The NENA Region is facing complex challenges, which increase the fragility in the area. Although fragile systems are a result of many competing factors, water scarcity and land degradation are among the more serious risks that threat to sustainable development in the region. Population growth, climate change and conflict in the region form leading issues that contribute to the fragile environment. Efforts to strengthen land and water governance are fundamental to improve resilience in the region.

This background paper proposes a general overview of the current situation of land and water governance in the NENA region, the connection with fragile systems, and the main challenges and opportunities in addressing land and water governance challenges. Given the complexity of the issues at hand, the list of topics covered is non-exhaustive, but bring light on the main topics of concern and their ramifications. The paper intends to demonstrate how land and water governance can help to reduce fragility, improve resilience and even assist in conflict resolution in the NENA region.