News & stories

The UNCCD Data Dashboard is the first global tool to monitor land degradation based on information reported by countries.  Its latest update makes it easier to see how countries are responding to the crisis by bringing together, in one platform, the voluntary Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets and actions submitted by governments. Until now, this information was scattered across many various reports.With support from the European Commission, the UNCCD secretariat created a system to gather and manage national commitments, including a map showing geospatial data from 2022 reports. The new public update means anyone can now search, filter and download this data to see what countries are doing to stop and reverse land degradation.The Dashboard’s first release showed just how severe the crisis is: every year between 2015 and 2019, the world lost at least 100 million hectares of healthy land — roughly the size of Egypt. But the Dashboard also shows success stories:  Botswana cut land degradation by more than half, while the Dominican Republic restored vast areas of farmland and watersheds.The new section on LDN targets adds to other UNCCD tools such as the Drought Toolbox, which helps countries to design drought policies and resilience strategies, and the Sand and Dust Storms Toolbox, which identifies storm sources, assess risks and design mitigation measures.By providing a clear, accessible overview of global progress, the updated Data Dashboard will support informed decision-making and facilitate more targeted discussions at CRIC 23 in Panama this December and at COP 17 in Mongolia next year, where parties will review implementation, raise ambition and shape the next phase of collective action. It will also strengthen collaboration and foster greater synergies with partners such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.Together, these tools and processes aim to accelerate global efforts toward restoring 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land by 2030 — a goal still within reach if countries act swiftly and work together.

When Southern Africa experienced its third consecutive year of severe drought between 2015 and 2017, Bongani Simon Masuku — now Principal Secretary in Eswatini’s Ministry of Agriculture — saw firsthand how fragmented responses could deepen a crisis. As a longtime advocate for science-based policy and former Chair of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Committee on Science and Technology, Masuku recalls how the lack of coordination and shared learning left many countries struggling to respond effectively.Those hard lessons, nearly a decade old, laid the groundwork for more coordinated and inclusive approaches to drought management — culminating in a significant breakthrough at UNCCD COP16 in 2024.A turning point at COP16Officially launched at UNCCD COP16 in December 2024, the Communities of Learning and Practice on Drought Management (CLP) marked a step change in how countries approach drought.Supported under the Changwon Initiative, the CLP has grown into five regional and one global community: multilingual, interactive spaces for peer learning, co-creation and practical capacity-building.The CLP directly supports Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) goals and offers a space where policymakers, scientists, youth leaders and local actors share strategies, challenges and successes.Why it mattersOnce seen as sporadic disasters, droughts are becoming a chronic threat. Since 2000, their frequency and intensity have risen by 29 per cent — and by 2050, three out of four people could face their impacts.Yet solutions often remain locked in silos, out of reach for those on the front lines. The CLP breaks those silos by enabling real-time collaboration and cross-regional exchange.Masuku emphasized the importance of reaching all decision-makers:“Knowledge is power. A platform for sharing information is a powerful tool — especially when it reaches those who might otherwise be left out. With the right knowledge, you can make the right decisions.”A living knowledge networkBuilding on earlier regional knowledge-sharing efforts, the CLP has grown rapidly since its launch in late 2024, bringing together over 300 members from across sectors and regions.It has held regional workshops and case clinics tackling both technical and policy challenges. Five global online exchanges have drawn 687 participants worldwide.The platform has published more than 300 multilingual resources — ranging from technical guides to policy briefs — and sparked new partnerships, helping countries co-create tools and strategies.The network is also turning the UNCCD Drought Toolbox into a dynamic, user-driven resource, shaped by field realities and continuous feedback.Voices of changeThe platform isn’t just for governments and experts. It’s opening doors for the next generation of land and climate leaders. Juliet Grace Luwedde, Global Coordinator of the UNCCD Youth Caucus, sees the CLP as an inclusive gateway:“It’s a great place for young people to start learning and connecting — people who can answer their questions and help them grow. No question is too small. It’s also a fantastic resource for young negotiators to build confidence and find their voice.”Tools that drive actionOne of the CLP’s most powerful features is its close link to the Drought Toolbox — a suite of tools for assessing risk, monitoring drought and designing early warning systems.Through the platform, these tools are made more user-friendly and widely accessible. Interactive offerings — from expert clinics and regional competitions to self-paced learning — ensure these tools lead to action, not just information.Looking aheadAs climate stress intensifies, the need for coordinated drought management is growing rapidly. The CLP is expanding to include more countries — particularly in drought-prone regions like the Sahel and the Horn of Africa — while adapting its tools to fit national priorities.Rooted in the spirit of the Changwon Initiative, the CLP fosters innovation, strengthens partnerships andscales solutions that bridge local realities with global goals. Continued collaboration is helping position it as a vital global hub — connecting knowledge, building capacity anddriving action where it’s needed most. A movement rooted in practiceThis is more than a platform. It’s a movement — one that turns collective knowledge into shared resilience. At its core is a simple but powerful idea: investing in people, not just policies, is what ensures no voice is left behind.Sustained support through the Changwon Initiative has helped make that idea real — enabling communities once excluded from critical discussions to take the lead. Today, they are not just included — they are equipped, connected and shaping global solutions from the center.Photo: © ILRI/Stevie Mann

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), through its Global Mechanism (GM), is inviting qualified alternative asset managers to express their interest in partnering to co-develop and promote the Drought Resilience Investment Facility (DRIF). The DRIF presents a new chapter in international cooperation on drought resilience with public leadership and private investment joining forces to protect livelihoods, restore land and secure water for future generations. The selected partner will ultimately serve as the Fund Manager, helping to establish and lead this innovative global financing vehicle.About the Drought Resilience Investment Facility DRIF is a flagship blended finance facility being developed under the Innovative Finance Pillar of the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) and designed to mobilize public and private capital for large-scale, drought-resilient investments in vulnerable countries. DRIF will invest in revenue-generating drought-resilient infrastructure spanning three sectors: water infrastructure, agriculture-related infrastructure and nature-based solutions (green infrastructure). A dedicated Technical Assistance Facility (TAF) will operate alongside the investment fund to help originate and prepare a pipeline of bankable projects and to support post-investment capacity building.The DRIF will be housed within the Luxembourg Earth Impact Fund (LEIF) and operate under a regulated framework, such as Luxembourg Part II SICAV, where the Management Company plays a crucial role.Role of the Fund ManagerThe Partner’s responsibilities will span three phases and will be implemented in close coordination with the GM and relevant governance bodies:Phase 1: Implement and Finance – Legal structuring and acting as an anchor investorPhase 2: Manage – Full fund management servicesPhase 3: Promote – Promoter servicesApplication RequirementsTo be considered for pre-qualification, interested firms must demonstrate strong institutional capacity and a proven track record in impact and blended finance. Eligible applicants should meet the following criteria:Authorized to act as a qualified alternative asset manager with an excellent international reputationDemonstrated familiarity with impact investment management and ability to operate in emerging markets (LMIC and UMIC).Experience working with specialized investment advisors, DFIs, donor agencies and PPP structuresProven experience in financial structuring (senior debt, quasi-equity), complex blended vehicles and Venture Capital (VC) strategiesRobust and dedicated team with relevant track record and network; willingness to manage or coordinate a TAF is an assetConfirmed interest in the DRIF concept and capacity to act as Fund Manager and Fund promoterSubmission detailsApplications shall be submitted in English via email to drif@unccd.int by 14 November 2025 and structured as follows:Letter of expression of interest, including the name and address of the applicant firm, contact person and details (email and phone)Brief presentation of the firm (maximum three pages) describing legal form, ownership, Assets under management (AUM) and relevant capabilitiesOverview of fund management experience and references relevant to DRIF and blended finance (maximum three pages)Initial comments (maximum two pages) on Phase 1-3 scope, fund structure within LEIF and approach to specialized advisorsShortlisted candidates will be informed and invited to submit full proposals in accordance with the RFP schedule (indicative: 14 November 2025)Additional informationFor full details, consult the call for expression of interest for the provision of fund management and promoter services. We look forward to receiving applications from dynamic, committed asset managers who are ready to play a meaningful role in advancing global drought resilience.

In Kyrgyzstan, where steep mountains and deep valleys define both the landscape and daily life, land degradation and drought are no longer distant threats — they’re reshaping everyday reality. These slow-onset crises erode not just soil and biodiversity, but the livelihoods and resilience of rural communities whose well-being depends on healthy land.Today, nearly 1.9 million people — or 35.5 per cent of the population — are directly exposed to land degradation. In 2019 alone, 1.83 million hectares of land were classified as degraded, accounting for nearly one-tenth of Kyrgyzstan’s total land area.While many countries face similar threats, Kyrgyzstan’s high-altitude terrain and dependence on pastoralism make it particularly vulnerable. In recent years, climate variability has intensified pressure on natural resources, disrupting crop yields, altering grazing patterns and straining water supplies across rural areas.Between 2018 and 2021, the Greening Drylands Partnership (GDP) launched a major effort to restore Kyrgyzstan’s fragile landscapes. It aimed to breathe new life into degraded ecosystems, protect biodiversity and help communities adapt to a changing climate. But with mounting deforestation, shrinking grasslands and escalating climate impacts, the challenge proved anything but simple.The Changwon Initiative: A driving force for land restorationThe Changwon Initiative — a flagship programme of the Korea Forest Service and the UNCCD — helped turn restoration from vision to reality. It became a regional catalyst for action, supporting land restoration not only in Kyrgyzstan, but also across Eastern Europe and Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Belarus, Armenia and Mongolia.In Kyrgyzstan, the Changwon Initiative aligned restoration efforts with national environmental goals and long-term sustainability. It ensured that recovery initiatives were not isolated projects, but part of a broader, coordinated vision for change. By bringing together governments, non-governmental organizations and international partners, it laid the groundwork for meaningful, lasting action on the ground.Planting the seeds of changeFrom 2019 to 2022, one of the most impactful efforts under this partnership was a community-focused reforestation project supporting rural and forestry nurseries. The aim was both simple and ambitious: to plant trees, raise awareness and build skills that would last well beyond the project’s end.Four nurseries were established in the Chui and Talas regions, covering a total of eight hectares. They became home to a range of fruit and ornamental trees — not just to green the land, but to promote sustainable farming and land use.Farmers and forestry workers received practical training in nursery management, pest control and pruning — blending scientific techniques with local traditions.The project didn’t stop with adults. Twenty-four school-based nurseries were also created, inviting the next generation to become caretakers of the land. Young people across Kyrgyzstan engaged directly with their environment, taking part in reforestation — one sapling at a time.To expand impact beyond the project sites, a national UNCCD information center helped disseminate tools and insights across the country, while roundtables shaped new policy recommendations for sustainable land management.Tools for long-term restorationThe project went beyond planting trees. It provided communities with the tools to understand and protect their environment long after the initial phase ended. Risk assessment maps identified areas most vulnerable to land degradation. Restoration activities were aligned with national policies and embedded in the broader Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) framework.Most importantly, people were placed at the center — not just involved but empowered. From farmers to students, local communities became stewards of their own recovery.While these efforts planted the seeds of progress, scaling up to achieve nationwide transformation is the next frontier. Moving beyond pilot projects will require sustained investment, stronger institutions and continued commitment from both governments and civil society. Sharing lessons regionally — from Mongolia to Belarus — will be key to ensuring success beyond borders.In countries like Belarus, restoration projects are already entering their second phase. Kyrgyzstan now stands ready to do the same — the foundation is solid, the knowledge is growing and community engagement is real. What’s needed next is a renewed investment in people, supportive policies and the natural systems that sustain life.A growing legacyWith support from the Changwon Initiative, Kyrgyzstan has taken meaningful steps toward restoring its land — and its future. Skills have been strengthened, forests are returning and a new understanding is taking root: land restoration is not only possible, but essential.Through strong partnerships and a shared commitment, Kyrgyzstan is proving that degraded land can recover — and that when the land heals, so do the communities that depend on it. Healthier ecosystems, more resilient livelihoods and a renewed bond between people and nature — this isn’t just an ideal. It’s a future already beginning to take shape.

На протяжении веков жизнь людей была неразрывно связана с землёй и водой: пастухи зависят от пастбищ, фермеры — от речных потоков, питающих их поля. Эти ландшафты сформировали культуры, образ жизни и традиции по всему миру.Сегодня такие антропогенные факторы как изменение климата, деградация земель и засухи за считаные годы сводят на нет то, что сообщества создавали и берегли столетиями. Во всём мире деградировано до 40 процентов земель, что ставит под угрозу почти половину человечества. Одни только засухи уже затрагивают более 1,8 миллиарда человек, испытывая водные системы беспрецедентным образом. В совокупности эти факторы угрожают не только экосистемам и биоразнообразию, но и продовольственной безопасности, водоснабжению и климатической стабильности.На Всемирном продовольственном форуме 2025 года (10–17 октября) в Риме Конвенция ООН по борьбе с опустыниванием (КБО ООН) вместе с Продовольственной и сельскохозяйственной организацией ООН (ФАО) провели два диалога с единым посылом: здоровые земли и устойчивое управление водными ресурсами неразделимы. На совместной сессии, посвящённой коренным народам и пастбищам, был сделан акцент на правах на землю и культурной ценности этих экосистем. На проводимом ФАО Римском водном диалоге 2025 года сообщества поделились опытом в том, как восстановление почв и защита воды помогают сохранять урожаи и укреплять устойчивость семей к изменению климата.В рамках Форума ФАО и КБО ООН подтвердили партнёрство для усиления сотрудничества в области устойчивого управления землёй, почвами и водой.Меморандум о взаимопонимании, подписанный 15 октября Генеральным директором ФАО д-ром Цюй Дунъюем и Исполнительным секретарём КБО ООН д-ром Ясмин Фуад, закрепляет совместные рамки действий по предотвращению, сокращению и обращению вспять деградации земель и почв, повышению устойчивости к засухам и продвижению интегрированных решений на стыке восстановления земель, трансформации агропродовольственных систем и климатических мер.Партнёрство будет реализовано через Совместный план действий ФАО–КБО ООН, который мобилизует экспертизу в рамках институциональных сетей и согласован с приоритетами обеих организаций. План сосредоточен на трёх направлениях: поддержка политического диалога и наращивание потенциала по борьбе с деградацией земельных ресурсов, укрепление устойчивости к засухам и продвижение подходов, основанных на данных, и обмен знаниями.Хранители мировых пастбищПастбища занимают более половины поверхности Земли и включают треть мировых горячих точек биоразнообразия. Они обеспечивают средства к существованию для полумиллиарда людей и удерживают почти треть наземного углерода, что делает их критически важными и для климатической стабильности, и для культурного наследия. Однако неустойчивые практики и изменение климата подталкивают многие из этих экосистем к опасным порогам.Для зависящих от них людей это — каждодневная реальность. Пастухам приходится мигрировать всё дальше в поисках пастбищ. Под угрозой традиционные знания, передававшиеся из поколения в поколение. Женщины часто первыми ощущают негативные последствия, проходя большее расстояние за водой и топливом и растягивая скудные урожаи, чтобы прокормить детей.И всё же именно в руках этих сообществ пути к решениям. Женщины восстанавливают почвы и сохраняют семена. Коренные народы оберегают традиционные формы управления и наследственные знания. Местные сообщества прилагают максимум усилий, чтобы поддерживать своё благополучие в кругу семей. Молодёжь продвигает инновации, соединяя традиции и технологии. Бережное отношение к земле доказывает: восстановление пастбищ не только возможно, но и несёт огромные выгоды для всех.«Защита земельных угодий коренных народов — это не опция, а вопрос выживания, достоинства и справедливости», — подчеркнула Исполнительный секретарь КБО ООН Ясмин Фуад. «Коренные народы и пасторалисты — незаменимые партнёры в наших глобальных усилиях».Опираясь на импульс 16-й сессии Конференции сторон КБО ООН (КС-16) в Эр-Рияде, где страны приняли первое глобальное решение по пастбищам и пастбищным животноводам и учредили Платформу коренных народов, участники римских дискуссий призвали укреплять права на землю, признать традиционные системы управления и обеспечить полноценное участие коренных общин в формировании законодательных мер. Восстановление пастбищных угодий — это не только защита средств к существованию, но и поглощение углерода, снижение климатических рисков для сообществ и сохранение биоразнообразия.Вода как культура, память и условие выживанияРимский водный диалог 2025 года, флагманский форум ФАО по вопросам воды и сельского хозяйства, подтвердил срочность повестки. Засухи сегодня случаются на треть чаще, чем в 2000 году, и уже обходятся мировой экономике более чем в 300 млрд долларов США ежегодно в разных секторах. В совокупности деградация земель и засухи ежегодно уносят почти 900 млрд долларов. Если нынешние тенденции сохранятся, к 2050 году засуха может затрагивать троих из четырёх жителей планеты.Но вода — это не только экономический ресурс. Это культура, память и сама возможность жизни. Когда пересыхают реки или дельты засоляются, сообщества теряют не только урожаи, но и истории, песни и уклад, с ними связанный. Здоровые земельно-водные системы кормят семьи, регулируют климат и охраняют биоразнообразие. Защищая их, мы защищаем средства к существованию и способность планеты поддерживать жизнь.На Диалоге ФАО, КБО ООН и более 80 партнёров представили десятилетия практических решений — от орошения и снижения риска бедствий до регенеративного земледелия, восстановления водно-болотных угодий и устойчивого выпаса. Данные показывают: каждый вложенный доллар приносит от 7 до 30 долларов в виде выгод для средств к существованию, климатической устойчивости, продовольственных систем и экосистем.«Вода — это жизнь. Но вода — это также земля, продовольствие и мир», — отметила Ясмин Фуад. «Продовольственные системы не могут быть устойчивыми без устойчивых водных систем. А водные системы не могут быть устойчивыми без здоровых земель».Послание из РимаПо завершении двух диалогов нити земельной и водной повестки были сведены в один ключевой вывод: эти кризисы нельзя решать по отдельности. Восстановление пастбищ и обеспечение устойчивости водных систем —стороны одной медали, необходимые для продовольственной безопасности, климата и мира.Как суммировала Исполнительный секретарь КБО ООН Ясмин Фуад: «Устойчивое управление водными ресурсами и пастбищами для обеспечения продовольственной безопасности — единое действие с двойным результатом. Глобальное сообщество выступит единым фронтом на КС-17 КБО ООН».Участники также подчеркнули важность инклюзивности. Женщины, коренные народы и молодёжь не только относятся к наиболее уязвимым группам — они стоят в авангарде решений. От пастбищных скотоводов, восстанавливающих степи Сахеля, до молодых новаторов, создающих климатически «умные» технологии, и женщин, сохраняющих семена и традиции — их лидерство уже меняет будущее.На фоне предстоящих КС-17 КБО ООН в Монголии и Международного года пастбищ и пастбищных животноводов послание из Рима ясно: необходимы подходы и знания уже доступны. Нужна политическая воля для увеличения масштаба совместных усилий, чтобы защитить и природные системы, поддерживающие жизнь, и культуры, которые придают ей смысл.

The UNCCD is pleased to announce that the new version of the Performance Review and Assessment of Implementation System (PRAIS), launched in August 2025, is ready for the upcoming 2026 UNCCD national reporting process.    In summary, PRAIS has been streamlined and enhanced through key innovations such as a country overview dashboard, expanded user roles to support teamwork, peer-to-peer chat, improved validation tools, flexible data sourcing and clearer delineation of reporting obligations to enhance the user experience. These updates are in response to requests made by Parties.   Tentative reporting deadlines   Tentative deadlines for submission of national reports are set as follows: November 2026 for Strategic Objective (SO) 1 and February 2027 for the remaining SOs. The CRIC Bureau in consultation with the Executive Secretary will monitor progress and may adjust this timeline, if necessary.  Technical support for Parties   In line with decision 2/COP.16, partner regional institutions will provide technical support to Parties during the reporting process, including the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS), the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC), the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC), the Partnership Initiative on Sustainable Land Management (PISLM), the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) and the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS). Additional partnerships are being explored and consultants will fill any remaining support gaps.    A phased approach   Although the launch of PRAIS marks the beginning of the 2026 UNCCD reporting process, capacity-building and support services will be rolled out in phases, depending on the availability of funding. The phased approach is outlined below:  Phase 1 (ongoing): PRAIS launch with supporting documentation and online help desk (https://support.unccd.int); Phase 2 (December 2025): Training of Trainers in Panama for regional institutions and consultants; Phase 3 (January – April 2026): Regional in-person training for national focal points and reporting officers; Phase 4 (February - March 2026): Release of e-learning video tutorials; Phase 5 (January 2026 – February 2027): Ongoing technical backstopping and quality assurance of national reports before final submission. Following the conclusion of national reporting, the CRIC will review and analyze the submitted information at its twenty-fifth session.  In view of the phases mentioned above, Parties are encouraged to finalize arrangements and begin utilizing enabling environment funds made available by the Global Environment Facility at national level so that stakeholders can be notified and prompted to start collecting necessary data and information for integration into PRAIS.   Reporting team preparation  To begin preparations, Parties are encouraged to assemble their reporting teams under the leadership of the designated reporting officer. Each team member should have a separate PRAIS account, log into https://reporting.unccd.int and familiarize themselves with the system functions and reporting forms and review the supporting documentation.   Unless formally communicated otherwise, the UNCCD secretariat will consider that the national reporting officer from the 2022 reporting process remains in place for the 2026 reporting round. If a change is needed, the National Focal Point should submit either their own expression of interest or the contact details of the nominated individual to the secretariat via email at reporting@unccd.int.  Supporting documents to assist with reporting include:  Available now:  Addendum to the Good Practice Guidance on SDG Indicator 15.3.1 (advanced unedited version)  UNCCD Reporting Manual (updated for the 2026 reporting process and available in all UN languages)  Updated PRAIS 4 User Manual  Coming soon:  Updated e-learning video tutorials (in all UN languages)  Good Practice Guidance for National Reporting on Strategic Objective 5  For any questions regarding the reporting process or modalities, please contact the technical team via the help desk or write directly to reporting@unccd.int.