Each issue of Our Planet concentrates on one specific theme, tying into international conferences (the 10th anniversary of the Basel Convention), meetings (UNFCCC COP-15), events (World Environment Day), or dealing with issues of our time (Water or Climate Change). Our Planet contains articles by leaders of United Nations organizations, national governments, non-governmental organizations, experts, business leaders and opinion formers. From May 1996 every issue of Our Planet has been published, free and is fully accessible on-line.

The world’s deserts, covering a fifth of its land surface, conjure up many emotions, many contradictory ideas. Hardship and romance, bareness and awe-inspiring beauty. The driest places on Earth, they are home to 350 million people and some of the rarest and most curious species known. Culturally and spiritually they stand in the centre of at least two of the great religions. The desert was the backdrop to the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammed, while Jesus was tempted by the Devil in one such wilderness.

Algeria is greatly honoured to have been chosen by the United Nations Environment Programme to host the 2006 World Environment Day celebrations. We are particularly proud to have been chosen, as this year’s focus is on deserts and desertification. The official slogan for WED 2006, ‘Don’t Desert Drylands’, addresses sustainable development in the deserts. In order to respond to the concerns and expectations of many countries on this issue, the un General Assembly adopted, at Algeria’s instigation, Resolution 58/211, which established 2006 as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification (IYDD)