RE-LDN Workshop Strengthens Civil Society Engagement in the Antalya COP31 Process

RE-LDN Workshop Strengthens Civil Society Engagement in the Antalya COP31 Process

The RE-LDN (Regional Engagement for Land Degradation Neutrality) Workshop was held in Ankara on 25 July 2026 to strengthen the participation of civil society organizations in international decision-making processes related to land degradation neutrality, drought resilience, and sustainable land management.

The workshop brought together representatives of 16 UNCCD-accredited civil society organizations and five public institutions and partner organizations. The programme focused on the Antalya COP process, negotiation mechanisms, side events, the role of civil society in decision-making, and opportunities for national and international collaboration.

Participants exchanged views on developing a common agenda ahead of the COP, integrating civil society perspectives into national priorities, and enhancing preparedness for the negotiation process. Discussions also explored opportunities for knowledge exchange among UNCCD-accredited organizations, the development of new joint project initiatives, coordinated advocacy efforts, and stronger institutional partnerships. As a concrete outcome of the workshop, eight civil society organizations formed partnership groups and initiated the development of three joint side event proposals for Antalya COP31.

Beyond serving as a knowledge-sharing platform, the RE-LDN Workshop strengthened collaboration among UNCCD-accredited organizations in Türkiye and enhanced their collective capacity to engage in international environmental governance. The workshop laid the foundation for continued cooperation before and during the COP31 process, encouraging coordinated participation, information sharing, and more effective engagement in international decision-making mechanisms.

Civil society plays a vital role in addressing global challenges such as climate change, desertification, drought, and land degradation by bringing field experience, local knowledge, and innovative solutions into international policy and project development processes. Through the RE-LDN initiative, participating organizations aim to increase the visibility and impact of Turkish civil society at Antalya COP31, contribute more effectively to policy discussions, and strengthen multi-stakeholder cooperation for sustainable land management and land degradation neutrality.