Other meetings & events

A seven-part lecture series on interdependence of drought, food security, conflict and migration, organized by UNCCD in cooperation with scientific and development partners, will take place in Bonn between 6 April and 13 July 2017. The series will focus on the role that institutional cooperation and continued dialog between stakeholders can play in anticipating, preventing and mitigating the effects of drought on vulnerable rural populations. The event will offer a platform for the representatives of scientific institutions, development agencies, governments, NGOs and the civil society to exchange ideas and present recommendations on how to improve coordination between partners and ensure concerted global effort to minimize the effects of drought and associated risks. Participants will discuss topics such as creating greater resilience to drought by using pro-active risk-based approaches, strengthening vulnerable communities against extreme weather events through social protection programs, developing drought-resilient crops to achieve greater agricultural outputs without increasing environmental impacts, addressing climate challenges through flexible water governance and adapting development work to the context of pastoral societies. The event is organized in the margins of the “One World – No Hunger” Initiative by the UNCCD, the German Development Institute (DIE), the University of Bonn, German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), the Center of Development Research (ZEF), Deutsche Welle (DW), the Reconstruction Credit Institute (KfW) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). For more detailed information, please visit the following page.

Deutsche Welle (DW), Gremiensaal, Kurt-Schumacher-Straße 3, Bonn Thursday 6 April 2017, 18:00-20:00h, followed by a reception Droughts and other climate-related weather events have a significant negative impact on food security, conflict and migration. Many regions in sub-Saharan Africa, including some of the poorest countries in the world, are particularly susceptible to droughts and need help to overcome them. Unfortunately, many countries and international community continue to regard droughts as unpredictable "crises" and often react with poorly coordinated emergency aid measures only after the damage was done.   The event will discuss the links between drought, food insecurity, conflict and migration. Droughts bring negative impacts in many ways, from poverty to food security, resource protection and energy supply. Conflicts around scarce water and support are pre-programmed. With increasing globalization, more and more people are indirectly affected, especially by the spread of local conflicts and unplanned mass migration. The event illuminates how droughts are linked, and the limits of sectoral policy approaches.   In addition, the need for proactive approaches to mitigate of the effects of droughts will be addressed. The complexity of the subject calls for a close dialogue between scientists and developmental practitioners to challenge conventional knowledge, to evaluate old solutions and to find new solutions.   PROGRAMME   Welcome: Dr. Stefan Schmitz, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Keynote: Prof. Robert McLeman, PhD, Professor of Drought Research, Wilfrid Laurier University Panel discussion: · Dr. Stefan Schmitz, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) · Prof. Robert McLeman PhD, Professor of Drought Research, Wilfrid Laurier University · Dr. Pradeep Monga, Deputy Executive Secretary, UNCCD · Mr. Mathias Mogge, Program Director, Welthungerhilfe Moderator: Mr.  Michael Brüntrup, German Institute for Development Policy (DIE) The event takes place in English. Please register with Ms.  Ina Klemke (socioeconomic@die-gdi.de) for participation in the event.

International Day of Forests is observed every year on 21 March. This year, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations organizes a special event to observe the Day at its headquarters in Rome, Italy. For more information, visit: http://www2.unccd.int/news-events/international-day-forests-2017

The UNCCD secretariat along with the Ministry of Environment in Japan and Tottori University will organize an international symposium, “Combating Desertification: Towards Land Degradation Neutrality" on 7 February 2017 at the United Nations University in Tokyo, Japan.     ***************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Commemorating over the 20 years of the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the UNCCD secretariat along with the Ministry of Environment in Japan and Tottori University organize an international symposium, “Combating Desertification: Towards Land Degradation Neutrality" on 7 February 2017 at the United Nations University in Tokyo, Japan. The speakers include Mr. Yoshihiro Seki, State Minister of the Environment, Japan; Ms. Monique Barbut, the UNCCD Executive Secretary; Prof. Kazuhiko Takeuchi, Director, IR3S, University of Tokyo. Senior Visiting Professor, UNU-IAS; Prof. Uriel Safriel, Professor Emeritus, Hebrew University of Jerusalem; and Ms. Majig Tungalag, Director, Department of Forest Policy and Coordination, Ministry of Environment, Green Development and Tourism, Mongolia. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015 sets Sustainable Development Goal 15.3 which is targeting to combat desertification to achieve a “land degradation-neutral world” by 2030. What kind of contributions can we make to achieve this goal? The symposium reflects our past efforts in combating desertification in order to take the next step forward. For more information on the Symposium click here (external website)

Theme: "Protect Earth. Restore Land. Engage People."​There may be no greater issue than land in the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our food, clothing and homes all come from land resources.In order to “leave no one behind” and develop sustainably as set forth in the new SDGs, achieving land degradation neutrality (LDN) must be a top priority.2016 World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) called for community involvement and cooperation at every level to restore and rehabilitate degraded land in order to achieve the SDGs. That year's WDCD theme was "Protect Earth. Restore Land. Engage People."Land has been an overlooked part of sustainable development for years. We now view land as a vital key to solve development challenges that involve climate change. The global WDCD observance event on 17 June 2016 was hold in Beijing, China, hosted by the State Forestry Administration of China (SFA). In 2013 China embarked on the new development strategy, “The Belt and Road,” aiming to strengthen cooperation among countries in Eurasia. Since then, it has been promoting green and low-carbon infrastructure construction in cooperation with neighboring countries connected by the historic Silk Road.By organizing the WDCD global observance in China, the 2016 WDCD demonstrated how LDN can be a critical element for achieving other SDGs, especially for promotion of inclusive and sustainable economic growth. At the global observance event, the host country announced the “One Belt and One Road Joint Action to Combating Desertification Initiative” together with interested countries and stakeholders.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@unccd.int .Events Around the WorldGlobal Observance Day in BeijingFangfei Green Handkerchief Initiative, Drylands Ambassador, Ms. Liu Fang FeiWDCD Events around the world 2016MessagesMessage from the UN Secretary GeneralContribution from IUCNMessage from the Former President of Cape Verde, Pedro Pirez (Portuguese)Message from the former president of Cape Verde,Pedro Pirez (French)Message from the UNESCO Director-GeneralMessage from the UNCCD Executive SecretaryResourcesPress releaseConcept noteLetter from the Executive SecretaryPress Release for Joint Action Initiative Launch