Other meetings & events

To celebrate the World Day to Combat Desertification, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH will organize a high-level panel event on 21 June in conjunction with the opening of a special exhibition, “Planet Desert – Our land. Our home. Our future.”  The event is organized in conjunction with the opening of the special exhibition „Planet Desert“ of the renowned photographer Michael Martin at the Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK). It will complement the museum’s permanent exhibition „Our blue planet – The living network“ by an area on deserts and drylands. Event invitation

To commemorate the World Day to Combat Desertification, the CSFD (French Committee on Desertification) will organize a one-day seminar in Paris on 20 June 2017 at Agence Française de Développement, Paris. This event will be dedicated to desertification combat: agroecology, pastoralism and degraded land restoration. For more information, see announcement (in French)

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 videos3-minute film trailer for social media10-minute version for screening at your event is also available27-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@unccd.int .Global observance in Burkina FasoThis 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. AfricaBeninAMAF-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.CameroonThe 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.EgyptThe 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.GuineaThe 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-BissauActivities 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.KenyaThe 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.MadagascarThe Ministry of Environment, Ecology, and Forest hosted a conference on land degradation and desertification, emphasizing sustainable practices and national targets for land degradation neutrality.NamibiaPublic 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.NigeriaEBAFOSA 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.TogoPrésence 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/PacificBangladeshA workshop on Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) was organized by the Department of Environment and Forest, focusing on groundwater recharge and climate-smart agriculture.CambodiaThe Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries held a celebration at the Royal University of Agriculture, Phnom Penh, with exhibitions, videos, and site visits.ChinaThe 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.IndiaEvents included youth-centric activities, tree planting, and workshops. The Grameena Vikas Samithi Group honored farmers and promoted sustainable practices.IranThe National Campaign for Desert launched initiatives like film festivals, photo contests, and seminars to engage the public in desertification solutions.KuwaitThe Environment Public Authority distributed local plant seeds and launched a campaign to plant one million seedlings by 2018.MongoliaThe 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.NepalGrameena Vikas Samithi Voice of Animal-Nepal (VOAN) organized a rally and awareness programs.PakistanThe ARTS Foundation planted trees, while the Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University held a seminar on sustainable land management.PhilippinesThe Bureau of Soils and Water Management hosted a forum on Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) with stakeholders from government, NGOs, and academia.Republic of KoreaThe Korea Forest Service (KFS) organized a symposium in Mongolia to discuss the Korea-Mongolia Greenbelt Project and sustainable plantation management.ThailandThe Land Development Department held a seminar and photo contest to promote soil conservation and sustainable practices.EuropeBelgiumA seminar on integrated assessment of irrigated agriculture in the Maghreb region was organized by the Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs.FranceThe French Committee on Desertification (CSFD) hosted a conference on agroecology and land restoration.GeorgiaTree planting and awareness campaigns were conducted in Dedophlistkaro and Kakheti.GermanyGIZ and the Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig hosted a panel event and photo exhibition on desertification.HungaryA conference addressed land degradation, migration, and sustainable agriculture.ItalyEvents included roundtables on desertification in Sicily and a public debate on drought in Sardinia.SloveniaA seminar titled "Prepare for Drought" focused on drought risk management and stakeholder involvement.SpainDanyadara organized permaculture tours and watering sessions to educate communities on soil fertility.TurkeyThe Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs held award ceremonies, tree planting, and student competitions.LACArgentinaFundacion Agreste launched UNCCD capacity-building courses in Spanish.BarbadosStudents visited a plant nursery, and sustainable land management practices were highlighted.ColombiaA week-long program included workshops, tree planting, and seminars on soil conservation.EcuadorThe Ministry of Environmental Affairs signed agreements for integrated desertification projects and organized ecological walks.MexicoCONAFOR hosted workshops on Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets and sustainable agriculture.VenezuelaReforestation campaigns and workshops promoted sustainable rural development in semiarid regions.OtherESCWAAn event in Beirut addressed environmental challenges and their impact on migration and development in the Arab region.FAOAn International Seminar on Drought and Agriculture emphasized proactive drought management.World BankA panel discussion on Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) and the Great Green Wall initiative was held.UN EnvironmentArticles highlighted the links between land degradation, health, and migration.IUCNA dedicated page showcased soil conservation success stories in drylands.WOCATA meeting in Colombia discussed scaling up sustainable land management tools and practices.For MediaPress release (16 June 2017) English | French | SpanishMedia advisory English | French | SpanishPress release (9 February 2017) English  | French | SpanishL'APPEL A l'ACTION DE OUAGADOUGOU FrenchMedia Coverage Around the World SummaryPrintable materialsThe products below are copy-right free. Contact WDCD2017@unccd.int if you would like to have the editable files for adding your own language.PostcardPosterSticker in English  | French  | Spanish  | Russian  | Chinese  | ArabicMessagesMessage from the UNCCD Executive Secretary  English | French | Spanish   Message from the UNESCO Director-General English | French | Spanish | Russian | Chinese | ArabicMessage from the WMO Secretary-General EnglishMedia reportsMedia Coverage Around the World SummaryInter Press Service (IPS)  IPS report 1 | IPS report 2 | IPS report 3 | Op-Ed by Monique Barbut | Video

The role of SLM in contributing to achieve the SDGs The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies (WOCAT) are jointly organizing the WOCAT Symposium and 18th WOCAT Network Meeting. The meetings bring together a wide range of WOCAT members and stakeholders such as Non-Governmental Organisations, Governments, International Organisations, the donor community and other institutions to share and discuss their experiences and findings on how SLM and in particular SLM tools and methods can be used to contribute to the achievement of SDGs at different levels. The meetings are taking place at the CIAT headquarters in Cali, Colombia. The symposium and meeting will be structured into three main parts: WOCAT Symposium (Tuesday, 13 June) Field day to showcase SLM implementation and the application of WOCAT tools and methods in the surroundings of Cali (Wednesday, 14 June) 18th WOCAT Network Meeting (Thursday 15 June - Friday 16 June) Read more: More info, call for abstracts and registration (deadline April 14) About WOCAT and the UNCCD    

Türkiye’s General Directorate of Combating Desertification and Erosion invites participants from the eligible countries of Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia to take part in the International Training Course on Combating Desertification, which will take place on 22-26 May 2017 in Konya-Mersin, Türkiye. The course is open to two representatives per country and is aimed at related decision makers, forest engineers and NGO’s involved in the management of environmental problems related to desertification, land degradation, afforestation, erosion control and forestry. As a predominantly arid and semi-arid country, Türkiye has become a leader in land management, especially in areas vulnerable to drought. The country has invested heavily in rehabilitating a wide variety of terrestrial ecosystems, with national activities often planned at the watershed scale. Success can be attributed to an integrated, participatory approach that strengthens the engagement and capacity of local people. Land governance has evolved to create the necessary conditions  and legal environment for the widespread implementation of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices. Türkiye has also established itself as a leader in capacity building by investing in the training and skills development of civil society and local authorities, particularly in Africa, Central Asia and the Eastern Europe.  The training course is conducted under the Ankara Initiative, which has been launched to strengthen the implementation of the UNCCD from 2016 to 2019. The Initiative supports the global sustainable development agenda and leverages the lessons learned from Türkiye’s past experience and approaches to land management. The application form, information note and the list of eligible countries can be found here. To send your application form or for any further inquiries, please contact Mr. Sebahattin AÇIKGÖZ at sacikgoz@ormansu.gov.tr or eakdemir@ormansu.gov.tr.