All publications and documents

UNESCO has launched a new digital platform, the UNESCO Urban Heritage Atlas that leverages the power of digital technology to support the conservation and management of the world’s historic cities and promote their diversity. Historic cities and settlements have their own unique character that is the outcome of the history, geography, local culture and influences that have shaped them. The Atlas…

On 20 February, UNU will host a conversation with Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. Time 20 Feb 2024, 18:30 - 19:30 Asia/Tokyo Address https://go.unu.edu/6krXW Details Open to public On 20 February 2024, UNU will host “Healthy Land: Why Combating Desertification is Crucial for…

Severe and prolonged drought events have affected Europe for more than two years and northern Africa for six years, causing water shortages and hampering vegetation growth. Today the Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) publishes its report Drought in the Mediterranean – January 2024 on the persisting droughts and their impact across the wider region. Long-lasting, above…

Land degradation is a growing problem for not just climate change but food and water security. Why isn’t it getting more attention?The greatest threats to our existence today are caused by human activity rather than nature acting alone, according to a recent United Nations report. Many people are familiar with human contribution to climate change and perhaps also the loss of…

EU countries must restore at least 30% of habitats in poor condition by 2030, 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050 Provisions for agricultural ecosystems can be temporarily suspended under exceptional circumstances Over 80% of European habitats are in poor shape The new law sets a target for the EU to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all…

Nature based solutions could offset CO2 emissions. A new UN report estimates that losses from severe droughts in Africa over the past 50 years due to climate change have exceeded $70 billion, putting around 23 million people at the risk of food insecurity across the horn of Africa. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification’s (UNCCD) report ‘The Global Drought…