Understanding the distribution of different land cover classes, as revealed by the updated Land Cover Atlas, holds paramount importance and is an innovative approach in helping to understand land cover dynamics. It enables decision-makers to harness this knowledge for strategic planning and informed decision-making in sectors such as agriculture, conservation, water resource management, and land degradation prevention. By recognizing the distribution and dynamics of land cover, stakeholders can work towards sustainable development goals, ecological resilience, and improved livelihoods in South Sudan. The development and utilization of the Land Cover Atlas highlight the significance of innovation, collaboration, and partnerships in decision-making processes and land cover management. By fostering collaborative efforts between organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Government of South Sudan, and supportive donors, a comprehensive understanding of land dynamics can be achieved. This collaborative approach enables stakeholders to work together towards effective resource management, resilience-building, and sustainable development, benefiting the people and environment of South Sudan.

This catalogue aims to improve the dissemination and outreach of FAO’s knowledge products and overall publishing programme. By providing information on its key publications in every area of FAO’s work, and catering to a range of audiences, it thereby contributes to all organizational outcomes. From statistical analysis to specialized manuals to children’s books, FAO publications cater to a diverse range of audiences. This catalogue presents a selection of FAO’s main publications, produced in 2023 or earlier, ranging from its global reports and general interest publications to numerous specialized titles. In addition to the major themes of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, it also includes thematic sections on climate change, economic and social development, and food safety and nutrition.

With more than 550 maps and graphics, all completely revised, this atlas provides accurate coverage of the whole world. Introductory sections for each continent are also fully updated and feature stunning images that portray unique physical geography and highlight the sprawling extent of major cities. The flags and country facts at the end of each continental section reflect the latest statistics from national and international sources.

Drylands cover 41 percent of the Earth's land surface. This publication presents the results of the first global assessment of trees, forests and land use in these lands. The assessment breaks new methodological ground: it relies on the visual interpreation of freely available satellite images, carried out by more than 200 experts in a series of regional workshops. Using a tool called Open Foris ollect Earth, developed by FAO in collaboration with Google, participants gathered and analysed information for mrore than 200 000 sample plots worldwide. For each region, the report summarizes the distribution of forests, other wooded land and other land uses including grasslands, croplands, built-up areas and barren land, across all drylands and by aridity zone. It also estimates tree canopy cover, shrub cover, forest type and presence of trees outside forest. Indicatng that the global drylands contain more than one-quarter of the world's forest area, and that trees are present on 31 percent of the world's dryland area, the report provides a baseline for future monitoring and will support countries in their efforts to identify appropriate investments for the restoration and sustainable management of drylands.

The Atlas of African Agriculture Research & Development is a multifaceted resource that high­lights the ubiquitous nature of smallholder agriculture in Africa; the many factors shaping the location, nature, and performance of agricultural enterprises; and the strong interde­pendencies among farming, natural resource stocks and flows, rural infrastructure, and the well-being of the poor.