The World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) is proud to announce its formal accreditation as an observer organisation to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). This accreditation was confirmed during the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16), recently held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This recognition marks a meaningful step forward in ensuring that farmers have a seat at the table in global discussions tackling land degradation, desertification, drought, and sustainable land use. As an observer, WFO will work to bring the lived realities, priorities, and solutions of farmers into international policymaking and dialogue.

The accreditation also reinforces WFO’s commitment to advancing stronger coordination across the three Rio Conventions — the UNCCD, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). While these processes are negotiated separately, their impacts converge directly at the farm level, where biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and climate change intersect, shaping agricultural production and rural livelihoods. WFO’s participation highlights the essential role of agrifood sector in addressing these intertwined global challenges and calls for more integrated, coherent policies that reflect this reality.

Arnold Puech d’Alissac, President of WFO, remarked: “We are honoured to join the UNCCD community as an accredited observer. Farmers play a vital role in protecting and restoring land resources, and their voices are key to creating resilient landscapes and food systems. We look forward to co-building practical, ground-up solutions that can support global efforts.”

WFO looks forward to actively engage in upcoming COP sessions and subsidiary meetings, including the 17th session of the Convention’s Conference of the Parties (COP17) in Ulaanbaatar in 2026, advocating for farmer-centred approaches to sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, and land management. This accreditation opens new opportunities for collaboration with governments, civil society, and global partners working towards a land degradation-neutral future.

Stay connected with WFO’s channels for updates on our work and contributions in this important space.