National strategy of Turkmenistan on preservation biodiversity 2018-2023.

National strategy of Turkmenistan on preservation biodiversity 2018-2023 is a nationwide policy document aimed at conservation and protection of biodiversity, wild fauna species and habitats thereof. Due to the dry, hot and harsh continental climate and geographic location of the country in the desert zone biodiversity is especially vulnerable. Therefore, we are dependent on maintaining important ecosystem services, including natural services associated with the catchment and purification of natural water and climate stabilization. The nature of the country is very vulnerable due to the fact that desert, steppe and mountain ecosystems are very fragile and easily exposed. Degradation of ecosystems can have a negative impact on the economy, health and food security.
Due to increase in population and wealth of citizens of the country, at the same time, the need for natural resources to ensure a high standard of living, and the need for nature conservation for rest and recreation is increasing, the intention is to preserve the pristine beauty and diversity of nature for the future generations. Livestock breeding, agriculture, forestry, tourism and fisheries directly depend on the health of ecological systems and the provision by these ecosystems of various services such as livestock feed, natural restoration of soil fertility, habitats for economically important animal species, valuable natural monuments and landscapes. The strategies and plans for the development of the afore-mentioned sectors of the national economy should include efforts to preserve healthy ecosystems and sustainable use of biodiversity in order to obtain long-term and maximum profit from the functioning of nature. To achieve sustainable and long-term development for the future generations, in the light of accelerating the process of climate change, increasing population and consumption growth, especially important for national interests of Turkmenistan and sustainable development of the country is the introduction of policies and measures into all sectors of the economy, with the consideration of practical ways of biodiversity conservation and maintaining essential ecosystem services. This is the main a prerequisite for creating a "green economy" in the country, which is far-reaching goal of the state.
The strategy defines the main directions for conservation of biodiversity in our country in accordance with the obligations to Convention on Biological Diversity. According to the National Strategy for conservation of biodiversity, the goal of the country is to achieve by 2025 a sustainable balance between economic development and continuous functioning of ecological systems. The goals and objectives of the National Strategy are based on an assessment of the main negative factors currently facing biodiversity and ecosystem services in Turkmenistan, as well as analysis of the prime causes of these factors. To reduce the influence of negative factors, it is necessary to perform the following tasks: I. Strengthening enforcement of legislation on conservation of biodiversity and biodiversity management. II. Sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem services for the sustainable development of industries that use natural resources (in particular, pastures, forests, water resources etc.) to ensure conservation of the natural services on which they depend, and the genetic fund of important cultivated plants and animals. III. Capacity building for representatives of industrial sectors, including oil and gas, chemical, transport and construction, to mitigate or avoid impacts on biodiversity and conservation of key ecosystem services, and, III. Raising awareness and understanding at all levels of the state and society of the importance and economic value of biodiversity and ecosystem services. National Strategy for Biodiversity Conservation is achieved through implementation of the developed National Action Plan for conservation of biodiversity for the period from 2018-2023 and should become an integral part of the development of sectors of the economy, thereby ensuring environmentally sustainable development of the state and society.
General control over the implementation of the National Strategy and Action Plan for biodiversity conservation is entrusted to the State Committee for Environmental Protection and Land Resources of Turkmenistan. Ministry of Economy and Development, together with ministries and departments relevant to industry, will integrate activities plans and actions for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in sectoral development programs and work plans, as well as nationwide planning.