Damascus, Sept. 17 (SANA)Syriaand theUnited NationsEducational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) discussed in Damascus on Thursday ways to strengthen cooperation in environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.

Deputy Minister of Local Administration and Environment Yousef Sharaf met with Ghada Derzi, head of the UNESCO section at the Syrian National Commission forEducation,Scienceand Culture, along with the accompanying technical team, to review areas of joint cooperation.

The meeting addressed a proposed regional cooperation initiative on protected-area approaches, including the development of biosphere reserves and geoparks in the Mashreq region.

The two sides reviewed a proposed regional concept note on the initiative and discussed Syria’s role in its implementation.

The discussions also covered the possibility of organizing a regional technical training workshop on protected-area management and preparing nomination files for new sites.

They further discussed coordination mechanisms between the ministry, UNESCO and relevant partners within the framework of the Global Environment Facility (GEF-9).

The Global Environment Facility is an international financing mechanism that provides grants and support to developing countries for projects delivering global environmental benefits, including biodiversity conservation, climate change, land degradation, international waters, and chemicals and waste management.