The Programme Officer of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, Nandhini Iyer Krishna, highlighted the interaction between land degradation and deforestation, stressing that unsustainable agriculture practices could be a significant drivers of deforestation, in this context, she emphasized the importance sustainable livestock management and the value of agroforestry. She also noted that, while attention was often focused on rain forests, dry land forests were also important, providing a buffer against drought and desertification, a safety net against poverty, biodiversity richness and other vital ecosystem goods and services.