This UNCCD COP17 Blue Zone side event will explore how more coordinated approaches to restoration monitoring, data and reporting can help countries advance both land degradation neutrality under the UNCCD and biodiversity objectives under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), particularly Target 2 of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

A central focus of the event will be a joint effort to strengthen interoperability between the Framework for Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring (FERM) and the UNCCD Performance Review and Assessment of Implementation System (PRAIS). Greater alignment between data, indicators and reporting processes can help reduce duplication, improve coherence across conventions and make it easier to translate global commitments into practical implementation.

From global frameworks to regional support and country implementation

Structured around a global → regional → country perspective, the session will bring together complementary experiences from across the restoration community.

The UNCCD Secretariat, CBD Secretariat, FAO and the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) will introduce opportunities for stronger cooperation across the land and biodiversity agendas, including work under the Target 2 Road Map and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Standards of Practice.

Regional support organizations, including the Joint Research Centre (JRC), Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) and FAO, will discuss how scientific and technical support can help countries overcome common monitoring and institutional challenges.

Country representatives from China and Guatemala will then share practical experiences in addressing land degradation through ecosystem restoration and aligning national implementation, monitoring and reporting approaches.

What will the event address?

The discussion will focus on how to:

• use ecosystem restoration as a practical mechanism for strengthening synergies across the Rio Conventions;
• improve interoperability between FERM and UNCCD PRAIS;
• reduce duplication through more coordinated monitoring and reporting;
• strengthen regional technical and institutional support to countries;
• apply the Standards of Practice for Ecosystem Restoration; and
• learn from country experience in connecting restoration action with monitoring and reporting.

The session aims to generate greater awareness and country and expert buy-in around data sharing, interoperability and cross-convention collaboration, while creating momentum for continued cooperation in future reporting cycles.

Programme highlights

The programme will include contributions on the upcoming UNCCD reporting cycle, GBF Target 2 and land–biodiversity synergies, restoration data interoperability, the UN Decade Standards of Practice, regional support mechanisms and country experiences, followed by an audience discussion on practical synergies, country needs and next steps.

The event will conclude with a networking lunch from 12:40 to 13:00.

Target audience: UNCCD reporting focal points, technical experts, civil society, intergovernmental organizations and other stakeholders engaged in restoration monitoring and reporting.

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