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In July 2025, Minagi Rupesinghe had the honor of representing Sri Lanka at the World Aquatics Swimming and Open Water Championships in Singapore — a lifelong dream come true.

Across Mexico’s rural and indigenous communities, land is more than a resource – it is central to daily life, food production and cultural identity. Yet for many – especially women and indigenous peoples – secure access to land remains out of reach.Over 70 per cent of Mexico’s land is at risk of degradation. At the same time, women – who produce more than half of the country’s food – own less than 30 per cent of farmland. This growing gap between those who care for the land and those who control it threatens sustainable land use. Without secure land rights, many are excluded from decisions that shape their environment and future.To tackle these challenges, Mexico launched a series of national consultations on land tenure and Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). Designed to improve land governance systems, the consultations emphasized gender equality, indigenous rights and local perspectives as key pillars of the country’s LDN strategy.Held across several regions, they brought together 45 participants – 30 women and 15 men – including indigenous leaders from Chiapas, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Sonora and other states. Almost all of these leaders were women, who shared their experiences managing community lands and protecting ecosystems.The Changwon Initiative: Making inclusion possibleThe consultations were made possible in part by support from the Changwon Initiative – a programme of the Korea Forest Service and UNCCD – with additional backing from international partners. Funding through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) helped cover key logistical costs, ensuring rural and indigenous voices could be heard.This support ensured that traditionally excluded groups – especially indigenous women from ejidos (communal lands) – were not only present, but central to the dialogue. Many shared firsthand stories about barriers to land inheritance, being sidelined in local decision-making and the urgent need to revive degraded soil and ecosystems.“Women living in the countryside are becoming the protagonists of social, political and economic change,” said Dr. Maribel Méndez de Lara, Magistrate of the Superior Agrarian Court. “Land ownership gives women legal protection, autonomy to make decisions and the ability to fully participate in their communities.”From dialogue to actionThe consultations generated concrete proposals, including a Strategic National Programme to regularize land rights for women and indigenous communities, legal guarantees of female representation in ejido decision-making bodies and greater integration of sustainable practices into collective land systems.Participants – particularly rural and indigenous women – gained skills through leadership training, project planning workshops and awareness campaigns that emphasized their right to land and participation in land governance. Government officials and policymakers also benefited, gaining a better understanding of how to design more inclusive land governance systems that truly reflect community needs.“There are 13.6 million women living in rural areas in Mexico,” said Dr. Beatriz Casas Arellanes, Director of Social and Political Participation for Equality of the National Women's Institute (INMUJERES),. “Many of them are already leading community life and preserving biodiversity. What they need is recognition and access to rights.”Innovative tools and approachesThe consultations were guided by a participatory approach developed under the UNCCD–FAO Joint Initiative and based on the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure (VGGT). Adapted to Mexico’s social and political context, this method ensured that rural leaders, women, government officials and international experts all had a voice.Gender-sensitive tools were used not just to include women, but to ensure their perspectives shaped the outcome.The Dialogue opened with a ceremonial offering called a Tlalmanalli, led by indigenous grandmothers. Made of flowers, seeds and traditional medicines, it served as a reminder that the Earth is alive – and its care, a shared responsibility.Participants also shared inspiring examples already underway, such as mobile legal clinics helping women resolve land disputes and forestry programmes advancing gender equality – small but meaningful signs of change.Lessons learned and the path forwardOne of the key lessons from the consultations is that long-term progress on land tenure requires consistent effort, strong coordination and engagement at all levels. Local and regional consultations – alongside national ones – proved essential for identifying the diverse challenges communities face across the country.Just as important was the finding that inclusive participation leads to better, more grounded solutions. When women, indigenous leaders and local actors are part of the process, outcomes are more relevant – and more likely to last.While the broader policy impact is still unfolding, the consultations helped establish a foundation for more inclusive land governance in Mexico. These conversations laid the groundwork for future strategies and reforms that reflect the realities of those who live and work on the land.Shaping the future of land rights and restorationThe Changwon Initiative played a pivotal role in making these consultations possible – not only by providing funding, but by championing inclusion as a core principle of land restoration. Its support helped ensure that rural and indigenous voices, especially those of women, were not just heard but helped shape the conversation.By backing this process, the Changwon Initiative demonstrated how targeted international cooperation can drive national progress – setting a global example for integrating land tenure security into LDN strategies.Thanks to this support, communities across Mexico now have stronger tools – and a stronger voice – to secure their land, protect their environment and build a more sustainable and inclusive future.

A ceremonial tree planting at the Monaghan Peace Campus today marked the official launch of The People’s Peace Forest (PPF)—Ireland’s contribution to the UNCCD Peace Forest Initiative – a global programme that links land restoration with peace-building.

How the Changwon Initiative helped build the UNCCD Drought ToolboxDrought is no longer a rare or distant event. It is becoming one of the most serious and far-reaching challenges of our time. Since 2000, droughts have become 29 percent more frequent and intense. By 2050, as much as three-quarters of the world’s population could be affected.For millions of people, this means more than just dry weather — it means failed harvests, shrinking water supplies, rising food prices and displacement from their homes and livelihoods.But drought, unlike sudden disasters, offers a unique opportunity: it gives us time. And when time is used wisely, it can turn risk into readiness.From crisis to preparedness: The birth of the Drought ToolboxFaced with the growing impact of drought, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) recognized the need for a shift — from reacting to crises after they hit, to preparing before they begin. This led to the creation of the Drought Toolbox: a science-based, globally accessible platform that helps countries and communities assess, monitor and reduce drought risk.Designed as a practical support tool, the Toolbox brings together resources for developing national drought plans, identifying vulnerable areas, setting up early warning systems and learning from real-world examples of drought resilience. Behind this comprehensive platform lies a key driver: the Changwon Initiative.The Changwon Initiative: Turning vision into actionLaunched by the Korea Forest Service in partnership with the UNCCD, the Changwon Initiative was instrumental in transforming the Drought Toolbox from concept to reality. Through targeted funding and technical support, the Initiative helped bring together global experts, institutions and local stakeholders to co-create the platform.Workshops convened with its support became spaces for cross-sector collaboration. Government agencies, scientists and land managers worked side by side to align methodologies, share regional knowledge and design an interface that could speak to both policymakers and practitioners. The result was not just a digital tool, but a living, evolving resource for drought resilience.When Tools Reach People: Global Examples of ImpactAcross the world, the Drought Toolbox is helping countries move from crisis response to long-term resilience — with real results on the ground. In Costa Rica, it became the foundation for a national workshop that brought together ministries, improved coordination and led to drought strategies based on shared data and clear priorities. In Andhra Pradesh, India, local leaders used the Toolbox to identify the most drought-prone areas, translating data into practical action — from installing rainwater harvesting systems to planting drought-resistant crops and training farmers to monitor conditions themselves.In South Africa, the Toolbox supported the integration of early warning systems into land-use and agricultural planning, enabling farmers to adopt more sustainable practices and authorities to act on forecasts before droughts took their toll. Meanwhile, in Central Asia, countries facing similar climate pressures used the platform to harmonize monitoring efforts and coordinate their responses — showing how regional cooperation can strengthen resilience across borders.Collaboration is keyOne of the most important lessons from the Toolbox’s creation is that preparedness is not just technical — it’s collaborative. The platform draws from the expertise of partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), and grounds that knowledge in the real-life experiences of those facing drought on a daily basis.This spirit of collaboration also sparked the development of complementary tools like the Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) Toolbox, recognizing the interconnectedness of climate risks, land degradation and human health.A lasting legacyThe Changwon Initiative did more than fund a product. It helped shape a process that placed accessibility, usability and inclusivity at the heart of drought preparedness. Thanks to this investment, the Drought Toolbox has become a vital global asset — used by countries, institutions and communities to plan ahead and protect what matters most.As droughts grow more frequent and complex, the need for practical, integrated solutions becomes more urgent. The Drought Toolbox — born of international collaboration and local insight — shows us what’s possible when we choose to act before crisis hits.It is a reminder that while we cannot stop the rain from disappearing, we can prepare wisely for its absence — and that preparation begins not with fear, but with the right tools in the right hands.

Joint high-level event in New York highlights urgent need for investment, partnerships and private sector engagement on land restoration and drought resilience  New York, 25 September 2025 – The Presidencies of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Conference of the Parties – COP16 (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and COP17 (Mongolia) – joined forces today to sustain political momentum and financial engagement for global land restoration and drought resilience. The joint high-level event, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, convened leaders, ministers, international organizations and private sector partners. Land degradation already affects up to 40 per cent of the world’s land, undermining food and water security and the livelihoods of nearly half of humanity. The single largest driver of this degradation is unsustainable food systems, which account for most deforestation and biodiversity loss worldwide. Droughts –up by nearly one third since 2000– are hitting harder and more often across the globe. Few hazards claim more lives, cause greater economic loss, or affect more sectors of society than drought, which now inflicts more than USD 307 billion in damages each year. If trends continue, three in four people worldwide will be affected by 2050, with developing countries the hardest hit.  Yet, private sector contributions currently account for just 6 per cent of global financing in this space. Closing this gap is essential to translate political commitments into impact on the ground. At COP16 in Riyadh in 2024, countries rallied around a new vision for resilience, launching the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership and mobilizing more than USD 12 billion in pledges.  Looking ahead, COP17 in Ulaanbaatar in 2026 will coincide with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, spotlighting ecosystems that sustain hundreds of millions of people and are central to climate stability. Rangelands cover more than half of the Earth’s surface, support the direct livelihoods of 500 million people and provide one-sixth of the world’s nutrition needs. The COP16 and COP17 Presidencies stressed the importance of continuity, solidarity and ambition.  H.E. Mr. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UNCCD COP16 Presidency, noted: “At COP16 in Riyadh, countries came together to launch a new vision for sustainable land management and to mobilize unprecedented commitments to combat desertification. Today we are building on that momentum, working hand in hand with Mongolia, UNCCD and partners around the world to ensure that these pledges translate into action that protects people, economies and ecosystems from the growing impacts of land degradation and drought.” Echoing this spirit, H.E. Battsetseg Batmunkh, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, emphasized:   “This gathering is our attempt to build a bridge—one that connects our shared ambition to accelerate global action on desertification, land degradation, land restoration and drought resilience. As host of COP17, and as a nation with millennia knowledge living in harmony with nature, Mongolia embraces practices that enhance productivity while preserving ecosystems.” She underscored Mongolia’s leadership in regenerative agriculture, sustainable grazing systems, nature-based solutions, and healthy soils. Looking ahead, Minister Battsetseg emphasized the urgent need to rethink financing models. “Traditional investment instruments are no longer sufficient,” she stated. “We need results-based financial tools that reward measurable outcomes—whether restored rangelands, improved water retention, or reduced drought losses.”  Against this backdrop, the gathering in New York placed a strong emphasis on mobilizing finance and partnerships to scale up solutions –both building drought resilience and supporting pastoralist communities. The private sector is a critical partner in our journey towards drought resilience, providing investment, innovation, and the capacity to scale. Speaking on behalf of the UNCCD Secretariat, Andrea Meza, Deputy Executive Secretary, highlighted the central role of land restoration and resilience:  "Land restoration and drought resilience are not only environmental imperatives; they are building blocks of peace, prosperity, and sustainable development. Restoring rangelands, savannas, and farmlands strengthens food and water security. It creates jobs, supports pastoralists and farmers, and provides hope and dignity to communities on the frontlines of climate change. With the leadership of the COP16 and COP17 Presidencies, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Mongolia, and the engagement of the private sector, we have a unique opportunity to scale solutions that protect our land, our climate, and our future.”   Participants also presented innovative financing mechanisms such as the Drought Resilience Investment Facility (DRIF), alongside blended finance, insurance models and bankable projects. International financial institutions, development banks and the private sector presented tangible solutions for land restoration and strengthening local economies. The DRIF, developed in partnership with Luxembourg, aims to mobilize private-sector investment for drought resilience.  Delivering the keynote address, André Hoffmann, Interim Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum, underlined the urgency of global collaboration: “Nature is not just another resource - it is the foundation of all prosperity. Droughts and land degradation are stark reminders that we have exceeded the limits of this natural capital. The path forward is a new nature of business: an economy where governments, companies and citizens join forces to restore land, safeguard water, and build lasting resilience. This is not only a moral imperative, but also a prerequisite for economic and social stability ‘ Closing the event, leaders reaffirmed that advancing land restoration and drought resilience is a global priority – key to securing food and water, strengthening local economies, and safeguarding the climate for generations to come. For media enquiries, please contact: press@unccd.int About UNCCD    The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the global vision and voice for land. We unite governments, scientists, policymakers, private sector and communities around a shared vision and global action to restore and manage the world’s land for the sustainability of humanity and the planet. Much more than an international treaty signed by 197 parties, UNCCD is a multilateral commitment to mitigating today’s impacts of land degradation and advancing tomorrow’s land stewardship in order to provide food, water, shelter and economic opportunity to all people in an equitable and inclusive manner.  

On 17 September, in Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Cooperation and Humanitarian Action, Gilles Roth, Minister of Finance, and Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), signed an agreement establishing the Drought Resilience Investment Facility (DRIF). As the first fund created under the Luxembourg Earth Impact Fund (LEIF), the new Drought Resilience Investment Facility marks a major step in sustainable finance. With a target of USD 400 million, it will back sustainable farming, improve water access and promote nature-based solutions. Luxembourg has pledged EUR 2 million as seed funding, reaffirming its commitment to global cooperation and green investment. A global crisis that cannot be ignored Up to 40 per cent of the world’s land is already degraded, threatening food, water, and livelihoods for nearly half of humanity. This degradation is compounded by drought—a silent but escalating disaster that already costs the global economy more than USD 307 billion each year, fueling hunger, forced migration and widening inequalities. Since 1994, the UNCCD has been the only legally binding international treaty focused on sustainable land management. Luxembourg ratified the Convention in 1997 and, with the launch of DRIF, is reaffirming its leadership in the global response to land degradation and drought. Building on global momentum COP16 in Riyadh marked a major turning point for drought resilience — over USD 12 billion was pledged through the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership to support vulnerable countries. Yet, the private sector continues to account for only 6% of global financing in this space. DRIF is designed to bridge that gap by offering structured impact investment pathways. Backed by proven data — every dollar invested in nature-based drought solutions can return up to USD 27 — the Facility aims to unlock scalable, profitable, and sustainable investment for drought-prone communities. “The creation of this fund is not only a financial innovation – it is a lifeline for communities on the frontlines of drought,” said UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad. “It shows what is possible when governments, the UN system and the private sector come together behind a common vision: a more resilient future for people and the planet.”   Luxembourg’s leadership in sustainable finance Luxembourg’s support for the DRIF strengthens its role as a pioneer in sustainable and impact finance. With this initiative, Luxembourg helps open a new chapter in international cooperation on drought resilience – one where public leadership and private investment join forces to protect livelihoods, restore land and secure water for future generations.