FAO promotes climate change adaptation with dryland forests in the Near East and North Africa Region

During the Fifth Near East Forestry Week in Amman, Jordan, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) held a technical workshop entitled “Forest-based adaptation: challenges and opportunities for drylands”. Supported in part by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), this technical workshop on 11 September 2023 highlighted the contributions of forests and trees to climate change adaptation, as well as the challenges that climate change presents to dryland forests. The session was attended by nearly 60 participants who gathered, on-site and online, to engage with a panel discussion of representatives from forestry and agricultural ministries, research institutes, NGOs and civil society organizations from Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, and Türkiye.

Citing the findings of FAO’s regional State of Land and Water Resources Report, Deputy Regional Representative Mr. Serge Nakouzi noted that “the aridity of the region and low forest cover, coupled with high deforestation rates, make water stress a major driver of the vulnerability of forests to climate change”. He added that it was critical to reflect on the opportunities available for management of forests and trees to adapt to climate change, towards resilient livelihoods, communities, and ecosystems to make sure no one is left behind.

The technical workshop called for special attention on the challenges of water stress in the region, and how forests and trees can contribute to both water and food security in arid and semi-arid areas.

Opportunities highlighted in the workshop included upscaling existing adaptation measures which have proven feasible and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including for example oasis agriculture, farmer-managed natural regeneration, silvopastoralism and sustainable rangeland management. Dryland forests - and trees outside of forests - provide crucial ecosystem services and livelihoods for communities engaged in sustainable forest management, non-wood forest value chains, and silvopastoralism.

Calls were also made to integrate forests and trees into urban planning (considering the strong urbanization rate of the region), and promote a transition from tree planting to tree growing: to not only plant the right tree in the right place, but also consider the right enabling environment and the right arrangements with the people who will maintain and manage those trees. 

Participants indicated challenges such as a lack of information and data, specifically on trees outside of forests, which have underestimated benefits to livelihoods and are often overlooked in policymaking.

Beyond an environmental challenge, panelists called for a recognition of climate change as a political and ethical issue that must be addressed through a rights-based approach. The inclusion of communities as partners with meaningful rights was highlighted as one of the best ways to sustain the forest.