A turning point for land and resilience in Latin America and the Caribbean

Across one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, countries are confronting rising land degradation and accelerating efforts to build resilience. 

 In Panama, the relationship between land and water is visible in every direction. Forested hillsides feed rivers that sustain communities, ecosystems, and one of the world’s most strategic waterways. The country’s geography is a reminder of something Latin America and the Caribbean know well: when land thrives, resilience follows — and when land is under pressure, the effects ripple outward across economies, societies and borders. 

This truth is shared across the 33 countries that make up the region. Stretching from the drylands of northern Mexico to the rainforests of the Amazon and the island nations of the Caribbean, Latin America and the Caribbean hold extraordinary natural wealth — yet they are also experiencing some of the fastest environmental changes in the world. According to the latest assessments of the UNCCD, 394 million hectares — nearly one-fifth of the reported land area — are already degraded. In some subregions, scientific estimates rise as high as 40 per cent. In Panama alone, more than 32 per cent of land shows signs of degradation. 

These pressures take many forms. In the Dry Corridor, shifting rainfall patterns affect crops and even navigation routes. In the Amazon basin, record dry seasons have strained rivers essential for food, hydropower, and transport. In the La Plata basin, prolonged drought has influenced global commodity prices. Forest fires — once sporadic — now burn more frequently in several countries. For small islands with limited freshwater reserves, water scarcity is becoming increasingly acute. 

Yet the region is also defined by determination and creativity. Communities are restoring degraded hillsides, reviving agroforestry, protecting watersheds, and strengthening early-warning systems.

Their work reflects what UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad described as the foundation of resilience: “Healthy land and soils are the foundation of food, water, stability and peace.” 

This commitment is visible in daily life — in how farmers adapt to shifting rainfall, in the stewardship of Indigenous guardians, in the recovery of forests and rangelands, and in local initiatives that protect water sources. Together, these efforts form a mosaic of resilience, from mountain landscapes to coastal plains.  

Where regional realities meet global dialogue 

These shared realities — the challenges and the solutions — also informed recent exchanges in Panama City, held alongside the 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC23). While not a negotiation forum, CRIC23 provided a moment for countries to reflect on common concerns and contribute to a broader conversation about land and resilience. 

The lived experience of the region mirrors its environmental pressures: farmers adapting to new seasonal patterns, Indigenous custodians restoring landscapes with ancestral knowledge, and governments developing strategies to manage droughts that reshape entire sectors. At the same time, new opportunities are emerging — from nature-based solutions to integrated fire management and long-term drought planning. 

Amid these exchanges, Brazil offered a clear call for coordinated regional and global action. 

Edel Moraes, National Secretary for Traditional Peoples, Local Communities and Sustainable Rural Development at the Ministry of the Environment of Brazil, stressed that: “Land degradation and rising drought risks demand urgent, coordinated action. Protecting soils, restoring ecosystems, and strengthening drought-resilient territories are essential for food security and rural prosperity. Brazil highlights the leadership of women, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, whose knowledge and stewardship are central to successful restoration and sustainable land management. We also call for stronger synergies among the Rio Conventions — UNCCD, UNFCCC and CBD — to reduce fragmentation, align support, and expand access to predictable finance for developing countries. Brazil remains committed to advancing integrated solutions that deliver real benefits on the ground and support a just, inclusive and sustainable transition.” 

Governments are already putting in place strong frameworks for land restoration and drought preparedness. The next step is mobilizing investment at the scale required. As in many regions, financial constraints limit the ability to direct sustained funding toward land and water systems. Expanding access to diverse financing — public, private, and community-based — will be essential to unlocking the region’s full potential. 

Panama’s leadership in land, water and climate action 

Panama illustrates how deeply land, water and economic stability are interconnected. Its forests and watersheds sustain biodiversity, local livelihoods, and a Canal that carries 6 per cent of global trade. Few countries show more clearly how environmental stewardship supports national and global economies. 

The country’s Nature Pledge brings together land, biodiversity, and climate action in a single strategic vision. It demonstrates how nature-based solutions can serve communities while advancing national development goals and the objectives of all three Rio Conventions. And since the relocation of the UNCCD regional office to Panama City in early 2024, cooperation among Latin American and Caribbean nations has deepened, strengthening the region’s ability to accelerate collective action. 

A region shaping the path to COP17 

The perspectives surfaced in Panama will help inform the region’s contribution to the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UNCCD, taking place in Ulaanbaatar from 17 to 28 August 2026. Drought resilience, rangelands, Indigenous leadership and restoration finance will be central themes — and Latin America and the Caribbean, marked by both vulnerability and immense restoration potential, will play a decisive role. 

A shared message emerged strongly: land restoration begins with people. 

As the UNCCD Executive Secretary emphasized: “You cannot protect land without protecting the people who care for it — the women, youth, Indigenous custodians, farmers and herders. If we want healthier land, we must strengthen the rights, resources and opportunities of the communities who depend on it.” 

Her message resonated in Panama, reinforcing the region’s recognition that resilient landscapes are rooted in resilient communities. 

Looking forward 

A common direction is taking shape: restoring land, strengthening drought resilience and placing communities at the center of action. 

From the Amazon to the Andes, from the Dry Corridor to the Caribbean Sea, Latin America and the Caribbean are working toward a future where healthy land supports thriving communities — and where regional leadership helps guide global action toward COP17 and beyond.