World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, marked on 17 June, commemorates the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), adopted in 1994.
Established by the UN General Assembly in 1994, World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought commemorates the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), adopted on 17 June 1994 and in force since 26 December 1996, now with 197 signatory parties. The day is linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals on life on land (SDG 15), clean water and sanitation (SDG 6) and climate action (SDG 13). The 2024 theme is "Our Land. Our Future.", following 2023's theme, "Her Land. Her Rights."
Impacts of desertification and drought
- Loss of biodiversity and soil erosion, reducing the soil's capacity to retain water and nutrients.
- Reduced agricultural productivity and loss of traditional crops, worsening food insecurity.
- Hunger, malnutrition and greater risk of disease linked to scarce drinking water.
- Forced displacement and migration, with lost income for farmers and herders and high costs for governments.
Key solutions include sustainable land use, reforestation, efficient irrigation technologies, policies for the sustainable management of natural resources, and education and awareness campaigns, underlining the importance of both global and local collaboration.