Upcoming Events
GEO-LDN Flagship
The GEO Land Degradation Neutrality Flagship (GEO-LDN) is a stakeholder-driven initiative that was launched in 2018 during the GEO Week in Kyoto, Japan, responding to a request by the UNCCD’s Conference of the Parties (COP13). It brings together Earth observation data providers and governments to develop minimum data quality standards, analytical tools and capacity building needed to strengthen land degradation monitoring and reporting, using remote sensing and data collected on site.
GEO-LDN helps governments to access the necessary datasets and tools to prioritize interventions, monitor outcomes to manage land better and to report on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator 15.3.1 (Decision 9/COP.13).
“Countries should not have to navigate multiple disconnected support systems.”
In this statement recorded for the GEO Symposium 2026 Community Event, Barron J. Orr (Chief Scientist at the UNCCD) reflects on the progress made through the GEO-LDN Initiative and outlines the next step: moving from coordination to operational integration across GEO initiatives, interoperable data and tools, and coordinated regional support for countries implementing the Rio Conventions.
The LDN Toolbox is a user-oriented entry point to a suite of analytical tools, datasets and methods for land use planning towards land degradation neutrality. The workflow of the toolbox is structured according to the typical 5 phases of an integrated land use planning cycle, as presented in a report of the UNCCD Science-Policy interface on “The contribution of integrated land use planning and integrated landscape management to implementing Land Degradation Neutrality: Entry points and support tools”.
Latest News
From National Reporting to Shared Action: Strengthening Regional Cooperation across the Rio Conventions
1. September 2026
At the UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, the event “From National Reporting to Shared Action: Strengthening Regional Cooperation across the Rio Conventions” brought together partners to discuss the launch of the Support Hubs and Technical Advisors Network for the 2026 UNCCD National Reporting Process.
GIYSCC 2026: Bringing Youth and Indigenous Perspectives into Land Degradation Neutrality
12. August 2026
On 9 August 2026, GEO-LDN and the GEO-LDN African Student Chapter had the opportunity to participate in the Global Indigenous Youth Summit on Climate Change (GIYSCC), hosted by Future Earth. Held on the United Nations’ International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the virtual global summit brought together Indigenous youth and allies across time zones to exchange knowledge, perspectives and ideas on climate action.
A New Chapter for GEO-LDN: Welcoming Our New Co-Chair
10. August 2026
After eight years of dedicated service as Co-Chair of GEO-LDN, Antje Hecheltjen is stepping down from this role. We would like to express our sincere gratitude for her leadership and contributions to the network over the past four years. As one chapter closes, another begins, and we are delighted to welcome Dr. Anke Schickling as our new Co-Chair. Anke is a Hyperspectral Applications Scientist and Technical Officer at the European Space Agency (ESA).
