Latest news with #landrestoration
Zawya
a day ago
- General
- Zawya
Eritrea: Commemoration of World Drought and Desertification Day
World Drought and Desertification Day was commemorated at the national level at Embasoira Hotel, Asmara, on 17 June under the theme 'Restore the Land – Unlock the Opportunity.' The event, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, was attended by experts from the Ministries of Agriculture and Land, Water and Environment, the Forestry and Wildlife Authority, Higher Education Institutions, stakeholders, national associations, and farmers. In his keynote address, Mr. Semere Amlesom, Director General of Agricultural Extension at the Ministry of Agriculture, highlighted the Eritrean Government's commitment to combating drought and desertification and emphasized the need for collective action to restore degraded land. He further noted that drought and desertification are among the main causes of biodiversity loss, poverty, forced migration, and conflict, and that restoring the land is essential to addressing these issues and reversing their consequences. The event featured presentations on various topics, including Eritrea's commitment and experience in combating drought, land degradation, and desertification; land use change and its impact on poverty and livelihoods; conservation and sustainable land-use management practices; agroforestry systems for restoring land; environmental impact assessments of agricultural farms; and the role of date palms in restoring degraded land, among other relevant subjects. The participants, emphasizing the importance of continued efforts to address drought and desertification, called on stakeholders to work in partnership to achieve the intended goals. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, it is essential to accelerate the implementation of sustainable land-use practices and conservation measures. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.
Arab News
3 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia marks UN's World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has marked the UN's World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, an awareness event held annually on June 17. The day aims to spotlight the urgent need to address the growing challenges of land degradation, desertification and drought. The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture said the event emphasized the importance of land restoration as a driver of opportunity, the Saudi Press Agency reported. It helps to raise awareness of the critical role healthy ecosystems play in creating jobs, enhancing food and water security and strengthening economic resilience, the ministry added. It also highlighted Saudi Arabia's diverse geography and climate which is home to a unique biodiversity adapted to a range of climatic conditions. The Kingdom has launched several major environmental initiatives, most notably the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to plant 10 billion trees over the coming decades. The Kingdom is currently implementing 86 initiatives and programs with total investments exceeding SR705 billion ($188 billion), covering all aspects of the green economy. These initiatives align with the core objectives of the SGI: reducing carbon emissions, expanding national afforestation, and protecting terrestrial and marine ecosystems. More than 313,000 hectares of degraded land across the Kingdom have now been restored, and 115 million trees planted. MEWA has also launched the Environmental Awareness Initiative, which is designed to raise environmental literacy and support Sustainable Development Goals. The plan also emphasizes the importance of community engagement and cross-sector collaboration — from public institutions to private and non-profit entities. As part of its efforts to monitor marine habitats, the ministry has conducted extensive field surveys along the Red Sea coast, covering over 600 coral reef sites, 200 seagrass locations and 100 mangrove areas. According to UN data, desertification, land degradation and drought remain among the most pressing environmental challenges today, impacting up to 40 percent of the Earth's land surface. As the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030) reaches its midpoint, there is a critical need to accelerate restoration efforts on a global scale. If current trends continue, the world will need to restore 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030, creating a restoration economy valued at over $1 trillion. The planet is currently losing healthy land at a rate equivalent to four football fields per second.
Zawya
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
World Bank-ACReSAL Nigeria recovers over 178,000 hectares of degraded land in 19 Northern states
The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape Project (ACReSAL), a World Bank-supported initiative, has successfully recovered over 178,000 hectares of degraded land across 19 northern states affected by climate change. Abdulhamid Umar, National Project Coordinator for ACReSAL, disclosed this while speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a five-day retreat in Lagos. He said reclaiming 178,235 hectares out of the one million target for six years is a significant achievement toward restoring one million hectares of arable land in the region. 'This project, supported by the World Bank, addresses severe climate change challenges, particularly the encroaching Sahara Desert and land degradation in the 19 northern states. Our efforts aim to reverse land infertility caused by natural and human factors in a region with increasingly erratic rainfall,' Umar stated. Umar elaborated on the broader impact of ACReSAL: 'Our interventions, including dryland management, community-driven climate resilience activities, and agricultural support, have led to bumper harvests and improved livelihoods for over one million direct beneficiaries in just three years, with over 10 million indirect beneficiaries.' Looking ahead, Umar addressed project sustainability beyond its initial six-year funding cycle: 'Our strategy includes community ownership, establishing legal frameworks at the state level, and infrastructure development to ensure longevity.' Dr. Joy Iganya Agene, Task Team Leader for ACReSAL and Senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank, underscored the project's impact, stressing that ACReSAL represents a significant stride in Nigeria's efforts to build climate resilience and restore degraded landscapes. 'The progress made demonstrates the effectiveness of strategic planning and land preparation,' Dr. Agene explained, adding that ACReSAL is optimistic about achieving 60-70% recovery of the targeted one million hectares in the coming year. Both Umar and Dr. Agene emphasised the strong commitment and collaboration from the federal government and state governors. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Arab News
07-05-2025
- General
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia welcomes US-Houthi ceasefire deal
New land restoration guide to unify afforestation efforts RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has taken another step toward its ambitious afforestation goals with the publication of the official Land Restoration Guide for Non-Agricultural Areas. The guide is a comprehensive manual that will serve as a unified reference to direct environmental restoration projects across the Kingdom. It aims to ensure sustainable land management practices and support the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative, one of which is to plant 10 billion trees — the equivalent of rehabilitating 40 million hectares of degraded land. The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification announced its publication on Wednesday with an event titled 'The Road to Restoring 40 Million Hectares.' Organized under the national afforestation program, the event brought together a range of experts to align on best practices and scientific approaches to land rehabilitation. Sameer Maleakah, director of the center's afforestation department, highlighted the Kingdom's ambitious environmental restoration goals. 'So far, we've restored over 313,000 hectares across various regions of the Kingdom,' Maleakah told Arab News. 'But it's not just about planting. Restoration begins with protecting the degraded areas — those affected by overgrazing, illegal logging, or desertification caused by human activities. 'We return these areas to their natural state, and once restored, they foster biodiversity, richer vegetation and denser tree cover. These sites then serve as natural parks or forests — whether mountainous or valley-based,' he added. Maleakah also highlighted the importance of inclusive action. 'It's crucial to involve local communities, civil society organizations and take full advantage of existing legislation, rainfall and cloud-seeding technologies to ensure success.' The center's CEO, Dr. Khalid Al-Abdulkader, echoed the importance of the program in his opening remarks, saying that land restoration is not only vital for environmental sustainability, but also plays a major role in food security, combating climate change and supporting rural livelihoods. With more than 141 million trees planted to date and restoration efforts underway using rainfall and treated water, the center continues to position the afforestation program as a long-term investment in Saudi Arabia's ecological and developmental future.
