On 29 October 2025, a capacity-building training on the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) was held at the Atlas Hotel in Dushanbe for representatives of Protected Areas (PAs) from the Khatlon region.
The event was organized within the framework of the UNDP/GEF project “Conservation and Sustainable Management of High-Value Arid Ecosystems in the Lower Amu Darya Basin”, jointly implemented by the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The main objective of the mission was to provide technical support for the implementation of the Amu Darya Project, to strengthen the institutional capacity of Protected Areas, and to familiarize PA management staff with the METT evaluation tool used for assessing the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management.
The training also aimed to identify existing challenges and capacity gaps, support the development of Annual Work Plans for 2026, and enhance coordination mechanisms between PA administrations and local communities.
The event brought together key partners and experts, including Monica Moldovan, UNDP Regional Technical Specialist on Biodiversity and Ecosystems (RTA); Olimjon Yatimov, Director of the National Biodiversity and Biosafety Center; Alexis Legigand, UNDP Technical Analyst on Biodiversity; Farangis Umedzoda, Project Coordinator and Sustainable Finance Manager; and Dilovar Zainidinov, Amu Darya Project Manager.
Throughout the day, participants discussed a wide range of topics, from biodiversity financing and institutional governance to practical tools for evaluating and improving management performance using METT indicators.
This training marked a significant step toward building the professional capacity of those who safeguard the country’s natural heritage. It reaffirmed the shared commitment of all partners to advance biodiversity conservation, promote sustainable development, and ensure a balanced relationship between people and nature in the Amu Darya Basin.
