Globally, over a third of the land surface of the planet is degraded (FAO-ITPS 2015). This degradation is reflected in significant losses in soil productivity: up to 5,000,000 ha of soil – an area approximately the size of Costa Rica – is lost every year, with high impacts on agricultural production, in a time when demand for food is increasing. 

The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is meant to raise awareness on the global significance of sustainable land management and to showcase workable solutions to land and soil degradation.  The theme of this year’s event is “Land has true value – invest in it”. Investments for combating land degradation come from many sectors and can take many forms. In the event this year we will highlight how the private sector and development banks are responding to this challenge, and addressing land degradation within their own business practices. The event is co-hosted by the Permanent Representation of the People’s Republic of China and the office of the Assistant Director General for Climate Change, Biodiversity, Land and Water, FAO. 

The following examples will be highlighted and discussed:

Country Experience: China

Mr NI Hongxing Deputy Permanent Representative of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to FAO will highlight the innovations in combating land degradation in China, and also highlight  China’s efforts to assist country partners through the Belt and Road Initiative and other programs 

Private sector experience - Financing innovation in the land sector

 The event will present the private sector efforts in investing in “Land” and providing solutions to combating desertification and land degradation in the ecological and socio-economic context of given area, providing a potential model for the global community, in terms of degraded land rehabilitation and addressing climate change.

The Network for Natural Gums and Resins in Africa (NGARA)

The contribution of farmers and farmer-led organizations are essential to any successful interventions to combat land degradation and creating new investments and innovation in the land sector. NGARA network aims to position African countries and partners as major global players in the production, processing and marketing of gums and resins, adding value to their lands and sustaining livelihoods. 

New Development Bank

The NDB is an international financial institution established by the BRICS countries in 2014, to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging economies and developing countries, complementing the existing efforts of multilateral and regional financial institutions for global growth and development.

The Global Mechanism – UNCCD

The Global Mechanism of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification was established to help support countries in translating the Convention into action, and achieving Land Degradation Neutrality at the national level. The Global Mechanism is a broker of knowledge, expertise, and advisory services to promote partnerships and demonstrate innovations at the country level, and help develop transformational initiatives to reverse trends in land degradation. 

The Seminar to Celebrate the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought will:

• Present and discuss experiences in investments to fight desertification and land degradation.
• Focus on models to scale-out this experience more broadly with both private and public partners.
• Share similar experience from other projects and initiatives supported by FAO and other organizations.
• Explore new partnerships where FAO is able to add value to these investments.