Hosted by the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, the Project Kick-off Meeting within the scope of the ‘‘Umbrella Programme to Support the Updating of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and the Preparation of the 7th National Report’’ was held at the J.W. Marriott Hotel Ankara.
Implemented under the coordination of Ankara University National Center for the Sea and Maritime Law DEHUKAM and with the support of the United Nations Environment Programme Global Environment Facility 8th Cycle, the kick-off meeting of the program was held with wide participation from public institutions and organizations, the private sector, academia, and non-governmental organizations.
The program began with the opening remarks of Mr. Süleyman Önel, Chairman of the Board of DEHUKAM, and Mr. Kadir Çokçetin, General Director of Nature Conservation and National Parks at the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. During the speeches, Türkiye’s existing background in biodiversity, national priorities, and future vision were discussed, while the importance of conducting the process with a holistic, data driven, and actionable approach was emphasized.
Following the opening remarks, presentations on the history of biodiversity strategy and action plans, their current status in the world, the activities to be carried out within the scope of the project, and the roadmap to be followed were delivered by Ms. Neslihan Öziçli, Acting Head of the Department of Biological Diversity and Ecosystem Services at the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks and Dr. Mustafa Başkara, CEO of DEHUKAM,. The presentations highlighted that biodiversity is of great importance not only for nature conservation but also for issues such as food supply security, the utilization of water resources, soil fertility, the sustainability of natural life, resilience to climate change, health, and social welfare.
It was stated that the new strategy document to be prepared within the scope of the program is targeted to be shaped with the contributions of public institutions, academia, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations. In this regard, it was announced that the document aims to be an inclusive and actionable policy document that serves as a product of collective wisdom in line with a holistic approach.
It was announced that efforts will be resolutely continued with the goal of a strong Türkiye that protects nature, safeguards ecosystems, sustainably manages natural resources, and transfers its biological wealth to future generations, in line with the Century of Türkiye vision.
