Stories

The new film "Drought resilience – instant responses and long-term solutions" produced by Patrick Augenstein highlights the importance of coordinated efforts of relevant actors with special focus on drought resilience and its implications for food security in sub-Saharan Africa, where drought is a major factor affecting populations and ecosystems.  The progress on drought preparedness has been slow, despite the devastating and lasting effects of this natural disaster. Collaboration among various sectors and different branches of governments, civil society and international organizations is key to achieving drought resilience. Enhanced early warning-systems, assessing hotspots of vulnerable populations and regions, appropriate drought risk mitigation, as well as efficient disaster relief measures are crucial to effective drought preparedness. The film, which was screened at the opening of the High-level Round table on “Drought and Sand Dust Storms: Early Warning and Beyond” during recent UNCCD COP13, is a joint product of UNCCD, the German Development Institute (DIE) and other partners, including German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), the German Development Bank (KfW), University of Bonn and the Center for Development Research (ZEF).   

Istanbul, Türkiye – 23 – 25 October 2017 – The Fifth International Workshop on Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) attracted 74 local and 30 foreign experts and academicians from Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Russia, Somalia, Qatar, Oman, Mauritania and Senegal, as well as representatives of UNCCD, the World Meteorology Organization and the UN Environment. Heads of host institutions, General Director of Combating Desertification and Erosion M. Mustafa Gozukara and General Director of State Metrology Ismail Gunes welcomed workshop participants. In his speech, Mr. Gozukara stated that SDS often originate in the dryland areas, which cover 41 per cent of the Earth’s land surface and contain fragile ecosystems most susceptible to global climate change. Mr Gozukara also expressed strong belief that countries affected SDS have a lot to learn from each other, and that sharing information is the way to strengthen current cooperation.  The Minister of Forestry and Water Affairs Prof. Dr. Veysel Eroglu in his opening speech confirmed that following the decisions of UNCCD COP12, Türkiye aims to support the Pan-African Agency by delivering large numbers of seeds and seedlings to the region, in addition to financial aid. The goal of this initiative is to plant a seedling for every person on the planet – a total of seven billion plants – by 2023. Dr. Eroglu also addressed  relevant UN institutions, asking them to support the regions suffering from SDS in their afforestation, wind erosion control, and sand and dust storms prevention efforts.  

Bonn, 14 October 2017 – The historic Marktplatz in the center of Bonn came alive with lively crowds, festive music, fun activities and colorful balloons as the UN Day celebration unfolded. The UNCCD secretariat joined in the festivities to promote the role of sustainable land management in addressing climate change-related issues and the importance of combating land degradation and desertification to achieve sustainable development goals by 2030.  UNCCD Deputy Executive Secretary Dr. Pradeep Monga together with Lord Mayor of Bonn Mr. Ashok Sridharan welcomed thousands of visitors to the celebration that took place under the slogan adopted by nineteen UN organizations based in the city, “Shaping a sustainable future.” In his opening speech, Dr. Monga congratulated the city of Bonn on “thinking globally, acting locally” in matters of sustainability, setting the example for others.   Dr. Monga also highlighted the role of UN Bonn in strengthening local and global partnerships to achieve a sustainable, climate-resilient and inclusive future by building the capacity of stakeholders and supporting education and training, promoting volunteerism, health and human security, biodiversity conservation and disaster risk reduction. The UNCCD exhibition stand received hundreds of visitors who asked for information on secretariat’s work and shared their views on land issues. More than 90 participants took the Capacity Building Marketplace quiz, and over 200 people signed the #LoveLand4Climate petition to show their solidarity in promoting sustainable land management for climate change mitigation and adaptation. You can get a glimpse of the UN Day in Bonn by visiting Flickr.  

The UNCCD Secretariat joins the momentum towards the UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP23) that takes place in Bonn this November by launching the #LoveLand4Climate campaign. We invite all stakeholders: governments, civil society organizations, non- governmental organizations, academia, private businesses and individuals to come together and take responsibility for how we manage the land – our home, our future. Read more about the campaign.

Delivering Land, Climate and Biodiversity Benefits at Scale UNCCD COP 13 provided the forum to explore opportunities for LDN transformative bold action. These are the highlights from the multiple discussions:  Ministerial Round Table on "LDN: from targets to action, what will it take?" and launch of the brochure on "LDN transformative action, tapping opportunities." About 200 country representatives, private sector and partners attended the COP 13 Ministerial round table on how to move from ambitious LDN targets to action. Three elements were summarized as essential for bold action: Strong political commitment – 113 countries have committed to setting LDN targets; Private capital as the “holy grail” – 90 trillion USD is the estimated pool of private capital looking for investment opportunities and; Using public resources to leverage private finance is a central part of the equation to achieve LDN. The LDN Fund provides a good example of blended finance and use of public resources to mobilize impact investments.  The brochure on "LDN Transformative action, tapping opportunities" portraits the opportunities to move from targets to action, including the features of transformative projects and programmes, good practices and financing opportunities. You can download the brochure here. Side event on land-based transformative projects co-hosted by the three Rio Conventions (UNFCCC, CBD and UNCCD). Country Parties, project promoters from Peru, Bhutan and Türkiye and representatives from GEF, West African Development Bank, World Bank and LDN Fund got together to discuss on what it takes to deliver transformative projects and programmes. Participants confirmed a common understanding that LDN transformative projects contribute to the achievement of LDN targets, deliver on the three Rio Conventions objectives, scale up what works, enhance national capacities and leverage finance from multiple sources. The Three Rio Conventions Project Preparation Facility will support countries in putting these features in practice by developing transformative LDN projects and programmes that can tap increasing finance opportunities for sustainable development. You can see the side event flyer here. Follow this link to read more about the Rio Conventions Pavilion. GCF–UNCCD Training on “How to Access Green Climate Fund Financing for Land-based Projects.” During the training countries’ representatives and partners were able to increase their understanding of the opportunities for LDN transformative projects under the Green Climate Fund (GCF). GCF Specialists, Mr. Juan Chang and Mrs. Janie Rioux presented the recent GCF developments on the land-based sector under the GCF investments priorities. Delegates with experience in GCF mobilization (for example, from Bhutan, Mrs. Karma Dorji, BOAD as a regional accredited entity, Mrs. Solange Yayi Allechi) shared their experience and Mr. Boris Spassky, from Mirova/LDN Fund complemented the session with a presentation on how to generate bankability in land-based climate action projects and mobilizing the private sector. Ludwig Liagre from the Global Mechanism highlighted the UNCCD recently obtained GCF international observer status, which will enable a deeper collaboration with GCF in developing guidance on land-based transformative climate action. You can follow the following links to see the training flyer and the GCF presentation. Read more: Green Climate Fund Land and Climate Change UNCCD – GCF international observer status

Next year, Ecuador will host the global observance of World Day to Combat Desertification. The announcement was made by the GRULAC representative at the closing session of COP13. The country has been actively observing WDCD, promoting programs that involve young people in land restoration and reforestation. In 2017, the Ministry of Environmental Affairs of Ecuador, together with representatives of local government authorities, beneficiary organizations and the general public, gathered in the Paltas canton on 17 June to commemorate WDCD. During the event, collaborators have signed agreements for the implementation of the investment project "Integrated Management for Combating Desertification, Land Degradation and Adaptation to Climate Change’’(GIDDACC) to apply sustainable land management measures for climate change adaptation, focusing on gender equity and interculturality. Afterwards, authorities and beneficiaries of the project went on a field trip to observe the adaptation measures and to witness the improvements in agriculture, livestock production and general quality of life. In addition to the event held in Paltas, several meetings took place at universities in various provinces that can be engaged under the GIDDACC Project. Also, the Pasochoa Wildlife Refuge has organized an event “I Plant my Future: Responsible Reforestation to Fight Desertification” on June 17. The event informed young people on reforestation practices and engaged them with nature, building environmental awareness (See programme). Further reading: World Day to Combat Desertification WDCD 2017 events around the world