October 15–16, 2025, Bohicon
As part of the Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting Program (LDN TSP 2.0), the Government of Benin, in collaboration with the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS), is holding a national workshop on October 15–16, 2025, in Bohicon. The event aims to officially endorse Benin’s new national targets for land degradation neutrality, adopt the conclusions of the gender analysis, and validate the concept note for a transformative project.
This gathering marks a significant milestone in advancing sustainable land management in Benin and reflects the country’s renewed commitment to implementing the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The initiative is supported technically by the OSS, with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implementation by the UNCCD Global Mechanism, along with dedicated support from the Government of Canada for gender-sensitive policy integration.
Bringing together key stakeholders—including government ministries, farmers’ organizations, research institutions, civil society, and development partners—the workshop serves as a national dialogue platform to build a shared vision for land restoration, ecosystem resilience, and improved livelihoods for local communities, in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15.3.
The event also feeds into preparations for the OSS side event at CRIC 23, to be held on December 3, 2025, in Panama City, under the theme: “Accelerating Land Degradation Neutrality: Lessons, Innovations, and Partnerships.” The results from Benin’s national workshop will be showcased as a model of participatory and inclusive governance, highlighting the integration of gender in public policies, the strategic use of geospatial tools for monitoring and planning, and the importance of mobilizing finance to scale up transformative LDN projects.
“This workshop is not merely a formal step—it represents a shared commitment to translate technical goals into measurable and actionable outcomes through a participatory approach that places women, youth, and local communities at the heart of sustainable land management,” stated Mr. Youssouf Amadou, OSS representative, during the opening session.
By fostering an inclusive and coordinated approach, this initiative lays the groundwork for the ambitious and coherent implementation of Benin’s commitments under the UNCCD and the 2030 Agenda, while enhancing the country’s visibility and leadership in the global movement to combat land degradation.