Reimagining sustainable returns on investment for planet and people - A Near East and North Africa regional approach to ecosystem restoration and development solutions - White paper

Synopsis (short abstract)
This white paper presents a strategic response to the environmental, social, and economic "poly-crisis" affecting the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region. As one of the most land- and water-scarce regions globally, NENA faces mounting challenges from land degradation, climate change, food insecurity, and fragile ecosystems. Restoration efforts to date remain fragmented, underfunded, and insufficient to address the scale of these threats. Anchored in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), the paper introduces a Regional Investment Framework co-developed by FAO and partners to catalyse integrated solutions that deliver measurable sustainable returns on investment (SROI). It identifies six investment pathways to align public and private finance, strengthen governance, support small businesses, and leverage regional knowledge and innovation. The framework promotes cross-sectoral partnerships and policy alignment with the Rio Conventions and Sustainable Development Goals, offering a roadmap for transitioning toward inclusive, resilient development. 

With less than 4 percent of degraded land currently under restoration and a USD 35 billion annual funding gap, the paper underscores the urgency and opportunity for redirection of investments toward nature-positive, climate-resilient outcomes. The Paper builds on a regional mapping exercise and outlines a phased roadmap from evidence-building and partnership design to implementation and scaling. It calls for coordinated action to shift the region from a cycle of vulnerability toward long-term resilience and prosperity, backed by political commitment and innovative financing. Read more.