23 September 2013: The Rio Conventions Pavilion convened for Resource Mobilization Day, which was sponsored by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The Rio Conventions Pavilion is meeting in conjunction with the Eleventh Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 11) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), taking place from 16-27 September 2013, in Windhoek, Namibia.

Resource Mobilization Day included sessions on: overview of the 6th Replenishment of the GEF (GEF-6); two decades of experience – investing in ecosystem services and adaptation for food security; GEF-6 strategies for the land degradation focal and incentive mechanism on sustainable forest management (SFM) / REDD+; and the GEF-6 Signature Programs.

In the afternoon, panelists from the GEF launched a publication titled ‘Two Decades of Experience: Investing in Ecosystem Services and Adaptation for Food Security.’ One panelist noted that the report highlights the GEF’s experiences investing in food security, stressing the linkages between land use and associated ecosystem services. He stated that the GEF’s food security investments total US$ 810 million, broken down into action on sustainable land management (SLM), management of agricultural biodiversity, sustainable fisheries and water resources management, and climate change adaptation for food security.

During the session on the GEF Signature Programs, a panelist from the GEF discussed the proposed Signature Program for GEF-6 on sustainability and resilience for food security in Africa. He noted that smallholder agriculture is the foundation of food security in Africa, stressing the challenge of tailoring programmes to the diversity presented by the continent and high vulnerability in most areas. [IISD RS Meeting Coverage] [Meeting Website]