Who we are

The Global Policy Centre on Resilient Ecosystems and Desertification (GC-RED) draws on UNDP’s expertise in land, biodiversity and ecosystem services, as highlighted in the UNDP Biodiversity and Ecosystems Global Framework. It supports policy development and programme implementation with an overall objective to promote sustainable development and resilience building in drylands and other fragile ecosystems. In line with the UNDP Strategic Plan (2018-2021) and Agenda 2030, the Centre has anchored its work towards supporting the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15.

Our history

GC-RED originated from the United Nations Sudano Sahelian Office (UNSO), which was established in 1973 and transferred to UNDP from the UN Secretariat in 1976. In 1995, UNDP designated UNSO as the central entity to lead on the organization’s work in desertification control, drought preparedness and mitigation. In 2001, UNSO was transformed into the UNDP Drylands Development Centre (DDC), with the mandate to implement the flagship Integrated Drylands Development Programme (IDDP). At the same time, the office was moved from New York, USA, to Nairobi, Kenya. Learn more about the achievements of IDDP.

In 2014, DDC was reorganized into GC-RED to embrace a broader agenda related to sustainable management of natural capital and resilience building in drylands and other fragile ecosystems.

Our work

The GC-RED’s main areas of work are:

1. Sustainable management of land, biodiversity and ecosystem services for optimal livelihoods and jobs creation, with a focus on the poorest communities. GC-RED’s work in this area complements and builds on the global project portfolio supported by UNDP through vertical funds.

2. Building resilience of communities in drylands and other fragile ecosystems to shocks and stresses from climate-related weather events, particularly drought.

3. Mainstreaming land, biodiversity and climate objectives for poverty eradication into development planning and budgeting systems and into public and private finance and investment.

Explore more

• GC-RED Annual Report 2016
• GC-RED Annual Report 2017
• GC-RED Annual Report 2018
• GC-RED Annual Report 2019

Contact us

Global Policy Centre on Resilient Ecosystems and Desertification (GC-RED)

Physical address: UN Office at Nairobi, Gigiri, Block M Middle Level, UN Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya
Mailing address: P.O. Box 30218-00100, Nairobi, Kenya

Tel: +254 20 762 4640/42
Email: GC-RED@undp.org
Twitter: @UNDP_GCRED