19 June 2014: Tracking lessons learned from the second phase of the Sustainable Management of Marginal Drylands (SUMAMAD) project, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has produced a policy brief on the integration of sustainable land management and improved livelihoods. The publication describes the major achievements and challenges faced through support to nine dryland centers in Bolivia, Burkina Faso, China, Egypt, India, Iran, Jordan, Pakistan and Tunisia.

The SUMAMAD project achieved particularly strong results in strengthening the linkages between scientific knowledge and the policy process by supporting “boundary organizations,” according to the brief. The brief also underscores the necessity of investing in drylands to achieve sustainable development goals. It describes the need to provide local land managers with actionable information on options for improved land management, and to help scientists better understand policy making processes.

The SUMAMAD project has operated since 2002, with the second phase running from 2009-2013. The project is funded by the Flemish Government of Belgium and participating countries, and is implemented by UNESCO in collaboration with the dryland ecosystem programme of the UN University. [Publication: Drylands: Sustaining Livelihoods and Conserving Ecosystem Services] [Sustainable Management of Marginal Drylands Website]