01.10.2015 Ankara
A cooperation protocol has been signed between the Ministry of Forestry Water Affairs and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) which will be hosting the 12th United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, Conference of the Parties (UNCCD COP12) to be held in Ankara between the 12th and 23rd of October.
In his speech at the protocol signing ceremony, TOBB President M. Rifat
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that this protocol is a very propitious agreement not
just for Turkey but in regards to global problems and that the United Nations
Convention to Combat Desertification Conference of the Parties which is
comprised of 195 countries will be hosted by Turkey for the first time.
Congratulating Minister Eroğlu for ensuring Turkey hosts this important
organization as a part of the UN, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Of course, these
successes are not achieved haphazardly. Turkey’s successes in regards to
forestry and water affairs during Minister Veysel Eroğlu’s term in office have
contributed greatly to this. In the last decade, approximately 5 billion
hectares of forests have been destroyed. Turkey undertook efforts to combat
erosion in 2.3 million hectares as well as replanting forests as per its
2008-2012 action plan. 2.5 billion saplings were planted. Great advances were
made in extending irrigation to far reaches of Turkey.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that hosting these meetings wherein global
policy-makers are present and receptive to policy advice is an opportunity for
Turkey to direct the global decision making mechanism.
- “250 million people are
directly affected by desertification worldwide”
Emphasizing the importance of United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification for the future of the world, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Four billion
hectares worldwide are in danger of desertification. Desertification does not
mean just the destruction of forests. It is also the loss of viability for
agricultural soil, decrease in yields and contamination of water sources.250 million people are directly affected by desertification worldwide.
If desertification is not addressed, 1.2 billion people will face starvation
and droughts, loss of livelihood and forced immigration. Combating desertification
means preventing future humanitarian, economic and social problems. This is why
the UN’s global program is of vital importance.”
Stressing the fact that sectors such as agriculture, animal husbandry,
forestry and fishing are directly affected by desertification, Hisarcıklıoğlu
stated all sectors are affected adversely eventually by desertification due to
dependence on raw materials and production fields. This is why the UN deems the
inclusion of the private sector in the prevention of terrain degradation and
the sustainable terrain management to be of critical importance.
To this end, Hisarcıklıoğlu announced that the Sustainable Terrain
Management Business Forum will be held in Ankara on the 20th and 21st
of October as a part of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification,
Conference of the Parties in order to bring public and private sectors
together, which will be organized by the Union of Chambers and Commodity
Exchanges of Turkey as the umbrella organization and representative of the
Turkish private business sector.
Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that the Business Forum will be attended by the
representatives of the business communities of the 195 countries party to the
Convention as well as the high level representatives of the Turkish business
world, discussing the effects of desertification on economic life and the
business world, the role of the private sector in combating desertification as
well as bringing relevant international and national mechanisms to be
implemented to this end will be brought to the table. TOBB will preside over
the United Nations Sustainable Terrain Management Business Forum until the next
one to be held in 2017.
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I believe that we can lay the groundwork for
relaying the findings of the business forum to the UN and G20 in cooperation
with the Ministry. It is a great honor to be taking up this very important
responsibility following the B20 Term Chairmanship. I would like to thank all
of you and hope that the protocol we are signing here today will result in the
implementation of decisions which will benefit our country and the whole
world.”