The United Nations has declared the decade from 2021 to 2030 as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, a global initiative led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). This ambitious decade aims to address the urgent need to prevent, halt, and reverse the loss and degradation of ecosystems worldwide. At the heart of this global effort is the commitment to revive billions of hectares, covering terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, fostering biodiversity, and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

As a pivotal component of the UN Decade, the World Restoration Flagships initiative shines a spotlight on outstanding restoration initiatives worldwide. These initiatives, recognized as exemplary models of large-scale and long-term ecosystem restoration, receive technical and financial support from the UN. Selected through a rigorous review process, the World Restoration Flagships embody the 10 Restoration Principles of the UN Decade and represent a collective commitment to restoring one billion hectares, an area larger than China. These projects not only showcase tangible success stories but also pave the way for a sustainable and resilient future, addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.

Objective

The primary objective of this event is to provide a strategic platform for policymakers to gain comprehensive insights into the transformative potential of ecosystem restoration, as exemplified by the UN World Restoration Flagships under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. By focusing on the restoration champions from diverse regions, this event aims to inspire policymakers to embrace and upscale similar restoration efforts in their respective regions.

Expected Outcomes

• Inform policy decisions through in-depth presentations and discussions.
• Inspiration for countries and organizations to adopt similar approaches.
• Global collaboration and knowledge-sharing to accelerate ecosystem restoration efforts on a broader scale.
• Reinforcement of the importance of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration