The rationale of this project is to build regional capacity and strengthen regional cooperation to provide support to REAP implementation in CA in environment for SD and sustainable land management (SLM). In addition, GEF funding will make it possible to address the inherited environmental problems from the Soviet era that are of global significance by promoting new approaches in (1) integration of environmental considerations in the national and regional economic and social planning and development frameworks and processes and, (2) pilot demonstrations of good practices.

The project will contribute to the generation of multiple global benefits in the GEF focal areas by providing efficient cross-sectoral regional coordination and integration of environmental concerns in national and regional policy planning and development. It will strengthen national and regional management capacity in information generation and application for decision-making through development of a regional decision support system and operational data exchange network. The project will also facilitate cooperation between the Governments and civil society organizations (CSO) at the regional level in the area of sustainable environmental management. The project will enable the Governments to translate the regional and international commitments to SLM and sustainable and rational natural resources management into practical realm.

The overall goal of this project is to improve the quality of the environment through sustainable land management in CA by strengthening of regional cooperation in environment for SD and REAP implementation. The main purpose is to implement some key aspects of the REAP and to build regional capacity for replication and upscaling of successful practices and approaches in SLM.