UN Awards Three New World Restoration Flagships — Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Sahel

UNEP and FAO announced three new World Restoration Flagships on August 26, 2026, at UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, bringing the total network to 27 recognized under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030). Brazil's Araticum Initiative, restoring the Cerrado savanna, brings together 180+ organizations — including Indigenous Peoples, local communities, farmers, and researchers — across nine states toward a 2-million-hectare target by 2030; 27,000+ ha were under restoration as of June 2026, using 150+ native plant species. Saudi Arabia's National Greening Programme targets 2.5 million hectares restored and 215 million trees planted by 2030 (1 million ha restored, 159 million trees planted by June 2026), aiming for up to 187,000 jobs via reforestation, controlled grazing, wildlife reintroduction, and rainwater harvesting. The Sahel Integrated Resilience Initiative — spanning Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger — targets 470,000 hectares by 2030 and had rehabilitated 335,000+ ha since 2018, supporting 4+ million people, with 75% of sites showing improved soil or vegetation and an 11% decline in humanitarian aid needs in covered areas. UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen said investing in healthy land is 'one of our strongest defenses' against climate and food-system threats; FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu said 'every hectare restored is a step towards a more sustainable future.'