FAO: Promoting sustainable land management practices is critical to improve people’s livelihoods

The Representation of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in the Islamic Republic of Iran commemorates World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2020, highlighting the importance of promoting sustainable production and consumption.  

During an event hosted today Tuesday 16 June 2020 by the Forests, Rangelands and Watershed Management Organization, Mr Ali Shahnian, FAO-Iran Project Operation Officer delivered a statement on behalf of Mr Gerold Bödeker, FAO Representative to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In his statement, Mr Bödeker, emphasised that preventing land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas is an achievable target that can be realised through collective problem-solving, strong community involvement and cooperation at all levels.

He underscored that changing consumer and corporate behaviour, and adopting more efficient land use planning and more sustainable land management practices, will provide us with enough land to meet the demand for essentials and for a wider array of goods and services.

“We have no choice but to manage and utilise our resources much better. We need to enhance productivity and efficiency along the entire value chain,” highlighted Mr Bödeker.

“FAO is fully committed to supporting the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in order to increase resilience to climate change and drought through the promotion of sustainable land management practices as a means to improve people’s livelihoods,” noted FAO Representative in his concluding remarks.

To read the full text of the statement of Mr Gerold Bödeker, the FAO Representative to the Islamic Republic of Iran on the occasion of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2020, click here.