Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

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 20^th and 21^st 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.”