FAO Regional Office for Near East and North Africa

Investment pathways for ecosystem restoration in the Near East and North Africa region at the third Arab Land Forum

(Morocco), 18/02/2025

The NENA region faces pressing environmental challenges with significant socio-economic impacts, yet restoration efforts have struggled to deliver transformative results. While countries have set ambitious goals under the 3 Rio Conventions—targeting land degradation neutrality, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation—many lack the technical and financial resources to translate these commitments into action. Mobilizing investments and political support is crucial to drive a paradigm shift in ecosystem restoration that delivers sustainable, long-term impacts. 

Under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, FAO and its regional partners, including the League of Arab States and UNEP, are working to support countries by building technical capacities and fostering multi-stakeholder dialogues. A key focus is linking investments with land tenure to address challenges and create opportunities for effective restoration. This session will provide a platform for knowledge exchange, showcasing successful restoration initiatives, discussing investment barriers, and exploring strategies to embed restoration into national frameworks. It will emphasize the critical role of communities, women, and youth in ensuring the sustainability and socio-economic viability of restoration projects, while fostering regional collaboration to achieve shared goals.  

Organizers: FAO and UNEP 

Agenda

Duration 

Content  

5 mins 

Moderator’s welcome  

10 mins  

High level opening remarks 

10 mins 

 

The Business case for an integrated approach to ecosystem restoration and development solutions in the Near East and North Africa 

40 mins 

 

Panel discussion: Joint efforts for ecosystem restoration and sustainable development in the NENA region 

20 mins 

Q&A 

5 mins  

Summary and closing