Join me as we engage with technocrats, government leaders, civil society organizations, and international experts in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, for UNCCD COP17, under the banner “Restoring Land. Restoring Hope.” Our delegation is ready to contribute meaningfully to shaping and informing critical decisions on land degradation, drought resilience and sustainable rangeland management. Together, we are committed to advancing practical and lasting solutions that protect our environment, strengthen climate resilience and secure sustainable livelihoods for our people and future generations. @WilliamsRuto @_KithureKindiki @HonWetangula @MusaliaMudavadi @Environment_Ke @EnviClimateC_Ke @Forestry__Kenya @UN @UNFCCC @UNDPKenya @UNEP_Africa #Cop17 #Mongolia @UNCCD #Desertification

Land is not just dirt beneath our feet. It is an important resource that supports our economy, food production, jobs, communities and livelihoods. But today, our land is losing its value and productivity, with serious consequences for our economy, food security and future. At a World Bank Group side event themed “It Takes a Village,” we discussed a major challenge , we need an estimated $355 billion every year to close the financing gap for ending land degradation. The good news is that the money is not necessarily missing, it is stuck. We must find better ways to value our land and nature and attract more investment to protect and restore them. In Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, I shared lessons from Kenya’s Watershed Services Improvement Project (KEWASIP) and how it is helping communities restore land and improve livelihoods. Our economies depend on nature and this means government, communities, businesses and development partners must work together. We need to move beyond short-term solutions and support long-term funding, shared responsibility and smart ways of reducing investment risks so that the private sector can invest in land restoration. We must also increase public funding, promote practices such as using nutrient-rich compost to improve our soils and bring national and county governments, communities and partners together. It is time to see land for what it truly is a valuable asset. By investing in restoration today, we can protect our environment, strengthen our economy, secure food for our people and build a better future for generations to come. @WilliamsRuto @KindikiKithure @HonWetangula @MusaliaMudavadi @Environment_Ke @EnviClimateC_Ke @Forestry__Kenya @UN @KEWASIP @UNDPKenya @UNCCD @UNFCCC @EUinKenya @UNEP_Africa #COP17 #SeekingSolutions #restoration #RestoringHope @EUinKenya @climateaction @_AfricanUnion @WorldBankGroup @ADB_HQ @EIB #GreenFinance