In many of the world's drylands, women's traditional knowledge of and roles in natural resource management and food security are crucial. Women across the developing world spend considerable proportions of their time using and preserving land for food and fuel production, and for generating income for their families and communities. They are therefore severely affected when erosion and diminished soil fertility result in decreased crop and livestock, productivity and reduced income derived from these products.

Current land management approaches focus on achieving ecological resilience for natural resources and biological diversity, and socioeconomic resilience for the people who depend on the land for their livelihoods and wellbeing. In the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, landscapes extend across national boundaries and their effective management requires cooperation among the countries sharing the transboundary area, particularly in light of the impacts being experienced from a wide range of drivers of change, including climate change.

This report includes six priority areas for a new model of urbanisation:
1. Reforming land management and institutions: The report says currently the amount of farmland available is close to the 'red line' of 120 million hectares, which is considered to be the minimum necessary to ensure food security.
2. Reforming the hukou household-registration system to provide equal access to quality services for all citizens and create a more mobile and versatile labour force.