As the supply of productive land dries up and the population grows by more than 1 billion in the next 15 years, competition is intensifying for land within countries and globally. Many countries are grappling with the very basic problem of how to feed their populations, forcing countries to invest and secure land for agriculture, forestry and fisheries in distant regions, in part to feed their populations.

This situation is compounded by a range of interrelated challenges. A new report by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services warns that one million species are now threatened with extinction, many within decades. Over a billion people have lifted themselves out of extreme poverty since this Convention was formed, but exploitation of natural resources continues to widen the poverty gap instead of reducing it.

And, while women are key to closing that gap, 90% of countries legally restrict their economic activity.
For example, they make up 40% of farm workers, But only one in five women own their land and even fewer control it. Yet, lifting such restrictions would add 240 million jobs and $28 trillion to the economy by 2025.
That’s like another US economy – and then some – within just six years.

We must take action to repay our debt to nature and restore our land.Generating a tenfold return on our investment.. Multiplying the benefits of the Sustainable Development Goals. Growing together in a virtuous cycle where everyone contributes and everyone benefits.