As leaders gather at the Munich Security Conference 2025, land restoration has become a key focus in discussions about security and stability. The conference highlights how restoring land can prevent conflicts and promote peace.
During a session titled Conversation on Land Restoration and Security, experts examined how land restoration plays a vital role in enhancing resilience and cooperation across borders. Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the UNCCD, shared impactful insights: “Land degradation is not just an environmental issue; it’s a serious security concern. With over 3 billion people relying on land, nearly 40% of it is degraded, causing food and water shortages and leading to instability and displacement.”
The issues surrounding land degradation extend beyond environmental challenges. Jochen Flasbarth, former State Secretary in Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, pointed out that the fight against desertification is increasingly tied to global peace. He emphasized the need for a collaborative approach at all levels—local, national, and international—to address these urgent challenges.
Land Degradation: A Global Impact
Climate change continues to worsen desertification, escalating competition for shrinking land resources. This tension may lead to millions being displaced by 2050 as they seek better living conditions. The Ground for Peace report outlines several key points:
- Conflict is heightened by land degradation, driving up competition for food and water.
- A staggering 60% of ecosystem services in conflict-prone areas are already damaged, complicating recovery.
- Poor funding: only 10% of global climate finance dedicated to land restoration has been allocated between 2015 and 2024, even though this is crucial for reducing conflict risks.
- The financial impact of land degradation is about $6.3 trillion each year, affecting global stability.
- Initiatives focused on environmental cooperation across borders can promote peace and stability.
- Effective governance and clear land rights are vital for making sure land restoration leads to lasting peace.
Dr. Beatrice Mosello, Senior Advisor at Adelphi, stated that restoring land is not just about the environment; it’s a key pathway to achieve global security. The evidence presented in the report underscores the necessity of integrating land restoration into policies that address security and cooperation.
The Importance of Land Restoration in Security Efforts
Cross-border land restoration efforts can notably help in mitigating disputes over shared resources. By encouraging collaboration, countries can build trust and find common ground in managing natural resources. One noteworthy initiative is the Peace Forest Initiative, which aims to restore degraded lands and forests in fragile areas while fostering cooperation among nations.
Other large-scale efforts, like the Great Green Wall across the Sahel, not only combat desertification but also improve regional stability. In the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, countries work together to manage natural resources, which helps protect biodiversity and alleviate tensions over land access.
In Latin America, the Cordillera del Cóndor corridor stands as a testament to how environmental restoration can facilitate peace and promote stability between Ecuador and Peru.
The success of these initiatives relies heavily on strong governance and consistent financial support to ensure their longevity. Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, stressed the connectivity between land degradation and various societal issues, such as violence and political instability. He highlighted that addressing these concerns early could save substantial resources in the long run.
Finally, the Ground for Peace report calls for immediate action in financing land restoration as an essential strategy for conflict prevention and rebuilding communities. Solutions like agroforestry, reforestation, and improved water conservation need to gain traction to enhance stability and resilience in vulnerable regions.
The Munich Security Conference takes place from February 14 to 16, 2025.
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Ecosystem Restoration,Munich Security Conference 2025 (MSC 2025),UNCCD
