ICTSD in collaboration with the Global Mechanism of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (GM-UNCCD) organised an Exploratory Dialogue on "Building an Enabling Environment for Increasing Investment in Sustainable Land Management through Market Access adn Trade", that was held on 31 January and 1 February in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting was to discuss ways of promoting investment in sustainable land managemnet (SLM) through market access and trade in the context of the new financial architecture and resource allocation patterns for development and poverty reduction.

The specific objectives were:

i) to generate knowledge for a better understanding of the types of direct and indirect linkages which exist between trade and land management in dryland regions and degraded areas;

ii) to engage stakeholders from various communities in moving forward a positive agenda for promoting SLM through trade and markets; and

iii) to set in motion processes of further engagement in the mobilization of knowledge, and political and financial resources to enhance trade and market opportunities that could support SLM.

The dialogue brought together a wide range of experts and government officials - including Geneva-based delegates - the donor community, the private sector and civil society organisations which share a common vision of advancing a policy agenda on promoting SLM in dryland regions by creating new market opportunities and/or taking advantage of existing ones.