Egypt, UN Desertification Body Vow Deeper Cooperation on Land Management, Climate Resilience

Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Alaa Farouk, met with Dr. Yasmin Fouad, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), to strengthen collaborative frameworks between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Convention’s secretariat.

The meeting, held on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, included Engineer Mostafa El-Sayyad, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Hossam Shawky, Head of the Desert Research Center and Egypt’s National Coordinator for the UNCCD, alongside other relevant ministry officials.

Discussions focused on solidifying institutional ties between Egypt and the UNCCD secretariat, aiming to expand joint cooperation. Key areas identified included drought monitoring and forecasting, addressing dust and sand storms, rangeland development, and promoting sustainable land management. These efforts are designed to support climate change adaptation and achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets.

Both parties also explored mechanisms to support member states, particularly across Africa and the Arab region. This involves building technical and institutional capacities and exchanging successful experiences in tackling the challenges of desertification, land degradation, and drought.

Farouk and Fouad underscored the importance of continued coordination and collaboration. Such efforts are crucial for enhancing the Convention’s effectiveness and supporting member states in achieving Sustainable Development Goals, especially amid the escalating environmental challenges facing the region and the world.