EVENT

Holding back the desert

Holding back the desert

CIFOR-ICRAF at UNCCD COP16

2-13 December 2024, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
SESSION

Regenerative Agriculture and Forestry Solutions that Prevent and Reverse Desertification

This session explores regenerative agriculture as a transformative approach to address global challenges in food security, climate resilience, and ecosystem restoration. By prioritizing practices that rebuild soil health, enhance biodiversity, and sequester carbon, regenerative agriculture offers a nature-positive solution for sustainable food systems.

The discussion will delve into innovative techniques, such as agroforestry, crop diversification, and holistic grazing, and examine their socio-economic benefits for farmers and communities. Participants will also explore the role of policy, financing, and technology in scaling these practices, creating pathways for resilience in the face of climate change and land degradation.

We’ll discover how regenerative agriculture can be a cornerstone for a sustainable future, blending science, tradition, and innovation to heal our planet while nourishing its people.

Objectives:

  • Share examples of how Regenerative Agriculture and Forestry Solutions can prevent and reverse desertification, while profitably sequestering carbon, improving food and water security, human health and biodiversity, farmers’ incomes and economic development
  • Demonstrate the complementarity of agricultural and forestry solutions to improving soil and tackling environmental and social challenges
  • Discuss ways to scale these solutions wider and faster, supported by innovative transition finance and policy solutions

Co-hosts and moderators

  • HH Princess Mashael bint Saud Al-Shalan (Co-Founder, Aeon)
  • Merijn Dols (Managing Partner, NOW Partners Foundation)

Speakers

  • Dr. Eliane Ubalijoro (CEO, CIFOR-ICRAF) 
  • Helmy Abouleish (CEO, Sekem, Co-Chair EOL Global)
  • Aline de Paula (Rabobank)
  • Walter Link (Founder, NOW Partners Foundation, Co-Chair EOL Global)
  • Hunter Lovins (CEO, Natural Capitalism Solutions)
Organizers