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内罗毕/波恩，2025年12月12日——肯尼亚政府与联合国防治荒漠化公约（UNCCD）今日宣布，肯尼亚将主办下届防治荒漠化和干旱世界日纪念活动。该活动将于2026年6月17日举行，主题为 “草原：认识、尊重、修复”。 2026年纪念日活动将在肯尼亚举行，旨在突出全球草原在气候韧性、粮食和水安全、生物多样性保护以及牧民和土著社区文化特性方面的核心作用。 草原覆盖了地球陆地表面一半以上的面积，维系着包括五亿牧民在内的二十亿人口的生活，而牧民世代守护着这些土地。 环境、气候变化与林业内阁部长黛博拉·姆隆戈·巴拉萨博士（Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa）正式宣布了肯尼亚将主办2026年防治荒漠化与干旱世界日全球纪念活动的消息，并向国际社会发出热情邀请，欢迎各方明年共聚肯尼亚： “我谨代表肯尼亚政府，向各方发出诚挚邀请。明年，肯尼亚将有幸承办防治荒漠化和干旱世界日全球纪念活动。我们热烈欢迎所有成员国、合作伙伴、民间社会及青年加入我们，共同将全球目光聚焦于抗旱、土地修复以及那些生活与生计受此挑战影响的社区。” 她补充道：“各位的参与不仅将丰富本次纪念活动，更将彰显我们共同守护全球干旱地带、支持依赖这些土地的人们的坚定承诺。值此国际牧场和牧民年之际，我们期待国际社会与肯尼亚携手，共同认可这些生态景观及其守护者的巨大价值。我们期盼在肯尼亚迎接各位的到来——让我们凝聚全球力量，在干旱侵袭之前采取行动。” 联合国防治荒漠化公约（UNCCD）执行秘书亚斯敏·福阿德（Yasmine Fouad）表示：“我们感谢肯尼亚政府主办2026年‘防治荒漠化和干旱世界日’，并将全球目光聚焦于草原生态系统。草原对于粮食、水、生物多样性和气候韧性都至关重要。肯尼亚体现出的领导力恰逢关键时刻，因为草原在全球范围内正面临日益加剧的压力。通过认识其价值、尊重其传统的守护者并恢复草原健康，我们可以改善二十亿人的生计。” 她补充道：“全球多达一半的草原已经退化，其中一些消失的速度甚至快于雨林，这使粮食安全、水资源可得性以及牧民文化处于危险之中。” 尽管草原面积广袤且至关重要，但它们仍然是地球上最被低估的生态系统之一。这些土地的退化威胁着生物多样性、气候调节以及严重依赖畜牧生产和放牧系统的国家的经济。 UNCCD近期的技术评估强调，由于生态和社会经济的多重效益，每投入1美元于草原恢复可产生高达35美元的回报。 2026年的防治荒漠化和干旱世界日纪念活动恰逢2026国际牧场和牧民年（IYRP），届时将吸引全球关注，呼吁人们认识并重视草原所提供的关键功能，尊重世代守护草原的传统管理者，并修复退化草原以保障生计和生态系统服务。 通过2026年防治荒漠化和干旱世界日，我们呼吁各国和社区： 认识：草原对国家和区域经济的贡献，和其在维持生物多样性和保护野生动物方面的作用，以及其所提供的调节水循环、碳储存等多重效益。  尊重：牧民、土著人民和当地社区。他们的迁徙、传统治理体系和生态知识对于维持草原的健康和生产力至关重要。  修复：通过投资于可持续的土地和水资源管理、加强治理、提高抗旱准备能力以及支持社区主导的修复努力，来修复草原。  防治荒漠化和干旱世界日定于每年6月17日，是联合国提高全球对土地退化和干旱认识、并动员行动以保护和恢复健康土地的重要时刻。 2026年在肯尼亚举行的防治荒漠化和干旱世界日纪念活动，将是近十年来非洲大陆首次主办这一重要的全球性纪念活动。此前的纪念活动分别在哥伦比亚（2025年）、德国（2024年）、美国（2023年）、西班牙（2022年）、哥斯达黎加（2021年）、大韩民国（2020年）、土耳其（2019年）、厄瓜多尔（2018年）、布基纳法索（2017年）和中国（2016年）举行。  更多信息请联系：  UNCCD新闻办公室 press@unccd.int;   https://www.unccd.int/events/desertification-drought-day/2026 关于防治荒漠化和干旱世界日  联合国大会于1994年通过第A/RES/49/115号决议，将6月17日定为“防治荒漠化和干旱世界日”。这是一个独特的契机，用以强调防治荒漠化、土地退化和干旱的切实解决方案。全球各国正动员起来，通过一系列教育、文化和体育活动来纪念这一日子。  关于《联合国防治荒漠化公约》  《联合国防治荒漠化公约》（UNCCD）是全球土地的共同愿景与声音。我们联合各国政府、科学家、政策制定者、私营部门和社区，共同推动全球行动，恢复和管理地球土地，以实现人类与地球的可持续发展。UNCCD 不仅仅是一份由197个缔约方签署的国际条约，更是减缓当今土地退化影响、推进未来土地治理的多边承诺，旨在为所有人公平和包容地提供食物、水、住所和经济机会。 

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.  

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.

利雅得行动议程（The Riyadh Action Agenda）取得进展，推出利雅得全球抗旱伙伴关系及抗旱投资机制等倡议 土著人民和性别核心小组在联合国防治荒漠化公约（UNCCD）进程中成为重要声音 新报告聚焦小岛屿发展中国家（SIDS）及牧区, 为第十七次缔约方大会（COP17）奠定基础 波恩/巴拿马城，2025年12月5日——为期五天的会议于国际土壤日之际在巴拿马落下帷幕。此次会议是利雅得与乌兰巴托两次联合国防治荒漠化公约（UNCCD）缔约方大会之间的中期会议，期间各方就应对全球肥沃土壤流失、土地退化和干旱问题的进展进行了深入对话。 来自197个缔约方的代表齐聚联合国防治荒漠化公约（UNCCD）履约审查委员会第二十三届会议（CRIC23），为将于2026年在蒙古举行的下一届土地大会奠定基础。届时，在全球对粮食和能源需求持续飙升的背景下，各国将被呼吁保护世界宝贵的土地和水资源。 作为从利雅得到乌兰巴托路线图的一部分，各国代表和非国家行为者就如何推进COP16产生的《利雅得行动议程》交换了意见，议程包括利雅得全球抗旱伙伴关系和抗旱投资机制。讨论的核心是如何最好地利用新的合作与融资框架，为土地和抗旱的实地行动动员私人和双边资金。 此外，他们为在2026年8月举行的第十七次缔约方会议（COP17）上重启全球抗旱框架谈判奠定了基础。该“Tafa’ul”进程是由COP16主席国牵头的关于此议题的三次非正式自愿对话中的首次，它在蒙古谈判前促进了各方之间的信任建设。 CRIC23在落实利雅得全球抗旱伙伴关系方面也取得了进展：会议批准了其治理体系，并提交了一项行动计划，旨在支持约70个国家降低对干旱的脆弱性，它是世界上最具致命性和代价的灾害之一。 其他亮点还包括：性别平等核心小组会议（该机制于COP15阿比让会议设立，今年首次作为制定促进性别平等的土地政策的平台被列入正式议程）、青年核心小组会议，以及土著人民核心小组的首次正式会议（该核心小组于COP16设立）。土著人民核心小组呼吁其应切实参与在多边和国家层面的土地及抗旱政策与项目。 CRIC23期间，各缔约方评估了在能力建设、报告、性别、土地权属以及自愿土地退化零增长目标实施等方面的进展。 联合国防治荒漠化公约（UNCCD）执行秘书亚斯敏·福阿德（Yasmine Fouad）强调了多边主义的力量，并代表UNCCD秘书处重申了帮助各国将政治承诺转化为对人民和地球切实成果的决心：“没有资金支持的国家抗旱和土地退化零增长计划只是纸面文章。我们现在的使命是为保护、恢复和韧性建设解锁融资和投资，包括来自私营部门的资金，以便各国能够在实地带来真正的改变。从巴拿马到乌兰巴托，我们必须保持势头，确保承诺转化为行动。” 土著与女性的声音 参加土著人民核心小组首次会议的与会者强调了他们作为土地守护者的角色。来自世界各地的代表共同呼吁在决策中拥有发言权，承认他们延续千年的智慧，并获得资金支持。与此同时，于COP16设立的地方社区核心小组的首次会议也正在筹备当中。 “聚集在此的土著人民知道我们希望从COP17得到什么，” 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）说。“我们希望在此过程中被倾听——不是作为观察者，而是作为参与者。我们希望直接获得资金，以在我们的土地上实施COP17的决定。我们希望我们的祖先知识被纳入科学讨论。土著人民不是一个需要勾选的选项，我们是确保土地在未来能够继续供养人类的关键声音。” 妇女核心小组关注了土著女性在可持续土地管理中的领导角色以及沙尘暴所带来的基于性别的差异化影响，旨在为UNCCD进程中提出促进性别平等的建议提供信息。此外，通过女性代表基金（WDF），受干旱影响的发展中国家女性接受了谈判培训以准备COP17——这是一个进步，因为在上届CRIC会议中，妇女代表仅占33%。 所有会议均得到联合国志愿人员的支持，他们还将继续协助举办COP17。COP17 恰逢2026国际志愿人员促进可持续发展年（IVY 2026），这是为了彰显志愿服务所做出的重要贡献。 小岛屿地区和广阔牧区 联合国防治荒漠化公约（UNCCD）的一份新简报强调，对于面临日益严重的干旱和农田流失的小岛屿发展中国家（SIDS）而言，每一寸土地都至关重要。2014年至2023年间，小岛屿发展中国家每年有17%的国土面积遭受至少六个月的极端干旱，而1961年至1970年间这一比例仅为2%。与此同时，城市化、不可持续的农业、资源开采活动正在导致地球上一些最小、最偏远和最贫困地区的土地发生退化，而这些地区也正是最易受气候变化影响的区域。 另一份简报揭示：恢复牧场是所有生态系统投资中回报率最高的举措之一，每投入一美元可带来高达35美元的收益。这是由土地退化经济学（ELD）倡议所开展的一项全球成本效益分析而得出的最新初步研究结果。 这两份报告将在蒙古举行的联合国防治荒漠化公约（UNCCD）缔约方大会第十六届会议（COP17）上完整提交。此举正值国际牧区与牧民年（IYRP），同时小岛屿发展中国家（SIDS）也将在联合国防治荒漠化公约（UNCCD）进程中与牧民社区团结一致，共同阐述其独特的挑战与机遇。 从沙特利雅得到蒙古乌兰巴托 2024年12月，在利雅得举行的COP16上，各缔约方通过了关于农业用地的第一个重要决定：强调需要通过“商业促土地倡议（the Business4Land initiative）”吸引私营部门参与；并为世界上最脆弱国家的土地和抗旱行动筹集了数十亿美元资金。这一议题将被延续至COP17。 例如，巴拿马会议推进了由联合国粮农组织（FAO）牵头的磋商，旨在为缔约方大会上关于避免、减少和扭转农业用地土地和土壤退化的里程碑决定制定指导文件。该文件将面向决策者和实践者，为各国提供因地制宜的行动路径，以应对肥沃土地流失的问题。这对于实现土地退化零增长（LDN）目标至关重要，因为约60%的土地退化发生于农业用地。 沙特阿拉伯王国环境、水务与农业部副部长、联合国防治荒漠化公约第十六次缔约方大会（UNCCD COP16）主席奥萨马·法基哈阁下（H.E. Osama Faqeeha）说道：“正如联合国秘书长安东尼奥·古特雷斯（António Guterres）所言，‘我们栖于土地，依靠土地而生，却视之如粪土。’现在是我们正确评估其真正价值的时候了。CRIC23延续了从利雅得到乌兰巴托道路上中关于土地与干旱治理相关话题的势头，，也为协调各方创新与融资努力、惠及今世后代提供了重要契机。” 巴特蒙克·东多夫多尔吉先生（Mr. Batmunkh Dondovdorj）是蒙古部长特别顾问兼COP17主席国办公室主任，他表示：“展望未来，我们作为候任主席国的目标是帮助举办一届具有包容性、平衡性、科学依据、且面向实际解决方案的缔约方大会。一届反映区域多样性、加强跨部门合作、团结政府、科学家、青年、妇女、土著人民、社区和伙伴，并在实现土地退化零增长和抗旱方面取得切实进展的大会。” **完** 编辑须知  关于 CRIC23 的视觉素材和 UNCCD 数据仪表盘请见： https://trello.com/b/zq0kxtkK/unccd-cric23-panama-2025 关于公约和 CRIC23 的更多信息和媒体更新，请访问 UNCCD 官网： https://www.unccd.int/cric23 关于《联合国防治荒漠化公约》 《联合国防治荒漠化公约》（UNCCD）是全球土地的共同愿景与声音。我们联合各国政府、科学家、政策制定者、私营部门和社区，共同推动全球行动，恢复和管理地球土地，以实现人类与地球的可持续发展。UNCCD 不仅仅是一份由197个缔约方签署的国际条约，更是减缓当今土地退化影响、推进未来土地治理的多边承诺，旨在为所有人公平和包容地提供食物、水、住所和经济机会。  关于CRIC23 来自196个国家及欧盟的代表将于2025年12月1日至5日在巴拿马会晤，审查各方在《联合国防治荒漠化公约》（UNCCD）框架下应对荒漠化、土地退化和干旱的努力。《联合国防治荒漠化公约》是三大《里约公约》之一，另两项为生物多样性公约和气候变化公约。UNCCD 履约审查委员会第二十三届会议（CRIC23）汇集了约500名来自政府、民间社会及学术界的与会者，共同评估实现公约目标的进展。  

Final Press Release – CRIC23 A closing press release will be issued summarizing the outcomes of CRIC23. It will be published on the UNCCD website and shared with all accredited media. NO CLOSING PRESS CONFERENCE There will be no closing press conference. Journalists may contact UNCCD Communications for interviews or clarifications. Comunicado Final – CRIC23 Se emitirá un comunicado de prensa final que resumirá los resultados de CRIC23. Será publicado en el sitio web de la CNULD y compartido con todos los medios acreditados. SIN CONFERENCIA DE PRENSA DE CLAUSURA No habrá conferencia de prensa de clausura. Los periodistas pueden contactar a la Oficina de Comunicación de la CNULD para entrevistas o aclaraciones.  

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.