A new green fund should be established to combat desertification in Africa and Central Asia, according to Turkey's forest and water affairs minister on Thursday.
Veysel Eroglu, minister of forest and water affairs, told Anadolu Agency during the 12th session of the convention’s Conference of Parties in the Turkish capital Ankara on Thursday that an alternative fund to the UN's global fund is required to focus on desertification and deforestation particularly in Africa and Central Asia where they are mostly affected by drought.
'Initially we can start with $5 million to establish this fund and choose pilot countries to implement action to combat several environmental problems,' he said, adding that the fund could boost the prevention of erosion.
It was announced at the conference that after the conference , Turkey will take over the presidency of the United Nations Convention to combat desertification (UNCCD COP12) for two years.
'As the host country of the 12th Conference Of the Parties, the Turkish government is calling governments, intergovernmental institutions, financial institutions, the private sector and non-governmental organizations to join this initiative’s implementation in order to ensure the convention achieves its objectives, and I call the parties to cooperation and to work together accordingly in order to join efforts and experiences,' Eroglu said.
Anadolu Agency is the global communication partner of the event, which runs until Oct. 23 at the Ankara Congresium international convention and exhibition center.
According to UN, more than 250 million people around the world are affected by desertification while a further 1.2 billion in 110 countries are threatened.
Reporting By Gulsen Cagatay and Huseyin Erdogan
Writing By Gulsen Cagatay
Anadolu Agency
gulsen.cagatay@aa.com.tr