Mr Turhan graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in forest engineering from Istanbul University and holds a Master of Business Administration degree. Mr Turhan also took part in several programmes, including Executive Education in Forestry from Yale University, Sustainable Development-Tools for Solutions from Lund University and the EU Educational Program from Ankara University. Before joining the General Directorate of Forestry of Turkey (OGM), Turhan spent two years in the private sector working in the wood industry. Having almost 25 years of experience in forestry, he has been in different management positions in many functional areas of OGM. Following his practical experiences in the field as a Forestry Chief between 1996 and 2004, in his current position he is responsible for the international relationships of OGM with the European Union and all other international organizations, as well as carrying out several forestry projects with FAO as a designated Contract Manager. Finally, Turhan is also the focal point of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on behalf of OGM, and OGM's Team Leader of the land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) working group.