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The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) welcomes the G7 Climate, Energy and Environment Ministers Communiqué of 30 April 2024, which underlines the critical importance of addressing land degradation, desertification and soil health as fundamental elements of global sustainability efforts. UNCCD is particularly encouraged by the Italian G7 Presidency's launch of a voluntary Hub on Sustainable Land Use dedicated to promoting a collaborative and common approach to sustainable land use initiatives in Africa and in the Mediterranean Basin in support of achieving land degradation neutrality (LDN). The Hub will focus on sustainable livelihoods, enhancement of food security and promotion of land-based employment, with special regard to communities on the frontlines of land degradation, including Indigenous Peoples, youth and women. The UNCCD commends the G7 for its commitment to immediate and tangible action, such as proposals to increase funding for sustainable land management by 40 per cent over the next decade and to advance scientific research on soil health. These initiatives are critical to addressing these crises and underscore the need for global cooperation and leadership in this crucial decade. "Integrating land and soil health into broader economic and social systems provides a pathway to sustainable, inclusive growth that leaves no one behind. This approach is essential to building resilience to the impacts of climate change and ensuring the health and productivity of the land on which all life depends,” said UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw. “The G7's recognition of land degradation and desertification as both environmental and socio-economic challenges dovetails seamlessly with the goals of the UNCCD. Our collaborative approach is critical to scaling up efforts to significantly reduce land degradation, with the goal of a 50 per cent reduction by 2040, as outlined in the G20 Global Land Initiative,” he added. Furthermore, G7's strong emphasis on the interlinked crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, which have significant impacts on land and soil, is a decisive step forward ahead of the meetings of the Conferences of the Parties (COPs) to the three Rio Conventions later this year, notably UNCCD COP16 to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 2-13 December. “Welcoming the G7's vision, the UNCCD calls on all nations to strengthen their commitment to land health as an integral part of their environment and development agendas. UNCCD looks forward to further collaboration with the G7 and other international partners. Together, we want to implement the ambitious agendas set out in this Communiqué and ensure that land remains a cornerstone of global efforts to combat environmental degradation and promote sustainable development,” Thiaw concluded.

The conversion of land for agriculture to meet the demands for food, feed, fibre and bioenergy production is the leading driver of land-use change, with up to 40% of the world’s land already degraded. The global economy is projected to lose USD 23 trillion by 2050 to land degradation, desertification and drought.   Transforming our production and consumption patterns has enormous potential to reverse land degradation and biodiversity loss, as well as mitigate climate change. The economic benefits of land restoration are huge: half of the world’s GDP is dependent on nature, and every dollar invested in restoration generates up to USD 30 in benefits.   Despite its importance to economic activity, Sustainable Development Goal 15 Life on Land is one of the least financed SDGs. The private sector can play a critical role in achieving the goal to restore 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land by 2030. It can facilitate investments and technology for sustainable production as catalysts for a transition to sustainable land use and promote the expansion of value chains for sustainable consumption for healthy lands and people.   UNCCD made its mark at the Change Now Conference held from 25 to 27 March at the Grand Palais Ephémère in Paris by bringing together innovators and investors from the private sector to find solutions that have the power to reverse and halt current land degradation trends.  The Business4Land strategy, presented by UNCCD during the World Economic Forum 2024 in Davos, seeks to mobilize the power of the private sector to advance Land Degradation Neutrality by enabling transition from our current extractive and extensive land-use models towards sustainable land management.  At the Paris meeting, UNCCD launched discussions on innovative financing models, highlighting the role of private sector investments in land restoration projects and productivity enhancement business models. Highlighting the potential for carbon sequestration and natural-based solutions, the Convention showcased the economic viability of sustainable land-based projects to encourage entrepreneurs to seize untapped opportunities.   Inspired by the spirit of Gustave Eiffel who made possible what seemed impossible in his time, UNCCD invites the private sector to join the Business4Land initiative as a vehicle to leave a healthy legacy to future generations on our planet. —UNCCD Deputy Executive Secretary Andrea Meza During the Pioneers Dinner at the Eiffel Tower The Business4Land initiative unites private sector leaders to improve business practices, contribute to sustainable financing tools, explore leveraging mobile new technologies and best practices to support further land restoration investments. Companies are invited to join the Business4Land initiative and define voluntary actions and announce them at UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in December 2024.   To join the Business4Land initiative, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B4L For more information, please contact: b4l@unccd,int 

E-learning course developed by the UNCCD in collaboration with FAO, GEO-LDN and GIZ, focused on remote sensing and data use in support of SDG 15, specifically Land Degradation Neutrality.

Bonn, Deutschland, 21. Februar 2024 – Auf Einladung der deutschen Bundesregierung findet der zentrale Festakt am Welttag gegen Wüstenbildung und Dürre am 17. Juni 2024 in Bonn statt. Er steht unter dem Motto „United for Land: Unsere Erde. Unsere Zukunft.“. Denn weltweit verlieren wir in jeder einzelnen Sekunde wertvollen gesunden Boden in der Größe von vier Fußballfeldern. Das ergibt im Jahr insgesamt 100 Millionen Hektar pro Jahr - eine Fläche fast dreimal so groß wie Deutschland.  Angesichts dieser alarmierenden Entwicklungen ist es wichtiger denn je, heutige und künftige Generationen für einen nachhaltigen Umgang mit Boden und Landflächen zu gewinnen. Genau das ist das Ziel des Welttags gegen Wüstenbildung und Dürre, für den in diesem Jahr Deutschland die Gastgeberschaft übernommen hat.  Der 17. Juni 2024 ist zugleich auch das 30. Jubiläum des Übereinkommens der Vereinten Nationen zur Bekämpfung der Wüstenbildung (UNCCD) mit Sitz in Bonn. UNCCD ist das einzige rechtsverbindliche internationale Abkommen für Bodenschutz und Dürremanagement und neben der UN-Klimarahmenkonvention (UNFCCC) und Biodiversitätskonvention (CBD) eine der drei sogenannten Rio-Konventionen, die 1992 beim Erdgipfel in Rio de Janeiro beschlossen wurden.  UNCCD-Exekutivsekretär Ibrahim Thiaw: „Weltweit sind bereits bis zu 40 Prozent des Bodens degradiert. Davon ist etwa die Hälfte der Menschheit betroffen ist. Maßnahmen zum Schutz von Böden sind weltweit bekannt. Die Sanierung von Böden hilft betroffenen Bevölkerungen auch, Armut zu minimieren und stärkt sie in ihrer Widerstandsfähigkeit gegenüber dem Klimawandel. Es ist an der Zeit, sich für fruchtbares Land und Böden einzusetzen und dem weltweiten Verlust von Landflächen und der Degradierung von Böden die rote Karte zu zeigen."  Die Bundesrepublik Deutschland, unter der Schirmherrschaft des Bundesministeriums für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ), ist der diesjährige Gastgeber des zentralen Festakts zum Welttag gegen Wüstenbildung und Dürre am 17. Juni 2024, der in der Bundeskunsthalle in Bonn stattfindet.   BMZ-Staatssekretär, Jochen Flasbarth: „Rund ein Viertel der Menschen weltweit sind von Dürre betroffen. Auch in Europa verschlechtert sich der Zustand unserer Böden rasant. Der Schutz von Boden und Land ist eine globale Herausforderung. Wir müssen heute gemeinsam handeln, damit die Generationen von Morgen eine Lebensgrundlage haben – nur mit gesunden Böden können wir die Menschheit ernähren und uns gegen die Klima- und Biodiversitätskrise wappnen."   An den Feierlichkeiten werden international prominente Gäste aus Politik, Wissenschaft, Zivilgesellschaft, Sport und Unterhaltung teilnehmen. Der Welttag findet im Vorfeld der bisher größten Vertragsstaatenkonferenz (COP) der Vereinten Nationen zum Thema Land und Dürre statt, die für Dezember 2024 in Riad, Saudi-Arabien (UNCCD COP16) geplant ist.  Rund um den Welttag gegen Wüstenbildung und Dürre wird UNCCD im Mai und Juni gemeinsam mit den deutschen Partnern - dem Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung und der Stadt Bonn - mit einer Kampagne unter dem Motto #UNited4Land für den Schutz gesunder Böden und Flächen werben, unter anderem im Rahmen von Veranstaltungen in und um Bonn.  Katja Dörner, Oberbürgermeisterin der Stadt Bonn: „Als Sitz von UNCCD und als Stadt auf dem Weg zur Klimaneutralität 2035, kann Bonn Klima, Natur und Land nur gemeinsam denken und schützen. Land ist alles – und so viel mehr als die Fläche, auf der unsere Stadt steht. Land ist der Boden, auf dem Nahrung wächst, Lebensraum für Pflanzen und Tiere, Schwamm für Wasser, Freiraum und Kühlkorridor … und ein Erbe, das wir an die nächsten Generationen weitergeben.“  Seien auch Sie dabei – für unsere Erde und unsere Zukunft und feiern Sie gemeinsam mit UNCCD 30 Jahre Engagement für gesunde Böden und Landflächen:   Für Materialien zur #UNited4Land-Kampagne, klicken Sie hier: https://trello.com/b/VdJGolcp/desertification-and-drought-day-2024   Um mehr über die Aktivitäten zum Tag gegen Wüstenbildung und Dürre auf der ganzen Welt zu erfahren, klicken Sie hier: https://www.unccd.int/events/desertification-drought-day/2024   Für eine Online-Teilnahme an der Jubiläumsveranstaltung in Bonn wenden Sie sich bitte an: communications@unccd.int   Länder auf der ganzen Welt feiern den Tag gegen Wüstenbildung und Dürre mit einer Reihe von Bildungs-, Kultur- und Sportveranstaltungen - von Filmvorführungen bis zu Fußballturnieren und von Baumpflanzungen bis zu Gartenbauwettbewerben. Ein vollständiges Programm wird in Kürze online verfügbar sein unter: https://www.unccd.int/events/desertification-drought-day.  Über den Welttag gegen Wüstenbildung und Dürre:  Der von der Generalversammlung der Vereinten Nationen 1994 offiziell verkündete Tag gegen Wüstenbildung und Dürre (A/RES/49/115), der jährlich am 17. Juni begangen wird, hat folgende Ziele:     Öffentliche Sensibilisierung für die Herausforderungen im Zusammenhang mit Wüstenbildung, Bodendegradierung und Dürre  Aufzeigen von Lösungen zur Verhinderung der Wüstenbildung und zur Umkehrung von zunehmender menschenverursachter Dürre    Stärkung der Umsetzung der Ziele des Übereinkommens der Vereinten Nationen zur Bekämpfung der Wüstenbildung   Für mehr Informationen kontaktieren Sie bitte:  UNCCD: Xenya Scanlon, +49 152 5454 0492, xscanlon@unccd.int oder Yannis Umlauf,   Tel: +49 178 285 8629 E-Mail: yumlauf@unccd.int mit press@unccd.int in cc.  BMZ: Presseabteilung, Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung Tel: +49 (0)30 18 535-2451, E-Mail: presse@bmz.bunddotde www.bmz.de  

Riyadh, 31 January 2024 – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) signed an agreement paving the way for the 16th session of the Convention’s Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Riyadh from 2-13 December 2024.  The Riyadh COP16 will be the largest-ever meeting of UNCCD’s 197 Parties, the first to be held in the Middle East region and the largest multilateral conference ever hosted by Saudi Arabia. 2024 also marks the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD, one of the three major environmental treaties known as the Rio Conventions, alongside climate change and biodiversity.  At the signing ceremony in Riyadh today, Eng. Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen AlFadley, Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture and COP16 President, said: “The hosting of the conference (COP16) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reflects the commitment of the wise leadership to environmental protection at the national, regional, and international levels. Additionally, Saudi Arabia launched several groundbreaking environmental projects, such as the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative.”  UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw said: “Today, we are losing fertile lands at an alarming rate, jeopardizing global stability, prosperity and sustainability. The Riyadh COP16 must mark a turning point in the way we treat our most precious resource—land—and collectively tackle the global drought emergency.”  According to UNCCD data, up to 40 per cent of the world’s land is degraded, affecting half of humanity and with dire consequences for our climate, biodiversity and livelihoods. If current trends continue, restoring 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030 will be necessary to achieve a land-degradation-neutral world.   Droughts are hitting more often and harder all over the world—up by 29 per cent since 2000—driven by climate change but also the way we manage our land. One-quarter of the world’s population is already affected by droughts, with every three out of four people around the world projected to face water scarcity by 2050.  The Riyadh COP16 will focus on mobilizing governments, businesses and communities worldwide to accelerate action on land restoration and drought resilience as a cornerstone of food, water and energy security.   The two-week event will feature a high-level segment, as well as associated events including the Gender Caucus and the Business for Land Forum.   Taking place in the most water-scarce region and one that is severely affected by desertification and land degradation, the Riyadh COP16 will showcase efforts underway in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East region and beyond towards a green transition based on sustainable land stewardship.   For more information, please contact: Wael A Bushah, Managing Director, Environmental Awareness and Capabilities Enhancement, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Wbushah@mewa.gov.sa. Xenya Scanlon, Chief, Communications, External Relations and Partnerships, UNCCD, xscanlon@unccd.int   UNCCD Press Office, press@unccd.int, +49 228 815 2820, https://www.unccd.int/, @unccd #UNited4Land #COP16Riyadh #UNCCDCOP16 About UNCCD The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the global vision and voice for land. We unite governments, scientists, policymakers, private sector and communities around a shared vision and global action to restore and manage the world’s land for the sustainability of humanity and the planet. Much more than an international treaty signed by 197 parties, UNCCD is a multilateral commitment to mitigating today’s impacts of land degradation and advancing tomorrow’s land stewardship in order to provide food, water, shelter and economic opportunity to all people in an equitable and inclusive manner.

Following the “Call for Requests for Support to Assist Countries in Strengthening Land Degradation Neutrality Targets and Integrated Land Use Planning Frameworks” launched on May 12th, the UNCCD would like to thank all the countries that responded to the call. After a thorough evaluation of all applications against the established selection criteria, and taking also into consideration a balanced representation of countries at (sub)regional levels, the following 18 countries were selected for participation in the second phase of the Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting Programme (LDN TSP 2.0) and the related GEF Enabling Activity project “Integrating Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) into land use planning frameworks to strengthen national UNCCD enabling environments”: Argentina, Benin, Central African Republic, Georgia, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Republic of Moldova, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia and Türkiye. Detailed information on the selection process is included in document ICCD/CRIC(21)8 to be presented at the upcoming 21st Session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention. The Secretariat and the Global Mechanism of the UNCCD look forward to working closely with the 18 selected countries as they advance in transforming their land-based agendas and lead the way for the UNCCD community in this regard.