The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Secretariat are organizing a high-level special event at UNCCD COP15 to launch the “Technical Guide on the Integration of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (VGGT) into the Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN)” on 11 May 2022 from 13:00 to 15:00 GMT (15:00-17:00 CEST). 

The day of the event marks the 10th year anniversary of the VGGT, the internationally accepted framework on the responsible governance of tenure negotiated and endorsed by the Committee on World Food Security (CFS). The technical guide outlines the practical application of the VGGT in the context of the design and implementation of desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD) and LDN initiatives. It offers a flexible multi-pathway approach to support policy and decision makers and relevant stakeholders in designing and implementing tailored responses to commonly encountered land tenure challenges through a range of national plans, legal frameworks, strategies, and action programmes addressing DLDD.  

The event will bring together high-level speakers from FAO, UNCCD, Country Parties, civil society, and key partners to build dialogue on how concerted efforts to increase tenure security, particularly for the most vulnerable, opens a new chapter in the ongoing efforts to combat DLDD and achieve LDN.

The event will be held in English and French.

We welcome you to join the event in person in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, or to connect virtually HERE.

Meeting ID: 812 7337 9549 and Password: 094375 (You can find more detailed information on how to connect virtually here below).

Draft agenda, 11 May 2022, 13:00-15:00 GMT (15:00-17:00 CEST)

Moderation by Ms. Musonda Mumba, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Opening remarks:

• Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary, UNCCD 
• Ms. Maria Helena Semedo, Deputy Director-General, FAO 
• Mr. Gabriel Ferrero, Chairperson, Committee on World Food Security (Video message) 

Overview of the technical guide: 

• Ms. Aurélie Brès, Technical Officer, Land and Water Division, FAO  

Panel discussion and questions from the audience:

• Mr. Asher Nkegbe, UNCCD National Focal Point, Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation of Ghana 
• Dr. Ahmed Abdelati, UNCCD Science and Technology Respondent, Desert Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation of Egypt
• Mr. Pablo Caza, Specialist in Climate Change Adaptation, Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition of Ecuador 
• Ms. Nahid Naghizadeh, Representative of Asia in the UNCCD Civil Society Organizations (CSO) panel, Senior Researcher and Board member at CENESTA, Iran
• Ms. Everlyne Nairesiae, UNCCD Science-Policy Interface (SPI) Observer Member, Coordinator of the Global Land Indicator Initiative (GLII), UN Habitat
• Ms. Leontine Kanziemo, Advisor Natural Resources Management, African Development Bank (tbc)

Closing remarks

• Ms. Miriam Medel, Chief of External Relations, Policy and Advocacy, UNCCD

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Information to join the event virtually:

Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81273379549?pwd=VC9yVTJhTGJTUEhPS0ZvT1VDK2liZz09 

Meeting ID: 812 7337 9549

Password: 094375

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