• From
    Multifunctional Landscapes Science Program
  • Published on
    15.10.25

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The CGIAR Multifunctional Landscapes (MFL) Science Program convened its inaugural Community of Practice (CoP) webinar to align strategies, strengthen collaboration, and chart a path toward resilient, nature-positive landscapes across the globe. The session brought together program scientists, country coordinators, and partners from across CGIAR and beyond to discuss priorities, alignment, and upcoming global engagements.

Opening the session, Simone Staiger Rivas, MFL Program Coordinator offered a comprehensive overview of the MFL Science Program, its rationale, objectives, and integrated approach to tackling critical planetary challenges. The program responds to urgent issues such as deforestation, biodiversity loss, greenhouse gas emissions, environmental degradation, equitable livelihoods, and nutrition, emphasizing agro-biodiversity and climate resilience as key impact areas.

At the heart of the program are its “Living Landscapes” – real-world spaces for action research where scientists and stakeholders co-design, test, and scale innovations that work for both people and the planet. The MFL initiative integrates agroecology, nature-positive solutions, and livestock-climate linkages across more than 50 partner organizations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America in countries like Colombia, Peru, Tunisia, Senegal, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Kenya, India, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

Overarching MFL SP targets

Strengthening the Community of Practice

Cargele Masso, MFL’s Global Engagement and Learning area of work lead and Principal Scientist, Livestock, Climate and Environment Program, ILRI, presented the draft Terms of Reference for the MFL Community of Practice, designed to foster alignment and collaboration among members. The CoP includes CGIAR scientists, across science programs and accelerators, and external partners working toward shared objectives. Regular meetings, coordinated knowledge-sharing, and joint engagement in global fora were emphasized as key to ensuring coherence in CGIAR’s messaging and partnerships on landscape multifunctionality. Priority engagement opportunities for the next months are COP30 and UNEA7

White papers to inform global policy dialogues

Pauliina Upla, MFL Innovation Analysis Consultant updated participants on the development of thematic white papers aimed at synthesizing evidence and experience across MFL work: They broadly focus on: Sustainable land, water and food systems management connecting the three Rio Conventions; Enhancing landscape multifunctionality, resilience, adaptability and health through socio-ecological gains; and Application of agroecological principles in livestock systems. The papers will integrate lessons from across the Rio Conventions (UNCCD, CBD, UNFCCC), positioning land as the central connector across food systems, biodiversity, restoration, and climate agendas. Community members contribute case studies and process insights.

Strategic advocacy and global engagement

Murillo Adelaida, MFL Advocacy Consultant presented plans for coordinated MFL CoP participation in upcoming global events, including COP30, UNEA7, and the upcoming UNCCD and CBD Conferences of the Parties. A webinar series on biological solutions for low-carbon agriculture, organized with Brazilian partners including Embrapa, will lead up to active engagement at COP30.
CGIAR’s first-time participation as an accredited international non-governmental organization at UNEA7 was highlighted as a milestone opportunity for influence and visibility. Participants discussed advocacy priorities, side event planning, and ways to ensure consistent messaging and collaboration across centers and programs.

Expanding the scope: Including arid and high-income ecosystems
Abdoul Aziz Niane, Senior Scientist for Seed Systems, International Nurseries and Seed Health, ICRADA and Regional Coordinator of ICARDA’s Arabian Peninsula Regional Program raised the importance of extending MFL’s focus to hyper-arid and high-income ecosystems, which face unique challenges but often receive limited donor attention. Future work and advocacy should better reflect these contexts, and coverage of various biomes of interest.

Goats grazing at ILRI’s Kapiti Research Station and Wildlife Conservancy. Photo credit: ILRI/Wandera Ojanji

Next steps

The meeting concluded with agreement on several action points:

  • Joint publications of the MFL CoP (e.g., white papers)
  • Joint coordination of the MFL CoP participation at COP30 and UNEA7
  • Collaboration on evidence synthesis for effective engagement and advocacy
  • Strengthening experience sharing on multifunctional living landscapes
  • Inventory of critical biomes for consideration in the MFL SP
  • Regular meetings of the MFL CoP knowledge and capacity sharing.

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