The BONEX Project took center stage at the GL20 Global Land Initiative (G20 GLI) Online Arab States Regional Training of Instructors (TOI) Course, titled “Trigger Change! Innovative Sustainable Agriculture Solutions for Land Restoration”, held from February 3 to 6, 2025. The course was designed to build capacity and foster innovation in sustainable agriculture solutions for land restoration.
The GL20 Global Land Initiative (G20 GLI) was established to help G20 countries reduce land degradation by 50% by 2040. Under the oversight of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the initiative focuses on capacity-building, engaging private sector and civil society, and showcasing successful projects. The initiative aligns with global efforts to address desertification, land degradation, and drought (DLDD), which were identified as major sustainability challenges at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.
At the invitation of the organizers, Dr. Olfa MAHJOUB, the national coordinator of BONEX in Tunisia, delivered a keynote speech titled “The Use of Reclaimed Water for Land Restoration in Ouardanine, Tunisia: Insights on Prevailing Practices”. Her presentation showcased the BONEX Project and its contributions to land restoration through the sustainable reuse of reclaimed water. Using the BONEX demo-site in Ouardanine, Tunisia, as a case study, Dr. Mahjoub illustrated the innovative technologies applied within the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Nexus framework to enhance land productivity and sustainability.
Beyond her keynote, Dr. Mahjoub actively participated in moderating working groups and contributed to networking activities throughout the event. Her insights and expertise helped drive discussions on innovative agricultural approaches and decision-making tools for sustainable land management (SLM) and land restoration.
The TOI course was structured around five key modules:
- Land, Landscapes, and Society – Exploring core concepts of land restoration and trends in land degradation.
- Agricultural Approaches to SLM for Land Restoration – Showcasing sustainable agricultural solutions and their impact.
- Tools and Technologies for Land Restoration Assessment and Monitoring – Highlighting advanced data analysis and monitoring techniques.
- Decision-Making Tools and Enabling Factors for Land Restoration – Applying social and economic analyses for effective land restoration policies.
- Catalysts for Innovation and Start-ups – Encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship in land restoration practices.
Dr. Mahjoub’s participation built upon her previous engagement as a speaker at the course launch webinar in May 2024, further strengthening BONEX’s role as a leader in sustainable water management and land restoration in the Arab region.
The BONEX Project’s active involvement in global land restoration efforts underscores its commitment to addressing DLDD challenges through innovative and sustainable solutions.
