This high-level session will focus on the critical role of innovative research and collaboration in addressing land degradation and achieving a land-degradation-neutral world by 2030.

Speakers:

• Khaled Alabdulkader, CEO, the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification
• Osama Ibrahim Faqeeha, Deputy-MInistry of Environment, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (tbc)
• Andrea Meza Murillo, Deputy Executive Secretary of the UNCCD (tbc)
• Éliane Ubalijoro, Chief Executive Officer, CIFOR-ICRAF
• Musonda Mumba, the Secretary General of the Convention on Wetlands
• Johannes Cullman, Scientific advisor to the UNGA