The Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) and its member organizations are participating in the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17), being held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
At COP17, AFA is bringing the voices and experiences of small-scale family farmers to global discussions on desertification, land degradation, drought, climate change, and sustainable land management. Through various side events, AFA and its members are showcasing farmer-led solutions and demonstrating how family farmers are already contributing to the restoration of ecosystems, strengthening food systems, and building resilient rural communities.
Small-scale family farmers are among those most directly affected by land degradation, drought, and climate change. At the same time, they are also important actors in developing and implementing solutions on the ground.
Across Asia, family farmers, pastoralists, fishers, and their organizations are advancing practices that strengthen the resilience of their communities while protecting natural resources. These include farmer-led agroecology, sustainable land management, climate-resilient farming, and agroecological enterprises that connect environmental sustainability with improved livelihoods.
At UNCCD COP17, AFA is highlighting these experiences and calling for greater recognition of the knowledge, innovations, and contributions of family farmers in addressing land degradation and drought.
AFA is also advocating for stronger mechanisms that enable family farmers and their organizations to access climate finance, land restoration finance, and other forms of investment directly.
Family farmers need access to appropriate financing, technology, knowledge, markets, and supportive policies to scale up their locally developed solutions. Directing resources to farmers’ organizations can help ensure that investments respond to the realities and priorities of rural communities and support solutions that are locally owned and sustainable over the long term.
With the right support, family farmers can continue investing in approaches that restore degraded land, strengthen livelihoods, protect ecosystems, and build more resilient communities.
Throughout COP17, AFA and its member organizations are participating as speakers, panelists, reactors, and co-organizers in a range of events addressing land restoration, agroecology, food systems, water security, pastoralism, climate resilience, and other issues affecting rural communities.
These engagements provide opportunities to share farmers’ experiences, connect with policymakers and development partners, and advocate for stronger recognition and support for farmer-led solutions.
AFA invites partners, advocates, and fellow stakeholders to follow these discussions and learn more about the contributions of family farmers to tackling desertification, land degradation, and drought.
Follow AFA’s participation in UNCCD COP17 and explore the events featuring AFA and its members through our UNCCD COP17 updates.
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