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UNCCD launches Business4Land Champions’ Council to scale global land restoration

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification officially launched the Business4Land (B4L) Champions’ Council, a high-level coalition of global business leaders committed to restoring land and building drought resilience at scale. The launch, co-hosted with InTent, brought together Champions and partners for a dynamic discussion on accelerating private sector action for sustainable land management.Bringing together 10 visionary leaders across diverse regions and industries, including food, fashion and insurance, the B4L Champions’ Council will serve as a high-profile advocacy platform under UNCCD’s flagship B4L Initiative. Its mission is to mobilize corporate action to restore 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land by 2030, while inspiring other companies to adopt land-positive and regenerative business models that deliver both environmental and economic impact.  The inaugural B4L Champions are:Bayanjargal Byambasaikhan, Vice Chair, Business Council of MongoliaBenedikt Bösel, Founder, Gut & BöselBirgit Cameron, Co-Founder, Patagonia Provisions and CEO, B. Cameron ConsultingDavid Canassa, Executive Director, Reservas VotorantimAlexandre Capelli, Group Environmental Deputy Director, LVMHMathieu Dondain, Managing Director, NexiraLorenzo Fattibene, Global Business Transformation Leader & Global Sustainable Insurance Leader, EYJulie Greene, Chief Sustainability Officer, Olam AgriAdrienne de Malleray, Co-Founder, Genesis Soil HealthMaria Luiza de Oliveira Pinto e Paiva, Executive Vice-President of Sustainability, Communication and Brand, Suzano“The B4L Champions’ Council reflects a pivotal shift in how we address land degradation: by placing the private sector at the forefront of sustainable land management and people at the heart of the process. Restoring land is not just a government priority, it is a global economic necessity,” said Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary of UNCCD at the launch event in Davos.The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented at the launch by Deputy Minister of Environment and Advisor to the COP16 Presidency, Dr. Osama Ibrahim Faqeeha, serves as the inaugural Chair of the B4L Champions’ Council.  “Land restoration is a smart investment in our collective future. With the launch of the Business4Land Champions’ Council, we are creating a platform where private sector leaders can commit, collaborate, and catalyze real-world impact,” he said. “Every business is a land champion.”  The Chair role will integrate the Council’s work into UNCCD COP processes and align business leadership with national and global commitments on land restoration and drought resilience. The COP17 Presidency of Mongolia, represented by the Deputy Minister of Environment Mr. Munkhtamir Batbayar, will assume the Chair in August 2026, continuing this leadership through the next year and beyond.“The Champions’ Council is not symbolic, it is designed to lead private-sector action on land restoration and drought resilience. From Mongolia’s perspective, we want business engagement to shift in three ways: from commitments to measurable land outcomes, from isolated pilots to investable pipelines, and from ‘do no harm’ to land-positive value creation. Engaging with our Steppe Action Agenda, the Council can drive collective leadership that moves markets, influences peers, and creates a race to the top on land stewardship,” stated Deputy Minister Batbayar.“We want to bring companies the finance and technology needed to speed up land restoration and sustain livelihoods for people,” said Mr. Bayanjargal Byambasaikhan, Vice Chair, Business Council of Mongolia.As the world looks toward UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia, the B4L Champions’ Council marks a key milestone in placing land at the center of business strategies. With resources and priorities stretched across multiple global challenges, it is more essential than ever that companies invest in regenerative, land-positive solutions to secure a sustainable future for people, nature, and economies. 

UNCCD launches Business4Land Champions’ Council to scale global land restoration
From ambition to action: Why financing will shape the future of land restoration

Restoring land is no longer a question of knowing what to do. Countries across regions and income levels have identified interventions where land is degrading and how drought risks can be reduced. What now determines whether these plans deliver real impact is their financing. “We have reached a point where the challenge is not a lack of commitment or solutions,” said Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). “The challenge is whether our financial systems are able to support the scale of transformation that land restoration and drought resilience require.” Meeting global land restoration and drought resilience targets will require around USD 355 billion per year between 2025 and 2030 – far more than is currently being invested. As long as land is not considered a strategic asset, rather than treated as a secondary environmental concern, this gap will persist. Why existing financing approaches fall short Today’s financial systems are not designed for the scale, timeframes, or risk profiles that land restoration demands. Public budgets in many countries are under pressure, shaped by competing development priorities and raising sovereign debt levels that result in limited fiscal space. Responsibilities for land, water, agriculture and climate are often split across institutions, complicating coordinated investment. Private investment has so far played a limited role. While interest in sustainability is growing, land restoration often involves longer time horizons and higher perceived risks. Without mechanisms to share risk, capital continues to flow elsewhere – even as UNCCD works to mobilize companies and investors through its Business4Land (B4L) platform, including the launch of the B4L Champions’ Council in 2026. The result is a persistent mismatch: the economic costs of land degradation continue to accumulate across food systems, water security and national economies, while investment remains far below what is required. Closing this gap requires a shift in investment logic – recognizing land restoration as core economic activity, not a side project. “Investing in land is one of the smartest investments available today,” Fouad said. “It reduces risk, strengthens resilience and delivers returns that far exceed the cost.” For development banks and public financiers, this means positioning land restoration not as a niche environmental issue, but as a strategic asset class – one that underpins food security, climate resilience and long-term stability. Turning finance into delivery In many countries, fiscal policies continue to favour land-degrading activities, while restoration remains underfunded. Redirecting incentives – by reforming subsidies and aligning taxation and public spending with sustainable land management – can change the economics of land use, making restoration financially viable rather than marginal. Aligning agriculture, water, climate and economic strategies is critical to making financing more effective and durable. When policies pull in different directions, investment fails to deliver lasting results.  Mobilizing private investment at scale will also depend on reducing risk. Strategic use of public and concessional finance can absorb early risks, unlocking private capital at a scale that public budgets alone cannot reach. International cooperation remains essential, particularly for countries facing the largest restoration and drought resilience needs. When used strategically, public finance can mobilize additional resources while delivering benefits that extend beyond national borders. The cost of inaction The economic consequences of inaction are already visible. Land degradation, desertification and drought already cost the global economy close to USD 900 billion each year, through lost productivity, soil depletion, drought damage and carbon emissions. By contrast, scaling up investment in land restoration and drought resilience could generate USD 1.8 trillion in annual benefits- an estimated eight-to-one return on investment. These gains go beyond economics, strengthening food security, reducing vulnerability and supporting more resilient societies. Every year of delay increases the economic, social and environmental costs. From COP16 momentum to COP17 delivery Financing was central to discussions at the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD (COP16), which mobilized political attention, launched new partnerships and secured more than USD 12 billion in pledges for drought resilience. COP16 showed that political momentum exists. The challenge now is whether financing systems can convert that momentum into delivery. Attention is now shifting to COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. With the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists in 2026 approaching, the focus will increasingly turn to implementation.  Rangelands alone cover more than half of the Earth’s land surface and support the livelihoods of over one billion people, yet remain among the most underfinanced ecosystems globally. For the UNCCD, the road to COP17 is about ensuring that financing frameworks are designed to deliver -capable of translating ambition into measurable impact on the ground. A defining moment The plans are in place. The solutions are known. The ambition is clear. What will define the coming decade is whether financial systems evolve to match that ambition – recognizing land as a strategic investment and financing it accordingly. “If we align finance with the value of land,” Fouad said, “we can restore ecosystems, strengthen resilience and secure a future that delivers for both people and planet.” 

From ambition to action: Why financing will shape the future of land restoration
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.  

A turning point for land and resilience in Latin America and the Caribbean
A Moment of Recognition: UNCCD Executive Secretary Dr. Yasmine Fouad Awarded the Nobel Sustainability Medal 2025

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is proud to celebrate a historic moment as its Executive Secretary, Dr. Yasmine Fouad, has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Sustainability Medal by the Nobel Sustainability Trust, one of the world’s most distinguished recognitions for leadership in sustainability.This honor reflects more than two decades of Dr. Fouad’s contributions to environmental governance, climate resilience, and community-centered development across Africa, the Arab region, and the world. It also underscores the growing international appreciation for the work of the UNCCD, as land restoration, drought resilience, and sustainable livelihoods become increasingly central to global environmental and development agendas.From the beginning of her career, Dr. Fouad has been driven by a simple but powerful belief: sustainability must begin with people. Her journey has taken her from scientific research in Egypt’s most vulnerable communities, to leading global negotiations, to shaping national environmental policy as Egypt’s Minister of Environment. Throughout this path, she has consistently emphasized that land is not only an ecological asset, but the foundation of human dignity, stability, and opportunity.Her leadership has always been shaped by her human story as much as her professional achievements. She often recalls a moment at the 2018 UN Biodiversity Conference when one of her sons walked into the negotiation hall, approached the podium, and placed his hands on the gavel as delegates applauded. It was, she says, a reminder that while leaders negotiate for agreements, children negotiate for their future. This intergenerational sense of responsibility continues to define her approach to sustainability and diplomacy.Today, the world faces unprecedented pressures on land and water. A quarter of the planet’s land is degraded, droughts are intensifying, and millions of people are losing the resources they depend on. Under Dr. Fouad’s leadership, UNCCD has strengthened its efforts to reverse these trends by elevating land restoration as a pathway to resilience, by advancing more inclusive approaches to drought preparedness, and by ensuring that the voices of women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and rural communities shape global action.Her tenure has also ushered in renewed momentum toward key global milestones. The Tafa’ul Process, inspired by the spirit of constructive optimism, is guiding a fresh dialogue on drought resilience. The upcoming COP17 in Mongolia is expected to deepen commitments to land stewardship, particularly as the world observes the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists in 2026.As she accepted the award, Dr. Fouad dedicated it to the women who rebuild their communities in silence, to the young people who refuse to inherit despair, to the workers who transform scarcity into creativity, and to the families who choose hope every day. Her words capture the heart of the UNCCD’s mission: that sustainability is not purely technical work, but work grounded in humanity, in livelihoods, in cultural heritage, and in the right of every person to thrive on healthy, productive land.Her recognition arrives at a pivotal moment for global environmental action. As the world seeks solutions that are equitable, resilient, and just, Dr. Fouad’s leadership offers a model of diplomacy that is principled, compassionate, and grounded in real-world experience. Her story is a reminder that environmental stewardship is not solely about restoring ecosystems, but about restoring hope and opportunity for communities everywhere.UNCCD extends its warmest congratulations to Dr. Yasmine Fouad for this extraordinary achievement. The Convention looks forward to continuing its work under her guidance as it supports countries and communities in building a more resilient, humane, and sustainable future.

A Moment of Recognition: UNCCD Executive Secretary Dr. Yasmine Fouad Awarded the Nobel Sustainability Medal 2025
How small farmers built one of Panama’s most resilient landscapes

Jimmy Mariscal grew up in the hills of the Panama Canal Basin, where coffee bushes were simply part of daily life. His grandparents tended their caracolillo plants for home use, drying the cherries in the sun and brewing just enough for the family. Coffee was tradition, not livelihood ---a practice handed down quietly through generations.  Today, Jimmy is one of thousands of small producers who have benefited from a long-term partnership between Basin communities and the Panama Canal Authority (ACP). Over two decades, this collaboration has helped farmers shift from traditional plots to climate-resilient agroforestry systems that protect biodiversity, stabilize soil, and conserve water resources.  The Basin today is the result of decades of community-led stewardship and ACP support --a more resilient and sustainably managed landscape. This long-term partnership led Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), to the Panama Canal’s Miraflores Visitors Center on 3 December, during a field visit organized by ACP and the Ministry of Environment of Panama. There, she met Jimmy and the members of Cuencafé, a collective of small producers who grow and process high-quality, climate-resilient coffee. The visit provided a close look at how community-led stewardship supports rural livelihoods while protecting the freshwater system that sustains the Canal. Producers described how the transformation began. ACP understood early on that protecting the Canal’s water depended on the health of the surrounding land —and on the people who care for it. Without authority to enforce conservation, the institution built a model centered on support and incentives. Drawing inspiration from Costa Rica’s experience in rewarding farmers who protect forests, ACP adapted the idea to the Basin, offering producers practical support — from seedlings and technical advice to land titles and community councils that shape decisions. This steady, trust-based partnership strengthened over time. As Raúl Martínez, ACP’s Manager for Socio-Environmental Sustainability, explained: “When restoration helps families improve their livelihoods, it becomes a responsibility everyone shares — and the land stays protected.” Thanks to this incentive-based model - and especially to the introduction of coffee as a viable, high-value crop - farmers gained a reason to keep trees standing and invest in agroforestry systems that conserve soil and water. These choices ultimately made the Panama Canal Basin one of the least-deforested landscapes in the country today. Jimmy’s farm reflects that shift. Supported by community development activities and technical assistance, he introduced improved coffee varieties, planted shade trees, cared for his soil and refined drying and processing techniques. What once served only family needs has become a climate-smart system that supports both income generation and ecosystem health. As more families joined the effort, they formed Cuencafé, whose coffee now reaches Panama City markets. Their agroforestry systems help regulate water and buffer the Basin against intensifying drought — a contribution that matters in a country where 32 per cent of the land — 2.37 million hectares — is already degraded. During the visit, the Executive Secretary listened as producers described how shifting rainfall and rising temperatures have altered their work. She asked in detail about the challenges they now face - how rain has moved, how water scarcity affects planting, and how soils are changing. Farmers explained that years of land restoration -expanding forest cover, diversifying crops and protecting soils - have allowed them to retain water and maintain production, even as drought becomes more common. “What I see here is restoration that works because it begins with people,” said UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad. “When communities are trusted and supported as stewards of their land, they protect the soils that anchor the hillsides, the waters that feed the Canal, and the dignity of the families who rely on both.  The impact extends far beyond individual farms — it strengthens the entire Basin and the generations that will inherit it.” Today, that transformation is visible across the basin. A practice once kept alive for household consumption now helps conserve water, sustain rural economies, and protect one of the most strategic landscapes in the country. What began as small plots of shade-grown coffee has grown into a model of community-driven climate resilience. As Panama hosts UNCCD CRIC23 — the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention, a moment when countries come together to reflect on how they care for their land — the Basin shows how restoration grounded in a long-term partnership, trust,  and community leadership endures, restoring far more than land alone. 

How small farmers built one of Panama’s most resilient landscapes
守护土地的女性:引领世界变革的声音

波恩/巴拿马城,2025年12月3日——在世界各地,女性正在积极适应不断变化的自然环境。她们调整种植周期、长途跋涉取水、在干旱中保护作物、在极端气候事件中照料老人与儿童,并维系着日益脆弱土地上的粮食系统。她们的日常劳作折射出一个全球现实:全世界40%的土地已退化,干旱发生频率较二十年前增加了30%。 这些经历构成了联合国防治荒漠化公约(UNCCD)履约审查委员会相关讨论的核心,其年度会议旨在评估各国在公约框架下的进展。在此进程中,于缔约方大会第十五届会议(COP15,阿比让)所设立的“性别核心小组”,将于今年首次被纳入正式议程,并已成为促进性别平等的土地政策领域最具影响力的平台之一。 在巴拿马举行的CRIC23会议上,性别核心小组聚焦两大紧迫议题:土著妇女在可持续土地管理中的领导力与世界观,以及沙尘暴(SDS)基于性别的差异化影响。沙尘暴是一种因土地退化、湖泊干涸和气候模式变化而加剧的环境危害。 土地、知识与传承 来自巴拿马、北极、非洲、拉丁美洲和蒙古的发言者强调,女性与土地的联系远超日常劳作的范畴。这种联系深刻塑造着文化传承、粮食安全和社区稳定。然而,尽管女性拥有如此关键的土地知识,她们的智慧却很少能真正被纳入国家的水土保持或抗旱战略。 巴拿马沃纳恩族(Wounaan)领袖奥利娜·伊斯马尔·奥普阿(Aulina Ismare Opua)描述了环境变化对社区生活的直接影响。“我们社区中的女性每天都面临着土壤、森林和水源变化的冲击。我们正在努力应对这些影响,但在政策制定过程中,我们却未被充分纳入考量,这损害了所有人的利益。”她表示。她还强调,获取土地、教育和资金的渠道有限,削弱了土著妇女为各国战略做出充分贡献的能力。她呼吁将她们纳入国家和国际议程,并指出: “当女性治愈土地时,土地也在治愈世界。” 乍得土著妇女和人民协会(AFPAT)协调员欣杜·奥马鲁·易卜拉欣(Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim)强调,土著女性对环境变化的理解根植于代代相传的观察和实践。“我们土地的每一张地图都承载着我们母亲和祖母的记忆。在所有土著民族中,女性掌握着世代相传的生态知识,然而这种智慧常常被视为无形。随着气候变化和土地退化加剧,我们的知识不是过去的传统——它是当下韧性的工具,也是未来生存的保障,既守护着我们的社区也保护着我们共同的地球。”她指出。 她们的声音与全球证据相呼应:土著人民守护着全球约四分之一的土地,其中大部分生物多样性极其丰富。女性在其中扮演着核心角色,但在环境部门、土地治理机构和多边谈判中仍然代表性不足。 在性别核心小组中,这些知识和经验被直接带入政策对话:从确保受威胁的土地权利,到融合祖先智慧与科学方法,再到恢复因侵蚀、干旱或森林砍伐而退化的环境。来自蒙古的发言者强调了乡村牧区女性所面临的现实困境:她们不仅因极端气候事件遭受牲畜损失,还缺乏土地使用权或信贷渠道,这些都制约着其经济独立性。一位牧民的箴言引发了强烈共鸣: “土壤即生命,我们的生命即土壤。” 这些贡献预计将影响本次会议中推动性别平等的相关建议。 沙尘暴:日益增长的威胁及其性别化影响 当讨论转向气候相关的风险时,另一现实凸显:沙尘暴的影响存在性别差异。 沙尘暴(SDS)在全球多地加剧,影响从北非、中东到亚洲、大洋洲及欧洲部分地区的社区。这些风暴每年向大气扬起近20亿吨沙尘,其中至少四分之一沙尘暴事件因不可持续的土地使用而愈演愈烈。 其影响波及农业、水安全、交通、健康等多个领域,但并非均匀分布。在农村和低收入社区,女性往往因农活、取水和市场活动而暴露在沙尘中的时间更长。在室内,灰尘沉积在烹饪和生活区域,这增加了呼吸系统风险。当沙尘暴导致学校停课、市场关闭或收成受损时,随之而来的照护负担和收入损失首先落在女性身上。 在整个性别核心小组讨论中,与会者反复指出了一个问题:缺乏分性别数据。没有这些数据,早期预警系统和备灾计划就会忽视女性的特定脆弱性以及她们已有的应对策略。加强这些数据系统预计将成为CRIC23会议的关键建议之一。 女性代表权的改变 今年,《公约》进程的女性参与方面也迈出了重要一步。通过“女性代表基金(WDF)” ,来自受干旱影响国家和发展中国家的女性得以充分地参与CRIC23会议,并接受专项谈判培训,为COP17做好准备。该基金项目的支持方为德国国际合作机构(GIZ)代表联邦经济合作与发展部所实施的“增强妇女赋能,构建韧性乡村(WE4R)”全球项目。 UNCCD数据显示进步空间依然巨大:女性代表在COP15中仅占27%,在最近一届CRIC中占33%。女性代表基金(WDF)资助代表的专业领域涵盖水文学、林业、农学、环境政策及社区领导力,既充实了性别核心小组,也有利于更广泛的会议讨论。 “支持女性谈判代表参会,就是投资于更包容、有效和可持续的土地使用决策。她们的领导力不仅增强了谈判厅内的讨论,也强化了在其本国落实的解决方案。”德国国际合作机构(GIZ)项目负责人安德烈亚斯·兰格(Andreas Lange)表示。 展望COP17:让政策扎根于实践经验 随着各国积极筹备即将于蒙古举行的COP17,CRIC23的讨论明确指向一个共识:若缺少每日管理土地的妇女的视角,土地退化和干旱问题将无法得到有效应对。她们的知识,无论是科学认知、传统智慧还是实践经验,对于恢复牧场、改善土壤健康、应对沙尘暴以及在环境压力下维系文化传承都至关重要。发言者们还呼吁加强对土著女性的教育支持、增加其获得技术与信贷的途径,并认可女性在家庭、农业和手工艺方面的无酬劳动——这些都是维系跨世代土地守护工作的关键要素。 性别核心小组强调了一个简单但具有决定性的信息:保护土地的政策必须反映最依赖土地的人们的经验。否则,它们就有可能在名义上应对危机,却不能在实践中解决问题。   

守护土地的女性:引领世界变革的声音