The Asian Development Bank has unveiled the FIELD Initiative, an ambitious program aimed at mobilizing $2 billion by 2035 to combat land degradation and strengthen drought resilience across Asia and the Pacific.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has introduced the Financing Investments and Eradicating Land Degradation and Desertification (FIELD) Initiative in partnership with multiple international organizations. The program seeks to attract $2 billion in investment by 2035 to fund land restoration projects and build drought resilience across the Asia-Pacific region, addressing environmental challenges that affect millions of rural communities.

According to the ADB, land degradation and desertification pose significant threats to regional ecosystems and economic stability. The bank noted that dryland ecosystems supporting over 40% of the region's population are being degraded by worsening drought, soil erosion, and unsustainable land use practices. The initiative aims to bring approximately 1 million hectares of land under sustainable management by 2035, with the goal of reducing degradation while strengthening food and water security.

The FIELD Initiative will employ innovative financing mechanisms including derisking structures, blended finance, and capital market instruments to attract private sector investment. It will also provide grants and technical assistance to help developing member countries establish sustainable land management policies and create a shared knowledge platform. A pipeline of projects focused on land and forest restoration, as well as river-basin and water management, has already been identified for implementation.

Collaborating partners include the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the Qatar Fund for Development, and the Middle East Green Initiative, alongside existing partners such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the European Union. The launch aligns with ADB's broader $40 billion commitment by 2030 to transform regional food systems.