COFO Working Group on Dryland Forests and Agrosilvopastoral Systems
Forests and agrosilvopastoral systems in drylands play crucial ecological, social and economic roles, while improving the environmental sustainability and resilience of landscapes. Home to species adapted to extreme ecological conditions, they provide essential goods and ecosystems services and the means to adapt to climate change, maintain land productivity, regulate water cycle, prevent and combat desertification and increase the resilience of the communities who live in the world’s dryland areas. If well managed and properly valued, forests and agrosilvopastoral systems can help alleviate poverty and contribute to the food security and sustainable livelihoods of two billion people worldwide.
Yet despite their critical role, extensive areas of drylands are degraded or at high risk of further degradation and associated environmental and socio-economic impacts, including desertification, conflict, water and food insecurity, migration and unemployment.
The working group was established as a subsidiary body of the Committee on Forestry during its 22nd Session in 2014.
Mandate of the COFO Working Group
#1
Review and report to COFO on the status, trends, issues and developments in dryland forests and agrosilvopastoral systems.
#2
Enhance and contribute to environmental and socio-economic resilience and sustainable livelihoods.
#3
Contribute to develop a comprehensive understanding of dryland forest and agrosilvopastoral systems and the people who depend on them.
#4
Promote scaling-up of good practices for the protection, sustainable management and restoration of dryland forests and agrosilvopastoral systems.
Related links
Contact
Work Group on Dryland Forests and Agrosilvopastoral Systems
Anders Malmer, WG Chairperson, reflects on the key outcomes of COFO26 and reports on the successes and achievements of his organization in 2021-2022.
COFO WG sessions
7/7
2025
10/7
2025
Fourth Session of the COFO Working Group on Dryland Forests and Agrosilvopastoral Systems
Hybrid Event, 07/07/2025 - 10/07/2025
The fourth session of the COFO Working Group will be held in Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) from 7–10 July 2025. It will take place in parallel with the 3rd Drylands School.
10/9
2023
13/9
2023
Third Session of the COFO Working Group on Dryland Forests and Agrosilvopastoral Systems
Jordan (Jordan), Hybrid Event, 10/09/2023 - 13/09/2023
The third session of the COFO WG will be held in the the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan from 10–13 September 2023. It will take place in parallel with the 26th Session of the Near East Forestry and Rang...