02 June 2026|News
Geneva, Switzerland, 27 May 2026 — At the GEO 2026 Symposium, the side event "EO-enabled MRV for Nature-based Solutions and Carbon Management" was successfully held. Bringing together stakeholders from across research institutions, national environmental authorities, international organizations, and the private sector, the event explored how EO applications—from carbon accounting and ecosystem restoration to forest monitoring, carbon markets, and climate finance—can move beyond technical capability to real-world impact. The event highlighted a growing shift from data-rich Earth Observation (EO) systems toward operational Earth Intelligence that can directly inform policy and implementation, and underscored the urgent need to bridge observation, socio-economic context, and decision-making.
Prof. Zhang Linxiu, Director of UNEP-IEMP, set the strategic tone in her keynote presentation, "Earth Intelligence for the SDGs: Linking Observation, Action and Impact." She emphasized that the next frontier of EO lies not in improving data availability alone, but in integrating EO with socio-economic information to enhance the relevance, inclusiveness, and usability of decision-making processes. She highlighted that effective climate and ecosystem action requires answering critical questions beyond environmental change itself: who is affected, how livelihoods are impacted, and how development objectives can be aligned.
From a UNEP-IEMP perspective, this integration is essential to transforming EO into Earth Intelligence that serves sustainable development outcomes. Zhang further called on GEO to advance thematic pilot initiatives that combine observational, socio-economic, and policy data into coherent, decision-oriented solutions—moving from fragmented datasets to integrated systems that can guide national climate action and nature-based solutions at scale.
Supporting this vision, Prof. Chen Zhi, Director of the CERN Synthesis Center and Professor at the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, demonstrated how robust scientific infrastructure can underpin such integrated approaches. Presenting on behalf of the Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN) and ChinaFLUX, she showcased China’s long-term ecosystem and carbon monitoring systems—including flux towers, ecological stations, remote sensing platforms, atmospheric modeling, and ground-based inventories—which together form a comprehensive multi-source data integration framework.
The event also showcased national-level case studies from Colombia and Gabon on natural resource and forest monitoring systems, as well as emerging applications of EO in supporting carbon markets and climate finance. These cases demonstrated that transitioning from isolated projects to national systems requires strong governance frameworks, capacity building, and sustained investment.
Participants widely agreed that the future of Earth Observation lies in advancing toward truly operational Earth Intelligence. Success should no longer be measured by the volume of data collected, but by whether information effectively supports real-world decision-making, credible carbon accounting, nature-based solutions, climate governance, and sustainable development financing. Achieving this will require scientific credibility, institutional ownership, system interoperability, sustainable financing, and strong cross-sector partnerships.
Group photo of participants
27 May 2026|News
26 May 2026, Beijing – The United Nations Environment Programme – International Ecosystem Management Partnership (UNEP-IEMP) warmly welcomed a delegation from Thailand to exchange knowledge and explore opportunities for expanding collaboration on bamboo and green development. The delegation included representatives from the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA); Wongphai Co., Ltd.; and Lampang Rajabhat University.
Both sides shared their respective work on bamboo as a sustainable material for industrial development, ecosystem restoration, agricultural amendments, carbon sequestration, livelihoods, rural development, and related areas. Experiences from China were also presented. Discussions on potential collaboration between China and Thailand were a highlight, with several opportunities and aspects thoroughly explored.
This visit from the Thai delegation was part of a continued effort by UNEP-IEMP to facilitate South-South cooperation on sustainable bamboo utilization for climate, ecosystem, and livelihoods.
13 May 2026|News
On May 11, 2026, at the invitation of the African Development Bank, UNEP-IEMP team participated in the Partnership Roundtable "Scaling Capacity for Africa’s Transformation: Advancing Strategic Partnerships for Skills, Knowledge, and Leadership". With its overall goal to convene key development partners and academic institutions to advance strategic collaboration on capacity development for Africa, the event was hosted by the African Development Institute of the African Development Bank Group, in partnership with Shanghai Ocean University, in Shanghai, China.
In this regard, Ms. Guoqin Wang, UNEP-IEMP Programme Manager, delivered a presentation to introduce UNEP-IEMP, its strategic areas of work, and engagement in Africa. During discussion session to exchange views on ongoing efforts and explore opportunities for collaboration, UNEP-IEMP also shared views from experiences and lessons in the areas of climate change, ecosystems, and livelihoods, particularly under South-South Cooperation through UNEP-IEMP and partner institutions.
参会嘉宾合影
Group photo of the guests
15 April 2026|News
During 5-8 April 2026, the UNEP-IEMP team, in collaboration with China Agriculture University and Renmin University of China, conducted a training workshop on agricultural policy document collection and text mining analysis in African countries in Sanya, China. This training is part of the NSFC-UNEP collaborative project titled "Mechanisms for the Collaborative Management of Food Security and Sustainable Food System Development between China and Africa". Its primary objectives are to enhance the research capacity of African scholars in conducting regional agricultural policy analysis, to provide technical support for the development of a cross-national agricultural policy database, and to facilitate South-South knowledge sharing. More than 30 early-career researchers and international students, from Malawi, Kenya, Ethiopia, Egypt, Zimbabwe, and Trinidad and Tobago, participated in the training.
The venue for the training
UNEP-IEMP intends to continue collaboration with the African researchers and further engage them in subsequent text mining analysis using machine learning methods. This ongoing partnership aims to provide empirical evidence and decision-making references to support African countries in formulating more science-based agricultural policies.
04 March 2026|News
3 March 2026, Beijing – A delegation from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), led by Dr Nathan Borgford-Parnell, CCAC Science Affairs Lead, visited UNEP-IEMP to introduce the Coalition's current science assessment work and explore opportunities to expand collaboration.
Dr Borgford-Parnell introduced the CCAC, established in 2012 with its Secretariat hosted by UNEP. The Coalition tackles both climate change and air pollution challenges by focusing on short-lived climate pollutants to deliver near-term climate benefits, improve human health, and advance sustainable development. He also highlighted ongoing global assessments, including the Global Economic Assessment of Climate and Clean Air, scheduled for launch in the coming year.
Prof. Zhang Linxiu, UNEP-IEMP Director, shared her early work on nitrogen fertilizer and air pollution from agrifood systems. She further recommended relevant experts and institutions from the Chinese Academy of Sciences that could contribute significantly to the CCAC assessments. Lively exchanges followed on the CCAC's work and potential areas of collaboration, and UNEP-IEMP expressed strong interest in pursuing the partnership.
16 February 2026|News
Share your proven solutions. Help shape a global knowledge base for sustainable land management. Submit your good practice case study by 13 April 2026.
Background
FAO estimates that 1.66 billion hectares of land are degraded due to human impacts, with over 60% occurring on agricultural land. Given that 95% of food production relies on healthy soil and land, it is urgent to restore these areas and adopt sustainable management practices.
Grasslands, pasturelands, and rangelands cover about 54% of the Earth's land surface, providing critical services such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and livelihoods for millions. However, these ecosystems are increasingly threatened; for instance, 13% of grasslands are degraded, and 34% show reduced function due to pressures like overgrazing, leading to soil erosion and diminished productivity.
In response, and to support the implementation of UNCCD COP16 Decision 19 (on avoiding, reducing and reversing land and soil degradation of agricultural lands), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme-International Ecosystem Management Partnership (UNEP-IEMP), hosted by the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), agreed to jointly develop a Global Report on Good Practices in Sustainable Management and Restoration of Agricultural Lands and Soils. This report aims to showcase proven solutions to restore soil health and enhance resilience of agrifood systems.
The Report will be structured as two complementary, stand-alone volumes, each focusing on a major land use system. We are now inviting submissions for Volume I, focusing specifically on Rangelands, Pasturelands, and Grasslands, to build a vital resource for scaling up effective action worldwide. The Global Report (Volume I) is expected to be showcased at major global events, e.g. UNCCD COP17 (Mongolia, August 2026) and other events and processes as appropriate.
This work contributes to the implementation of countries land degradation neutrality targets under the UNCCD, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) Action Framework (2022-2030), the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) 2026, the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 (IYWF), FAO Strategic Framework (2022-2031) and its four betters – better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, FAO Conceptual Framework for Integrated Land and Water Resources Management and UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy 2026-2029 (which includes land degradation neutrality).
Call for Submissions
We are looking for impactful good practice case studies that demonstrate successful approaches to managing and restoring these vital ecosystems. A "Good Practice" is defined as a field-tested approach applied in a specific geographical area that has delivered measurable benefits over at least three years. We strongly encourage submissions from all stakeholders, including government agencies, research institutions, non-governmental organizations, pastoralist and farmer organizations, and Indigenous groups.
To be considered, the submitted case must satisfy all six mandatory selection criteria:
Geographically Defined:Implemented in a clearly identified area.
Applies Restoration Principles:Aligns with the core principles of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
Delivers Measurable Benefits:Provides clear evidence of positive land degradation neutrality outcomes, e.g. resilience, ecosystem health, food security, productivity, gender equality, economic viability, livelihoods, cultural value.
Proven and Scalable:Demonstrates documented success and potential for scaling up or adaptation.
Creates Synergies:Contributes to the goals of at least two of the three Rio Conventions (UNCCD, CBD, UNFCCC).
How to Submit
Please prepare your case study in English using the officialCase Study Template, which guides you to provide the necessary evidence against the above criteria. The template is available here.
Submission Deadline:13 April 2026
Submission Email:Send your completed template and supporting materials (if any) toinfo@unep-iemp.org.
Review and Selection Process
All submissions will undergo a transparent, two-stage review (eligibility check & detailed scoring) by a multidisciplinary Expert Review Panel. The panel will assess cases based on the criteria and select at least the ten highest-ranking cases that represent a diversity of regions, ecosystems, and approaches for inclusion in the Report.
For More Information
For any questions regarding this call for submissions, the selection criteria, or the case study template, please contact:
FAO: Dr Rakotondramanga Soalandy (Soalandy.Rakotondramanga@fao.org)
UNEP-IEMP: Ms Tatirose Vijitpan(tatirose.vijitpan@outlook.com).
28 January 2026|News
January 2026, Thailand– A UNEP-IEMP delegation, consisting Ms. Guoqin Wang (Programme Manager) and Ms. Tatirose Vijitpan (Focal Point, Greater Mekong Sub-region Portfolio), concluded a productive mission to Thailand in early January 2026. The visit reinforced partnerships for the UNEP Climate, Ecosystems and Livelihoods (CEL) Flagship Programme.
The team engaged in field investigations in Nan province on forest restoration and livelihood challenges with local communities, NGOs, business sector, and government agencies. In Bangkok, strategic meetings were held with Kasetsart University to advance collaboration on biodiversity and ecosystem management; and with the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC, under the National Science and Technology Development Agency - NSTDA) on sustainable bamboo industry development.
Meeting with Kasersart University (Faculty of Forestry: Dean, Associate Dean, and key faculty members)
Meeting with the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) executive team and research team members
The mission successfully deepened collaborative ties, identifying concrete pathways to support Thailand’s national conservation goals and the implementation of global environmental frameworks through the integrated CEL approach.
28 January 2026|News
27 January 2026, Beijing – A delegation from the China–World Bank Group (WBG) Global Ecosystems Center (CWGC), led by Mr André Aquino, Lead Environmental Specialist, visited the UNEP-IEMP to explore synergistic opportunities for collaboration in the field of ecosystem restoration and sustainable development, with a particular focus on sharing China's experiences globally.
Mr Aquino introduced CWGC, which was officially launched in late 2024 under the auspices of the Chinese Ministry of Finance. He highlighted the Center's mission to promote Chinese expertise and proven practices in ecological restoration to the world, and to facilitate mutual learning. Prof. Zhang Linxiu, UNEP-IEMP Director, extended congratulations on the establishment of the CWGC. She introduced the founding and operational modality of UNEP-IEMP, highlighting the Flagship Programme on Climate-Ecosystem-Livelihood (CEL) nexus approach. She emphasized UNEP-IEMP's role in bridging science and policy through global networks, particularly the Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN).
The CWGC delegation expressed strong interest in collaborating with UNEP-IEMP, recognizing complementary strengths, while UNEP-IEMP affirmed its readiness to advance the partnership. This engagement marks a promising step towards fostering powerful synergies between the two global centres to accelerate progress on ecosystem restoration and sustainable development worldwide.
12 December 2025|News
On 11 December 2025, UNEP-IEMP warmly welcomed a distinguished alumnus back to its Beijing office: Prof. Dr. Adandé Belarmain Fandohan, Vice President of the National University of Agriculture (NUA) in Benin. The visit marked a significant moment of reconnection and forward-looking collaboration.
During his exchanges with UNEP-IEMP team, Prof. Fandohan provided a comprehensive overview of the National University of Agriculture, Benin, a key institution driving agricultural education, innovation, and sustainable development in West Africa. He shared insights into the university's strategic priorities and its role in addressing regional challenges related to food security, climate resilience, and ecosystem management. Furthermore, he shared key areas of potential cooperation as well as overall context of Benin and West Africa.
Dr. Fandohan’s visit to UNEP-IEMP is part of a two-week research cooperation mission in Beijing. As a former postdoctoral research fellow at UNEP-IEMP, his return was a homecoming that highlighted the enduring professional bonds and shared commitment to sustainability science fostered by the programme. It also reinforces the strong collaborative network UNEP-IEMP continues to build with institutions across developing countries for South-South Cooperation.
