The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has recognised Ethiopia’s Desa’a forest restoration initiative as a World Restoration Flagship, highlighting its efforts to revive a severely degraded ecosystem in the Tigray region despite years of armed conflict.
The recognition was announced on October 29, 2026 during the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP17) in Yerevan, Armenia. The initiative known as “Restoring Desa’a Landscape: Bringing the Great Rift Valley Back to Life”, aims to restore forest cover, protect biodiversity and improve the livelihoods of communities dependent on the land.
More Than 23,000 Hectares Brought Under Restoration
The restoration project, launched in 2016, has brought more than 23,000 hectares of degraded land under restoration. According to project estimates the work has helped prevent approximately 500,000 metric tons of soil erosion and enabled the collection of 1.9 million cubic metres of rainwater annually.
Research conducted with Mekelle University also found that soil water infiltration rates in restored areas have increased by 26% since 2019. In contrast, areas that have remained degraded have experienced a 40% decline in infiltration rates.
The Desa’a forest is part of Ethiopia’s Afromontane ecosystem, a biodiversity rich region that supports endangered species such as the Ethiopian wolf, gelada monkey and giant lobelia. The forest also plays an important role in carbon storage and the regulation of local environmental conditions.
However, the scale of degradation remains alarming. At the beginning of the initiative, an estimated 74% of the forest had already disappeared, while around 70% of the remaining forest was considered degraded.
Local Communities Lead Conservation Efforts
The initiative is being implemented with the involvement of local communities and the environmental organisation WeForest. Its work focuses on restoring degraded land, expanding vegetation cover and creating alternative livelihood opportunities.
Initially, conservation efforts faced resistance because many families depended on the forest for fuelwood, livestock grazing and agricultural land. Through consultations and community participation the project gradually built local support.
Beekeeping has emerged as one of the alternative livelihood activities, offering families an additional source of income while reducing pressure on forest resources. The region’s vegetation and climate are considered suitable for honey production.
Project organisers say local residents now play a leading role in planting trees, protecting forest areas and guiding restoration activities.
Armed Conflict Continues to Threaten Progress
Despite significant achievements, the restoration programme has faced major disruptions because of the conflict in Tigray, which began in 2020 and continued for two years before a fragile peace agreement was reached in 2022.
Airstrikes, drone attacks, fuel shortages, communication breakdowns and disrupted markets made fieldwork extremely difficult. Farmers and conservation workers had to adapt by working in smaller groups and changing locations frequently.
The conflict also caused a severe humanitarian crisis with millions of people facing food insecurity and widespread malnutrition among children.
Although restoration activities have continued, renewed fighting reported in September 2026 has raised fresh concerns about the project’s future and the safety of communities involved.
Project Could Capture Six Million Tonnes of CO₂
UNEP’s recognition is expected to bring additional technical assistance monitoring support and international visibility to the initiative.
Project estimates suggest that the restoration programme could capture around six million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent over the next 50 years, offering potential environmental and economic benefits.
The Desa’a initiative demonstrates how forest conservation can support biodiversity, improve soil and water conditions and create livelihood opportunities. However, its long term success will depend on continued community participation, sustained funding and stability in a region where conflict continues to threaten both people and the environment.