Amman: Representatives from government ministries, academic institutions, and civil society organizations convened on Thursday to discuss strategies for enhancing national capacities to address the challenges of desertification, land degradation, and drought in Jordan.
According to Jordan News Agency, the discussion took place during the concluding session of a workshop organized by the Royal Scientific Society (RSS), titled "Activities to Combat Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought." The event is part of a land degradation neutrality in northern Jordan project, implemented by the RSS under the supervision of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The RSS emphasized that the workshop is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacities of national institutions and promote coordinated, sustainable solutions in line with project goals. Participants explored key concepts and distinctions between land degradation, desertification, and drought, as well as the underlying causes, challenges, and opportunities for mitigation.
The discussions also focused on the importance of integrating land degradation neutrality (LDN) objectives into national strategies and policies, such as the National Action Plan, Biodiversity Plan, climate adaptation frameworks, and the Sustainable Development Goals. Innovative financing models for land restoration and nature-based solutions were highlighted as essential tools for achieving LDN in Jordan.
Interactive panels examined ways to mainstream LDN into policymaking, identifying the leading roles of the Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, and Planning, and emphasizing the coordination role of the National Committee to Combat Desertification. Participants discussed potential challenges and the need for stronger cross-sectoral collaboration to ensure implementation success.
The workshop concluded with a call for sustained dialogue between government and academic stakeholders to share experiences and formulate practical, policy-based solutions to land degradation challenges.