Day 1: SDGs Consultations and the Goal 15 «Life on Land»

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) kicked off national consultations of Turkmenistan on adopting SDGs with Goal 15 “Life on land”.

“Human life depends on the earth as much as the ocean for our sustenance and livelihood. Plant life provides 80 percent of our human diet, and we rely on agriculture as an important economic resource and means of development. Forests account for 30 percent of the Earth’s surface, providing vital habitats for millions of species and important sources for clean air and water; as well as being crucial for combating climate change.

Today we are seeing unprecedented land degradation, and the loss of arable land at 30 to 35 times the historical rate. Drought and desertification is also on the rise each year, amounting to the loss of 12 million hectares and affects poor communities globally. Of the 8,300 animal breeds known, 8 percent are extinct and 22 percent are at risk of extinction.”  [1]

Representatives of about 10 national ministries and agencies discussed the proposed 12 targets to the Goal 15 and their relevance to Turkmenistan. Participants of the first consultation agreed on 10 targets, suggested 7 new or additional targets, and put on hold 5 targets.

Particularly, participants noted the issues of desertification and salinization of the soil which are not reflected in the proposed indicators. Therefore, it was suggested to include the new target or change the wording where relevant. It was also suggested to add an indicator on degraded forests.

Participants also suggested specific national plans and strategies where the relevant indicators can be included/