İsmail Belen, Advisor to YOMSAD and Chair of the Bureau of the United Nations Forum on Forests, participated in forestry, green development and ecological restoration programs held in Uzbekistan between March 29 and April 4, 2026. As part of the visit, Belen attended the opening ceremony of the National Dendrology Park Project in Tashkent, held with the participation of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The program, which addressed Uzbekistan’s green development vision, afforestation campaign, restoration efforts in the Aral Sea basin and policies aimed at developing modern forestry infrastructure, served as an important gathering for the country’s sustainable environmental goals. Uzbek sources stated that the National Dendrology Park was launched under the Yashil Makon initiative and that the project is being implemented as a large-scale green space investment near Tashkent.
Green Development and Forestry Vision Discussed
During the visit, İsmail Belen held meetings in Tashkent, Karakalpakstan and the Aral Sea basin on sustainable forest management, combating desertification, modernization of forest nurseries, expansion of green areas and ecological restoration.
On March 30, 2026, Belen attended the international forum titled “Dialogue for Sustainable Green Development: Investing in a Common Future” in Tashkent. In his remarks at the forum, he emphasized that forests are not only ecological assets, but also one of the fundamental elements of economic and social development.
The forum, organized on the occasion of the International Day of Forests, brought together national institutions, international organizations, financial institutions, forestry administrations, research centers and experts. The program addressed the role of forests in sustainable economy, green investment, regional cooperation, land restoration and combating desertification.
Belen underlined that Uzbekistan’s efforts to expand green areas and advance ecological restoration represent a remarkable example not only for Central Asia, but also on a global scale.
He Spoke at the Opening of the National Dendrology Park Project
One of the most important parts of the visit was the opening ceremony of the National Dendrology Park Project, held on April 1, 2026, with the participation of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
According to information reported in the Uzbek press, President Mirziyoyev attended a sapling planting event during the opening program and launched the National Dendrology Park project. The project was described as an important part of the nationwide Yashil Makon initiative and as a development aimed at increasing green areas. Some sources reported that the park would be established on an area of 108 hectares and that the project would include centers for medicinal plants, seed production, selection and laboratory infrastructure.
Speaking at the ceremony in his capacity as Chair of the Bureau of the United Nations Forum on Forests, İsmail Belen drew attention to Uzbekistan’s recent efforts to increase green areas, restore degraded lands and carry out large-scale afforestation activities on the dried bed of the Aral Sea.
In his speech, Belen stated that forests are not merely collections of trees, but can be carried into the future through a strong vision, scientific planning, qualified nursery infrastructure and institutional determination. He emphasized that the specialized forest nurseries planned to be established and modernized in Uzbekistan are a strategic investment for the country’s long-term green development goals.
“Uzbekistan’s Green Development Vision Can Inspire the World”
İsmail Belen stated that Uzbekistan’s work in the fields of environment and forestry has attracted international attention, noting that the country has significant potential in afforestation, reforestation, land restoration and combating desertification.
Belen also emphasized the 2027-2036 United Nations Decade of Afforestation and Reforestation initiative, stating that Uzbekistan is one of the countries capable of assuming a leading role in this process. He noted that this initiative, supported by many countries, should be implemented through visible, measurable practices that create global impact.
Stating that Uzbekistan is not only a country participating in this process, but also one with the capacity to lead it, Belen expressed that the United Nations Forum on Forests is ready to support Uzbekistan’s efforts in sustainable forest management, afforestation, reforestation and combating desertification.
Restoration Efforts in the Aral Sea Basin Examined
On April 2, 2026, a field visit was carried out to the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the dried bed of the Aral Sea. During the visit, large-scale afforestation and ecological restoration activities in the region were examined on site.
It was stated that the efforts in the Aral Sea basin are of great importance in terms of reducing the effects of desertification, preventing salt and dust storms, rehabilitating degraded lands and increasing ecological resilience.
During the meetings in Karakalpakstan, discussions were held with senior representatives from the administrations of Uzbekistan and Karakalpakstan. The talks addressed the environmental situation in the Aral Sea region, sustainable forest management, land restoration, combating desertification and opportunities for cooperation in climate change adaptation.
Modernization of Forest Nurseries Placed on the Agenda
Another important topic of the visit was the planning and modernization of forest nurseries in Uzbekistan under the RESILAND CA+ Project. At the meeting held on March 30, 2026, at Uzbekistan’s National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, the strategic role of nursery infrastructure in the country’s afforestation success and green area targets was discussed.
In this context, İsmail Belen visited the “Yashilloyiha” State Design Institute on April 3, 2026. During the meetings, technical studies on national greening projects, forest planning, landscape design and the development of nursery infrastructure were evaluated.
RESILAND Uzbekistan sources stated that İsmail Belen serves as a forest nursery strategy advisor within the project and that nine strategic forest nurseries in the country are being considered as an important production and distribution backbone for large-scale ecological restoration.
During the meetings, evaluations were made on developing cooperation between the Project Implementation Unit, the Forestry Agency and the Institute regarding the establishment, operation and management of nine state forest nurseries.
International Support for Uzbekistan’s Green Transformation Process
The contacts held throughout the program demonstrated Uzbekistan’s goal of strengthening international cooperation in the fields of green development, sustainable forestry and land restoration. It was stated that topics such as the Aral Sea basin, combating desertification and modern nursery infrastructure are among the priority areas in the country’s environmental policies.
The visit of İsmail Belen, Advisor to YOMSAD and Chair of the Bureau of the UN Forum on Forests, to Uzbekistan was regarded as a noteworthy contact in terms of Türkiye’s forestry expertise and international green development vision contributing to environmental and restoration efforts in Central Asia.