«Виртуальная клиника» по экономике деградации земель: формирование сотрудничества в Центральной Азии

"The Virtual Clinic" on Land Degradation Economics: Fostering Collaboration in Central Asia

In April 2024, an online event titled "The Virtual Clinic" on issues of land degradation economics (ELD) took place. The meeting, involving representatives from Central Asian countries, was organized by the GREEN CA network (CAMP Alatoo Foundation and the Karaganda EcoMuseum), in partnership with the GIZ Regional Program "Integrated Land Use for Climate Change Adaptation in Central Asia" (ILUCA) and the "Economics of Land Degradation" (ELD) Initiative.

The event brought together participants who had attended the "ELD: Deep Dive into Economic Assessment" training held in September 2023 in Almaty. They convened to discuss the training outcomes and lay the groundwork for further collaboration in sustainable land use in the region.

Key discussion points included:

Knowledge review: Participants revisited the theoretical material covered during the ELD training and shared their thoughts and impressions, helping assess knowledge assimilation levels and identify areas for further exploration.

Opportunities and challenges: Through dialogue, participants discussed how they intend to apply the acquired knowledge in their daily work. They identified opportunities and obstacles, exchanged plans, and discussed new ideas.

Support needs: Participants shared the support they require to implement their plans. Technical and financial aspects were highlighted, along with the potential for further education in economic assessment and related disciplines.

Future plans: The GREEN CA network shared plans for future capacity development initiatives, emphasizing the importance of participant feedback in shaping these initiatives. The role of ongoing collaboration in promoting sustainable land resource management practices in Central Asia was discussed.

This event marked a significant step in fostering collaboration among participants aimed at addressing pressing environmental issues in the region. The outcomes will be used to develop specific plans and further initiatives in the field of sustainable land use in Central Asia.