Both ENDS at UNCCD COP16

Advocating for Local Solutions: Both ENDS at UNCCD COP16 to Champion Sustainable Land Management and Gender Equality - an Interview

As the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) celebrates its 30th anniversary, the global community faces an urgent need to address the escalating challenges of land degradation, desertification and drought. At the forefront of these efforts, Both ENDS has long advocated for inclusive, locally-led solutions to these critical issues. In this interview, Nathalie van Haren and Yordanos Mulder, who will represent Both ENDS at the upcoming UNCCD COP16, share insights into the significance of the conference, the key issues on the agenda, and the crucial role of local communities in shaping effective land governance. They discuss Both ENDS' ongoing work to amplify the voices of marginalised groups and emphasise the importance of sustainable land management practices, particularly those driven by women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples.

Read the full interview here.

Ten recommendations for the UNCCD COP16 to strengthen its efforts in combating desertification, land degradation, and drought

For decades, our local partner organisations have been developing and promoting effective ways to combat land degradation, desertification, and drought. This includes regions like the drylands, as well as forests, and wetlands. Supporting these locally-led actions is essential to reversing negative trends. For COP16, Drynet has developed 10 recommendations to strengthen the implementation of the UNCCD. Success at COP16 would mean turning these recommendations into action, fostering inclusive land governance and sustainable land management practices globally. By enabling locally-led actions—particularly those led by women, youth, pastoralists, and Indigenous Peoples—we can build a more resilient future.

    1. Prioritise Land Tenure Security for Sustainable Land Management
    2. Adopt People-Centred, Pro-Active Drought Management Strategies
    3. Develop Policies for Inclusive and Sustainable Rangeland Management
    4. Guarantee Civil Society Participation at All Levels
    5. Set Clear Guidelines for Private Sector Engagement in Land
    6. Increase Public Funding for Locally-led Actions and Initiatives for LDN
    7. Promote Women's Economic and Social Empowerment in Land Governance
    8. Boost Synergies for Land, Biodiversity and Climate Action through cross-sectoral and multi-level collaboration
    9. Improve Data Collection and Reporting by Empowering Communities to Contribute to national reporting, including UNCCD and SDGs reporting
    10. Make Agroecology Central to Sustainable Land Use and Land Restoration

Read all ten recommendations and elaborations here.

Both ENDS Co-hosted Side-events at UNCCD COP16

At UNCCD COP16, Both ENDS will co-host key side-events focused on enhancing local action and inclusivity in achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). These events will address the vital role of civil society, Indigenous Peoples, and women-led initiatives in the UNCCD processes. Topics include strengthening CSO and Indigenous Peoples' involvement, improving support for women-led projects, and recognising the contributions of local communities to LDN. See all events on our event page or click on one of the links below to read more about each event.

• Enhancing the role of civil society in the UNCCD to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN)
• Making strategic impact: Shifting resources and power to women-led initiatives for Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN)
• Exploring new avenues of CSO participation in UNCCD processes

Find all our events here.

Side-events Hosted by Partners at UNCCD COP16

Stay tuned for more events organised by partners.