em en t, se ed a nd sa pl in g pr od uc tio n, n ur se ry a nd zo ni ng - re vi va l w or ks to b e ca rr ie d ou t b y th e D ire ct or at e G en er al o f F or es tr y or re al a nd le ga l p er so ns in o rd er to e xp an d th e fo re st a re a, im pr ov e bi od iv er si ty a nd re ge ne ra te th e de te rio ra te d fo re st e co sy st em a nd to c ol le ct re ve nu es . Re gu la tio n on c on se rv at io n of b as in s su pp ly in g dr in ki ng w at er (2 8 O ct ob er 2 01 7) . It ai m s t o pr ot ec t a nd im pr ov e th e qu al ity a nd q ua nt ity o f a ll su rf ac e an d gr ou nd w at er re so ur ce s s up pl yi ng o r p la nn ed to b e su pp ly in g dr in ki ng w at er . Re gu la tio n on P ro te ct io n of W at er B as in s a nd P re pa ra tio n of M an ag em en t P la ns (2 8 O ct ob er 2 01 7) . It re gu la te s th e pr ep ar at io n of m an ag em en t pl an s an d pr ot ec tio n of b as in s w ith s ur fa ce a nd u nd er gr ou nd w at er re so ur ce s, in cl ud in g th e co as ta l w at er s ex ce pt s ea s. Re gu la tio n on th e Pr ot ec tio n, U se an d Pl an ni ng of Ag ric ul tu ra l L an ds (0 9 O ct ob er .2 01 7) . It ai m s to id en tif y so il an d la nd a ss et s st ip ul at ed in t he S oi l C on se rv at io n an d La nd U se L aw N o. 5 40 3 da te d 3 Ju ly 20 05 , c la ss ify a nd im pr ov e ag ric ul tu ra l l an ds , a llo w m is us e of a gr ic ul tu ra l l an ds w he n ne ce ss ar y, id en tif y an d pr ot ec t th e so il an d la rg e pl ai ns w ith h ig h ag ric ul tu ra l p ro du ct io n ca pa ci ty , p re pa re a nd im pl em en t o f s oi l c on se rv at io n pl an s an d pr oj ec ts , d et er m in e er os io n- se ns iti ve a re as , e ns ur e pl an ne d us e of la nd b as ed o n th e pr in ci pl e of s us ta in ab le de ve lo pm en t a nd e nv iro nm en ta l p rio rit y, e st ab lis h th e so il co ns er va tio n bo ar d an d sp ec ify it s w or k an d du tie s. D ec re e La w N o. 6 44 o n th e O rg an iz at io n an d D ut ie s of th e M in is tr y of E nv iro nm en t an d U rb an iz at io n (O ffi ci al G az et te d at ed 0 4 Ju ly 2 01 1 an d nu m be re d 27 98 4) . It au th or iz es th e M in is tr y of E nv iro nm en t a nd U rb an iz at io n to se t o ut th e pr in ci pl es a nd p ol ic ie s f or th e pr ot ec tio n an d im pr ov em en t of t he e nv iro nm en t an d th e pr ev en tio n of e nv iro nm en ta l p ol lu tio n, t o de ve lo p st an da rd s an d cr ite ria , an d to p re pa re p ro gr am s. Co m m un iq ué o n th e Es ta bl is hm en t, D ut ie s, W or ki ng Pr oc ed ur es an d Pr in ci pl es of Ba si n M an ag em en t Co m m itt ee s. (O ffi ci al G az et te d at ed 2 0 M ay 2 01 5 an d nu m be re d 29 36 1) . It co ve rs th e es ta bl is hm en t o f t he C en tr al B oa rd o f B as in M an ag em en t, Ba si n M an ag em en t C om m itt ee s an d Pr ov in ci al W at er M an ag em en t C oo rd in at io n Bo ar ds , a lo ng w ith th e du tie s, w or ki ng p ro ce du re s an d pr in ci pl es o f t he se b oa rd s. 89 Pr es id en tia l D ec re e N o. 1 o n th e O rg an iz at io n of t he Pr es id en cy . (D at ed 1 0 Ju ly 2 01 8 an d nu m be re d 30 47 4) . It de fin es th e du tie s an d po w er s of th e M in is tr y of E nv iro nm en t, U rb an iz at io n an d Cl im at e Ch an ge . A rt ic le 4 4 of th e Co ns tit ut io n da te d 18 O ct ob er 1 98 2 on N at ur al R es ou rc e M an ag em en t. Ite m . Th e St at e sh al l t ak e th e ne ce ss ar y m ea su re s to m ai nt ai n an d de ve lo p eff ic ie nt la nd c ul tiv at io n, t o pr ev en t its lo ss th ro ug h er os io n, a nd t o pr ov id e la nd t o fa rm er s w ith in su ffi ci en t la nd o f t he ir ow n, o r no la nd . F or t hi s pu rp os e, t he la w m ay d ef in e th e si ze o f ap pr op ria te la nd u ni ts , a cc or di ng t o di ffe re nt a gr ic ul tu ra l r eg io ns a nd t yp es o f fa rm in g. Pr ov is io n of la nd t o fa rm er s w ith n o or in su ffi ci en t la nd s ha ll no t le ad t o a fa ll in p ro du ct io n, o r to t he d ep le tio n of fo re st s an d ot he r l an d an d un de rg ro un d re so ur ce s. La nd s di st rib ut ed fo r t hi s pu rp os e sh al l n ei th er b e di vi de d no r b e tr an sf er re d to o th er s, ex ce pt th ro ug h in he rit an ce , a nd s ha ll be c ul tiv at ed o nl y by th e fa rm er s to w ho m th e la nd s ha ve be en d is tr ib ut ed , a nd th ei r h ei rs . I n th e ev en t o f l os s of th es e co nd iti on s, th e pr in ci pl es re la tin g to th e re co ve ry b y th e St at e of th e la nd th us d is tr ib ut ed s ha ll be p re sc rib ed b y la w . 12 th D ev el op m en t P la n (2 02 4- 20 28 ). 49 0. 6. In a gr ic ul tu ra l l an ds , p ra ct ic es t o in cr ea se o rg an ic m at te r co nt en t of t he s oi l, an d to p re ve nt s oi l e ro si on a nd po llu tio n w ill b e su pp or te d. 50 0. 2 Th e co nt rib ut io n of f or es ts t o th e he al th , f oo d, t ou ris m a nd e ne rg y se ct or s w ill b e in cr ea se d by c om ba tin g di sa st er s, dr ou gh t a nd d es er tif ic at io n, im pr ov in g ec os ys te m s er vi ce s an d ba la nc in g la nd d eg ra da tio n. 50 0. 3. L an ds lid e, fl oo d an d av al an ch e co nt ro l p ro je ct s w ill b e ca rr ie d ou t in t he u pp er b as in s to p ro te ct t he s oi l, an d co m ba t e ro si on . 83 3. 6. R es ili en ce t o cl im at e ch an ge w ill b e in cr ea se d th ro ug h tr ai ni ng a nd a w ar en es s ra is in g ac tiv iti es o n ex tr em e w ea th er e ve nt s, de se rt ifi ca tio n, e ro si on , w at er a nd s oi l p ro te ct io n. 87 2. 6. R es ea rc h, m on ito rin g an d ev al ua tio n ac tiv iti es w ill c on tin ue t o de te rm in e th e im pa ct s of c lim at e ch an ge o n bi od iv er si ty , e co sy st em s er vi ce s an d la nd d eg ra da tio n. 89 9. 1. S us ta in ab le a nd e ffe ct iv e us e of s oi l a nd w at er r es ou rc es w ill b e en su re d an d en vi ro nm en ta lly f oc us ed r ur al de ve lo pm en t p ro je ct s a nd p ro gr am s w ill b e ca rr ie d ou t t o pr ev en t d ef or es ta tio n, b io di ve rs ity lo ss a nd la nd d eg ra da tio n. N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 090 St re ng th s Ra ti on al e A ct io ns to b e Ta ke n 1. T he fa ct th at D G Ç EM , w hi ch is th e na tio na l fo ca l po in t of t he C on ve nt io n to C om ba t D es er tif ic at io n, b ui lt a st ro ng i ns tit ut io na l ca pa ci ty a nd g ai ne d ex pe rie nc e. Si nc e th e da y i t w as fo un de d, th e D ire ct or at e G en er al o f Ç EM h as ca rr ie d ou t m an y st ud ie s an d ga in ed e xp er ie nc e in th e fie ld s of s tr at eg y an d po lic y m ak in g, i ns tit ut io na liz at io n, l eg is la tiv e re gu la tio n, p la nn in g, pr oj ec t de si gn , aw ar en es s- ra is in g, r es ea rc h an d de ve lo pm en t, an d ca pa ci ty b ui ld in g in c om ba tt in g de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd d eg ra da tio n. Fu rt he r st ep s sh ou ld b e ta ke n w ith in t he s co pe o f jo in t pl an ni ng , im pl em en ta tio n, m on ito rin g an d ev al ua tio n un de r t he le ad er sh ip o f D G Ç EM t o co m ba t d es er tif ic at io n w ith in th e fr am ew or k of na tio na l co op er at io n an d co or di na tio n. 2. A n in st itu tio na l sy st em w as d ev el op ed an d eq ui pp ed w ith e xp er t h um an re so ur ce s in o rd er t o ac hi ev e th e LD N t ar ge t an d to m on ito r, ev al ua te an d re po rt th e im pl em en ta tio n. A n at io na l m on ito rin g an d ev al ua tio n sy st em h as b ee n al re ad y de ve lo pe d an d su pp or te d w ith ex pe rt hu m an re so ur ce s, da ta an d in fo rm at io n flo w w ith s ta ke ho ld er i ns tit ut io ns , an d na tio na l/ in te rn at io na l r ep or tin g m ec ha ni sm . Th e D G Ç EM i m pl em en te d se ve ra l pr oj ec ts s uc h as N at io na l La nd Co ve r C la ss ifi ca tio n an d M on ito rin g Sy st em , D ec is io n Su pp or t S ys te m , LD N a nd D EM İS . Sy st em at ic a nd j oi nt s ol ut io ns s ho ul d be d ev el op ed t o ov er co m e va rio us p ro bl em s in d at a sh ar in g be tw ee n in st itu tio ns , e ns ur in g th at th e ge ne ra te d da ta m ai nt ai ne d a ce rt ai n st an da rd an d tr an sf or m ed in to eff ec tiv e in fo rm at io n to c om ba t d es er tif ic at io n G en er at ed d at a an d in fo rm at io n sh ou ld b e us ed to m ak e fu tu re p ro je ct io ns a nd d ev el op s ce na rio s. Ea rly w ar ni ng s ys te m s sh ou ld b e es ta bl is he d ba se d on da ta a nd in fo rm at io n. In co m pa tib ili tie s be tw ee n da ta an d st an da rd iz at io n sh ou ld b e el im in at ed . 3. I ns tit ut io na l ca pa ci ty w as s tr en gt he ne d to id en tif y an d im pl em en t po lic ie s an d st ra te gi es w ith di ffe re nt in st itu tio ns to co m ba t a nd si gn ifi ca nt e xp er ie nc e ha s b ee n ga in ed . To c om ba t d es er tifi ca tio n, 3 S tr at eg ie s an d Ac tio n Pl an s ha ve a lre ad y be en d ev el op ed a t th e na tio na l l ev el , i nc lu di ng t he N at io na l W at er Ba si n M an ag em en t – St ra te gy D oc um en t an d Ag ric ul tu ra l D ro ug ht Co m ba t S tr at eg y an d Ac tio n Pl an (2 02 3- 20 27 ). A co m pr eh en si ve an d lo ng -t er m «M as te r Pl an fo r Co m ba tin g D es er tifi ca tio n» s ho ul d be p re pa re d, w hi ch w ill g ui de t he v ar io us a sp ec ts o f th e m ea su re s ag ai ns t de se rt ifi ca tio n an d th e w or k of a ll re le va nt s ta ke ho ld er s. 4. St ra te gi ca lly im po rt an t st ak eh ol de rs , pr ov in ci al or ga ni za tio ns an d re la tio ns hi p ne tw or ks ar e av ai la bl e an d th ey pl ay an a ct iv e ro le i n th e eff or ts t o co m ba t de se rt ifi ca tio n at th e lo ca l l ev el . In st itu tio ns an d or ga ni za tio ns op er at in g in di ffe re nt se ct or s (a gr ic ul tu re , w at er , d is as te r, et c. ) e st ab lis he d lo ca l o rg an iz at io ns a nd sc al ed u p th ei r a ct iv iti es lo ca lly . Th e av ai la bi lit y an d w id e re ac h of p ro vi nc ia l o rg an iz at io ns sh ou ld b e co ns id er ed a s a na tio na l co re c om pe te nc y. In iti at iv es s ho ul d be la un ch ed to im pl em en t m ac ro -s ca le st ra te gi es a nd a ct io ns in m ic ro u ni ts w ith in t he s co pe o f co m ba t a ga in st d es er tif ic at io n. A PP EN D IX 3 : E la bo ra te S W O T A na ly si s 91 W ea kn es se s Ra ti on al e A ct io ns to b e ta ke n 1. In ad eq ua te p ub lic ity an d pr om ot io n of ex ist in g dr ou gh t p ol ic y an d pl an ni ng . La ck o f in te re st f ro m c iv il so ci et y or ga ni za tio ns a nd t he m ed ia o n iss ue s re la te d to s oi l d eg ra da tio n an d de se rt ifi ca tio n; th e sc ar ci ty o f d es er tif ic at io n ex pe rt s w ith th e co m pe te nc e to in fo rm a nd ra ise a w ar en es s in n at io na l a nd lo ca l m ed ia . Ch al le ng es re la te d to re ac hi ng , i nf or m in g an d ra isi ng a w ar en es s o f p eo pl e in ru ra l a re as ; la ck o f a cc es s t o in fo rm at io n on so il d eg ra da tio n an d de se rt ifi ca tio n by th e ge ne ra l p op ul at io n; la ck o f f or m al a nd in fo rm al e du ca tio n sy st em s o n so il de gr ad at io n an d de se rt ifi ca tio n; la ck o f d ef in iti on o f d es er tif ic at io n an d dr ou gh t a s a d isa st er . IE C m at er ia ls an d co m m un ic at io n st ra te gy sh ou ld b e d ev el op ed . Va rio us co m m un ic at io n st ra te gi es sh ou ld b e de ve lo pe d to re ac h di ffe re nt ta rg et a ud ie nc es in o rd er to in cr ea se a w ar en es s o n so il de gr ad at io n, d es er tif ic at io n an d so il fe rt ili ty co ns er va tio n. Lo ca l c om m un iti es ’ i nv ol ve m en t in d es er tif ic at io n pr ev en tio n pr oj ec ts sh ou ld b e en su re d. Th e iss ue o f d es er tif ic at io n an d dr ou gh t s ho ul d be k ep t at th e to p of t he a ge nd a an d br ou gh t to t he a tte nt io n of t op -le ve l de ci sio n- m ak er s i n a w ay th at w ill g en er at e pu bl ic ity . D es er tif ic at io n an d dr ou gh t s ho ul d be d ef in ed a s a d isa st er . 2. Fa ilu re to d ev el op su ffi ci en t p ro te ct iv e po lic ie s, de ve lo pm en t s tra te gi es a nd p ro je ct s to c om ba t de se rt ifi ca tio n bo th in te rm s of sc op e an d nu m be r a nd th us fa ilu re to im pl em en t t he m . W ea kn es s in s tra te gi es a nd p ra ct ic es th at w ill h av e a lo ng -te rm a nd la st in g im pa ct d ue t o fre qu en t ch an ge s in l eg al r eg ul at io ns a nd i ns tit ut io na l st ru ct ur es . M or e pr ot ec tiv e po lic ie s, st ra te gi es a nd p ro je ct s sh ou ld b e de ve lo pe d an d im pl em en te d. S tra te gi es a nd p ro je ct s sh ou ld be b as ed o n th e es ta bl ish ed le ga l r eg ul at io ns a nd in st itu tio na l st ru ct ur es . Pl an tin g na tiv e tre es a nd i m pr ov in g ve ge ta tio n in d eg ra de d ar ea s co nt rib ut e to s ta bi liz in g th e so il, pr ev en tin g er os io n an d pr om ot in g bi od iv er sit y, an d en su rin g ec os ys te m re st or at io n. Re gu la to ry n at io na l s tra te gi c fra m ew or k sh ou ld b e de ve lo pe d fo r p re ve nt in g de se rt ifi ca tio n eff ec tiv el y in a w ay th at e na bl es su st ai na bl e la nd u se , aff or es ta tio n an d w at er c on se rv at io n po lic ie s t o be im pl em en te d an d m on ito re d. 3. Ch al le ng es re la te d to co op er at io n an d co or di na tio n w ith in t he s co pe o f de ve lo pm en t an d im pl em en ta tio n of p ol ic ie s a nd st ra te gi es to co m ba t de se rt ifi ca tio n. Th e fa ct th at th e DG Ç EM , w hi ch is re sp on sib le fo r d ev el op in g po lic ie s an d st ra te gi es , a nd th e in st itu tio ns , w hi ch a re re sp on sib le fo r i m pl em en tin g th em , ar e st ru ct ur ed u nd er d iff er en t m in ist rie s. Pu bl ic in st itu tio ns an d or ga ni za tio ns ca nn ot ad he re to N at io na l S tra te gi es , a nd ea ch in st itu tio n ad he re s t o its o w n Ac tio n Pl an a nd S tra te gy ; T he a bs en ce o f a lo ca l p ro vi nc ia l o rg an iza tio n fo r t he D G ÇE M ’s eff or ts to co m ba t d es er tif ic at io n Fa ilu re o f i m pl em en tin g st ak eh ol de rs to ta ke in to a cc ou nt th e pr io rit ie s i n th e St ra te gy a nd A ct io n Pl an to C om ba t D es er tif ic at io n No t be in g co m pa tib le w ith t he p la ns o f th e in st itu tio ns /t he d et er m in ed st ra te gy a nd a ct io n pl an La ck o f o ve rla p in th e ar ea s o f i nt er -a ge nc y st ra te gy a ct io n pl an s A hi gh -le ve l gu id an ce m ec ha ni sm sh ou ld be es ta bl ish ed to e ns ur e co op er at io n an d co or di na tio n in t he p ro ce ss o f de ve lo pm en t a nd im pl em en ta tio n of p ol ic ie s an d st ra te gi es to co m ba t d es er tifi ca tio n. Ga ps s ho ul d be a na ly ze d to p re ve nt r ol e co nf us io n an d ris k of un cl ea r r es po ns ib ili tie s. N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 092 4. L ac k of h um an r es ou rc es b ot h in t er m s of th e qu al ity a nd q ua nt ity o f p er so nn el a nd w id e sc op e of re sp on sib ili tie s i n th e re le va nt la nd u ni ts th at co m ba t d es er tif ic at io n. Li m ite d sp ec ia liz ed h um an re so ur ce s i n pu bl ic a ge nc ie s a nd in st itu tio ns . In ex pe rie nc e of p ro vi nc ia l u ni ts in p ar tic ip at or y an d in te gr at ed w at er b as in im pr ov em en t p ro je ct s. Li m ite d ap pl ie d re se ar ch in th e fie ld o f d es er tif ic at io n in a ca de m ic in st itu tio ns an d w ea k lin ks b et w ee n re se ar ch a nd p ol ic y- m ak in g. It is ne ce ss ar y to i nc re as e bo th t he q ua lit y an d qu an tit y of te ch ni ca l ex pe rt ise a nd h um an r es ou rc es a t di ffe re nt l ev el s an d va rio us in st itu tio ns to ad dr es s pr ob le m s re la te d to de se rt ifi ca tio n. 5. E m ph as is o n sh or t- te rm p ol ic y pr io rit ie s re su lti ng i n in co ns is te nt a nd i na de qu at e eff or ts to c om ba t d es er tif ic at io n. Fa ilu re to m ai nt ai n co nt in ui ty in th e or ga ni za tio na l s tr uc tu re Re ac tiv e ap pr oa ch s ee m s to b e fa st er , e as ie r a nd c os t- eff ec tiv e. Lo ng -t er m s us ta in ab le s ol ut io ns s ho ul d be d ev el op ed an d im pl em en te d. 6. W ea kn es s of o ur i ns tit ut io ns i n te rm s of in te rn at io na l gr an t an d in ve st m en t pr oj ec ts ( IP A P ro je ct P ro ce ss ) to c om ba t de se rt ifi ca tio n an d er os io n. In su ffi ci en t co op er at io n w ith in st itu te s or u ni ve rs iti es in d ev el op in g in te rn at io na l p ro je ct s in th e m an ag em en t o f t he p ro ce ss . Em pl oy ee s of t he p ub lic a ge nc ie s la ck e xp er ie nc e in d ev el op in g in te rn at io na l p ro je ct s. In su ffi ci en t al lo ca tio n of f un ds fo r th e fie ld w or k w ith in t he s co pe o f in te rn at io na l f un ds . A tr ai ni ng p ro gr am o n in te rn at io na l p ro je ct d ev el op m en t an d su pp or t sh ou ld b e pr ov id ed t o th e em pl oy ee s of st ak eh ol de r in st itu tio ns s o th at t he y ca n ga in p ro je ct m an ag em en t kn ow le dg e, de ve lo p th ei r co m pe te nc e le ve ls , a nd c oo pe ra te o n pr oj ec t d ev el op m en t. Pr oj ec t p ro po sa ls sh ou ld b e de ve lo pe d in o rd er to b en ef it fr om th e in te rn at io na l f un ds (e .g ., G EF , I PA ) 93 O pp or tu ni ti es Ra ti on al e A ct io ns to b e ta ke n 1. In cr ea si ng a w ar en es s an d in te re st a t th e le ve l o f go ve rn m en ts , N G O s, pr iv at e se ct or en te rp ris es a nd l oc al c om m un iti es o n th e im po rt an ce of ec os ys te m se rv ic es an d LD N w ith in t he f ra m ew or k of c om ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n in th e w or ld a nd in T ür ki ye . Th e fa ct t ha t th e ne ga tiv e eff ec ts o f de se rt ifi ca tio n ar e m uc h m or e co m m on a t gl ob al , r eg io na l, na tio na l a nd b as in le ve ls m ay c re at e a po si tiv e an d tr an sf or m at iv e m en ta l c ha ng e. G ro w in g in te re st in n at ur e- ba se d so lu tio ns . G re at er st ak eh ol de r p ar tic ip at io n an d co nt rib ut io n sh ou ld be e ns ur ed to c om ba t de se rt ifi ca tio n by b en ef iti ng fr om th e in cr ea se d aw ar en es s on th es e is su es . Th e em er ge nc e of n ew pr od uc t pa tt er ns s ho ul d be pr om ot ed b y ut ili zi ng n ew c on di tio ns a ris en d ue t o cl im at e ch an ge . 2. Ex is te nc e of po lic ie s, st ra te gi es , in st itu tio na l an d le ga l re gu la tio ns an d w el l-e st ab lis he d an d st ro ng i ns tit ut io ns t o co m ba t de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd d eg ra da tio n at th e na tio na l s ca le . Th e in st itu tio na l c om ba t a ga in st d es er tif ic at io n in T ür ki ye g oe s b ac k a lo ng w ay a nd n ew in st itu tio na l s tr uc tu re s ar e al so e m er ge d. In te r- in st itu tio na l co op er at io n m od el s an d m ec ha ni sm s sh ou ld b e de ve lo pe d to o ffe r m or e co m pr eh en si ve a nd la st in g so lu tio ns in c om ba tt in g de se rt ifi ca tio n Ea si ly a cc es si bl e pl at fo rm s sh ou ld b e es ta bl is he d to s ha re go od p ra ct ic es . 3. E ffo rt s to c op e w ith c lim at e ris ks a nd re du ce d es er tif ic at io n se ns iti vi ty h av e be en su pp or te d w ith a r an ge o f bi la te ra l an d m ul til at er al s tr at eg ie s, ac tio ns a nd p ro je ct s. W e ha ve c om m itm en ts i n th e ha rm on iz at io n pr oc es se s w ith t he Eu ro pe an U ni on a nd r el at ed i nt er na tio na l ag re em en ts t o w hi ch Tü rk iy e is a p ar ty . G lo ba l an d re gi on al ( M ed ite rr an ea n Re gi on ) re la tio ns an d co m m itm en ts s ho ul d be u se d m or e eff ec tiv el y by sh ar in g co m m on e xp er ie nc e, te ch no lo gy u se a nd p ro je ct co lla bo ra tio ns . 4. St ro ng te ch no lo gi ca l in fr as tr uc tu re is a va ila bl e an d it ca n be i nt eg ra te d to an d ut ili ze d fo r th e eff or ts to co m ba t de se rt ifi ca tio n by va rio us m in is tr ie s, es pe ci al ly t he M in is tr ie s of E nv iro nm en t, U rb an iz at io n an d Cl im at e Ch an ge a nd t he M in is tr y of A gr ic ul tu re a nd F or es tr y. It is p os si bl e an d ea sy t o eff ec tiv el y sp ec ify L D N t ar ge ts w ith in t he sc op e of c om ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n an d to d ev el op l an d ne ut ra lit y pr oj ec ts by us in g th is ex is tin g te ch no lo gi ca l in fr as tr uc tu re an d en ab lin g en vi ro nm en t w ith ou t in cu rr in g th e co st s re qu ire d by n ew in ve st m en ts . Co op er at io n an d co or di na tio n ca n he lp t o le ve ra ge t he m os t o f t ec hn ol og ic al o pp or tu ni tie s Te ch no lo gy c an b e us ed t o ra is e pu bl ic a w ar en es s an d pr om ot e sh ar ed p ub lic re sp on si bi lit y. 5. D ev el op m en t of ne w te ch no lo gi es , sc ie nt ifi c ap pr oa ch es an d re se ar ch in st itu tio ns ca n he lp to co m ba t de se rt ifi ca tio n eff ec tiv el y. Eff ic ie nt s ol ut io ns f or c om ba tt in g de se rt ifi ca tio n ca n be d ev el op ed w ith t he e m er ge nc e of n ew t ec hn ol og ie s, es pe ci al ly i nf or m at io n te ch no lo gi es , va rio us s ci en tif ic a pp ro ac he s th at w ill i nc re as e th e re se ar ch c ap ac ity . Te ch no lo gi ca l de ve lo pm en ts su ch as re m ot e se ns in g, pr ec is io n ag ric ul tu re , a nd d at a an al yt ic s pr ov id e m or e eff ec tiv e so lu tio ns a nd ne w to ol s fo r m on ito rin g an d m an ag in g so il de gr ad at io n. M or e te ch no lo gi ca l to ol s an d sc ie nt ifi c ap pr oa ch es sh ou ld b e in te gr at ed to th e eff or ts a ga in st d es er tifi ca tio n. In no va tiv e pr oj ec ts sh ou ld b e de ve lo pe d by c ol la bo ra tin g w ith re se ar ch in st itu tio ns . N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 094 Th re at s Ra ti on al e A ct io ns to b e ta ke n 1. In cr ea se d se ns iti vi ty a nd a h ig he r l ik el ih oo d th at d ro ug ht s w ill o cc ur m or e fre qu en tly a nd be m or e se ve re . O ur co un tr y is se ns iti ve to d es er tifi ca tio n du e to th e cl im at ic zo ne in w hi ch it is lo ca te d. C lim at e ch an ge p at te rn s, su ch a s ris in g te m pe ra tu re s an d ch an gi ng ra in fa ll, w or se n de se rt ifi ca tio n, m ak in g it di ffi cu lt to im pl em en t eff ec tiv e m ea su re s. Ch an ge s in c lim at ic c on di tio ns a re a cc el er at in g de se rt ifi ca tio n, m ak in g it di ffi cu lt to eff ec tiv el y an tic ip at e an d re sp on d to fa st -c ha ng in g en vi ro nm en ta l c ha lle ng es . D es er tifi ca tio n an d dr ou gh t s ho ul d be d efi ne d as a d isa st er . Co m ba tt in g de se rt ifi ca tio n sh ou ld b e a na tio na l st ra te gi c pr io rit y. St ra te gi es to co m ba t de se rt ifi ca tio n (a gr ic ul tu re , w at er re so ur ce s m an ag em en t, et c. ) sh ou ld be im pr ov ed an d up da te d in li ne w ith th e cu rr en t p ro je ct io ns . Le ga l r eg ul at io ns s ho ul d be d ev el op ed a nd u pd at ed b as ed on th e cl im at e ch an ge sc en ar io s. Ba sin -b as ed p ro je ct io ns a nd s ce na rio s sh ou ld b e de ve lo pe d to sp ec ify th e in te rv en tio n m et ho ds a nd to ol s. 2. It b ec om es le ss li ke ly t o al lo ca te s uff ic ie nt re so ur ce s f or c om ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n. D iffi cu lti es in a llo ca tin g re so ur ce s t o co m ba t d es er tifi ca tio n ca us ed b y th e gl ob al a nd n at io na l e co no m ic re ce ss io n du e to v ar io us re as on s (c or on a, w ar s, et c. ). In su ffi ci en t f un di ng a nd fi na nc ia l r es ou rc es , t he im pl em en ta tio n of la rg e- sc al e de se rt ifi ca tio n pr ev en tio n pr oj ec ts r eq ui re s m or e fu nd in g an d fin an ci al re so ur ce s. Fi na nc ia l re so ur ce s sh ou ld b e di ve rs ifi ed a nd i ns tit ut io ns sh ou ld be en co ur ag ed to es ta bl ish th ei r in ve st m en t pr og ra m s w ith in th e fra m ew or k of L D N p rin ci pl es . G re at er u se o f su pp or t su ch a s in te rn at io na l co nv en tio n fu nd s. 3. Au th or ity co nfl ic ts an d ov er la pp ed re sp on sib ili tie s of th e in st itu tio ns an d or ga ni za tio ns w ith in t he s co pe o f c om ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n. La ck o f cl ar ity w ith r eg ar ds t o th e re sp on sib ili tie s of In st itu tio ns a t th e na tio na l a nd lo ca l l ev el . Th e di ve rs ity o f la w s re gu la tin g ot he r se ct or s an d, i n so m e ca se s, co nt ra di ct io ns a nd p ow er c on fli ct s. Co nfl ic ts a nd c on tr ad ic tio ns l ea d to d iff ic ul tie s in i m pl em en tin g an d su pe rv isi ng p ol ic ie s an d in iti at iv es t o pr ev en t de se rt ifi ca tio n in t he aff ec te d ar ea s. N ew a nd in cl us iv e re gu la tio ns sh ou ld b e de ve lo pe d to c la rif y re sp on sib ili tie s a nd e lim in at e au th or ity c on fli ct s. Se co nd ar y le gi sla tio n sh ou ld b e up da te d in a cc or da nc e w ith th e ne w re gu la tio ns to b e de ve lo pe d. 4. Fa ilu re to im pl em en t th e ne ce ss ar y le gi sla tiv e am en dm en ts a nd in te r-i ns tit ut io na l co m m un ic at io n/ co or di na tio n m ec ha ni sm s to e ffe ct iv el y im pl em en t th e Ri o Co nv en tio ns an d e ns ur e sy ne rg y be tw ee n th em in Tü rk iy e. La ck o f a c om m un ic at io n st ra te gy a nd a ct io n pl an w ith in th e fra m ew or k of th e U N CC D. D es pi te th e fa ct th at T ür ki ye is a p ar ty to th re e Ri o co nv en tio ns , t he re is a la ck o f s uff ic ie nt sy ne rg y be tw ee n in st itu tio ns a nd p ra ct ic es . N ec es sa ry le gi sla tiv e am en dm en ts a nd c ha ng es s ho ul d be m ad e. Th e co m m un ic at io n an d co op er at io n m ec ha ni sm s ho ul d be de fin ed a nd im pl em en te d by th e ce nt ra l a dm in ist ra tio n le ve l an d st ra te gi c pl an ne rs o f r el at ed a nd re la te d in st itu tio ns , t he m an ag em en t l ev el a nd p la nn er s o f l oc al in st itu tio ns , a nd th e st ak eh ol de r p riv at e se ct or . It w ill b e be ne fic ia l to i nc re as e th e nu m be r an d ca pa ci ty of p er so nn el t o re pr es en t ou r co un tr y in i nt er na tio na l in st itu tio ns a nd o rg an iz at io ns . A le ga l i nf ra st ru ct ur e fo r th e de ve lo pm en t of c oo pe ra tio n sh ou ld b e es ta bl ish ed in c as es w he re th er e is a pr ob le m th at tr an sc en ds n at io na l b or de rs . 95 5. P ro bl em s re la te d to c oo rd in at io n an d pa rt ic ip at io n am on g st ak eh ol de rs . W ea kn es se s i n w or k cu ltu re a nd co op er at io n to co m ba t d es er tif ic at io n am on g st ak eh ol de rs W ea kn es s of p riv at e se ct or c ap ac ity a nd a ct iv iti es i n th e fie ld o f co m ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n La ck o f c on ci se in fo rm at io n ab ou t th e re la tio ns hi p of d es er tif ic at io n w ith th e so ci al a nd e co no m ic s itu at io n G re at er in vo lv em en t of s ta ke ho ld er s in d ec is io n- m ak in g an d im pl em en ta tio n pr oc es se s sh ou ld b e en su re d. 6. A n in cr ea se in h um an a ct iv iti es t ha t m ay w or se n de se rt ifi ca tio n ov er ti m e. Ra pi d po pu la tio n gr ow th a nd l iv es to ck g ra zi ng c au se a cc el er at ed so il er os io n an d de se rt ifi ca tio n, e sp ec ia lly in a re as w he re t ra di tio na l gr az in g m an ag em en t p ra ct ic es a re n ot fo llo w ed . Ra pi d po pu la tio n gr ow th a nd u rb an e xp an si on l ea d to i nc re as ed de m an d fo r l an d, re su lti ng in u ns us ta in ab le a gr ic ul tu ra l p ra ct ic es a nd de se rt ifi ca tio n. La ck o f s an ct io ns to c om ba t d es er tif ic at io n/ la nd d eg ra da tio n. Fr eq ue nc y of m ig ra tio ns w ith in o ur c ou nt ry . N ew w av es o f gl ob al m as s m ig ra tio ns a nd r ev er se m ig ra tio n fr om ur ba n to r ur al a re as in o ur c ou nt ry , t he la ck o f su st ai na bi lit y in t he m an ag em en t o f t he se m ig ra tio ns . N ew re gu la tio ns , st ra te gi es an d st ric t pr ac tic es ar e re qu ire d to m iti ga te th e ne ga tiv e eff ec ts of hu m an ac tiv iti es . Li vi ng c on di tio ns in r ur al a re as s ho ul d be im pr ov ed a nd pr om ot ed . A le gi sl at io n sh ou ld b e de ve lo pe d to p re ve nt co ns tr uc tio n in lo ca l/a gr ic ul tu ra l ar ea s an d im po se sa nc tio ns to th e vi ol at or s. O n- si te m an ag em en t so lu tio ns s ho ul d be d ev el op ed t o m an ag e m as s m ig ra tio ns to o ur c ou nt ry ; l iv in g co nd iti on s in ru ra l a re as s ho ul d be im pr ov ed . 7. In cr ea se d ex pl oi ta tio n of fo re st s, ag ric ul tu ra l an d pa st ur e ar ea s fo r ur ba n se tt le m en t, to ur is m , m in in g an d ot he r si m ila r p ur po se s. In cr ea se d pr es su re o n fo re st s, ag ric ul tu ra l a re as a nd p as tu re s to m ee t th e ne ed s of a g ro w in g po pu la tio n, w hi ch t ur ns in to p re ss ur e at t he na tio na l, re gi on al a nd l oc al l ev el s; c on fli ct s be tw ee n th e go al s of co m ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n an d th e in te re st s of o th er s ec to rs . Ch ro ni c ch al le ng es re la te d to th e re ha bi lit at io n of m in in g si te s. Th e co nc ep t of u rb an iz at io n is g en er al ly e xc lu de d fr om t he c on ce pt of la nd d eg ra da tio n. Co ns tr uc tio n pr ac tic es l ar ge ly i gn or e en vi ro nm en ta lly c om pa tib le gr ee n in fr as tr uc tu re s ys te m s, la ck o f c on tin ui ty o f g re en c or rid or s in ur ba n an d ru ra l a re as . It is n ec es sa ry t o de ve lo p m as te r pl an s at n at io na l, re gi on al a nd lo ca l l ev el s a nd e ns ur e th ei r i m pl em en ta tio n w ith ou t a ny c om pr om is e. N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 096 A PP EN D IX 4 : L in ki ng S it ua ti on A na ly si s Re su lt s to th e St ra te gi c Pl an FI N D IN G S FR O M TH E SI TU AT IO N A N A LY SI S RE FL EC TI N G T H E FI N D IN G S IN T H E 20 24 -2 03 0 ST RA TE G Y A N D A CT IO N P LA N St ra te gi c go al s al ig ne d w it h th e U N CC D 2 01 8- 20 30 S tr at eg ic F ra m ew or k D oc um en t To im pr ov e th e co nd iti on of aff ec te d ec os ys te m s, co m ba t de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd de gr ad at io n, pr om ot e su st ai na bl e la nd m an ag em en t an d co nt rib ut e to la nd de gr ad at io n ne ut ra lit y. St ra te gi c A xi s 2: L D N a nd S us ta in ab le U se o f N at ur al R es ou rc es . T1 : D eg ra de d ar ea s in a gr ic ul tu ra l a nd p as tu re la nd s w ill b e re st or ed a nd re ha bi lit at ed . T2 : D eg ra de d ar ea s in fo re st la nd s w ill b e re st or ed a nd re ha bi lit at ed . T3 : G re at er r es ili en ce o f ur ba n an d ru ra l ar ea s to c lim at e ch an ge w ill b e ac hi ev ed . T4 : C on se rv at io n, im pr ov em en t, an d su st ai na bl e us e of w at er re so ur ce s w ill be p ro m ot ed . St ra te gi c A xi s 5: R & D A ct iv iti es . T1 : Th e ca pa ci ty , fu nc tio na lit y, a nd e ffe ct iv en es s of R & D i n co m ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n w ill b e in cr ea se d. St ra te gi c A xi s 6: M on ito rin g an d Ev al ua tio n. T1 : N at io na l M on ito rin g Sy st em s fo r Co m ba tin g D es er tif ic at io n/ La nd D eg ra da tio n w ill b e de ve lo pe d, d at a pr od uc ed b y m on ito rin g sy st em s w ill be re po rt ed p er io di ca lly , a nd c ap ac ity b ui ld in g ac tiv iti es w ill b e ca rr ie d ou t. 97 To i m pr ov e th e liv in g co nd iti on s of a ffe ct ed po pu la tio ns . St ra te gi c A xi s 2: L D N a nd S us ta in ab le U se o f N at ur al R es ou rc es . T3 : G re at er r es ili en ce o f ur ba n an d ru ra l ar ea s to c lim at e ch an ge w ill b e ac hi ev ed . T4 : C on se rv at io n, im pr ov em en t, an d su st ai na bl e us e of w at er re so ur ce s w ill be p ro m ot ed . St ra te gi c A xi s 4: S oc io -E co no m ic A ct iv iti es . T1 : T he li vi ng c on di tio ns o f po pu la tio ns a ffe ct ed b y la nd d eg ra da tio n w ill be im pr ov ed , t he ir re si lie nc e w ill b e en ha nc ed , a nd ru ra l-t o- ur ba n m ig ra tio n w ill b e re du ce d. To m iti ga te , a da pt t o, a nd m an ag e th e eff ec ts of d ro ug ht i n or de r to e nh an ce r es ili en ce o f vu ln er ab le p op ul at io ns a nd e co sy st em s. St ra te gi c A xi s 4: S oc io -E co no m ic A ct iv iti es . T1 : T he li vi ng c on di tio ns o f po pu la tio ns a ffe ct ed b y la nd d eg ra da tio n w ill be im pr ov ed , t he ir re si lie nc e w ill b e en ha nc ed , a nd ru ra l-t o- ur ba n m ig ra tio n w ill b e re du ce d. To ge ne ra te gl ob al en vi ro nm en ta l be ne fit s th ro ug h eff ec tiv e im pl em en ta tio n of th e U N CC D . St ra te gi c A xi s 1: P ol ic y an d St ra te gy D ev el op m en t. T1 : P ol ic ie s, le gi sl at io n, a nd st ra te gi es d es ig ne d to p re ve nt la nd d eg ra da tio n w ill b e de ve lo pe d. St ra te gi c A xi s 3: N at io na l a nd In te rn at io na l Co or di na tio n an d Co op er at io n. T1 : C oo pe ra tio n, c oo rd in at io n, a nd s yn er gy a t g lo ba l, re gi on al , a nd n at io na l le ve ls in c om ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n w ill b e sc al ed u p To m ob ili ze su bs ta nt ia l a nd a dd iti on al fi na nc ia l an d no nf in an ci al r es ou rc es t o su pp or t th e im pl em en ta tio n of th e Co nv en tio n by b ui ld in g eff ec tiv e pa rt ne rs hi ps a t gl ob al a nd n at io na l le ve l. St ra te gi c A xi s 1: P ol ic y an d St ra te gy D ev el op m en t. T1 : P ol ic ie s, le gi sl at io n, a nd st ra te gi es d es ig ne d to p re ve nt la nd d eg ra da tio n w ill b e de ve lo pe d. St ra te gi c A xi s 3: N at io na l an d In te rn at io na l Co or di na tio n an d Co op er at io n. T1 : C oo pe ra tio n, c oo rd in at io n, a nd s yn er gy a t g lo ba l, re gi on al , a nd n at io na l le ve ls in c om ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n w ill b e sc al ed u p. N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 098 D es er tifi ca tio n an d la nd de gr ad at io n ar e am on g th e m os t p re ss in g gl ob al e nv iro nm en ta l ch al le ng es fa ci ng h um an ity to da y. St ra te gi c A xi s 2: L D N a nd S us ta in ab le U se o f N at ur al R es ou rc es . T1 : D eg ra de d ar ea s in a gr ic ul tu ra l an d pa st ur e la nd s w ill b e re st or ed a nd re ha bi lit at ed . T2 : D eg ra de d ar ea s in fo re st la nd s w ill b e re st or ed a nd re ha bi lit at ed . T3 : G re at er r es ili en ce o f ur ba n an d ru ra l ar ea s to c lim at e ch an ge w ill b e ac hi ev ed . T4 : C on se rv at io n, im pr ov em en t, an d su st ai na bl e us e of w at er re so ur ce s w ill be p ro m ot ed . St ra te gi c A xi s 4: S oc io -E co no m ic A ct iv iti es . T1 : T he li vi ng c on di tio ns o f p op ul at io ns a ffe ct ed b y la nd d eg ra da tio n w ill b e im pr ov ed , t he ir re si lie nc e w ill b e en ha nc ed , a nd ru ra l-t o- ur ba n m ig ra tio n w ill be re du ce d. In a w or ld la ck in g co op er at io n an d co or di na tio n, co m ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n pr es en ts s ig ni fic an t c ha lle ng es . St ra te gi c A xi s 1: P ol ic y an d St ra te gy D ev el op m en t. T1 : P ol ic ie s, le gi sl at io n, a nd s tr at eg ie s de si gn ed to p re ve nt la nd d eg ra da tio n w ill b e de ve lo pe d. St ra te gi c A xi s 3: N at io na l an d In te rn at io na l Co or di na tio n an d Co op er at io n. T1 : C oo pe ra tio n, c oo rd in at io n, a nd s yn er gy a t g lo ba l, re gi on al , a nd n at io na l le ve ls in c om ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n w ill b e sc al ed u p St ra te gi c A xi s 4: S oc io -E co no m ic A ct iv iti es . T1 : T he li vi ng c on di tio ns o f p op ul at io ns a ffe ct ed b y la nd d eg ra da tio n w ill b e im pr ov ed , t he ir re si lie nc e w ill b e en ha nc ed , a nd ru ra l-t o- ur ba n m ig ra tio n w ill be re du ce d. D es er tifi ca tio n m iti ga tio n, cl im at e ac tio n, bi od iv er si ty c on se rv at io n, a nd e nv iro nm en ta l m an ag em en t ar e al l in te rr el at ed a pp ro ac he s th at c on ne ct in v ar io us w ay s. St ra te gi c A xi s 1: P ol ic y an d St ra te gy D ev el op m en t. T1 : P ol ic ie s, le gi sl at io n, a nd s tr at eg ie s de si gn ed to p re ve nt la nd d eg ra da tio n w ill b e de ve lo pe d. St ra te gi c A xi s 2: L D N a nd S us ta in ab le U se o f N at ur al R es ou rc es . T1 : D eg ra de d ar ea s in a gr ic ul tu ra l an d pa st ur e la nd s w ill b e re st or ed a nd re ha bi lit at ed . T2 : D eg ra de d ar ea s in fo re st la nd s w ill b e re st or ed a nd re ha bi lit at ed . T3 : G re at er r es ili en ce o f ur ba n an d ru ra l ar ea s to c lim at e ch an ge w ill b e ac hi ev ed . T4 : C on se rv at io n, im pr ov em en t, an d su st ai na bl e us e of w at er re so ur ce s w ill be p ro m ot ed . Fi nd in gs a nd R ec om m en da ti on s fr om th e A na ly si s of T re nd s in D es er ti fic at io n an d M an ag em en t o f C om ba ti ng D es er ti fic at io n at G lo ba l S ca le 99 Co m ba tin g la nd de gr ad at io n an d de se rt ifi ca tio n sh ou ld b e a ce nt ra l ag en da ite m fo r e ve ry c ou nt ry . St ra te gi c A xi s 1: P ol ic y an d St ra te gy D ev el op m en t. T1 : P ol ic ie s, le gi sl at io n, a nd s tr at eg ie s de si gn ed to p re ve nt la nd d eg ra da tio n w ill b e de ve lo pe d. St ra te gi c A xi s 6: M on ito rin g an d Ev al ua tio n. T1 : N at io na l M on ito rin g Sy st em s fo r Co m ba tin g D es er tifi ca tio n/ La nd D eg ra da tio n w ill b e de ve lo pe d, d at a pr od uc ed b y m on ito rin g sy st em s w ill be re po rt ed p er io di ca lly , a nd c ap ac ity b ui ld in g ac tiv iti es w ill b e ca rr ie d ou t. Co ns id er in g th e en vi ro nm en ta l an d so ci o- ec on om ic r am ifi ca tio ns , l an d de gr ad at io n is a cr uc ia l i ss ue fo r s us ta in ab le d ev el op m en t. St ra te gi c A xi s 2: L D N a nd S us ta in ab le U se o f N at ur al R es ou rc es . T1 : D eg ra de d ar ea s in a gr ic ul tu ra l an d pa st ur e la nd s w ill b e re st or ed a nd re ha bi lit at ed . T2 : D eg ra de d ar ea s in fo re st la nd s w ill b e re st or ed a nd re ha bi lit at ed . T3 : G re at er r es ili en ce o f ur ba n an d ru ra l ar ea s to c lim at e ch an ge w ill b e ac hi ev ed . T3 : G re at er r es ili en ce o f ur ba n an d ru ra l ar ea s to c lim at e ch an ge w ill b e ac hi ev ed . St ra te gi c A xi s 4: S oc io -E co no m ic A ct iv iti es . T1 : T he li vi ng c on di tio ns o f p op ul at io ns a ffe ct ed b y la nd d eg ra da tio n w ill b e im pr ov ed , t he ir re si lie nc e w ill b e en ha nc ed , a nd ru ra l-t o- ur ba n m ig ra tio n w ill be re du ce d. Ad dr es si ng de se rt ifi ca tio n eff ec tiv el y w ill re du ce g lo ba l p ov er ty . St ra te gi c A xi s 4: S oc io -E co no m ic A ct iv iti es . T1 : T he li vi ng c on di tio ns o f p op ul at io ns a ffe ct ed b y la nd d eg ra da tio n w ill b e im pr ov ed , t he ir re si lie nc e w ill b e en ha nc ed , a nd ru ra l-t o- ur ba n m ig ra tio n w ill be re du ce d. N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 0100 Th e ne ed to ad dr es s th e co m ba t ag ai ns t de se rt ifi ca tio n w ith a n eff ec tiv e st ak eh ol de r m an ag em en t ap pr oa ch na tio na lly an d in te rn at io na lly . St ra te gi c A xi s 3: N at io na l an d In te rn at io na l Co or di na tio n an d Co op er at io n. T1 : C oo pe ra tio n, c oo rd in at io n, a nd s yn er gy a t g lo ba l, re gi on al , a nd n at io na l le ve ls in c om ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n w ill b e sc al ed u p. Th e ne ce ss ity t o ad op t a ris k m an ag em en t ap pr oa ch in c om ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n. St ra te gi c A xi s 6: M on ito rin g an d Ev al ua tio n. T1 : N at io na l M on ito rin g Sy st em s fo r Co m ba tin g D es er tifi ca tio n/ La nd D eg ra da tio n w ill b e de ve lo pe d, d at a pr od uc ed b y m on ito rin g sy st em s w ill be re po rt ed p er io di ca lly , a nd c ap ac ity b ui ld in g ac tiv iti es w ill b e ca rr ie d ou t. Th e ne ed to d ev el op a p ro je ct -b as ed a pp ro ac h to d es er tif ic at io n m an ag em en t. St ra te gi c A xi s 2: L D N a nd S us ta in ab le U se o f N at ur al R es ou rc es . T1 : D eg ra de d ar ea s in a gr ic ul tu ra l an d pa st ur e la nd s w ill b e re st or ed a nd re ha bi lit at ed . T2 : D eg ra de d ar ea s in fo re st la nd s w ill b e re st or ed a nd re ha bi lit at ed . T3 : G re at er r es ili en ce o f ur ba n an d ru ra l ar ea s to c lim at e ch an ge w ill b e ac hi ev ed . T4 : C on se rv at io n, im pr ov em en t, an d su st ai na bl e us e of w at er re so ur ce s w ill be p ro m ot ed . St ra te gi c A xi s 5: R & D A ct iv iti es . T1 : Th e ca pa ci ty , fu nc tio na lit y, a nd e ffe ct iv en es s of R & D i n co m ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n w ill b e in cr ea se d. Th e ne ed t o es ta bl is h fin an ci ng a nd in ce nt iv e m ec ha ni sm s in co m ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd d eg ra da tio n an d to u se t he se r es ou rc es eff ec tiv el y an d effi ci en tly . St ra te gi c A xi s 1: P ol ic y an d St ra te gy D ev el op m en t. T1 : P ol ic ie s, le gi sl at io n, a nd s tr at eg ie s de si gn ed to p re ve nt la nd d eg ra da tio n w ill b e de ve lo pe d. St ra te gi c A xi s 3: N at io na l an d In te rn at io na l Co or di na tio n an d Co op er at io n. T1 : C oo pe ra tio n, c oo rd in at io n, a nd s yn er gy a t g lo ba l, re gi on al , a nd n at io na l le ve ls in c om ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n w ill b e sc al ed u p. St ra te gi c A xi s 4: S oc io -E co no m ic A ct iv iti es . T1 : T he li vi ng c on di tio ns o f p op ul at io ns a ffe ct ed b y la nd d eg ra da tio n w ill b e im pr ov ed , t he ir re si lie nc e w ill b e en ha nc ed , a nd ru ra l-t o- ur ba n m ig ra tio n w ill be re du ce d. Pr om in en t F in di ng s an d Re co m m en da ti on s in th e M an ag em en t o f C om ba ti ng D es er ti fic at io n at N at io na l S ca le 101 It is s tr at eg ic al ly i m po rt an t to b en efi t fr om te ch no lo gi ca l an d sc ie nt ifi c de ve lo pm en ts in th e fig ht ag ai ns t de se rt ifi ca tio n/ la nd de gr ad at io n. St ra te gi c A xi s 5: R & D A ct iv iti es . T1 : Th e ca pa ci ty , fu nc tio na lit y, a nd e ffe ct iv en es s of R & D i n co m ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n w ill b e in cr ea se d. Th e ne ed fo r an R& D -b as ed ap pr oa ch to co m ba t d es er tif ic at io n. St ra te gi c A xi s 5: R & D A ct iv iti es . T1 : Th e ca pa ci ty , fu nc tio na lit y, a nd e ffe ct iv en es s of R & D i n co m ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n w ill b e in cr ea se d. Th e ne ed to e m ph as iz e sc ie nt ifi c re se ar ch a nd st ud ie s on t he s oc io -e co no m ic s itu at io n of co m m un iti es a ffe ct ed b y de se rt ifi ca tio n. St ra te gi c A xi s 4: S oc io -E co no m ic A ct iv iti es . T1 : T he li vi ng c on di tio ns o f p op ul at io ns a ffe ct ed b y la nd d eg ra da tio n w ill b e im pr ov ed , t he ir re si lie nc e w ill b e en ha nc ed , a nd ru ra l-t o- ur ba n m ig ra tio n w ill be re du ce d. St ra te gi c A xi s 5: R & D A ct iv iti es . T1 : Th e ca pa ci ty , fu nc tio na lit y, a nd e ffe ct iv en es s of R & D i n co m ba tin g de se rt ifi ca tio n w ill b e in cr ea se d. N A T I O N A L S T R A T E G Y A N D A C T I O N P L A N T O C O M B A T D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 3 0102 103 Abatzoglou, J. T., Dobrowski, S. Z., Parks, S. A., & Hegewisch, K. C. (2018). TerraClimate, a high-resolution global dataset of monthly climate and climatic water balance from 1958–2015. Scientific data, 5(1), 1-12. DG ÇEM. (2013). “İklim Verileri Kullanılarak Türkiye’nin Çölleşme Haritası Dokümanı Hazırlanması Raporu”, Çölleşme ve Erozyonla Mücadele Genel Müdürlüğü, Ankara, Türkiye. DG ÇEM. (2017). “Türkiye Çölleşme Modeli, Teknik Özet”, Çölleşme ve Erozyonla Mücadele Genel Müdürlüğü, Ankara, Türkiye. DG ÇEM. (2017). “Çölleşme ile Mücadele Ulusal Stratejisi ve Eylem Planı Değerlendirme Raporu 2014- 2015”, Çölleşme ve Erozyonla Mücadele Genel Müdürlüğü, Ankara. DG ÇEM. (2017). “Çölleşme ile Mücadele İlerleme Raporu 2016”, Çölleşme ve Erozyonla Mücadele Genel Müdürlüğü, Ankara. DG ÇEM. (2023). “Arazi Tahribatının Dengelenmesi Karar Destek Sistemi İl İstatistikleri ve Sürdürülebilir Arazi Yönetimi Yaklaşımları ve Uygulamaları’’, Çölleşme ve Erozyonla Mücadele Genel Müdürlüğü Yayınları, Ankara. DGAR. (2022). “Türkiye Tarımsal Kuraklıkla Mücadele Stratejisi ve Eylem Planı (2023-2027)”, Ankara. Görcelioğlu, E. (1992). Çöl kavramı, çölleşme olgusu ve Türkiye. Journal of the Faculty of Forestry Istanbul University, 42(3-4), 1-20. MoAF. (2017). “Çölleşme ile Mücadele Ulusal Stratejisi ve Eylem Planı: değerlendirme raporu 2014- 2015”, Ankara. 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