FAO was a key partner in the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) 15th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) from 9 to 20 May in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The conference aimed to highlight the urgency of addressing the loss of productive land in the fight against land degradation, desertification and drought and its centrality to achieving the SDGs. FAO is an important implementer of the Convention, working closely with UNCDD in ensuring food security and sustainable livelihoods by promoting sustainable land management and restoration of degraded lands and impoverished soils, especially in drylands, and by advocating for a proactive action for drought preparedness.

An FAO delegation led by its Deputy Director-General Ms. Maria Helena Semedo took part in a number of high level events, including the official opening of the COP15 followed by the Heads of States and Government Summit and the Opening Session. COP15 decisions and associated pledges represent an important moment in the lead-up to the Biodiversity COP15 and Climate Change COP27 where water scarcity, land degradation and drought are high on the agenda.

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