Around 30 UNCCD-accredited civil society organisations in Türkiye will gather in Ankara to launch the Regional Engagement for Land Degradation Neutrality (RE-LDN) initiative. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal Target 15.3, the process aims to strengthen civil society’s role in tackling desertification, land degradation, and drought.
The RE-LDN initiative seeks to enhance multi-stakeholder cooperation on climate and land governance at a time of increasing pressure on ecosystems, agricultural production, water resources and rural livelihoods. By supporting active participation from civil society organisations, the project aims to contribute both to policy development and on-the-ground implementation.
Building on lessons from UNCCD COP12 held in Ankara in 2015, and looking ahead to UNFCCC COP31 in Antalya in November 2026, the initiative will help shape a shared civil society vision on climate adaptation, land degradation neutrality, and sustainable land management.
The preparatory workshop will take place in Ankara on 25–26 July 2026. Its outcomes will feed into further activities, including a civil society-led side event and coordinated participation at COP31 in Antalya on 11–13 November 2026.
The workshop invites stakeholders to strengthen cooperation, share knowledge, and co-develop solutions to address land degradation and climate challenges.
