CGIAR's statement to UNCCD COP16 gathering underscores a holistic approach to sustainable land management

Drylands are home to 38% of the global population and support 44% of the world’s agriculture. Yet, environmental degradation, climate change, and population pressures are exacerbating food crises in these vital regions. Desertification may cause the displacement of 50 million people by 2030. Coupled with water scarcity that could rise to 700 million. Resource scarcity drives social tensions and conflicts. This instability can undermine governance and hinder development efforts. As land becomes degraded, habitats for various plants, animals and micro-organisms are destroyed, leading to biodiversity loss, projected at 38–46% by 2050. This can also disrupt the soil’s capacity to fix carbon and combat climate change.

These staggering figures highlight a global imperative that requires immediate and coordinated action to prevent widespread human suffering and ecological degradation.

In tackling these challenges, sustainable land management emerges as a cornerstone for addressing degradation and building resilience. Addressing land and soil degradation on agricultural lands is critical to reducing pressure on non-agricultural areas, enhancing drought resilience, and combating desertification. A holistic approach to sustainable land management – considering where, what, and how to plant, along with crop diversification – offers dual benefits for land health and climate adaptation. CGIAR encourages efforts to improve agricultural lands’ conditions, with the potential to simultaneously reduce degradation and foster resilience, while any future land degradation indicators should prioritize agricultural land health.

CGIAR welcomes the launch of the new policies areas on ecologically sustainable agri-food systems and grasslands and rangelands. Evidence shows that transforming food systems can make them more sustainable and resilient, while also unlocking $4.5 trillion in new opportunities every year.
To sustainably transform our food, land, and water systems, we must balance food and nutrition security, strengthening livelihoods, environmental sustainability, agricultural productivity, economic growth, and social inclusion. CGIAR is at COP16 to prioritize this holistic approach through research, innovation, and policy support on:

1. Multifunctional landscapes: Implementing land-use practices serving multiple purposes—such as agriculture, conservation, and community needs—can enhance biodiversity, ecosystems, and resilience to climate change and desertification. This includes our work on crop and farming system diversification, including conservation agriculture and improving rangeland and livestock systems.
2. Technical and social innovations: We must invest in sustainable agriculture, water efficiency, soil health, and social innovations that empower communities. CGIAR’s efforts include breeding climate-resilient crops and livestock, developing water-efficient irrigation systems, supporting conservation agriculture approaches to soil conservation, developing business models for wastewater reuse in agriculture, and digital agriculture tools such as advisories around weather and climate risks, good agricultural practices, and market information. For example, CGIAR and partners developed stress tolerant maize varieties adopted by more than six million households across 13 countries, with some farms increasing yields by over 150 per cent. And the Integrated Desert Farming platform combines innovations such as water efficient irrigation, climate-smart crops, and sustainable soil management – and the approach has reclaimed 250,000 hectares of Egyptian desert land.
3. Land use and inclusive governance: Engaging all stakeholders in decision-making – particularly women and marginalized peoples – ensures equitable and effective policies. CGIAR is committed to facilitating local governance through multistakeholder platforms and facilitation of local governance; youth and women leadership training; gender and land tenure; and improved access to social and political spaces.
4. Market incentives and policy needs: We must encourage market-based solutions that support sustainability. CGIAR works on water-environment-food-energy nexus issues to maximize benefits while addressing trade-offs, and advocating for policy reforms that promote resilient, sustainable practices.
5. Alignment of Rio conventions: The three Rio conventions (desertification/land degradation neutrality, biodiversity, and climate,) all promote peace with nature. There is a critical need to: (1) mobilize financing and investments to move us from commitment to actions, (2) monitor, evaluate and learn using targeted performance indicators, and (3) enhance science-based advocacy (finance, practice, capacity) and stakeholders’ cooperation beyond jurisdictional borders.

By fostering strong partnerships with governments, local communities, and international organizations, we can scale these solutions effectively and ensure they reach those who need them most.

CGIAR is committed to fighting land degradation and desertification and building resilient food systems through practices that improve soil, boost biodiversity, and strengthen food security.
But we must invest in collaborative solutions. Evidence confirms that for every dollar invested in CGIAR agricultural research and development investors see $10 worth of benefits in terms of strengthening smallholder agriculture and protecting vulnerable communities and ecosystems. By doubling investment in agricultural research and investment – as recommended by the Ceres 2030 report – we can transform our food systems and secure a sustainable future for all.

By uniting our efforts and investing in sustainable solutions today, we can effectively combat desertification and build a resilient, prosperous future for generations to come.

This UNCCD High Level Segment Statement by Ismahane Elouafi, the Executive Managing Director of CGIAR, was delivered on 3 December 2024 on her behalf by Cargele Masso, Director – Environmental Health & Biodiversity Impact Area.