Stories

About UNCCD Land Heroes The UNCCD Land Heroes campaign recognizes and supports young individuals and youth-led/based organizations making positive impacts against desertification, land degradation, and drought. Through online engagement, we raise awareness, share success stories, and empower youth as change agents in sustainable land management, engaging them in implementing the convention. Building on the success of the inaugural 2020 cohort, the second cohort of Land Heroes continues to inspire and mobilize youth to promote the UNCCD's objectives. About the Land Heroes campaign Part of the Land for Life Programme, #LandHeroes showcases youth's dedication to sustainable land management. These organizations and individuals share transformative journeys through social media, videos, blogs, and our dedicated website, amplifying their contributions and recognizing both young men and women as critical forces for positive change. Join us in celebrating these remarkable land champions. Objective The Land Heroes campaign aims to identify, celebrate, and support youth aged 18-35 engaged in sustainable land management, raising awareness of land's link to biodiversity and climate. By sharing stories, we inspire change, unite youth, provide mentorship, and showcase the transformative power of collective efforts. Campaign goals Raise awareness of land's connection to biodiversity and climate Spotlight diverse ways youth positively impact the land Share inspiring stories showcasing collective progress Empower youth to spread campaign messages and take action Provide mentorship in sustainable land management Share success stories to foster understanding and awareness Categories of Land Heroes Drought resilience: Early warning systems: Implementing proactive measures to anticipate and respond to drought conditions effectively. Mitigating the effects of drought: Innovative strategies for drought impact mitigation and ensure water availability. Adopting scalable and inclusive approaches: Promoting strategies that can be expanded to larger scales and inclusive of vulnerable populations to enhance drought resilience. Land restoration: Large-scale land restoration: Leadership in restoring degraded land on a large scale, contributing to ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation. Community-level land restoration: Impactful initiatives restoring degraded land at the community level, enhancing livelihoods and resilience. Inclusivity and equality: Gender equality and women's empowerment: Initiatives promoting gender equality in land ownership, decision-making, and conservation efforts Social equity: Initiatives promoting poverty eradication, social cohesion, etc. Indigenous knowledge: Amplifying indigenous knowledge and practices, recognizing their vital role in sustainable land management Science and innovation: Innovation: Innovative approaches in sustainable land management Technology: Harnessing technology for land monitoring, data analysis, and knowledge-sharing on sustainable practices Science and research: Contributions to scientific research and evidence-based decision-making in land management Key features of Land Heroes Youth engagement (18-35) in addressing land challenges Role models inspiring peers through dedication Inspirational leadership mobilizing youth for collective responsibility Passionate and dedicated to combating desertification and degradation Vision for change: Clear understanding and innovative strategies Collaboration with stakeholders for effective partnerships Strong communication: Effective online presence to inspire action Benefits for Land Heroes Grant of US$1,000 for top finalists in each category Attendance at high-level UNCCD meetings Publicity and recognition through interviews, media, and social platforms Mentorship for leadership, communication, and project management Opportunities to support UNCCD through advocacy, workshops, and content creation Participation in challenges and innovation forums Coordination with other Land Heroes for workshops and collaborative projects Identification of Land Heroes Ten Land Heroes are selected over two years based on criteria aligned with categories. Timeline Deadline extended: 29 February 2024 June 2024: Desertification and Drought Day December 2024: Participation in COP16 Meet the current cohort: Land Heroes Follow Us on social media: Twitter X | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn 

UNCCD and FAO are collaborating in a joint initiative to identify the most innovative and effective women-led initiatives.

Open from 18 May to 15 August 2023, a call for requests to support national multi-stakeholder consultations on integrating tenure security into LDN and land restoration initiatives elicited over 30 applications. Global, regional, and national staff from the UNCCD and FAO conducted an assessment and evaluation of all applications. Based on the established selection criteria and taking into consideration regional balance and current availability of funds, the following were selected as part of the first group of countries to receive support to undertake national consultations on land tenure: Kazakhstan, Kenya, Mexico, Senegal, and Sri Lanka. The UNCCD, FAO, and partners in the joint initiative look forward to working closely with the 5 selected countries in 2024 and supporting their efforts to enhance tenure security as both a means and outcome of LDN activities and a broad range of regenerative land-based projects and programmes. UNCCD-FAO staff are developing a longer-term plan to support additional national consultations to countries that have applied as resources become available. In parallel, the UNCCD and FAO are engaging with partners and ongoing projects and programmes to identify opportunities for co-funding and leveraging synergies to support additional national consultations in 2024.

Bonn/Samarkand, 10 October 2023 – Today the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) entered into a landmark agreement with the government of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Host Country Agreement marks the culminating chapter in the preparations for the upcoming 21st session of the UNCCD Committee on the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC21), to be held from 13-17 November 2023 in Samarkand.  For the first time since its inception, UNCCD is convening one of its most important meetings in the heart of Central Asia. The highly anticipated CRIC21 will serve as a global platform for cutting-edge insights into land degradation and drought while assessing the progress the countries are making in restoring productive land.  Welcoming the UNCCD delegation to the historic crossroads of culture and civilization in the city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan's Minister of Ecology, Aziz Abdukhakimov emphasized the upcoming UN conference's role in bolstering global partnerships and environmental innovation. Among the inspiring examples of the successful project in land restoration he shared is the ongoing tree-planting efforts on 2 million hectares to combat the Aral Sea environmental crisis.  UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw noted that CRIC21 meets at a time of increasing environmental turbulence: cataclysmic heatwaves in Europe and North America, devastating droughts in the Horn of Africa, torrential monsoons and cyclones across Asia. The significance of land degradation as both a contributor to and a consequence of these phenomena cannot be overstated.  Recent UN data paints a sobering picture, demonstrating that 420 million hectares of fertile and productive land between have been degraded between 2015 and 2019 – an area exceeding the combined landscapes of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.  CRIC21 – a global symposium of delegates from 196 nations and the European Union, leaders of the civil society, academia, and international organizations – will delve into progress on the Convention's strategic objectives. These range from sustainable land management and drought resilience to ensuring fair land rights for women and tackling the sand and dust storms and wildfires exacerbated by the climate change and environmental degradation.  The UNCCD secretariat wishes to express its sincere gratitude to the Republic of Uzbekistan for graciously assuming the role of the host for this pivotal event. Like an intricate carpet weaved by expert hands unfurls to reveal its detailed patterns, CRIC21 will roll out at the Silk Road Samarkand Congress Centre in Uzbekistan this November. 

В ноябре 2023 года встреча Комитета по рассмотрению осуществления Конвенции ООН по борьбе с опустыниванием и засухой (КРОК КБО ООН) впервые пройдет в одной из стран Центральной Азии. Мы приглашаем русскоязычных журналистов, в особенности из стран подверженных негативном последствиям засухи, опустынивания, пыльных и песчаных бурь, принять участие в освещении работы 21-ой сессии КРОК. Центрально-азиатская встреча станет ключевым моментом для обзора прогресса, достигнутого в регионе по предотвращению и обращению вспять потери продуктивных земель в результате опустынивания, деградации земель и засухи.   Представители Сторон КБО ООН соберутся в Самарканде (Узбекистан) с 13 по 17 ноября 2023г., чтобы рассмотреть ход реализации стратегических целей конвенции по устойчивому управлению земельными ресурсами, устойчивости к засухе, борьбе с песчаными и пыльным бурями, поддержке лидерства женщин в устойчивом развитии сельского хозяйства и решение проблем, связанных с вынужденной миграцией. Ожидается, что в мероприятии примут участие представители национальных, региональных и местных органов власти, гражданского общества, научного сообщества, международных организаций и всех видов СМИ.   Для освещения работы КРОК в состав пресс-службы при КБО OОН войдут пять русскоязычных журналистов из региона Центральной Азии. Члены пресс-службы примут участие не только в самой конференции, но и предшествующем ей медиа-тренинге. В программу работы пресс-службы войдет ряд специально разработанных мероприятий, включающих информационный семинар по ключевым направлениям работы КБО, экскурсии для ознакомления с успешными проектами по землевосстановлению и засухоустойчивости, а также встречи с региональными экспертами.  Срок подачи заявок до 8 октября 2023 г., кандидаты будут выбраны и оповещены к 15 октября 2023 г.   Кандидаты должны соответствовать следующим требованиям:   быть профессиональным журналистом или представителем ведущего СМИ из региона Центральной Азии  профессионально владеть русским языком  иметь опыт освещения экологических проблем и четко представлять, какие материалы они могут быть подготовлены во время участия в конференции  иметь возможность и желание лично приехать в Узбекистан для участия в конференции КРОК21 и предварительном медиа-тренинге на полный срок проведения этих мероприятий   взять на себя обязательство участвовать во всех мероприятиях пресс-службы  предоставить письмо поддержки от редактора, продюсера или руководителя СМИ, подтверждающее возможность публикации или трансляции вашего материала в одном из ведущих СМИ  фрилансеры могут подавать заявки, но должны предоставить сходное письмо от редакции, обязующейся опубликовать материалы о КРОК  Каждый заявитель должен направить следующие документы на электронный адрес press@unccd.int, с пометкой “Russian media fellowship CRIC21” до 8 октября 2023:  вступительное письмо с просьбой о финансовой поддержке и указанием того, какие темы будет освещать журналист  копия пресс-карты или другого аналогичного официального документа, подтверждающего профессиональный статус  копии страниц с фотографией и подписью в паспорте, действительном не менее чем до 31 мая 2024 года  разрешение работодателя на участие и освещение заседаний, для штатных сотрудников  кандидатам настоятельно рекомендуется представить независимые доказательства наличия вышеуказанных компетенций, например:  a) ссылки на опубликованные статьи – чем больше, тем лучше  б) рекомендательное письмо от редактора СМИ, в котором соискатель ранее публиковался  в) письмо от редакции, обязующейся опубликовать материалы о КРОК  г) рекомендательные письма от коллег из ООН, чьи мероприятия они освещали в прошлом  В числе покрываемых расходов – невозвратный авиабилет эконом-класса, гостиница, питание и транспортные расходы. Мы также окажем содействие в аккредитации и организации поездки и пребывания. Обращаем ваше внимание на то, что получение необходимых виз является обязанностью самого кандидата, однако соответствующие расходы могут быть компенсированы.   Участникам необходимо учитывать, что форс-мажорные обстоятельства, не зависящие от организаторов, могут воспрепятствовать участию отобранных журналистов в конференции. 

Bonn/Vancouver, 28 August 2023 -- The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is launching a new virtual exhibition titled Her Land to showcase the transformative power of women’s leadership in sustainable land management. The exhibition was unveiled at the 7th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility in Vancouver, Canada. Through immersive experiences and rich imagery in the digital realm, Her Land campaign harnesses the creative power of visual artists and musicians who support UNCCD to put the spotlight on the struggles and successes of women living on the frontlines of desertification, drought and climate change.  The campaign calls on governments to deliver policies that guarantee secure land tenure, motivates businesses to invest in gender-focused land restoration projects and invites the public to share stories that illustrate the bond that women share with the land they nurture. The virtual exhibition in support of Her Land campaign is spearheaded and curated by Malian artist and UNCCD Goodwill Ambassador Inna Modja. UNCCD Executive Secretary, Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw, commented on the campaign's ethos, "Her Land initiative transcends being merely a message. It embodies a movement, urging us to venerate the women, the land's true guardians." In the words of Inna Modja: “We must dare to invent the future. I saw that dare come to life in the resilience and bravery of communities, and within them, the fierce strength of women, relentlessly fighting to protect their land, their homes, their communities. The empowerment of women is absolutely necessary in our fight against land degradation and desertification.” Through the creative efforts of Inna Modja and Marco Conti Sikic, the campaign brings together immersive digital experiences, poignant photography and artful videos to engage and unite participants in support of a future in which women's rights to land are recognized and their contributions are celebrated.  Her Land campaign has been made possible through the generous support of the Canadian Government, the European Commission, and the Republic of Korea through the Changwon Initiative. Canada's transformative contribution of $6 million CAD is part of the country’s pioneering International Feminist International Assistance Policy that aims to advance gender equality as the cornerstone of a progressive and harmonious society.  Canada’s contribution supports the implementation of projects under UNCCD Gender Action Plan as well as meetings of the Gender Caucus during the biennial Conferences of the Parties to UNCCD.  The European Commission’s contribution aims to raise awareness on responsible land governance among all stakeholders and to promote more equal access to land and land tenure security for men and women as well as other vulnerable populations, including indigenous peoples and local communities. For its part, the Changwon Initiative, named after the UNCCD COP10 venue and coordinated by the Korea Forest Service, enables the UNCCD to be the global voice for land. The Initiative supports the Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting Programme, through which over 100 countries have set voluntary national targets to restore degraded lands.