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
E-learning Course on Land Cover
11. June 2024
Launched on 21 March 2024, the free e-learning course “Using Land-Cover Information to Monitor SDG 15” equips technical officers and practitioners with skills to apply land-cover data in tracking SDG indicators 15.3.1 and 15.4.2. Developed by FAO, UNCCD, GEO-LDN and GIZ, the course supports global efforts toward Land Degradation Neutrality.
GEO-LDN Latest Newsletter Out now!!
28. May 2024
The April 2024 edition of the GEO-LDN Newsletter highlights our work in the first quarter of the year, featuring the TSP 2.0 Workshop, ESP Symposium, Principals Meeting, Monthly Online Seminars, and the launch of Online Support Sessions. Explore updates on GEO-LDN’s activities and milestones.
GEO-LDN at NewLife4Drylands Final Conference
17. May 2024
At the NewLife4Drylands Final Conference (14–16 May), GEO-LDN Co-Chair Antje Hecheltjen introduced the Flagship and highlighted opportunities for cross-network collaboration on LDN and land restoration. GEO-LDN emphasized knowledge exchange, expert engagement, and experience in intersectoral team building, with further exchanges planned at the upcoming UNCCD COP alongside the GEO Secretariat.
