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The UNCCD is pleased to announce that the new version of the Performance Review and Assessment of Implementation System (PRAIS), launched in August 2025, is ready for the upcoming 2026 UNCCD national reporting process.    In summary, PRAIS has been streamlined and enhanced through key innovations such as a country overview dashboard, expanded user roles to support teamwork, peer-to-peer chat, improved validation tools, flexible data sourcing and clearer delineation of reporting obligations to enhance the user experience. These updates are in response to requests made by Parties.   Tentative reporting deadlines   Tentative deadlines for submission of national reports are set as follows: November 2026 for Strategic Objective (SO) 1 and February 2027 for the remaining SOs. The CRIC Bureau in consultation with the Executive Secretary will monitor progress and may adjust this timeline, if necessary.  Technical support for Parties   In line with decision 2/COP.16, partner regional institutions will provide technical support to Parties during the reporting process, including the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS), the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC), the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC), the Partnership Initiative on Sustainable Land Management (PISLM), the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) and the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS). Additional partnerships are being explored and consultants will fill any remaining support gaps.    A phased approach   Although the launch of PRAIS marks the beginning of the 2026 UNCCD reporting process, capacity-building and support services will be rolled out in phases, depending on the availability of funding. The phased approach is outlined below:  Phase 1 (ongoing): PRAIS launch with supporting documentation and online help desk (https://support.unccd.int); Phase 2 (December 2025): Training of Trainers in Panama for regional institutions and consultants; Phase 3 (January – April 2026): Regional in-person training for national focal points and reporting officers; Phase 4 (February - March 2026): Release of e-learning video tutorials; Phase 5 (January 2026 – February 2027): Ongoing technical backstopping and quality assurance of national reports before final submission. Following the conclusion of national reporting, the CRIC will review and analyze the submitted information at its twenty-fifth session.  In view of the phases mentioned above, Parties are encouraged to finalize arrangements and begin utilizing enabling environment funds made available by the Global Environment Facility at national level so that stakeholders can be notified and prompted to start collecting necessary data and information for integration into PRAIS.   Reporting team preparation  To begin preparations, Parties are encouraged to assemble their reporting teams under the leadership of the designated reporting officer. Each team member should have a separate PRAIS account, log into https://reporting.unccd.int and familiarize themselves with the system functions and reporting forms and review the supporting documentation.   Unless formally communicated otherwise, the UNCCD secretariat will consider that the national reporting officer from the 2022 reporting process remains in place for the 2026 reporting round. If a change is needed, the National Focal Point should submit either their own expression of interest or the contact details of the nominated individual to the secretariat via email at reporting@unccd.int.  Supporting documents to assist with reporting include:  Available now:  Addendum to the Good Practice Guidance on SDG Indicator 15.3.1 (advanced unedited version)  UNCCD Reporting Manual (updated for the 2026 reporting process and available in all UN languages)  Updated PRAIS 4 User Manual  Coming soon:  Updated e-learning video tutorials (in all UN languages)  Good Practice Guidance for National Reporting on Strategic Objective 5  For any questions regarding the reporting process or modalities, please contact the technical team via the help desk or write directly to reporting@unccd.int.  

In July 2025, Minagi Rupesinghe had the honor of representing Sri Lanka at the World Aquatics Swimming and Open Water Championships in Singapore — a lifelong dream come true.

Across Mexico’s rural and indigenous communities, land is more than a resource – it is central to daily life, food production and cultural identity. Yet for many – especially women and indigenous peoples – secure access to land remains out of reach.Over 70 per cent of Mexico’s land is at risk of degradation. At the same time, women – who produce more than half of the country’s food – own less than 30 per cent of farmland. This growing gap between those who care for the land and those who control it threatens sustainable land use. Without secure land rights, many are excluded from decisions that shape their environment and future.To tackle these challenges, Mexico launched a series of national consultations on land tenure and Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). Designed to improve land governance systems, the consultations emphasized gender equality, indigenous rights and local perspectives as key pillars of the country’s LDN strategy.Held across several regions, they brought together 45 participants – 30 women and 15 men – including indigenous leaders from Chiapas, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Sonora and other states. Almost all of these leaders were women, who shared their experiences managing community lands and protecting ecosystems.The Changwon Initiative: Making inclusion possibleThe consultations were made possible in part by support from the Changwon Initiative – a programme of the Korea Forest Service and UNCCD – with additional backing from international partners. Funding through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) helped cover key logistical costs, ensuring rural and indigenous voices could be heard.This support ensured that traditionally excluded groups – especially indigenous women from ejidos (communal lands) – were not only present, but central to the dialogue. Many shared firsthand stories about barriers to land inheritance, being sidelined in local decision-making and the urgent need to revive degraded soil and ecosystems.“Women living in the countryside are becoming the protagonists of social, political and economic change,” said Dr. Maribel Méndez de Lara, Magistrate of the Superior Agrarian Court. “Land ownership gives women legal protection, autonomy to make decisions and the ability to fully participate in their communities.”From dialogue to actionThe consultations generated concrete proposals, including a Strategic National Programme to regularize land rights for women and indigenous communities, legal guarantees of female representation in ejido decision-making bodies and greater integration of sustainable practices into collective land systems.Participants – particularly rural and indigenous women – gained skills through leadership training, project planning workshops and awareness campaigns that emphasized their right to land and participation in land governance. Government officials and policymakers also benefited, gaining a better understanding of how to design more inclusive land governance systems that truly reflect community needs.“There are 13.6 million women living in rural areas in Mexico,” said Dr. Beatriz Casas Arellanes, Director of Social and Political Participation for Equality of the National Women's Institute (INMUJERES),. “Many of them are already leading community life and preserving biodiversity. What they need is recognition and access to rights.”Innovative tools and approachesThe consultations were guided by a participatory approach developed under the UNCCD–FAO Joint Initiative and based on the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure (VGGT). Adapted to Mexico’s social and political context, this method ensured that rural leaders, women, government officials and international experts all had a voice.Gender-sensitive tools were used not just to include women, but to ensure their perspectives shaped the outcome.The Dialogue opened with a ceremonial offering called a Tlalmanalli, led by indigenous grandmothers. Made of flowers, seeds and traditional medicines, it served as a reminder that the Earth is alive – and its care, a shared responsibility.Participants also shared inspiring examples already underway, such as mobile legal clinics helping women resolve land disputes and forestry programmes advancing gender equality – small but meaningful signs of change.Lessons learned and the path forwardOne of the key lessons from the consultations is that long-term progress on land tenure requires consistent effort, strong coordination and engagement at all levels. Local and regional consultations – alongside national ones – proved essential for identifying the diverse challenges communities face across the country.Just as important was the finding that inclusive participation leads to better, more grounded solutions. When women, indigenous leaders and local actors are part of the process, outcomes are more relevant – and more likely to last.While the broader policy impact is still unfolding, the consultations helped establish a foundation for more inclusive land governance in Mexico. These conversations laid the groundwork for future strategies and reforms that reflect the realities of those who live and work on the land.Shaping the future of land rights and restorationThe Changwon Initiative played a pivotal role in making these consultations possible – not only by providing funding, but by championing inclusion as a core principle of land restoration. Its support helped ensure that rural and indigenous voices, especially those of women, were not just heard but helped shape the conversation.By backing this process, the Changwon Initiative demonstrated how targeted international cooperation can drive national progress – setting a global example for integrating land tenure security into LDN strategies.Thanks to this support, communities across Mexico now have stronger tools – and a stronger voice – to secure their land, protect their environment and build a more sustainable and inclusive future.

A ceremonial tree planting at the Monaghan Peace Campus today marked the official launch of The People’s Peace Forest (PPF)—Ireland’s contribution to the UNCCD Peace Forest Initiative – a global programme that links land restoration with peace-building.

How the Changwon Initiative helped build the UNCCD Drought ToolboxDrought is no longer a rare or distant event. It is becoming one of the most serious and far-reaching challenges of our time. Since 2000, droughts have become 29 percent more frequent and intense. By 2050, as much as three-quarters of the world’s population could be affected.For millions of people, this means more than just dry weather — it means failed harvests, shrinking water supplies, rising food prices and displacement from their homes and livelihoods.But drought, unlike sudden disasters, offers a unique opportunity: it gives us time. And when time is used wisely, it can turn risk into readiness.From crisis to preparedness: The birth of the Drought ToolboxFaced with the growing impact of drought, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) recognized the need for a shift — from reacting to crises after they hit, to preparing before they begin. This led to the creation of the Drought Toolbox: a science-based, globally accessible platform that helps countries and communities assess, monitor and reduce drought risk.Designed as a practical support tool, the Toolbox brings together resources for developing national drought plans, identifying vulnerable areas, setting up early warning systems and learning from real-world examples of drought resilience. Behind this comprehensive platform lies a key driver: the Changwon Initiative.The Changwon Initiative: Turning vision into actionLaunched by the Korea Forest Service in partnership with the UNCCD, the Changwon Initiative was instrumental in transforming the Drought Toolbox from concept to reality. Through targeted funding and technical support, the Initiative helped bring together global experts, institutions and local stakeholders to co-create the platform.Workshops convened with its support became spaces for cross-sector collaboration. Government agencies, scientists and land managers worked side by side to align methodologies, share regional knowledge and design an interface that could speak to both policymakers and practitioners. The result was not just a digital tool, but a living, evolving resource for drought resilience.When Tools Reach People: Global Examples of ImpactAcross the world, the Drought Toolbox is helping countries move from crisis response to long-term resilience — with real results on the ground. In Costa Rica, it became the foundation for a national workshop that brought together ministries, improved coordination and led to drought strategies based on shared data and clear priorities. In Andhra Pradesh, India, local leaders used the Toolbox to identify the most drought-prone areas, translating data into practical action — from installing rainwater harvesting systems to planting drought-resistant crops and training farmers to monitor conditions themselves.In South Africa, the Toolbox supported the integration of early warning systems into land-use and agricultural planning, enabling farmers to adopt more sustainable practices and authorities to act on forecasts before droughts took their toll. Meanwhile, in Central Asia, countries facing similar climate pressures used the platform to harmonize monitoring efforts and coordinate their responses — showing how regional cooperation can strengthen resilience across borders.Collaboration is keyOne of the most important lessons from the Toolbox’s creation is that preparedness is not just technical — it’s collaborative. The platform draws from the expertise of partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), and grounds that knowledge in the real-life experiences of those facing drought on a daily basis.This spirit of collaboration also sparked the development of complementary tools like the Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) Toolbox, recognizing the interconnectedness of climate risks, land degradation and human health.A lasting legacyThe Changwon Initiative did more than fund a product. It helped shape a process that placed accessibility, usability and inclusivity at the heart of drought preparedness. Thanks to this investment, the Drought Toolbox has become a vital global asset — used by countries, institutions and communities to plan ahead and protect what matters most.As droughts grow more frequent and complex, the need for practical, integrated solutions becomes more urgent. The Drought Toolbox — born of international collaboration and local insight — shows us what’s possible when we choose to act before crisis hits.It is a reminder that while we cannot stop the rain from disappearing, we can prepare wisely for its absence — and that preparation begins not with fear, but with the right tools in the right hands.

Un evento conjunto de alto nivel celebrado en Nueva York destaca la urgente necesidad de inversión, de alianzas y de participación del sector privado en la restauración de tierras y la resiliencia a la sequía  Nueva York, 25 de septiembre de 2025 – Las presidencias de la Conferencia de las Partes en la Convención de las Naciones Unidas de Lucha contra la Desertificación (CNULD) – COP16 (Reino de Arabia Saudita) y COP17 (Mongolia)– han unido hoy sus fuerzas para mantener el impulso político y el compromiso financiero con la restauración de ierras y la resiliencia frente a la sequía a nivel mundial. El evento conjunto de alto nivel, celebrado paralelamente a la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas en Nueva York, reunió a líderes, ministros, organizaciones internacionales y socios del sector privado.  La degradación de tierras ya afecta hasta al 40 % de la superficie terrestre del planeta, lo que socava la seguridad alimentaria e hídrica, así como los medios de vida de casi la mitad de la humanidad. Los sistemas alimentarios insostenibles son los principales impulsores de esta degradación, así como los responsables de la mayor parte de la deforestación y la pérdida de biodiversidad en el mundo. Las sequías, que han aumentado casi un tercio desde el año 2000, son cada vez más intensas y frecuentes en todo el mundo. Pocos peligros se cobran más vidas, causan mayores pérdidas económicas o afectan a más sectores de la sociedad que la sequía, que ahora ocasiona más de 307 000 millones de dólares en daños cada año. Si la tendencia continúa, tres de cada cuatro personas en todo el mundo se verán afectadas en 2050, siendo los países en desarrollo los más castigados. Sin embargo, las contribuciones del sector privado solo representan el 6 % de la financiación mundial en sobre tierras y sequía. Por ello, es esencial cerrar esta brecha para traducir los compromisos políticos en resultados sobre el terreno.  En la COP16 celebrada en Riad en 2024, los países se unieron en torno a una nueva visión de la resiliencia, lanzando la Alianza Mundial de Riad para la Resiliencia frente a la Sequía y movilizando más de 12.000 millones de dólares en compromisos.   De cara al futuro, la COP17, que se celebrará en Ulán Bator en 2026, coincidirá con el Año Internacional de los Pastizales y los Pastores, poniendo de relieve los ecosistemas que sustentan a cientos de millones de personas y son fundamentales para la estabilidad climática. Los pastizales cubren más de la mitad de la superficie de la Tierra, sustentan los medios de vida directos de 500 millones de personas y proporcionan una sexta parte de las necesidades nutricionales del mundo. Las presidencias de la COP16 y la COP17 destacaron la importancia de la continuidad, la solidaridad y la ambición.  El Excmo. Sr. Osama Faqeeha, viceministro de Medio Ambiente, Agua y Agricultura del Reino de Arabia Saudita, presidencia de la COP16 de la CNULD, señaló: “En la COP16 celebrada en Riad, los países se reunieron para lanzar una nueva visión de la gestión sostenible de la tierra y movilizar compromisos sin precedentes para combatir la desertificación. Hoy aprovechamos ese impulso y trabajamos con Mongolia, CNULD y socios de todo el mundo para garantizar que esas promesas se traduzcan en medidas que protejan a las personas, las economías y los ecosistemas de los crecientes efectos de la degradación de las tierras y la sequía”.  Haciéndose eco de este espíritu, S. E. Battsetseg Batmunkh, Ministra de Asuntos Exteriores de Mongolia, destacó: “Esta reunión es nuestro intento de tender un puente que conecte nuestra ambición común de acelerar la acción mundial contra la desertificación y la degradación de tierras y en favor de la restauración de tierras y la resiliencia a la sequía. Como anfitriona de la COP17 y como nación con milenios de conocimiento sobre la convivencia en armonía con la naturaleza, Mongolia adopta prácticas que mejoran la productividad al tiempo que preservan los ecosistemas”. La ministra Battsetseg subrayó el liderazgo de Mongolia en agricultura regenerativa, sistemas de pastoreo sostenibles, soluciones basadas en la naturaleza y suelos saludables. De cara al futuro, la ministra hizo hincapié en la urgente necesidad de replantearse los modelos de financiación.  “Los instrumentos de inversión tradicionales ya no son suficientes”, afirmó la ministra. “Necesitamos herramientas financieras basadas en resultados que recompensen logros medibles, ya sea la restauración de pastizales, la mejora de la retención de agua o la reducción de las pérdidas por sequía”. En este contexto, la reunión celebrada en Nueva York hizo especial hincapié en la movilización de financiación y las alianzas para desplegar soluciones a gran escala, tanto para aumentar la resiliencia a la sequía como para apoyar a las comunidades pastorales. El sector privado es un socio fundamental en el camino hacia la resiliencia frente a la sequía al aportar inversión, innovación y la posibilidad de desplegar soluciones a gran escala. En el evento, la Secretaria Ejecutiva Adjunta de la CNULD, Andrea Meza, destacó el papel central de la restauración de tierras y la resiliencia: “La restauración de tierras y la resiliencia frente a la sequía no son solo imperativos medioambientales, sino que son pilares fundamentales de la paz, la prosperidad y el desarrollo sostenible. La restauración de pastizales, sabanas y tierras de cultivo refuerza la seguridad alimentaria e hídrica; crea puestos de trabajo, apoya a los pastores y agricultores y proporciona esperanza y dignidad a las comunidades que se encuentran en primera línea del cambio climático. Con el liderazgo de las presidencias de la COP16 y la COP17, el Reino de Arabia Saudita y Mongolia y la participación del sector privado, tenemos una oportunidad única para ampliar las soluciones que protegen nuestras tierras, nuestro clima y nuestro futuro”.  Los participantes también presentaron mecanismos de financiación innovadores como el Mecanismo de Inversión en Resiliencia a la Sequía (DRIF), desarrollado en colaboración con Luxemburgo y que busca movilizar la inversión del sector privado para la resiliencia frente a la sequía; además de la financiación combinada, modelos de seguros y proyectos financiables. Las instituciones financieras internacionales, los bancos de desarrollo y el sector privado presentaron diversas soluciones para la restaurar tierras y fortalecer las economías locales. En su discurso de apertura, André Hoffmann, copresidente interino del Foro Económico Mundial, subrayó la urgencia de la colaboración mundial: “La naturaleza no es solo un recurso más, es la base de toda prosperidad. Las sequías y la degradación de la tierra nos recuerdan de forma cruda que hemos superado los límites de este capital natural. El camino a seguir es una nueva forma de hacer negocios: una economía en la que los gobiernos, las empresas y los ciudadanos unan sus fuerzas para restaurar la tierra, proteger el agua y construir una resiliencia duradera. Esto no solo es un imperativo moral, sino también un requisito previo para la estabilidad económica y social”.  En la clausura del evento, los líderes reafirmaron que promover la restauración de la tierra y la resiliencia frente a la sequía es una prioridad mundial, clave para garantizar el acceso a los alimentos y el agua, fortalecer las economías locales y proteger el clima para las generaciones venideras. Para consultas de los medios de comunicación, póngase en contacto con: press@unccd.int Acerca de la CNULD   La Convención de las Naciones Unidas de Lucha contra la Desertificación (CNULD) es la visión y la voz mundial para la tierra. Unimos a gobiernos, científicos, responsables políticos, el sector privado y las comunidades en torno a una visión compartida y una acción global para restaurar y gestionar las tierras del mundo en aras de la sostenibilidad de la humanidad y el planeta. Mucho más que un tratado internacional firmado por 197 partes, la CNULD es un compromiso multilateral para mitigar los impactos actuales de la degradación de la tierra y promover la gestión de la tierra del mañana con el fin de proporcionar alimentos, agua, refugio y oportunidades económicas a todas las personas de manera equitativa e inclusiva.