CRIC 21 Side Event - Resilient Pastures for Land Degradation Neutrality in Central Asia
14/05/2024
The Side Event “Resilient Pastures for Land Degradation Neutrality in Central Asia” was held
at the 21st Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the UNCCD (CRIC21) taking place from 13 to 17 November 2023 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The side event was co-organised by IUCN, FAO and WOCAT, and gathered more than 30 experts representing governments of the Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan), research institutions, international organisations, and civil society. The participants discussed the role and value of pastures as well as political, regulatory, and social frameworks for pasture management in the region. The key speakers also shared good practice from GEF projects in Central Asia, such as the GEF7 Sustainable Forest Management Impact Program on Dryland Sustainable Landscapes (DSL-IP), Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration (FOLUR), and Central Asian Initiative for Land Management-2 (CACILM-2).
The CRIC-21 dialogue confirmed that resilient pastures are critical for livelihoods, food security, and biodiversity conservation in Central Asia. At the same time, the participants noted that the region experiences many challenges, such as overgrazing, land use change, weak participatory approach, lack of sustainable livestock-based business models to guide investment. Thus, resilient pastures for LDN in Central Asia require continuing support through programmes such as the DSL IP.
Overall, the event facilitated a constructive, multi-stakeholder dialogue and contributed to cross-learning and cross-regional exchange on sustainable pasture management practices in Central Asia, filling knowledge gaps and accelerating joint actions toward LDN target.
at the 21st Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the UNCCD (CRIC21) taking place from 13 to 17 November 2023 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The side event was co-organised by IUCN, FAO and WOCAT, and gathered more than 30 experts representing governments of the Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan), research institutions, international organisations, and civil society. The participants discussed the role and value of pastures as well as political, regulatory, and social frameworks for pasture management in the region. The key speakers also shared good practice from GEF projects in Central Asia, such as the GEF7 Sustainable Forest Management Impact Program on Dryland Sustainable Landscapes (DSL-IP), Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration (FOLUR), and Central Asian Initiative for Land Management-2 (CACILM-2).
The CRIC-21 dialogue confirmed that resilient pastures are critical for livelihoods, food security, and biodiversity conservation in Central Asia. At the same time, the participants noted that the region experiences many challenges, such as overgrazing, land use change, weak participatory approach, lack of sustainable livestock-based business models to guide investment. Thus, resilient pastures for LDN in Central Asia require continuing support through programmes such as the DSL IP.
Overall, the event facilitated a constructive, multi-stakeholder dialogue and contributed to cross-learning and cross-regional exchange on sustainable pasture management practices in Central Asia, filling knowledge gaps and accelerating joint actions toward LDN target.