Insights from the GEO-LDN Global Dialogue Forum 2023
Kenya’s Journey Towards Land Degradation Neutrality
The Plus One Tree Initiative had the privilege of representing Kenya at the GEO-LDN Global Dialogue Forum (GDF) 2023. This crucial forum provided an opportunity for our team to engage with global experts, stakeholders, and fellow practitioners committed to achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN).
User Case and LDN Roadmap
At the GDF 2023, Plus One Tree Initiative had the opportunity to present Kenya’s LDN user case and develop a roadmap for achieving LDN goals with the support of GEO-LDN. This involved outlining key challenges, legislative frameworks, stakeholder involvement, and the necessary resources for implementation. Our presentation contributed to the broader dialogue, helping to refine approaches and receive expert guidance for effective implementation.
Interactive Engagement and Learning Sessions
The forum was structured to encourage open dialogue through interactive sessions. Key highlights included:
- Poster Presentation: Our team developed and showcased a poster outlining Kenya’s LDN challenges, existing policies, and partnerships required to advance LDN efforts. This provided a structured way for participants to understand different country perspectives and exchange ideas.
- Peer-to-Peer Exchange: The open format of the discussions enabled direct interaction with experts and other country teams, fostering South-South collaboration and intra-regional knowledge sharing.
- Geospatial Training Workshops: Hands-on workshops provided training on using geospatial tools to measure and monitor land degradation. These tools will be instrumental in refining our land management strategies in Kenya.
- Roadmap Development: The forum facilitated the creation of a strategic and time-bound roadmap to guide Kenya’s LDN progress in 2024. With expert support, we identified measurable milestones and resource requirements essential for implementation. How to LDN
Online Support Session and Continued Engagement
To build on the momentum of the GDF 2023, GEO-LDN launched its first Online Support Session in March 2024. This initiative enables participating country teams to track their progress, share challenges, and receive technical support from international LDN and geospatial experts. Kenya, along with 13 other countries, including Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, and Brazil, actively participated in the session.
The Online Support Session is designed to facilitate ongoing engagement, with smaller, clustered sessions planned for more detailed discussions on specific challenges. Additionally, GEO-LDN has introduced a helpdesk at the Regional Center for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) to provide technical assistance to country teams. This continued support ensures that Kenya’s LDN roadmap remains actionable, with clear strategies for implementation and monitoring.
GEO-LDN Online Support Session
Key Takeaways and Future Outlook
Our participation in the GDF 2023 reinforced the importance of integrated land use planning and the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration. The introduction of the Online Support Session further strengthens our commitment to achieving LDN by ensuring continuous engagement, technical guidance, and knowledge-sharing opportunities.
As we move forward, the Plus One Tree Initiative is committed to implementing the insights gained, working closely with local communities, government agencies, and international partners to achieve LDN in Kenya. This event was not just about dialogue it was about action. The roadmap we developed will serve as a foundation for continued collaboration with GEO-LDN and other stakeholders, ensuring that Kenya makes measurable progress toward sustainable land management and environmental conservation.
We extend our gratitude to GEO-LDN for this invaluable opportunity and look forward to applying these learnings to drive impactful change in Kenya’s land restoration efforts.