Blog

Photo credit: G20 Global Land Initiative

From November 4-7, 2024, the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), in collaboration with the G20 Global Land Initiative of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), successfully concluded the second edition of its workshop titled, Biosaline Agriculture as an Approach to Land Restoration.

Held at ICBA’s headquarters in Dubai, the four-day training brought together 25 participants from 23 countries, each committed to addressing land degradation and promoting resilience in marginal environments. This year’s event followed the inaugural edition held in 2023.

The program included in-depth modules on salinity management, sustainable land and water resource practices and the use of salt-tolerant crops for soil rehabilitation.

A highlight of the meeting was the site visit to ICBA’s Soil Museum, where participants explored interactive exhibits on soil health, salinity and sustainable land practices. The experienced helped them to connect theoretical learning to practical insights.

Among the attendees was Julia Mensa, CEO of Nunatak Biotech. “This training has been an invaluable experience, allowing me to deepen my understanding of biosaline agriculture and its potential to address pressing environmental challenges,” she said.

Ms Mensa is  part of the Youth Ecopreneur Programme (YECO), a partnership with the International Trade Centre to support young entrepreneurs leading land restoration startups.

Aliona Isac, one of UNCCD’s Land Heroes, also attended the training. Her commitment to sustainable land management and youth leadership added valuable perspectives to the discussions.

As the training concluded, participants expressed enthusiasm for continued collaboration within this diverse team.

The training program has fostered a community of practice dedicated to innovative solutions for land restoration, creating a network that will share knowledge and work together to implement sustainable practices in their regions.

---