The GEF at UNCCD COP17

13:00-14:30 | Side Event
Present and Future of GEF Support to UNCCD: From GEF-8 to GEF-9
This side event reflected on four years of GEF-8 support for UNCCD implementation, highlighted lessons learned from GEF-funded initiatives, and brought together government, youth, and civil society representatives to inform the GEF-9 strategy on land degradation and drought resilience.  

15:00-18:00 | CRIC
GEF Report Presentation in CRIC
The GEF presented its report to COP17, documenting progress and activities since the last COP. 

10:30-12:00 | Side Event
Integrated Landscape Investment: Complementary Financing by CIF and GEF
This CIF-GEF co-organized panel explored how integrated investments can help countries advance towards climate, biodiversity, land restoration, and sustainable development goals, while highlighting lessons learned for designing and financing the next generation of initiatives. 

18:00-19:30 | Side Event
From Data to Decisions: Leveraging GEF Global Activities to Strengthen UNCCD Reporting and Achieve LDN
This side event highlighted how UNCCD Parties can leverage reporting processes and GEF-supported global initiatives to advance Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) through strategic and coordinated action. It featured presentations, panel discussions, and country perspectives to identify practical opportunities for strengthening implementation and collaboration. 

8:30-10:00 | Side Event
What Makes National Drought Plans Investable
This FAO-organized session showcased how countries can build practical pathways towards drought resilience by strengthening National Drought Plans and developing financeable investment strategies. 

11:00-14:00 | High-level Ministerial Segment
Ministerial Dialogue on Innovative Financial Mechanisms for Healthy Land and Drought Resilience
This Ministerial Dialogue presented an opportunity for ministers and relevant high-level stakeholders and investors to discuss innovative financial mechanisms that can drive a transition towards land restoration and proactive drought management. 

16:30-18:00 | Launch Event
Official Launch of the Rangelands Flagship Initiative: the UNCCD COP17 Legacy Program 
The official launch of the Rangelands Flagship Initiative, a key component of the UNCCD COP17 Legacy Project, brought together partners and stakeholders to showcase major investments in sustainable rangeland management, including GEF-supported projects. 

10:30-12:00 | MET-07 | Side Event
Scaling Drylands Restoration
A side event co-organized by the Ecosystem Restoration Integrated Program (ERIP) and Conservation International brought together project representatives and stakeholders to explore how collaboration can drive large-scale sustainable restoration in drylands. 

11:30-13:00 | High-level Ministerial Segment
Official Launch of the Drought Resilience Investment Facility (DRIF): Accelerating Finance for Drought Resilience, Water Security and Land Restoration
The official launch of the DRIF brought together stakeholders and investors to mark a major step in sustainable finance for proactively addressing drought. The GEF stands ready to collaborate with the DRIF, including through the new Drought and Drylands IP. 

13:00-14:30 | Side Event
Restoration of Degraded Landscapes to Enhance Food Security in Arid Regions 
This panel, hosted by the COP16 Presidency, Saudi Arabia, explored how land degradation in arid regions affects food security and livelihoods, and showcased innovative approaches that enhance resilience, productivity, and ecosystem health. Discussions also focused on how public and private finance can be harnessed to scale up sustainable land and water management solutions.