FAO and UNEP organize a regional meeting that highlights ecosystem restoration efforts in the Near East and North Africa

In support of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) regional office for Near East and North Africa (NENA) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) regional office for West Asia convened a regional high-level meeting on 13 November 2024, under the title “Investing in Ecosystem Restoration: Towards an Integrated Approach for Ecosystem Restoration and Development Solutions in the Near East and North Africa Countries” to accelerate ecosystem restoration initiatives across the NENA region. The meeting brought together government representatives, UN Decade on ecosystem restoration national focal points, and regional key stakeholders to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and highlight the need for countries to strengthen commitments to restoring degraded ecosystems. This aligns with the UN Decade’s global mission to protect and revitalize ecosystems for the benefit of people and the planet.   

The High-level dialogue featured prominent speakers, including HRH Princess Basma Bint Ali, FAO Goodwill Ambassador; Abdulhakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative of the Near East and North Africa; Abdullah Bin Ali Amri, President of UNEA and Chairman of the Environment Authority of Oman; Abdelmajeed Haddad, Regional Coordinator, UNEP; H.E Habib Abid, Minister of Environment, Tunisia; Chadi Mohanna, Director of Rural Development and Natural Resources, Ministry of Agriculture – Lebanon and last but not least Julian Fox, Senior Forestry Officer FAO who all emphasized the importance of scaling up restoration efforts to address the region’s pressing environmental challenges and strengthen resilience.  Issues such as importance of partnerships, acceleration of investments, prioritization of ecosystem restoration in regional dialogues as well as monitoring and documenting ecosystem restoration initiatives are among those to be addressed to better shape restoration efforts with long-term sustainability goals. 

The meeting introduced the Regional Restoration Framework designed to optimize financing and implementation of restoration activities. It aims to support national development goals while advancing regional restoration efforts. "The NENA Regional Restoration Framework is not just an action plan; it’s a roadmap for sustainable returns on investment. By prioritizing environmental health alongside socio-economic stability, this framework empowers countries with the tools, knowledge, and financing to build resilience for generations to come" highlighted Elwaer during the meeting. 

Participants explored successful restoration initiatives such as the Mediterranean initiative “Restoring Mediterranean Forests” spanning Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, and Türkiye, which has been recognized as a World Restoration Flagship under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. This example highlights the potential for large-scale restoration projects to contribute to biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development and can serve as a successful example for inter-regional collaboration.   

The meeting also featured the introduction of the Framework for Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring (FERM) platform. This innovative tool aims to enhance the documentation of best practices and tracking of restoration activities, ensuring progress is effectively monitored and evaluated. Discussions underscored the need for enhanced regional collaboration and the mobilization of political, scientific, and financial resources to address persistent challenges such as land degradation, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss.   

The event concluded by Mahmoud Fathallah, Director of Department of Environments and Meteorological Affairs, League of Arab States, with a focus on next steps, including strengthening partnerships and scaling up restoration initiatives to achieve the goals of the UN Decade. “From governments to civil society and local communities, every stakeholder has a vital role to play. It is only by mobilizing our collective efforts that we can address these challenges and work towards a resilient future for all“ emphasized Fathallah.