A high-level expert discussion was held in the capital of Turkmenistan to review the draft National Forest Program of Turkmenistan for the period 2026–2030. The roundtable brought together representatives of Turkmenistan’s environmental authorities, international partners, members of parliament, and leading scientific experts.

The updated program of Turkmenistan is structured into 13 thematic chapters and includes a detailed implementation roadmap. One of its key innovations is the introduction of state-led forest management planning, alongside a stronger focus on restoring natural forest ecosystems, laying the groundwork for a unified forest cadastre across Turkmenistan.

The document places strong emphasis on public-private partnerships. Under the new framework, businesses in Turkmenistan will be able to lease forest fund areas to cultivate fruit, oil-bearing, and medicinal plants, develop eco-tourism initiatives, and generate employment opportunities while maintaining state ownership of land resources.

The strategy of Turkmenistan also addresses desertification control and climate change adaptation. Scientists proposed practical measures to rehabilitate pastures, such as planting black saxaul and utilizing local water runoff for irrigation, solutions that can yield economic returns within three to five years. Forest ecosystems in Turkmenistan are additionally viewed as effective carbon sinks, enabling potential participation in international carbon credit markets.

Digital technologies will play a central role in implementation. Turkmenistan plans to deploy GIS platforms, satellite imagery, and artificial intelligence tools to monitor forest conditions, particularly in remote and hard-to-access areas.

By integrating scientific expertise with private investment, Turkmenistan aims to expand green belts and strengthen the country’s long-term environmental resilience.