ESCWA Publication: E/ESCWA/CL1.CCS/2025/TP.5
Country: Arab region
Publication Type: Information material
Cluster: Climate Change and Natural Resource Sustainability
Focus Area: Climate change, Natural resource sustainability
Initiatives: Arab Centre for Climate Change Policies, Climate Resilience through Regional Cooperation
SDGs: Goal 2: Zero Hunger, Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Keywords: Arab countries, Biological diversity, Economic aspects, Environmental aspects, Food security, Foreign direct investment, Governance, Greenhouse gas emissions, Land acquisition, Land rights, Land-use change, Legal aspects, Natural resources policy, Real estate investment, Social aspects, Water resources
Foreign land investment in the Arab region: toward food security and sustainable natural resource management
August 2025
International large-scale land acquisitions for agricultural and energy production have seen a substantial increase, driven by global events such as the 2007–2008 food crisis and war in Ukraine. This trend is particularly evident in the Arab region, where 1.76 million hectares of land have come under foreign investment. These investments are crucial for advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 2 on zero hunger, offering potential for resource transfer, technology, and improved food security. However, they are often controversial, frequently linked to a lack of transparency, violations of land rights, and environmental degradation.
This report provides a detailed analysis of the scale and characteristics of foreign land investments in the Arab region, with a specific focus on their environmental implications. It presents data on critical effects such as land use change, water withdrawals, soil degradation, greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity losses. The publication aims to guide stakeholders in harnessing the benefits of these investments while effectively mitigating their associated risks. It advocates for thorough research to identify suitable lands, comprehensive assessment of economic, social, and environmental impacts, ensuring informed consent, and establishing robust safeguards for both affected communities and the environment.
Related content
Climate change, Natural resource sustainability
International large-scale land acquisitions for agricultural and energy production have seen a substantial increase, driven by global events such as the 2007–2008 food crisis and war in Ukraine. This trend is particularly evident in the Arab region, where 1.76 million hectares of land have come under foreign investment. These investments are crucial for advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 2 on zero hunger, offering potential for resource transfer, technology, and improved food security. However, they are often controversial, frequently linked to a lack of transparency, violations of land rights, and environmental degradation.
This report provides a detailed analysis of the scale and characteristics of foreign land investments in the Arab region, with a specific focus on their environmental implications. It presents data on critical effects such as land use change, water withdrawals, soil degradation, greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity losses. The publication aims to guide stakeholders in harnessing the benefits of these investments while effectively mitigating their associated risks. It advocates for thorough research to identify suitable lands, comprehensive assessment of economic, social, and environmental impacts, ensuring informed consent, and establishing robust safeguards for both affected communities and the environment.
