Soil degradation is widely considered to be a key factor undermining agricultural
livelihoods. Therefore, Germany welcomes and strongly supports the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) process of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification
(UNCCD).
The development of concrete LDN targets in many countries leads to an increased
awareness for the often-neglected issue of land and soil degradation. As of today,
113 countries have committed to set LDN targets and associated measures. Possible
levers to reach LDN targets include legal instruments. Germany explicitly addresses
LDN in its recent national sustainable development strategy.
Only close cooperation and partnership combined with a cross-sectoral perspective will lead to contextualized ways of reaching the LDN’s ambitious vision.
Sensible coordination of UNCCD activities with other agenda 2030 processes, the
Rio Conventions, and other relevant initiatives is important, specifically to use
synergies and to mitigate competitive situations among institutions.
Preservation of fertile soils worldwide is a prerequisite for the subsistence of
mankind. Soil degradation leads to poverty, hunger, migration, and even conflicts. In
Uganda, high population growth paired with massive deforestation and expansion of
agricultural land and settlement zones contributes to urbanization, which in turn
results in higher levels of unemployment, increased crime rates, and the formation of
slums. Hence, land issues and their respective regulations are crucial.
Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy
of the Federal Republic of Germany
Kampala, Germany
Petra Kochendörfer
Foreword
vii
livelihoods. Therefore, Germany welcomes and strongly supports the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) process of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification
(UNCCD).
The development of concrete LDN targets in many countries leads to an increased
awareness for the often-neglected issue of land and soil degradation. As of today,
113 countries have committed to set LDN targets and associated measures. Possible
levers to reach LDN targets include legal instruments. Germany explicitly addresses
LDN in its recent national sustainable development strategy.
Only close cooperation and partnership combined with a cross-sectoral perspective will lead to contextualized ways of reaching the LDN’s ambitious vision.
Sensible coordination of UNCCD activities with other agenda 2030 processes, the
Rio Conventions, and other relevant initiatives is important, specifically to use
synergies and to mitigate competitive situations among institutions.
Preservation of fertile soils worldwide is a prerequisite for the subsistence of
mankind. Soil degradation leads to poverty, hunger, migration, and even conflicts. In
Uganda, high population growth paired with massive deforestation and expansion of
agricultural land and settlement zones contributes to urbanization, which in turn
results in higher levels of unemployment, increased crime rates, and the formation of
slums. Hence, land issues and their respective regulations are crucial.
Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy
of the Federal Republic of Germany
Kampala, Germany
Petra Kochendörfer
Foreword
vii