Workshop on Protection of Natural Wealth of Forests and Environmental Use of Natural Resources was held in Ankara
On 23-24 January 2019, Workshop on Protection of Natural Wealth of Forests and Environmental Use of Natural Resources was organized by TURKPA in Ankara with the support of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (GNAT). The main goal of the workshop held in the framework of the TURKPA Commission on Environment and Natural Resources, was to contribute to the Commission's agenda, particularly taking into account experience of the TURKPA member countries on forest management and environmental use of natural resources.
The workshop gathered parliamentarians and experts from the member countries, as well as representatives of relevant agencies of Turkey such as General Directorate of Forestry, on Nature Conservation and National Parks and on Mining and Petroleum Affairs.
The workshop consisted of two sessions moderated by respectively Mr. Ahliman Amiraslanov, Chairman of the Commission, Chairman of the Health Committee of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Mr. Recep Şeker, Deputy Chairman of the Commission, member of the GNAT. The opening ceremony of the first session was addressed by Secretary General Mr. Altynbek Mamaiusupov, Mr. İsmet Uçma, member of the GNAT and Chairman of the TURKPA Commission on Legal Affairs and International Relations, Mr. Muhammet Balta, Chairman of the Environment Commission of the GNAT and Mr. Mustafa Şentop, Deputy Speaker of the GNAT.
In the course of the workshop, experts from the member countries and representatives of the relevant agencies of Turkey made presentations and gave information on current situation, legislation and institutional framework in the member countries, as well as conducted discussions on the matter.
Concluding report was adopted by the participants as the final document of the workshop to be presented to the Fifth Meeting of the Commission scheduled to be held in Bishkek. Noting that TURKPA member countries attach great importance to forest management and environmental use of natural resources, the concluding report emphasized the need for improving policy and legislation frameworks, strengthening institutional structures and capacities of forestry and sustainable use of natural resources, to strengthen public awareness and stakeholders’ participation for sustainable management of natural resources, as well as to hold workshops, seminars, forums and other types of events in TURKPA member countries on the forests and sustainable use of natural resources.
As a practical part of the program, participants visited the Natural History Museum of Mineral Research and Exploration, Turkey Seed Gene Bank, Soğuksu National Park, “Trona” Mine Extraction and Processing Plant and Kazan Soda Electricity.
