During the seminar, forestry specialists, Research Institute staff and interested parties discussed the achieved results of the project.

 "The project started in 2018 and so far has covered 157 thousand hectares of land. Based on 4 forestry enterprises in Kashkadarya, Namangan, and Syrdarya regions, we focused on sustainable forest management systems, pasture management, gender issues and work with women and girls, attracting young people, and creating new jobs", said Olimjon Kakhkharov, FAO Technical Coordinator. "Two important documents were adopted within the framework of the project, dedicated to the concept of forest development until 2030 and long-term lease of land for up to 50 years. To date, about 10,000 new jobs have been created, more than 7,000 households have leased forest lands, new forests, pistachio groves, and new plantations of medicinal plants have been laid. In addition, more than 420 women have been employed", added he.

It is worth noting that the project focuses on monitoring carbon dioxide and exhaust gases in the air using modern technologies. Issues such as how much carbon dioxide is absorbed in forestry, who monitors it, how it is carried out, and what experience is available in this regard on a global scale are being studied.

"The most advanced technologies and foreign software are used for forest monitoring", said Farkhod Dehkanov, Deputy Director of the "Yashil Loyiha" Design Institute at the Ministry of Ecology. "In particular, we use the Czech "Field Map" program, which is widely used in developed countries. For this purpose, with the support of FAO, the necessary equipment was purchased, and a laboratory was established at the "Yashil Loyiha" Design Institute. In addition, the institute's staff uses all opportunities to carry out logging operations using modern technologies", added he.

During the seminar, participants were introduced to plans for monitoring and quantifying carbon dioxide emissions and sustainable forest management in mountainous and valley areas of Uzbekistan. At the same time, information was provided on Uzbekistan's climate finance initiatives and ongoing measures to assimilate carbon dioxide in Turkey's forests.

"Foreign specialists were also involved in the project. In particular, the international expert "NAMA" ( Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions) Eduard Antoine has developed a software manual for determining and monitoring the amount of carbon dioxide in the forests of Uzbekistan. This will facilitate the monitoring of carbon dioxide", said Sanjarbek Muratov,  National Consultant to FAO. "As part of the project, mapping was carried out in the Pap district of Namangan region, Dehkanabad and Kitab districts of Kashkadarya region, Syrdarya State Forestry and statistical data on natural forests were obtained. Based on this information, sustainable forest management plans were developed in 4 forestry districts. This plan includes a 10-year program. The program provides detailed information about what works will be carried out and in which region", he added.

During the event, the experts made suggestions and comments.

This workshop plays an important role in the development of the project on sustainable management of mountain and valley forests in Uzbekistan and monitoring of carbon dioxide levels in forests. The main goal is to create a comprehensive and reliable system for assessing and monitoring changes in carbon stocks in forests. The system is designed to support the country's broader goals of sustainable forest management and compliance with global environmental standards.