Towards Land Degradation Neutrality: Validation of New Targets for Sustainable Land Management in Benin, November 19-20, 2024

A national workshop was held on November 19-20, 2024, in Bohicon, Benin, under the auspices of the Target Setting Program for Land Degradation Neutrality (PDC-LDN 2.0). The event aimed to validate updated targets aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to plan concrete actions for restoring degraded lands, preserving ecosystems, and improving the living conditions of surrounding communities.

Key program objectives include restoring 1.25 million hectares of degraded lands, preserving wetlands, and significantly reducing the rate of forest and savanna conversion to agricultural lands. Discussions also focused on proposing an integrated framework of actions encompassing reforestation, sustainable management of agricultural lands, and the protection of sensitive ecosystems.

OSS, represented by Youssouf Amadou, showcased the Integrated Monitoring Systems for Land Degradation (MISLAND) and Water Abstraction (MISBAR), developed as part of a regional project in North Africa (GMES & Africa). He emphasized the importance of reporting aligned with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) guidelines. As a UNCCD-recognized Center of Excellence for North Africa, OSS plays a key role in strengthening African countries' capacities to achieve their land degradation neutrality targets.

To ensure the sustainability of planned actions, the workshop emphasized the importance of adopting a participatory approach in decision-making processes, involving women, youth, and local communities. The recommendations adopted during this event will be integrated into the national drought management plan, with a particular focus on mobilizing financial resources and implementing innovative mechanisms such as payments for ecosystem services.

This event reflects Benin's collective commitment, along with its partners, to promoting sustainable land management by 2030 while enhancing ecosystem and community resilience in the face of current environmental challenges.