17 June 2002 - 8th World Day to Combat Desertification

As part of its campaign to tackle global environmental deterioration in particular by combatting the degradation of drylands -- which cover up to one quarter of the world's land surface -- the United Nations General Assembly has designated 17 June as "World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought". Celebrated world-wide, this day marks the anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. 17 June 2002 is the 8th World Day to Combat Desertification to be celebrated.
This year, it will be celebrated in Osnabrueck, Germany, at the kind invitation of the city of Osnabrueck. The theme this year is “Land Degradation”.

Messages:

»	Message by the President of the General Assembly English
»	Message by the Executive-Secretary English
»	Message by the Secretary-General English French (German, pdf)
»	Letter of the UNCCD to National Focal Points English French Spanish
»	Letter of the UNCCD to NGOs English French Spanish