SUMMARY SPEECH of PRESIDENT SETTAR ASLAN

Our agricultural and forestry labourers serveto protect nature, land, climate, and sustainable agricultural activities. Tocombat desertification, the use of scientific and technological opportunitiesis very important, but ultimately all applications are based on labor and laborforce. So this issue can not succeed without taking into account the humandimension.

On the other hand, the 'cost / benefit'equation should not be considered in combating desertification. We can not seein the income and expenditure account. We need to have strategic aspect so asto combat with desertification.

it is important to regain the lostterritories while protecting the current status of our lands.

I want to point out the importance roleof our forest workers since they work 6 months in a year. For the protectionmeasures and sustainable land management of our nature, they need to beemployed for the entire year.

Another important point I want to focuson is Occupational Health and Safety.

As we know, our workers often work inopen fields and exposed hard natural conditions. This style of work hasadditional health and safety risks.

In this sense our union hold severaltrainings about Occupational Health and Safety for our 5 thousand members.

To raise awareness againstdesertification, is also an educational topic. Therefore, we will include this vital issue to our next trainingprogram to increase the awareness of people and reach further groups to fightagainst desertification.