Professor Kapović Solomun participated in the 23rd Session of the UNCCD in Panama 

Professor at the Faculty of Forestry of the University of Banja Luka, Marijana Kapović Solomun, PhD, participated in the work of the 23rd Session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD CRIC 23), held from 1 to 5 December 2025, in Panama City, Panama.

This globally significant conference is one of the most important UN forums in the sphere of sustainable land management, to assess the states’ advancement in fulfilling global goals of neutral land degradation and analyze the results of combating climate challenges and the degradation of ecosystems.

Before the formal activity of the CRIC, Dr Kapović Solomun participated in a two-day specialized training organized by the Women Negotiation Fund of the UNCCD, held from 27 to 29 November. As a chosen candidate within this global initiative, she had a chance to participate in the intensive program directed towards improvement of the negotiating processes, development of the leadership skills, and strengthening the role of women in international negotiations on climate change and land management. The training gathered the participants from different regions of the world, creating an atmosphere to exchange experiences, methodologies, and good practices of immediate significance for negotiating processes within the UN system.

Dr. Kapović Solomun made a significant contribution in segments relating to monitoring the state of land, risk assessment, and planning measures for strengthening the resilience of ecosystems. During meetings with delegations from other countries and the Secretariat of the CRIC, they discussed contemporary methodologies for monitoring land degradation and drought through innovative approaches in sustainable land management, as well as the significance of institutional cooperation between the academic community, institutions, and international organizations. The discussions of representatives from the UNCCD, FAO, UNEP, and many participating countries emphasized the importance of academic research in policy development and the support mechanisms required to help countries fulfill their obligations under the Convention.

Participation of the representative of the Faculty of Forestry confirmed the visibility and recognition of the UNIBL on the global scene, as well as the role of researchers in shaping the strategies in the field of soil protection and climate change. During the stay in Panama, numerous contacts were made with partners interested in future projects, exchange of knowledge, and strengthening capacities in the field of land assessment and restoration of ecosystems.