Other meetings & events

As the UNCCD Sport4Land Champion for Inclusion, Jitske Visser leads the charge at the powerful intersection of healthy land, social inclusion and the rights of persons with disabilities. Globally, persons with disabilities face mortality rates up to four times higher than those without disabilities during natural disasters. Yet despite making up 15 per cent of the world’s population, they remain routinely excluded from environmental governance and decision-making.This session will bring the issue to the forefront, with insights from a diverse panel of partners and speakers, including representatives from UNDRR and OHCHR, as we work to drive more inclusive approaches to land restoration and environmental action.Join us online — register here. For on-site participation, please RSVP by writing to communications@unccd.int

The Inaugural Conference of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership (RGDRP) will bring together senior decision-makers and key stakeholders across sectors to finalize the Partnership’s governance framework and strategic direction. Launched at UNCCD COP16, the RGDRP aims to help countries shift from reactive drought response to proactive preparedness through early warning systems, improved land and water management, and financial tools. The Partnership brings together governments, financial institutions and technical partners to coordinate efforts and build resilience. It complements initiatives like the Middle East Green Initiative and leverages tools from the International Drought Resilience Alliance and the Integrated Drought Management Programme.The Inaugural Conference will:Validate the governance arrangements of the Partnership, including announcing its Steering CommitteeConfirm hosting arrangements for the Secretariat and FundDefine next steps for implementation, resource mobilization and alignment with global drought resilience initiatives ahead of UNCCD COP17.This milestone event will convene government officials, development partners, civil society, researchers and private sector actors to secure broad endorsement, mobilize coordinated action and lay the groundwork for long-term drought resilience.

The 22nd UNCCD Science-Policy Interface (SPI) meeting will gather leading scientists and high-level experts in a hybrid format to refine the SPI Work Programme 2025–2026, advancing priorities adopted at UNCCD COP16. Participants will receive updates from the UNCCD Secretariat on the Global Mechanism, policy advocacy, communications, CRIC reporting and the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Future Strategic Framework.Discussions will feature the launch of three new task teams—Global Land Outlook 3, fast-track assessments and coordination with bodies such as IPCC and IPBES—followed by breakout sessions to set methodologies, responsibilities, timelines and resource needs. Daily plenary reports will synthesize progress, culminating in a summary of outcomes and next steps. Join the meeting online via Zoom: https://unccd-int.zoom.us/j/81694282893

Join us for a two-part webinar series on the World Drought Atlas, where experts will present key findings and insights into the evolving challenges of drought worldwide. This webinar series is co-organised by CIMA, IVM-Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, UNU, GWP, and UNCCD. Webinar 2: Regional perspectives on droughtDrawing from recent drought events, experts from the Americas, Africa, and Asia will share how their regions have been affected, the preparedness and response mechanisms deployed, the importance of involving local perspectives in drought response and management, and key lessons for future resilience. This session will demonstrate how regionally tailored approaches are critical for managing drought but can also provideimportant insights for other places around the world. Date and time: 17 June 2025, 14:00-15:00 CETZoom registration linkSpeakers: Tessa Maurer (moderator), Lauro Rossi (CIMA), Louise Desrainy (GWP), Daniel Tsegai  (UNCCD), Viola Otieno (AUC), José Marengo (CEMADEN) and Juan Acosta Navarro (JRC). These webinars will provide valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers engaged in drought management and climate resilience. 

The Republic of Colombia will host this year’s global observance of Desertification and Drought Day on 17 June, highlighting the country’s commitment to tackling land degradation through nature-based solutions. Taking place in Bogotá, the event will draw global attention to the urgent need to scale up land restoration as a catalyst for sustainability, peace, and inclusive development. The global observance will be part of the Global Land Forum, hosted by the Government of Colombia.   Under the theme “Restore the Land. Unlock the Opportunities,” the 2025 observance will emphasize the critical role of healthy land in providing food, water, jobs, and security. Colombia’s decision to host the global event reflects its determination to restore land at scale and ensure that restoration efforts directly improve livelihoods and ecosystems. Learn more.