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TUMU, Northern Ghana — As the sun rises over the dusty plains of northern Ghana, a quiet revolution is underway. In a region long ravaged by desertification and drought, communities are adopting innovative sustainable land management (SLM) practices and breathing new life into these once-parched lands. This is not just about restoring the environment but also about rejuvenating agriculture and creating a hopeful future. Women are at the forefront of this movement, whose leadership and innovation are paving the way for more sustainable lands and livelihoods. Women from the Nanchala community dancing and singingFor decades, the people of northern Ghana have battled against a harsh reality: their once fertile lands are turning to dust, their crops withering under the relentless sun. Traditional practices, such as cutting down trees for charcoal production, have only worsened the situation, leading to widespread deforestation and land degradation. “Especially this year, the sun has been too high,” laments Hillia Sulemana Joseph, the chairman of Sakalo’s community committee. “We are trying our best to help with the drought and all these problems.”  Hillia Sulemana Joseph, chairman of Sakalo’s community committee.In response to these challenges, the community, with the support of organizations like Arusha Ghana, has begun to adopt sustainable practices that promise both environmental and economic benefits. One of the most notable innovations is the production of charcoal from grass — a resource that is abundant and renewable, unlike the rapidly disappearing trees. “Arusha Ghana has come to introduce the grass that we can use to make charcoal,” says Joseph, explaining how this shift could dramatically reduce deforestation. “This will reduce the cutting of trees that protect the vegetation and the ozone layer.”This sustainable approach is not just about preserving the environment; it’s about creating a new economy. By producing grass charcoal, the community not only protects its natural resources but also opens up new income streams for local families. The shift to grass charcoal has sparked a small-scale industry, providing jobs and fostering economic resilience in an area where opportunities are scarce. Charcoal made out of grass dryingThe community’s commitment to these practices is enforced by a newly established local police force, which ensures adherence to strict regulations against bush burning and illegal tree felling. “If we catch you burning bush or cutting trees for charcoal, you will go to jail,” Joseph warns, highlighting the seriousness of their mission.The economic benefits of sustainable land management are not limited to charcoal production. In July 2024, a team from the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) visited the Sakalu and Nachanla communities. They saw first-hand how innovative SLM practices are being used and witnessed the real results of the Land of Opportunities — Global Mechanism Project, commonly known as LogMe, which integrates environmental restoration with economic development, particularly for women. Women from the Nanchala communityThe LogMe project, funded by the Italian Ministry for Ecological Transitions and implemented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is designed to create employment opportunities through sustainable land use. “We did not come with imposed technologies,” says Dr. Jacques Somda, head of the IUCN program in Burkina Faso. “We came to discuss with them and see together what we can do to change what they are doing that is not good for nature.”LogMe has facilitated the planting of over 60,000 tree seedlings to restore forests and farmlands. Four community nurseries with 40,000 seedling capacity were also established. 8 solar-powered boreholes were installed to improve access to clean drinking water. These interventions are helping to rebuild vegetation, store carbon and recharge groundwater. Dr. Jacques Somda, head of the IUCN program in Burkina FasoCentral to the project is the restoration of wetlands through reforestation and erosion control, practices that not only protect the environment but also enhance agricultural productivity. Somda explains, “By restoring the forest gallery, we reduce evapotranspiration and allow the watercourse to retain more water.” This restoration supports the creation of microclimates that can sustain crops even during dry seasons, boosting food security and providing farmers with more reliable incomes. Tree planting around water bodiesWomen, who have traditionally been marginalized in economic activities, are now becoming key players in this environmental and economic revival. Chambua Sahada, secretary of the women’s group Nanchala Community, describes the transformative effect of tree planting around water bodies: “With the trees, it was initially difficult to access water in December. But now, with the trees around, an ecosystem has been created. We can see crocodiles, hear birds, and there are even fish in the river.”This restoration not only brings environmental benefits but also empowers women economically. The LogMe project has introduced training programs that teach women to use energy-efficient cookstoves and produce charcoal briquettes from clay and dry grass. These new skills have opened up additional income streams for women, who are now able to sell these environmentally friendly products in local markets. Nanchala community women's group secretary Chambua Sahada with Gilles Amadou Ouedraogo, project manager at the Global Mechanism of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).LogMe has promoted livelihood diversification activities like beekeeping, dry season gardening and soap making. Over 120 women’s groups received beehives and training in honey production.Women’s economic empowerment is central to the community’s sustainable development strategy. By involving women in decision-making and leadership roles, the community ensures that its initiatives are more inclusive and effective. Sahada’s group has even broken cultural taboos, with women now harvesting honey — an activity once reserved for men. “In the beginning, it was even taboo for a woman to harvest honey,” Sahada recalls. “But now we do it ourselves.” Rehabilitated forest area in northern Ghana dotted with bee hives, part of sustainable land management practices that not only restore the environment but also provide local communities with new sources of income through beekeepingIn just over two years, the LogMe project has sustainably transformed over 80,000 lives across 8 communities. Through integrated approaches, degraded sahelian landscapes have been restored, food security boosted, forests regenerated, and new livelihood options created. The project shows that even in the face of desertification and drought, coordinated action can turn lands of despair into lands of opportunity. Dr. Somda says: “We make sure that the restoration activities are based on benefits for the local people. As we restore the land, nature also benefits from these activities.” Two young girls share a joyful moment at a community water pump in northern Ghana, symbolizing the brighter future being built through sustainable land management and access to essential resourcesSustainable land management is critical to addressing the environmental challenges of northern Ghana. Through innovative approaches, community involvement and comprehensive projects like LogMe, significant progress is being made in restoring degraded land and improving agriculture. These efforts are protecting the environment and improving the lives of local communities, demonstrating the power of sustainable practices to build resilience and prosperity. As the sun sets over Sakalo, casting long shadows over the rejuvenated land, the women gather once more, their hands and hearts full of the day’s work. They are not just restoring the land; they are reclaiming their lives, their dignity, and their hope for a future where the earth is as resilient as the people who call it home.

Land degradation in the Horn of Africa poses a significant threat to the livelihoods of millions, reducing agricultural productivity and exacerbating food insecurity. The region, where 70 per cent of the area is classified as arid or semi-arid, is experiencing its most severe drought in the past four decades, with dire consequences for local livelihoods and resilience. By December 2022, over 36.5 million people have been significantly impacted by the drought, with more than 20 million facing acute food insecurity as a direct consequence. Border communities face persistent poverty, as well as food insecurity, conflict, mass displacement, limited access to public services, environmental degradation, severe climate impacts and diminished agricultural outputs. In Ethiopia, for example, nearly 85 per cent of the land is affected by degradation, impacting approximately 30 million people, and costing the country an estimated USD 4.3 billion annually in lost agricultural productivity. The potential of sustainable land management and landscape restoration to address negative impacts of climate change and conflict became the focus of a UNCCD Peace Forest Initiative (PFI) workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on May 28–30, 2024. The goal of the Initiative is to foster peace and trust in conflict-affected and fragile settings by uniting communities across national borders to co-manage shared land resources and ecosystems. As climate change intensifies conflicts over natural resources, the PFI has the potential to assist countries in the Horn of Africa in integrating environmental and resource management into their conflict resolution practices, helping local communities secure livelihoods and address transboundary issues such as land degradation and water scarcity. The workshop in Addis Ababa focused on three main intervention areas: Sustainable, integrated landscapes management Development of agricultural commodities, value chains and trade\ Improvement of data management and sharing, and access Building on the groundwork laid at the inaugural PFI workshop in Nairobi in June 2023, this year’s event showcased a step-by-step approach to tackling environmental and socio-economic challenges in the Horn of Africa. Representatives of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda together with government officials, representatives of development agencies and regional organizations attended the workshop, organized by the Global Mechanism of UNCCD, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and CIFOR-ICRAF. As the Director General of the Ethiopian Forestry Development at the Ministry of Agriculture in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Mr. Kebede Yimam, noted, “Forest landscape restoration activities are of paramount importance to enhance our economic development, improve the livelihood of farm households, conserve biodiversity and enhance resilience to climate change impacts.” Workshop participants agreed on the need to align PFI activities with existing regional frameworks and initiatives, such as the Great Green Wall Initiative. IGAD representatives also presented existing projects that could be included in the PFI. Representatives of each participating country outlined national priorities and discussed challenges they face, such as data and resource availability. The workshop outlined actionable interventions to reverse land degradation, improve livelihoods and build climate resilience. The next workshop, planned for early 2025, will be validating project concepts and finalizing detailed project proposals in the participating countries. These outcomes will also contribute to the work of the upcoming UNCCD Conference of the Parties (COP16), ensuring that the PFI approaches are integrated into broader international dialogue on land degradation and sustainable land management.

Paris, 26 July 2024 - Desertification and land degradation represent a major challenge for the global sporting community. Sports pitches are directly affected by these phenomena. Drought and extreme temperatures make playing surfaces harder and more brittle, increasing the risk of injury for athletes. In addition, frequent heatwaves mean sporting events must be rescheduled, disrupting athletes' preparation and performance.According to a recent survey, 75 per cent of athletes perceive a negative impact on their health and performance because of climate change. In addition to the direct effects on athletes, global warming reduces opportunities for community and youth activities, particularly affecting marginalized groups.Healthy land not only provides us with almost 95 per cent of our food but so much more: it clothes and shelters us, provides us with jobs and livelihoods and protects us from worsening droughts, floods and forest fires. At the same time, population growth and unsustainable production and consumption patterns fuel demand for natural resources. By 2050, 10 billion people will share our planet and depend on healthy land for their livelihoods.To address these issues, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is organizing a ‘Desertification Day’ on 31 July 2024 at the Africa Station of the Olympic Games on Ile-Saint-Denis. The aim of the event is to raise awareness and get the sporting community involved in land issues ahead of UNCCD COP16, the UN's biggest conference on land issues, in December 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.In partnership with the Mairie de l'île-Saint-Denis and the Association d'Esprit d'Ebène, the UNCCD is offering exciting activities such as a desertification fresco, an oasis of solutions, a desertification quiz with prizes to be won, and a screening of the film ‘The Great Green Wall’ by Inna Modja, the UNCCD's Goodwill Ambassador.To mark the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD, a debate will be organized with athletes and personalities from the world of sport to demonstrate the links between desertification and sport.Among the participants are:Merem Tahar, Special Envoy on Youth of the President of UNCCDCOP15, Chad/FranceNaomi Akakpo, Olympic Athlete (hurdler), Togo/FranceMustapha Berraf, First Vice-President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, AlgeriaVladyslava Kravchenko, Para Swimming Athlete and member of the International Paralympic Committee's Athletes' Council, MaltaThe day will also see the launch of the UNCCD's ‘Sport4Land’ campaign, which aims to get sports personalities involved in protecting the land: #United4Land for a prosperous future.Restoring land is an effective method of promoting a better quality of life, ensuring food security and sustainable growth.A healthy playground starts with a healthy planet. Let's commit to preserving our land in the same way we commit to our favorite sport!For media enquiries, please contact press@unccd.int.

Los medios de comunicación ya pueden acreditarse para la 16ª sesión de la Conferencia de las Partes (COP 16) de la Convención de las Naciones Unidas de Lucha contra la Desertificación (CNULD).  La conferencia tendrá lugar del 2 al 13 de diciembre de 2024 en Boulevard Riyadh City, Riad, Arabia Saudí ( Al Imam Saud Ibn Faysal Rd, Hittin, Riad).  Los periodistas pueden solicitar su acreditación a través de nuestro Sistema de Registro en Línea (ORS).  El Sistema de Registro en Línea (ORS) es la única plataforma a través de la cual los medios de comunicación se pueden acreditar para cubrir la COP 16. La secretaría de la CNULD no acepta solicitudes de acreditación por correo electrónico o postal. No se tramitará ningún material enviado fuera del ORS.  Asegúrese de que todos los documentos cumplen los requisitos especificados y de que los datos del solicitante son coherentes a lo largo de la solicitud. Tenga en cuenta que la participación está moderada y que todas las inscripciones deben ser aprobadas.  Por favor, consulte de forma regular su cuenta ORS: podría recibir peticiones de documentación o información adicionales que son necesarias para confirmar su solicitud. Una vez finalizado el proceso, se le enviará un Formulario de Confirmación de Inscripción.  Si tiene alguna pregunta, no dude en ponerse en contacto con nosotros a través de su cuenta de inscripción en línea o en press@unccd.int  A su debido tiempo se publicarán más detalles en nuestro sitio web. 

La secretaría de la Convención de las Naciones Unidas de Lucha contra la Desertificación (CLD) saluda atentamente a la Embajada y tiene el honor de informar que el decimosexto período de sesiones de la Conferencia de las Partes (COP16), el vigésimo segundo período de sesiones del Comité para La Revisión de la Implementación de la Convención (CRIC22) y la decimosexta sesión del Comité de Ciencia y Tecnología (CST16) de la CLD se llevarán a cabo en Riad, en Al Imam Saud Ibn Faysal Rd, Hittin, Reino de Arabia Saudita, del 2 al 13 de diciembre de 2024. La secretaría de la CLD tiene el honor de invitar al gobierno de su país a participar en la CP16 bajo el tema general “Nuestra tierra, nuestro futuro”.Las consultas regionales de los países Partes afectados de los anexos de implementación regional de la Convención para África, Asia, América Latina y el Caribe, el Mediterráneo norte y los países Partes de Europa central y oriental en preparación para la CP16 se convocarán en dos periodos: una serie de reuniones se llevará a cabo en las regiones durante septiembre y octubre y la segunda serie de reuniones tendrá lugar en Riad antes de la sesión del 30 de noviembre al 1 de diciembre de 2024, en el mismo lugar. Para las reuniones de consulta regional, se enviarán invitaciones e información específicas a las diferentes regiones.Al inicio del período de sesiones, los días 2 y 3 de diciembre, se organizará un segmento de alto nivel [1] que incluirá una Cumbre de Líderes. El Reino de Arabia Saudita está trabajando estrechamente con la Secretaría y numerosos socios para implementar una ambiciosa Agenda de Acción de Riad, que incluirá días temáticos para crear conciencia y ampliar las soluciones transformadoras. Durante los días temáticos se llevarán a cabo varios eventos paralelos y eventos oficiales de alto nivel en diferentes formatos, incluidos diálogos interactivos de alto nivel, mesas redondas ministeriales y eventos especiales. Toda la información específica sobre los días temáticos y los eventos estará disponible en: https://www.unccd.int/cop16.Los diálogos interactivos de alto nivel centrados en los temas (a) sistemas agroalimentarios, (b) gobernanza de la tierra y (c) ciencia, innovación y tecnología tendrán lugar entre los días comprendidos entre el 5 y el 9 de diciembre de 2024. Asimismo, entre los días 10 y 11 de diciembre de 2024 se celebrarán los diálogos ministeriales sobre resiliencia a la sequía y financiación.Durante el segmento inicial, del 2 al 6 de diciembre, además de las sesiones del CCT16 y CRIC22, el Comité Plenario (COW) iniciará su trabajo. Para garantizar la eficacia de la participación de la sociedad civil en las deliberaciones de la CP se han planificado dos medias jornadas de sesiones de diálogo abierto las mañanas del 5 y 9 de diciembre.Durante este segmento final, la CP considerará todas las decisiones no adoptadas previamente. Decidirá, entre otras cosas, la fecha y el lugar de celebración del 23º período de sesiones del CRIC, teniendo en cuenta la decisión 13/COP.13 sobre el mandato del CRIC, sus operaciones y su calendario de reuniones, así como cualquier decisión ulterior sobre la cuestión examinada durante el actual período de sesiones.La Secretaría y la presidencia entrante reconocen la importancia de los enfoques que abarcan a todo el gobierno y a toda la sociedad y acogen con agrado la inclusión de representantes de organizaciones de jóvenes, mujeres y organizaciones de la sociedad civil, así como de pueblos indígenas y comunidades locales, del sector privado, del mundo académico y de gobiernos locales, entre otros, como parte de su delegación.Todas las embajadas de las Partes y el PFN de la CLDPara ayudar a las delegaciones a prepararse para la conferencia, en el sitio web de la CLD[2] está disponible un programa provisional, así como documentos pertinentes para el período de sesiones, incluido el documento “Información para los participantes” (ICCD/COP(16)/INF.1).Se solicita que los representantes de las Partes en la Convención reciban plenos poderes para participar en el período de sesiones, incluida la posibilidad de actuar como funcionarios de la CP16 y sus órganos subsidiarios, así como de cualquier comité, grupo de trabajo u órgano subsidiario del período de sesiones establecido por la Conferencia.La secretaría de la CLD desea recordar que, de conformidad con el artículo 19 del reglamento de la Conferencia de las Partes, las credenciales de las delegaciones serán expedidas por el jefe de Estado o de Gobierno o por el ministro de Relaciones Exteriores o, en el caso de una organización de integración económica regional, por la autoridad competente de esa organización. Se ruega a las Partes que cumplan con este requisito.Se recalca a los Estados que no son Partes en el momento de la CP16 que, de conformidad con el artículo 22, párrafo 7 de la Convención y el artículo 7 del reglamento de la Conferencia de las Partes, cualquier órgano u organismo, ya sea nacional o internacional, gubernamental o no gubernamental, que esté calificado en las materias cubiertas por la Convención y que haya informado a la Secretaría Permanente de su deseo de estar representado en una sesión de la Conferencia de las Partes en calidad de observador, podrá ser admitido a menos que, como mínimo, un tercio de las Partes presentes en la sesión se opongan.Tenga en cuenta también que la CP16 será una sesión sin papel. En consecuencia, los documentos oficiales previos a las sesiones de la COP16/CRIC22/CST16 estarán disponibles en el sitio web de la CLD y en la aplicación de la Conferencia de la CLD. Los documentos oficiales preparados en la sesión también se publicarán en el sitio web y en la aplicación de la Conferencia. Se pueden imprimir cantidades limitadas únicamente bajo demanda.La Secretaría agradecería que el gobierno de su país tuviera la amabilidad de designar a los representantes que asistirán a la CP16. La inscripción en línea estará disponible a partir del 15 de julio de 2024 en el siguiente enlace: https://indico.un.org/e/unccd-cop16. Todos los participantes deberán subir una carta de nominación oficial que confirme su capacidad para asistir a la sesión de la COP16. Para obtener más información sobre la inscripción en línea, consulte el documento “Información para los participantes” (ICCD/COP(16)/INF.1).La Secretaría desea recalcar que son los participantes los responsables de obtener sus propios visados, reservas de hotel y cualquier tipo de seguro médico o de otro tipo que puedan necesitar. Si bien la Secretaría ayudará con la emisión de notas verbales, los participantes que requieran visas deben obtenerlas en las Embajadas o Consulados de Arabia Saudita en su país antes de su salida a Riad.La secretaría de la Convención de las Naciones Unidas de Lucha contra la Desertificación aprovecha la oportunidad para renovar a la Embajada, su más distinguida consideración.[1] La información sobre el segmento de alto nivel se incluirá en el documento ICCD/COP(16)/INF.2 y estará disponible en el sitio web de la CLD.[2] Para más información visitar el link: https://www.unccd.int/cop16/official-documents    

On behalf of the UNCCD, I welcome the UN System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation to further align our efforts to provide quality water for all. At UNCCD, we are particularly focusing on ensuring the availability of water through one of the planet’s most important natural assets: our land. Land is a natural ally in our drive to secure quality water supplies. Yet up to 40% of our planet’s land is already degraded, affecting nearly half of the world’s population. Meanwhile, global freshwater demand is on track to outstrip supply by 40% by 2030, putting societies, economies, and ecosystems on the line. In this context, we cannot afford to continue taking our land and its crucial role in the provision of clean water, food and energy for granted.   Healthy lands are better at filtrating water, allowing aquifers to recharge, retaining soil moisture, and even supporting cloud formation!   Additionally, healthy lands reduce water runoff, erosion and the risk of floods, which can trigger serious sanitation and public health problems and, tragically, loss of life.   We tend to think of drought as the absence of rain. But often, it is also the result of poor land management, meaning we are only as resilient to climate change--and its impacts on water quality and availability--as our land is. Addressing water and land management as part of drought resilience policies is therefore critical. The new UN System-wide strategy is an opportunity to recognize this vital connection between water and land and to put in place the right policies, incentives and investments to secure these precious resources for present and future generations.