Dryland forests sustain the lives and livelihoods of more than two billion people, supporting food and nutrition security, resilient agriculture, biodiversity, climate resilience and rural economies across some of the world’s most climate-vulnerable landscapes. Yet they remain among the least recognized and least financed forest ecosystems globally. 

This high-level event will bring together ministers, senior government representatives, forest stewards and international partners to launch a collective agenda for scaling up action on dryland forests. Participants will explore how stronger political leadership, strategic partnerships, increased investment and solutions co-designed with the people who depend on and steward these landscapes can unlock the full potential of dryland forests to contribute to resilient food systems, healthy ecosystems and sustainable development. 

The event will introduce the Dryland Forest Call to Action and the proposed Dryland Forest Support Accelerator (DFSA), a country-led mechanism designed to connect policy, finance, technical expertise and knowledge to unlock systemic change and scale effective action for dryland forests and the people who depend on them. 

It will also feature Journey through Dryland Forests: A Living Showcase, an immersive experience highlighting dryland forest products, value chains and community-led innovations that demonstrate the contribution of dryland forests to resilient livelihoods, food and nutrition security, women’s economic empowerment and shared prosperity. 

QU Dongyu
Director-General
FAO 

The Honourable Evelyn Ndlovu
Minister for Environment, Climate and Wildlife
Zimbabwe 

The Honourable Boipuso Winter Mmolotsi
Minister for Environment and Tourism
Botswana 

H.E. Ibrahim Yumakli  
Minister for Agriculture and Forestry
Republic of Türkiye 

Assistant Director-General
Director Forestry Division
FAO

GEF-7 Impact Programme Global Coordinator
FAO