ISTANBUL - Environment and Forestry Minister Osman Pepe left on Saturday for Cuba to attend the sixth session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought (UNCCD) conference of the parties in Havana.
Prior to his departure, Pepe told reporters at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport that joint strategies of fight against desertification would be discussed in the meeting and stated that Turkey was a leading country which attributed great importance to fight against desertification.
Stressing that his ministry had Fight Against Erosion and Forestation Directorate General, Pepe said that this directorate aimed to prevent erosion.
Pepe said that soil which was lost would cause drought and desertification and stated that they were exerting efforts to prevent it.
Pepe said that he would have opportunity to see other countries' studies on this issue in the meeting and stated that desertification and climate change would be taken up.
He added that he would have bilateral meetings with ministers of several countries during the conference.
(EÖ-AY) 31.08.2003