UN Food Agency Urges Increased Funding and Policy Focus on Dryland Forests
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has called on governments and international donors to significantly increase financial support for dryland forests and elevate their status in climate and land use policies. The FAO also proposed establishing a support platform to coordinate investment and management of these ecosystems. Dryland forests play a critical role in carbon sequestration and supporting biodiversity in arid and semi-arid regions.
The FAO's recommendation addresses a significant gap in environmental policy and funding mechanisms. Dryland forests, which exist in arid and semi-arid climates, have historically received less attention and financial resources compared to tropical or temperate forests, despite their ecological importance. These ecosystems provide essential services including carbon storage and habitat for specialized species adapted to harsh conditions. The organization's proposal for a coordinated investment platform aims to streamline resource allocation and improve management practices across borders and jurisdictions where dryland forests are located.
This call could influence how governments and development banks allocate climate finance and shape land-use strategies in affected regions. Countries with significant dryland forest coverage—particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America—may see shifts in priority within their environmental budgets. The initiative could potentially affect rural communities dependent on these ecosystems, carbon credit markets valuing forest-based offsets, and international climate commitments. However, implementation would depend on political will and donor coordination, which remain uncertain variables in translating policy recommendations into sustained funding.