Theme: "Our Land. Our Home. Our Future"

In just 15 years, the number of international migrants worldwide has risen from 173 million in 2000 to 244 million in 2015.

Environmental degradation, political instability, food insecurity and poverty are causes of migration and development challenges.

The 2017 World Day to Combat Desertification (#2017WDCD) examined the important link between land degradation and migration.  

#2017WDCD looked at specific ways local communities can build resilience against current multi-fold development challenges through sustainable land management practices. The day should remind everyone of land’s important role in producing food and generating local employment, as well as its ability to add to the sustainability, stability and security of desertification-affected places.

The global observance of #2017WDCD was on 15 June in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The day was hosted by le Ministère de l'Environnement, de l'Economie Verte et du Changement Climatique (MEEVCC).

Free #2017WDCD videos

• 3-minute film trailer for social media
• 10-minute version for screening at your event is also available
• 27-minute film on the Day's theme is available for use by television stations in English.

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) .

Global observance in Burkina Faso

This year, the global observance was held on 15 June in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The event was hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Green Economy and Climate Change. Approximately 400 participants attended the event.

Events around the world 

Every year, the World Day to Combat Desertification is celebrated in many countries in the world. See below how others celebrated the Day in 2017. 

Africa

Benin

AMAF-BENIN plans to celebrate the day in connection with the reforestation of degraded areas of the mangrove forest on the Ramsar site 1018 in South Benin. This reforestation activity involves 620 children from the "Sô-Ava Center" public school, who plant two trees each in the degraded areas. This tree planting will take place on 1 June for the observations of the National Day of the Tree (NDT) and the World Day to Combat Deforestation.

Cameroon

The Forest Environmental Programme for Sustainable Development (FOEPSUD) celebrated the World Day by organizing tree planting activities in GBHS Kedjom-Keku and the Abongfen water catchments. A radio talk on 14 June raised awareness of environmental challenges, and a quiz was conducted for students. The official celebration on 19 June included presentations, music, award ceremonies, and a drama sketch denouncing serious environmental problems.

A student initiative in Cameroon promoted the use of green coal as an alternative fuel to charcoal and wood in the Sahel, sensitizing inhabitants of Garoua about desertification risks.

Egypt

The Desert Research Center, in cooperation with the UNCCD National Focal Point, organized a one-day festival on 13 June at the Sand Dune Fixation facility near Cairo. Activities included lectures, films, and practical demonstrations related to combating desertification.

Guinea

The Guinean Association for the Promotion of Renewable Energies (AGUIPER) and the National Platform of the United Citizens for Development (PCUD) held an event moderated by the national CST focal point, focusing on the UNCCD strategy and the National Action Programme to Combat Desertification. Over 30 NGOs committed to sustainable land management.

Guinea-Bissau

Activities were organized alongside the Month of the Child 2017 celebration, with the theme "Making children actors in the fight against climate change and the defense of human rights." Events included tree planting, campaigns, and collaborations with media and civil society.

Kenya

The national commemoration was held in Marsabit County, featuring tree planting, exhibitions, media talks, and visits to rehabilitated areas. The Kakamega Isecheno forest group educated communities on environmental preservation, while Mpala Academy in Laikipia engaged children in desertification awareness activities.

Madagascar

The Ministry of Environment, Ecology, and Forest hosted a conference on land degradation and desertification, emphasizing sustainable practices and national targets for land degradation neutrality.

Namibia

Public events addressed land degradation, with Deputy Minister Anna Shiweda calling for collaborative efforts. In the Zambezi region, tree planting and solar light distributions were organized by Agri Connexions.

Nigeria

EBAFOSA distributed cocoa and cashew seedlings to farmers and conducted workshops on Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). The Green Mobilisation Initiative (GMI) organized "Run for Trees," planting 1,500 seedlings. Other initiatives included awareness campaigns, school events, and community-led tree planting.

Togo

Présence en ligne planted 5,600 trees to combat erosion, while SONGOU-MAN planted 1,600 trees of various species to rehabilitate soil and combat desertification.

Asia/Pacific

Bangladesh

A workshop on Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) was organized by the Department of Environment and Forest, focusing on groundwater recharge and climate-smart agriculture.

Cambodia

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries held a celebration at the Royal University of Agriculture, Phnom Penh, with exhibitions, videos, and site visits.

China

The government organized campaigns, press conferences, and a training workshop on desertification strategies. The China Green Foundation launched a poster competition and a viral video on desert rehabilitation.

India

Events included youth-centric activities, tree planting, and workshops. The Grameena Vikas Samithi Group honored farmers and promoted sustainable practices.

Iran

The National Campaign for Desert launched initiatives like film festivals, photo contests, and seminars to engage the public in desertification solutions.

Kuwait

The Environment Public Authority distributed local plant seeds and launched a campaign to plant one million seedlings by 2018.

Mongolia

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism hosted a symposium, art contests, and tree planting. Green Asia Network (GAN) planted trees in the Gobi region to support agroforestry education.

Nepal

Grameena Vikas Samithi Voice of Animal-Nepal (VOAN) organized a rally and awareness programs.

Pakistan

The ARTS Foundation planted trees, while the Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University held a seminar on sustainable land management.

Philippines

The Bureau of Soils and Water Management hosted a forum on Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) with stakeholders from government, NGOs, and academia.

Republic of Korea

The Korea Forest Service (KFS) organized a symposium in Mongolia to discuss the Korea-Mongolia Greenbelt Project and sustainable plantation management.

Thailand

The Land Development Department held a seminar and photo contest to promote soil conservation and sustainable practices.

Europe

Belgium

A seminar on integrated assessment of irrigated agriculture in the Maghreb region was organized by the Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs.

France

The French Committee on Desertification (CSFD) hosted a conference on agroecology and land restoration.

Georgia

Tree planting and awareness campaigns were conducted in Dedophlistkaro and Kakheti.

Germany

GIZ and the Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig hosted a panel event and photo exhibition on desertification.

Hungary

A conference addressed land degradation, migration, and sustainable agriculture.

Italy

Events included roundtables on desertification in Sicily and a public debate on drought in Sardinia.

Slovenia

A seminar titled "Prepare for Drought" focused on drought risk management and stakeholder involvement.

Spain

Danyadara organized permaculture tours and watering sessions to educate communities on soil fertility.

Turkey

The Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs held award ceremonies, tree planting, and student competitions.

LAC

Argentina

Fundacion Agreste launched UNCCD capacity-building courses in Spanish.

Barbados

Students visited a plant nursery, and sustainable land management practices were highlighted.

Colombia

A week-long program included workshops, tree planting, and seminars on soil conservation.

Ecuador

The Ministry of Environmental Affairs signed agreements for integrated desertification projects and organized ecological walks.

Mexico

CONAFOR hosted workshops on Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets and sustainable agriculture.

Venezuela

Reforestation campaigns and workshops promoted sustainable rural development in semiarid regions.

Other

ESCWA

An event in Beirut addressed environmental challenges and their impact on migration and development in the Arab region.

FAO

An International Seminar on Drought and Agriculture emphasized proactive drought management.

World Bank

A panel discussion on Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) and the Great Green Wall initiative was held.

UN Environment

Articles highlighted the links between land degradation, health, and migration.

IUCN

A dedicated page showcased soil conservation success stories in drylands.

WOCAT

A meeting in Colombia discussed scaling up sustainable land management tools and practices.

For Media

• Press release (16 June 2017) English | French | Spanish
• Media advisory English | French | Spanish
• Press release (9 February 2017) English  | French | Spanish
• L'APPEL A l'ACTION DE OUAGADOUGOU French
• Media Coverage Around the World Summary

Printable materials

The products below are copy-right free. Contact WDCD2017 [at] unccd.int (WDCD2017[at]unccd[dot]int) if you would like to have the editable files for adding your own language.

• Postcard
• Poster
• Sticker in English  | French  | Spanish  | Russian  | Chinese  | Arabic

Messages

• Message from the UNCCD Executive Secretary  English | French | Spanish   
• Message from the UNESCO Director-General English | French | Spanish | Russian | Chinese | Arabic
• Message from the WMO Secretary-General English

Media reports

Media Coverage Around the World Summary

Inter Press Service (IPS)  IPS report 1 | IPS report 2 | IPS report 3 | Op-Ed by Monique Barbut | Video