Theme: "Protect Earth. Restore Land. Engage People."​

There may be no greater issue than land in the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our food, clothing and homes all come from land resources.

In order to “leave no one behind” and develop sustainably as set forth in the new SDGs, achieving land degradation neutrality (LDN) must be a top priority.

2016 World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) called for community involvement and cooperation at every level to restore and rehabilitate degraded land in order to achieve the SDGs. That year's WDCD theme was "Protect Earth. Restore Land. Engage People."

Land has been an overlooked part of sustainable development for years. We now view land as a vital key to solve development challenges that involve climate change. 

The global WDCD observance event on 17 June 2016 was hold in Beijing, China, hosted by the State Forestry Administration of China (SFA). In 2013 China embarked on the new development strategy, “The Belt and Road,” aiming to strengthen cooperation among countries in Eurasia. Since then, it has been promoting green and low-carbon infrastructure construction in cooperation with neighboring countries connected by the historic Silk Road.

By organizing the WDCD global observance in China, the 2016 WDCD demonstrated how LDN can be a critical element for achieving other SDGs, especially for promotion of inclusive and sustainable economic growth. At the global observance event, the host country announced the “One Belt and One Road Joint Action to Combating Desertification Initiative” together with interested countries and stakeholders.

To request further information, such as WDCD messages from United Nations officials or press releases in additional languages, as well as past campaign, press or awareness raising materials, please contact secretariat [at] unccd.int (secretariat[at]unccd[dot]int) .

Events Around the World

Global Observance Day in Beijing

Fangfei Green Handkerchief Initiative, Drylands Ambassador, Ms. Liu Fang Fei

WDCD Events around the world 2016

Messages

Message from the UN Secretary General

Contribution from IUCN

Message from the Former President of Cape Verde, Pedro Pirez (Portuguese)

Message from the former president of Cape Verde,Pedro Pirez (French)

Message from the UNESCO Director-General

Message from the UNCCD Executive Secretary

Resources

Press release

Concept note

Letter from the Executive Secretary

Press Release for Joint Action Initiative Launch