OSS Participation in CRIC23: Strengthening Land Resilience and Advancing Land Degradation Neutrality

Panama, December 1-5, 2025

Advancing land degradation neutrality and strengthening the resilience of communities in Africa relies on science-based, inclusive and locally driven solutions. In this perspective, the Sahara and Sahel Observatory is contributing to the 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC23) of the United Nation Convention to Combat Desertification.

The OSS will highlight two major contributions to the session:

2- Accelerating Land Degradation Neutrality: Lessons, Innovations and Partnerships, December 3, 2025 - 1:15 p.m.–2:45 p.m. | Caribe 7

This event will showcase:

• Progress under the LDN Target Setting Programme (TSP 2.0) ,
• National experiences from Benin and the Central African Republic,
• Innovations using high-resolution satellite data, Earth observation, artificial intelligence and participatory tools such as MISLAND-Africa,
• Opportunities for mobilizing finance to support transformative LDN initiatives.

3- Farmer and Pastoralist-Centric Solutions to Managing Droughts, Land, and Safeguarding Livelihoods, December 5, 2025 - 8:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m. | Caribe 4

This event will highlight community-driven approaches to sustainable land management, including:

• Soil and water conservation techniques,
• Locally adapted restoration practices in degradation hotspots,
• Case studies from Kenya, Burkina Faso, Benin and Central African Republic ,
• Key policy recommendations to scale up LDN implementation across the continent.

Through its participation in CRIC23, the OSS reaffirms its commitment to supporting African countries in evidence-based planning, reliable monitoring, capacity development and the promotion of local innovations that foster more resilient landscapes and livelihoods.