Other meetings & events

The United Nations General Assembly has designated 13 October as International Day for Disaster Reduction to promote a global culture of disaster reduction, including disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness. For 25 years, the International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) has been a major global awareness event to recognize progress and encourage further efforts to build disaster resilient communities and nations. 

To showcase the achievements of desertification control in Inner Mongolia, the UNCCD organizes a field trip to the Kubuqi Desert during COP 13, on 10 September 2017. As a saying goes, “It’s better to see something once than to hear about it a hundred times.” Thirty years ago, the Kubuqi Desert, one of the largest in China, was an area severely affected by storms that blew uncontrollably over the vast expanses of sand. Today, tireless rehabilitation efforts, led by the Chinese government, business entities and local residents, have resulted in the restoration of more than 6 000 square kilometers of the Kubuqi Desert through afforestation. The implemented circular sustainable economic model combines ecosystem restoration, ecological husbandry, ecotourism, green industry and solar energy production, and has already benefited 102 000 local residents, lifting them out of poverty. The Kubuqi model sets an example of successful desertification control and ecosystem improvement based on effective government policies supported by private investment in the eco-industry and combined with market-oriented engagement of local farmers and herdsman. In Kubuqi, the meaning of “desert” has been redefined: flocks of sheep and cattle are grazing amidst solar panels that pump electricity into the power grid, plentiful local organic produce is supplied across China and the wonder of barren land turned into a fruitful garden attracts many visitors from afar.  On September 10, the trip participants will be able to enjoy the breathtaking sights of Kubuqi – the sweeping views, the tempting bounty of the new harvest and the unique nomadic culture of the local people.  For more information, please contact:  Ms. Jady Duan Phone: +86 (0) 10-57387397-39123 Mobile: +86 18504779332 Email: duanyu@elion.com.cn You can download the programme flyer and the registration form here.  

Are you between the ages of 18 and 35 and like making short videos? Are you involved or interested in the combat of desertification, land degradation and drought? Then you MUST participate in the Video Competition for the Capacity Building Marketplace that will take place from September 4 to October 26 2017! In each of the three categories of the competition, you will have the chance to win monetary and other prizes and to be featured in cover stories on the front page of the Marketplace! The winners will be selected by the public at large through a vote. Register and send us your video between September 4th and October 1st 2017. For more information, please visit the Capacity Building Marketplace.

The Government of Bolivia in collaboration with the secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will organize a Regional Conference on Drought Management and Preparedness for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region. The event will take place on 14th to 16th August 2017 in Santa Cruz de Sierra, Bolivia. The conference will identify and analyze the drought-related challenges, needs and gaps of LAC countries in order to promote effective management strategies and propose potential solutions. Local and international experts will consider various aspects of drought management in the region and beyond. The conference will focus on the following thematic issues: Key elements of national drought policy including drought early warning systems, vulnerability and impact assessment and proactive risk mitigation measures, public outreach and resource stewardship; Greater collaboration at all levels to enhance the local, national and regional observation networks and information delivery systems to improve public understanding of, and preparedness for, drought; and Coordination of drought programmes and response in an effective, efficient and customer-oriented manner. The UNCCD is currently preparing background documents that will guide the conference discussions. This will lead to the development of a ’White Paper’ towards a regional strategy on enhanced drought preparedness for the region. For more details, please download the programme and concept note: English  Español

8 – 10 September 2017 in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China Young people are an important force toward the development of a sustainable world. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) secretariat recognizes the important roles youth play in combating land degradation and promoting sustainable land management (SLM). Empowering young people to protect and restore degraded ecosystems will lead to green innovations that will contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular, reaching SDG15.3 land degradation neutrality. The UNCCD secretariat invites all young people and youth organization representatives to apply to speak and participate in the international UNCCD Youth Forum at its 13th Conference of the Parties (COP 13). The theme this year is "land, youth and sustainability." Application Deadline: 26 June 2017 Learn how to apply Apply Now! The Forum will be the platform for youth to: Voice their commitments toward achieving land degradation neutrality Build their capacities and opportunities to work toward combating desertification, land degradation and drought Share their experiences in combating desertification   For more information contact Marcos Montoiro at mmontoiro@unccd.int or Jenny Choo at  jchoo@unccd.int .