World Day to Combat Desertification

	United Nations Environment Programme
	environment for development

Land

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World Day to Combat Desertification

Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director, said: "Land degradation threatens nearly a billion people in some 100 countries and it is estimated that around a third of the world's lands are experiencing desertification. There are many factors at work including climate change. Thus governments need to Seal the Deal on a serious and far-reaching new agreement at the crucial UN climate convention meeting in Copenhagen in just 172 days time".

"But land degradation and desertification is not inevitable and the multiple inspiring solutions from the Deserts Margin Programme underscore this...

Link to the Press Release »

Posters



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»	Background Note Conserving land and water = Securing our common future (PDF)

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Information Materials

The World Day to Combat Desertification is observed every year on 17 June.

This year, the Day's theme is "Conserving land and water = Securing our common future "

Desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD) threaten human security by depriving people of their means of life – by taking away food, access to water, the means for economic activities, and even their homes. In worst-case scenarios,they undermine national and regional security, force people to leave their homes and can trigger low- or high-level intensity conflicts.

The World Day to Combat Desertification has been observed since 1995 (General Assembly Resolution A/RES/49/1995) to promote public awareness relating to international cooperation to combat desertification and the effects of drought, and the implementation of the UNCCD.

Expert of the Day

Adamou Bouhari

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought