February 2009: The Capacity Development Workshop on Improving Agricultural Productivity, Water Use Efficiency and Strengthening Rural Livelihoods, took place from 28-30 January 2009, in Bangkok, Thailand. The event was organized by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), Division for Sustainable Development (DSD), in collaboration with the UN-Water Decade Programme on Capacity Development and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, and brought together representatives from governments, local authorities, UN Agencies and academia to share lessons learned and best practices in combating rural poverty.

Participants discussed issues and challenges concerning agricultural development and food security, agricultural water management, rural development, land-use planning and management, and the need for adaptation to climate change. The summary of recommendations from the workshop recognizes, inter alia: that climate change poses a threat to the sustainability of agricultural production systems and rural livelihoods; that adaptation needs to be viewed as a part of the coping strategy for poor rural people; the need to encourage mitigating efforts through the sustainable management of land, forests and other natural resources through appropriate incentives to rural people; and the need to exploit the synergies between mitigation and adaptation measures in light of country-specific situations and requirements. The outcomes of the workshop will serve as inputs to the 23-27 February 2009 Intergovernmental Preparatory Meeting of 17th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development. [Workshop Website]