Capacity Building for Achieving Land Degradation Neutrality in Tunisia (LNDT). UMBRELLA, January 16-18, 2024, Tunis, Tunisia. On Tuesday, January 16, 2024, in Tunis, a training program commenced as part of the "UMBRELLA" project. This project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), addresses the growing challenges of desertification and drought.
Organized by the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment, this training program aims to enhance the capacities of national stakeholders for monitoring and reporting the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
The opening session was conducted by Mr. Hedi CHIBILI, Director General at the Ministry of the Environment, and Madame Ndeye Fatou, Director of the Land Department at the Sahara and Sahel Observatory.
In his speech, Mr. Hedi CHIBILI advocated for strengthening the fight against desertification, aligning with the national strategy to implement the UNCCD in Tunisia. He also emphasized the importance of the institutional capacity-building project, deserving support from stakeholders to create synergy. On her part, Ms. Fatou Ndeye Mar expressed gratitude for the national efforts deployed and commended the commitment of partners. She also underscored the project's role in combating desertification, aligning with the mandate of the OSS and its 2030 strategy.
This training session brings together members of the National Council to Combat Desertification (CNLCD) and representatives from various national institutions, including the Ministry of the Environment, the General Directorate of Land Planning and Conservation of Agricultural Lands (DGACTA), the General Directorate of Forests (DGF), the National Center for Cartography and Remote Sensing (CNCT), the National Institute of Meteorology (INM), the National Institute of Statistics (INS), the National Agency for Environmental Protection (ANPE), the Institute of Arid Regions (IRA) in Médenine, as well as technicians from various ministries involved in desertification combat.
Expected outcomes include a better grasp of tools and techniques of the Geographic Information System (GIS) to accurately assess report indicators, an increased understanding of best practices in database management, capacity building in LNDT, and enhanced skills to structure and write reports in accordance with UNCCD standards, effectively utilizing collected data.