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Dear reader,
Although we're already a month and a half into the new year, the sense of beginning and the excitement for what lies ahead remains strong. It's our first newsletter of the year, and there's much to share and look forward to.
I'm especially thrilled to announce the publication of our 2023 Annual Report. The report illustrates how the seeds of change sown in the last three years have grown; the progress PROGREEN and our partners have made. Give it a read and let us know what you think.
Additionally, we're excited to have launched the second part of our e-course on integrated land-use initiatives. For those of you interested in advancing your knowledge on land tenure, financing strategies, and cross-sectoral coordination, this course is tailor-made for you. It builds on the foundational concepts already introduced to you in part one.
Thank you for your continued support and for being a vital part of the PROGREEN community. Here’s to a prosperous 2024 filled with shared successes in our journey toward greener futures.
Best regards,
Tim Brown
Program Manager, PROGREEN
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As countries and communities across the globe continue to grapple with intensifying climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, there is growing recognition of the immense potential of forests, woodlands, and landscapes to tackle these three environmental crises. It is within this context that, since 2020, PROGREEN - a global partnership of the World Bank, Germany, and Sweden - has supported a growing number of client countries in a myriad of ways. The 2023 annual report provides insight into the results achieved to date. | | |
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Part Two of the Online Course on Integrated Land-Use Now Available!
We are pleased to announce the release of Part Two of our online course: "Integrated Land-Use Initiatives: Theory and Practice." Building on the comprehensive foundation laid in Part One, this next installment delves further into the nuanced aspects of sustainable land management, exploring critical themes such as:
Land Tenure, Financing Strategies, Monitoring, Evaluating and Learning, and Cross-sectorial Coordination.
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This course is designed for those who have completed Part One, offering an in-depth exploration of integrated land use. It's an invaluable resource for landscape practitioners, policymakers, and anyone passionate about sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
Join us as we continue our journey towards sustainable land use and effective management of our natural resources.
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Aerial view of forest and fields. Indonesia. Photo: Curt Carnemark / World Bank
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Forests for healthy people, economies, and ecosystems
Blog by Valerie Hickey
Healthy forests support the foundations on which humans, wildlife, and ecosystems can thrive. Investments in forests are investments benefiting people, economies, and our planet. The forest sector accounts for 1% of global jobs, employing more than 33 million people. Well-managed forests are an effective tool to help end poverty on a livable planet, especially considering that over 90 percent of people living in extreme poverty rely on forests for some of their livelihoods.
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Du Fleuve au Désert (From the River to the Desert)
With support from PROGREEN, 8billion seeks to amplify the local and diverse voices of resilient communities around the world, inspiring the next generation of storytellers and climate innovators. In their latest short documentary, Dr. Bachirou Bodo embarks on a journey to document the resilience and ingenuity of communities adapting to new living conditions in Niger.
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Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River. Photo:
Eva Mont / Shutterstock
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Valuing ecosystem services for integrated landscape management in Zimbabwe
In Zimbabwe, where land degradation severely impacts livelihoods and economic growth, the World Bank is spearheading an initiative to revitalize ecosystem services. This effort, part of a collaboration with the government, focuses on sustainable landscape management, particularly in areas like the Mazowe Catchment. By integrating environmental conservation with economic and social needs, the initiative aims to combat poverty, enhance food security, and foster climate resilience.
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Empowering the Next Generation: World Bank Leaders Highlight Youth-Led Climate Initiatives at Central Asia Workshop
At the National University of Uzbekistan, interviews highlighted the December 5 Stakeholder Workshop on Environmental and Climate Education in Central Asia. The event, covered by Sanjay Srivastava, Practice Manager for Europe and Central Asia, and Asferachew Abebe, Senior Environmental Specialist, showcased
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young people's engagement in green initiatives and climate change discussions. Srivastava lauded the youth for their innovative projects on waste reduction and recycling, noting the World Bank's support for such initiatives. Abebe emphasized the workshop's role in raising climate awareness among youngsters, crucial for addressing land degradation and waste management. | | |
Delegates from the Philippines, Lao PDR and Indonesia accept awards for their work on formalizing community forest rights | |
Advancing Land Rights: A Glimpse into PROGREEN's Regional Efforts in Southeast Asia | During the 'Recognition and Formalization of Land Rights in Forest Areas' conference held in the Philippines from February 4-9, 2024, Patricia Kristjanson, Senior Gender Specialist for PROGREEN and FOLUR, shared insights into the impactful initiatives of PROGREEN in Southeast Asia. At the forefront, PROGREEN's commitment to | |
developing Forest and Land-tenure focused Country Action Plans in the Philippines, Lao PDR, and Indonesia was showcased. The event highlighted the significant strides being made in these countries, with enthusiastic participation from director-level officials and a focus on cross-country learning and implementation of action plans. A field visit demonstrated the tangible benefits of these efforts, such as the awarding of the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title to over 600 families in Coron, empowering them with full land and water rights. Discussions on land tenure, gender, and inclusion further underscored the importance of continuing to support the rights of local and indigenous communities, showcasing PROGREEN's role in fostering regional collaboration and seeking sustainable funding solutions. This gathering not only celebrated the progress made but also set the stage for future endeavors in strengthening community rights and promoting inclusivity in governance. | | |
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The World Bank at COP28: Bank Negara Malaysia and World Bank Join Forces for Nature-Positive Financial Strategies | At COP28, a significant partnership was unveiled, marking a milestone in nature-related financial strategies. Bank Negara Malaysia, in collaboration with the World Bank, announced two pivotal initiatives | |
initiatives aimed at empowering the financial sector to foster nature-positive outcomes. These initiatives, announced at the Climate Finance Day in the Malaysia Pavilion, Dubai, are a response to the growing need for integrating nature-related considerations in financial decision-making. This collaboration is set to develop a comprehensive financial risks assessment guide, specifically tailored for Malaysian financial institutions and businesses. The guide will assist in evaluating nature-related risks and impacts, aligning with the Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework. Furthermore, this partnership is dedicated to mobilizing private capital for nature-based solutions, introducing innovative financial instruments to boost investments in environmental sustainability. This strategic alliance between Bank Negara Malaysia and the World Bank exemplifies a significant step towards aligning financial flows with positive environmental outcomes, showcasing Malaysia's commitment as a megadiverse country to tackle nature-related financial and economic risks head-on. | | |
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World Bank at COP28: Defining Pathways for Nature Finance | This event, moderated by Valerie Hickey, Global Director for Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy (ENB), brought together leaders from the public, private sectors, and civil society to address the urgent, yet underfunded, area of nature-based solutions for climate change. | |
The session focused on the critical need for innovative financing, policy interventions, and the integration of efforts against nature loss and climate change. Emphasizing the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework for reversing nature loss by 2030 and the World Bank's commitment to fostering a sustainable forest economy, the discussions highlighted the importance of collaborative approaches to filling the financing gap and securing a sustainable future. | | |
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Combating Land Degradation: World Bank's Active Role at CRIC-21 UNCCD in Uzbekistan | The 21st session of the Committee on the Implementation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (CRIC-21 UNCCD), held on November 13-14 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, marked a significant gathering | |
focused on combating land degradation and sand and dust storms. This session, featuring Uzbekistan's Minister of Ecology and key international figures, highlighted Central Asia and China's substantial contribution to global dust emissions. In this context, the World Bank played a pivotal role, presenting its landscape resilience studies and participating in two critical side events. The first, discussing landscape restoration in Central Asia, saw the presentation of the World Bank's PROGREEN-funded study on climate adaptation in Uzbekistan. The second event extended the discussion to the South Caucasus region. These forums, attracting over 40 participants, were platforms for exchanging ideas on landscape restoration strategies across diverse geographies. | | |
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Central Asia's Regional Dialogue on Transboundary Conservation | This regional dialogue, held on November 28-30 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, made significant strides in advancing the transboundary conservation agenda. Organized jointly with IUCN under the RESILAND CA+ Program, the event brought together nearly 100 government | |
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representatives from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, and representatives from national and international organizations. Ecosystems that are divided by borders are often subject to different policy, management, and governance structures. Transboundary conservation is a way to overcome these differences by promoting cooperation between relevant parties of the involved countries.
Links to presentations, recordings, agenda.
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This publication offers a detailed account of PROGREEN's notable achievements and initiatives implemented by client countries since 2020. Download the report to explore the successful strategies and impactful outcomes that contribute to a sustainable and resilient global environment.
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Algeria is prioritizing sustainable forest management (SFM) to boost economic growth, enhance livelihoods, and protect the environment. Due to a lack of recent studies and treatments, there is an urgent need to update forest management plans. The forestry sector in Algeria is specifically concentrating on forest information management and fire prevention. | | | | |
