The state of land resources is the foundation of sustainable development, food security, and environmental stability. In the context of climate change, population growth, and expanding economic activity, land degradation has become one of the most urgent environmental and socio-economic challenges of our time. To assess the scale and dynamics of these processes, Regional Land Outlook is conducted under the coordination of the UNCCD Secretariat, in partnership with national and international stakeholders.
What is a Regional Land Outlook?
A Regional Land Outlook is an analytical document based on scientific data, satellite monitoring, national reporting, and expert assessments. Its purpose is to provide a comprehensive picture of land condition, identify key drivers of degradation, evaluate socio-economic impacts, and propose solutions for sustainable land management.
Key objectives of the Outlook:
Assess the extent and types of land degradation, including desertification, erosion, salinization, loss of organic matter, and biodiversity decline;
Identify high-risk areas and vulnerable ecosystems;
Analyze social and economic consequences, including food insecurity, migration, and income loss;
Share best practices for land restoration and sustainable land management;
Support countries in achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN).
Regional Land Outlooks are developed based on the global methodology and analytical framework presented in the Global Land Outlook (GLO) — the flagship publication of the UNCCD. This report provides the conceptual and scientific foundation for assessing the state of land resources, projecting future scenarios, and promoting land restoration policies. The Regional Outlooks adapt the GLO approach to specific climatic, socio-economic, and ecological conditions of each region, including Central Asia and Russia. Thus, a Regional Land Outlook serves as a localized extension of the global analysis, supporting the achievement of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) by 2030.
Central Asia and Russia in the Regional Land Outlook
Central Asia is one of the region’s most severely affected by land degradation. Due to factors such as arid climate, intensive livestock grazing, outdated irrigation systems, and climate change, a significant portion of the land is facing risks of erosion, salinization, and desertification. According to UNCCD and national assessments, up to 60% of land in the region is already degraded or at risk. In response, countries of Central Asia have committed to the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Target Setting Programme, developed national goals, and initiated pilot projects for sustainable land use and restoration.
Russia, as a vast country with diverse ecosystems, also faces land degradation challenges in certain regions. The Russian Federation has actively engaged in land monitoring, policy development, and restoration efforts within the framework of the UNCCD. It contributes to regional cooperation and knowledge sharing with Central Asian countries, particularly in areas such as sustainable pasture management, combating soil erosion, and transboundary environmental governance.
