JICA AND OFFICIALS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT CONVENE TO DRIVE CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND DRYLAND RESTORATION.

In a collaborative effort to tackle land degradation and climate vulnerability, representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) team, the 15 Billion Trees initiative, and the Drylands Department recently convened in Nairobi, Kenya, for a key consultative meeting. This high-level session was dedicated to reviewing critical action points and designing strategic agendas aimed at promoting sustainable land management and bolstering climate resilience across Kenya's fragile ecosystems. The meeting featured a series of technical presentations and interactive discussions on priority environmental interventions, which allowed participants to share valuable field insights on implementation strategies and map out new opportunities for joint collaboration.

The consultative talks centered around three main environmental and socio-economic pillars designed to restore degraded landscapes while supporting local communities. First, partners reviewed sustainable management and control concepts for *Prosopis juliflora*, a highly resilient and invasive plant species, focusing on turning the ecological challenge of its encroachment into commercial and livelihood opportunities for local communities without compromising ecological integrity. Additionally, the participants explored ways to scale up agroforestry practices and integrate green value chains, which play a dual role in restoring soil health and providing farmers with sustainable, climate-resistant streams of income. The teams also strategized on holistic, integrated approaches to dryland ecosystem conservation, focusing on long-term water and soil management, native vegetation recovery, and boosting the overall climate resilience of communities living in arid and semi-arid lands.

Throughout the session, a recurring theme was the indispensable role of multi-stakeholder partnerships in achieving lasting environmental change, with representatives emphasizing that successfully reclaiming degraded drylands and securing resilient local livelihoods requires a united front that brings together international development partners, government departments, research bodies, and grassroots communities. By aligning the technical expertise of JICA, the national momentum of the 15 Billion Trees campaign, and the specialized local knowledge of the Drylands Department, the partners are laying down a robust, cooperative foundation to combat aridity and secure a sustainable green future for Kenya's dryland regions.