Urban areas in arid regions face unique challenges, such as limited water resources and extreme temperatures, which are exacerbated by rapid urbanization, and lead to the degradation of natural landscapes and loss of biodiversity alongside the ecosystem services nature provides. To combat desertification and enhance resilience to climate risks, cities must be reimagined as key actors in land restoration, ensuring equitable benefits for all residents and protecting the natural environment.

The event will explore how cities in arid ecosystems are adopting and can scale nature-based solutions (NbS) to restore degraded lands, combat desertification, enhance urban biodiversity, and improve the quality of life for the growing urban population globally. Speakers will share their experiences and insights on implementing innovative solutions to restore land and combat desertification in urban planning and development. They will discuss successful case studies, the role of policy frameworks, and the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in achieving sustainable urban landscapes.

The session aims to foster dialogue on the potential of NbS to transform urban areas in drylands into green, resilient, and biodiverse environments. It will also highlight the synergies between land restoration, combating desertification, climate adaptation, and biodiversity conservation, offering actionable strategies for cities to lead in the global movement toward sustainability. The event will conclude with a call to action for cities worldwide to reinforce their commitment to restoring urban ecosystems and contributing to combating desertification, contributing to biodiversity, and land restoration goals.

Co-hosted by UNEP and UNECE, this session will spotlight innovative solutions for biodiversity and land restoration in urban areas located within arid ecosystems. The event will feature the Generation Restoration Cities project and the Trees in Dry Cities Coalition, which drive efforts to combat desertification and land degradation, and enhance urban resilience through NbS.

Objectives

• Reflect on the role of cities in combating desertification and restoring ecosystems in arid regions.
• Showcase innovative nature-based solutions that enhance urban resilience, biodiversity, and sustainability.
• Discuss essential actions for effective implementation, minimizing trade-offs, and increasing investment in urban land restoration.
• Promote collaborative frameworks to support sustainable urban landscapes and climate adaptation efforts.

Contacts 

Sharon Gil, Cities Lead, Climate Change Division, UNEP [email protected]

Irene Fagotto, UNEP [email protected]

Daniel Griswold, UNECE [email protected]