Latest
Representatives of 48 African countries are attending the regional preparatory meeting on the eve of UNCCD COP14 to review the conference agenda and discuss the regional position during the upcoming negotiations.
We have known for over 25 years that poor land use and management are major drivers of climate change, but have never mustered the political will to act. With the release of the IPCC special report on climate change and land, which makes the consequences of inaction crystal clear, we have no excuse for further delay.
Foreign Minister Mr. Teodoro Ribera and representatives of the United Nations agencies, funds and programmes present in Chile gathered on 1 August 2019 to sign he United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for the period 2019-2022.
New Delhi, India – Reversing land degradation and its outcomes while accelerating positive achievements for people and for ecosystems with a view to deliver on Sustainable Development Goals is the core agenda of the Fourteenth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP14). COP14 will take place on 2-13 September 2019 at the India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida, Delhi NCR, India. For more information from the host country, please visit the newly launched dedicated website. Photo: The Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Information & Broadcasting, Shri Prakash Javadekar launching the COP-14 logo, at the inauguration of the “World Day to Combat Desertification and Land Degradation 2019” on June 17, 2019
Bangkok, Thailand – The Global Mechanism of UNCCD and Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) organized a joint workshop on Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) and Forest and Landscape Restoration (F&LR) on 30-31 July 2019 to foster co-ordination on the national implementation of the LDN with the forest and landscape restoration initiatives. The participants included UNCCD and AFoCO focal points from 21 countries of Asia Ppacific, as well as representatives of strategic partners, including Green Climate Fund (GCF), Asia Pacific Network (APFNet), The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), The Center for People and Forests (RECOFTC), The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and UN agencies as FAO and UNEP. Nearly 70 per cent of Asia's population lives in rural areas, depending directly on land and land-based ecosystem services. Healthy forests help stabilize the climate, regulate ecosystems, protect biodiversity, play an integral part to support livelihoods, and can help drive sustainable growth. Tackling land and forest degradation contributes to many SDGs as well as the commitments of the Paris Agreement, Aichi Targets, Bonn Challenge and REDD+. Recognizing LDN as an aggregator of land-based interventions in which forest sector plays a significant role, workshop participants discussed institutional, policy and financing aspects of promoting synergies and coordinating efforts in the context of the upcoming UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030). Several countries shared examples of integrating the global goals, particularly on LDN and forest rehabilitation, in the national level policies and actions. Despite a variety of existing policies and practices, there is often a gap in implementation of comprehensive activities on LDN and forest rehabilitation. Workshop attendees reiterated that collaborative action and synergies can help achieve more effective and efficient implementation on the ground. The need for an enabling environment and the mainstreaming of LDN targets into NDCs, including mid‐term frameworks and budgets, is critical for ensuring positive synergies across all sectors. Participants discussed approaches to achieve these objectives through LDN transformative Programnes and Projects (LDN TPP). Read more: Achieving land degradation neutraity LDN transformative programmes and projects More about the workshop
Ordos, China – The Executive Secretary Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw met with the COP 13 President, Administrator of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration Mr. Zhang Jianlong during Kubuqi International Forum on 26 July, 2019 to discuss the highlights of the upcoming UNCCD COP14. Mr. Thiaw shared his impressions of his discussions with the Rechsand Science & Tchnology Group on silicon sand utilization technologies and Elion Group's desert economy model, highlighting the great potential of these technologies to assist desertification-affected countries in drought mitigation, water scarcity relief, land restoration and creating new economic opportunities. Mr. Thiaw encouraged the National Forestry and Grassland Administration to support the technology transfer and take part in UNCCD COP14. Mr. Thiaw described anticipated high level participation at COP14, inviting Mr. Zhang Jianlong to attend the conference and pass the baton to next COP host country, India. Mr. Thiaw and Mr. Zhang Jianlong discussed the progress of negotiations on the host country agreement for the Regional Coordination Unit in Asia, and agreed to jointly facilitate this process. Mr. Zhang Jianlong confirmed his participation in COP14 and expressed appreciation for UNCCD's cooperation in organizing the Kubuqi International Desert Forum. Read more: Land for Life Award winners honored at Kubuqi Desert Forum UNCCD COP14