4 th Islamic Conference of Environment Ministers October 5-6, 2010, Tunis. Desert Ecosystems and Livelihoods Program - Harnessing the Value of Deserts

Introducing the MENA-DELP  Goal: To capture and harness the value of desert ecosystems in providing goods and services for sustainable development  Specific Objectives: 1.To assess the value of deserts and identify value hotspots 2.To highlight deserts as a major global natural heritage 3.To enhance desert production systems and livelihoods 4.To conserve desert biodiversity 5.To generate new opportunities such as renewable energy

Ecosystem Services of the Sahara and Arabian Deserts Brief snapshot Source of at least 50% of the mineral fertilization of the Amazon rainforest Agricultural heritage systems built over centuries around agro- biodiversity critical for food security today Innovative water management systems under scarcity and new threats from climate change Home to large fossil aquifer systems Opportunities for desert ecotourism MENA Desert Ecosystems Livelihoods Program (MENA-DELP)

A Four-Pronged Approach Tunisia - ecotourism and conservation of desert biodiversity Yemen - Arabian leopard Algeria - deserts and ecotourism And others… 1. Targeted Investments Create a network of exchanges at the policy, program and project levels to build the knowledge base and inform new investments 2. Programmatic Monitoring, Outreach and Dissemination Quantify the economic value of desert services and the economic cost of desert degradation 3. Desert Ecosystem Assessment and Knowledge Sharing UN Decade for Deserts and Fight Against Desertification August 2010-August 2020 MENA Concentrated Solar Power Program Jordan UNCC Desert Program 4. Complementary Programs

Valuing Desert Ecosystem Services Opportunity to: Identify and measure value hotspots for the Sahara and Arabian Deserts Including: – Ecotourism – Oasis agriculture – Wind and solar power – Genetic diversity – Traditional land uses – Water management systems – Grazing – Medicinal and aromatic plants – Dust storm prevention – Agricultural heritage systems – Many others…

A Partnership Approach Client Countries – Leadership Role GEF – Catalytic Funding (US$ 25 million) World Bank – Expanding partnerships, other grant financing, lending and technical assistance programs Other financing partners Regional Centers of Excellence – Including the World Desert Institute and the Prince Sultan Research Center for Environment, Water and Desert Other partners - NGOs, private sector and other stakeholders