Turkmenistan prepares a new National Forestry Program for 2026–2030

A roundtable discussion dedicated to the draft National Forestry Program of Turkmenistan for 2026–2030 was held in Ashgabat. The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Environmental Protection together with UNDP and the Aral project. Leading scientists, members of parliament and specialists from relevant agencies took part, according to official reports.

The new program consists of 13 chapters and a detailed action plan. For the first time, special focus is placed on restoring natural forests, and state forest land management is envisaged. These measures will make it possible to create full-value forest belts.

The program introduces public–private partnership mechanisms. Entrepreneurs will be able to lease forest fund lands to grow fruit, oil-bearing and medicinal plants while maintaining state ownership of the land. This will create new jobs and promote ecotourism.

The project pays particular attention to combating desertification and adapting to climate change. Scientists proposed modern methods of improving pastures, including planting saxaul and using local drainage water for irrigation. These measures significantly increase productivity and pay off within 3–5 years.

The document considers forest belts as carbon dioxide absorbers, which opens opportunities to participate in international carbon credit markets.

Digitalization will be a key element of implementation. Experts plan to use GIS technologies, satellite imagery and AI tools to monitor forest conditions, especially in remote mountainous and desert regions.

The combination of modern scientific approaches and private investment will expand “green belts” and strengthen the country’s environmental sustainability.