Other meetings & events

This year's theme is “attainment of food security for all through sustainable food systems”, with the slogan: “No such thing as a free lunch. Invest in healthy soils.” A WDCD global observance event was held in Milan, Italy during the 2015 United Nations Expo.

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) launched its first short writing contest this year in order to understand the different ways in which people around the world describe their relationship to land. More than 230 submissions from nearly 50 countries were made by applicants aged between 7 and 77 years old. The contest had a category for children and youth and a category for the general public. The contest’s theme “Land nurturing people nurturing life” prompted many great responses. We asked participants the following questions: How would you express your relationship with land in a poem? What does land mean to you? Do you know any proverb about land in your country? Is it still relevant in your today’s life? The submissions were creative, revealing and insightful. They varied in literary expression and style, ranging from proverbs and short Haiku-style pieces to short stories. Many of the stories present the land as a mother figure and advocate for immediate action to restore and protect the land and its resources.In recognition of the high quality of submissions, the UNCCD secretariat will publish the best submissions in its future publications, acknowledging the authors by name and age. 2015 short writing contest winners Mr Mohamed Aseen Nasrulla from the Maldives and Mr Yesashimwe Néhémie from Rwanda are the winners of the first short-writing contest of the UNCCD. Nasrulla was the winner in the children’s category for people aged 15 and younger, while 24 year old Yesashimwe Néhémie won the adult category. The winners were announced on UNCCD World Day to Combat Desertification 17 June 2015. Written from the land’s perspective, Mohamed describes the negative shift in appreciation toward land and the significance of the mutual relationship between land and people. From worship to abuse, he emphasizes the importance of recognizing the land’s vulnerable state and hopes that the world understands land restoration can no longer wait. Read his short story "GAIA".   Regarding his winning submission, Mohamed said, “I am indeed grateful for getting a chance to an article to promote the vital role of nature for living beings. I would like to thank the UNCCD for providing such a great opportunity for those who live in different parts of the world and look forward for more such opportunities.” In a letter addressed to Land, Yesashimwe pledges to protect and nourish the land and contribute to its restoration. Regarding land as a mother, he vows to encourage others to treat land with “respect and care.” Read his piece "Saving my other mother".   Responding to the announcement, Yesashimwe said, “I can't find proper terms to express my happiness, but all I can say is: 2015 is a wonderful year to me!” Néhémie will receive a financial award of USD 500 and Mr. Nasrulla an award of USD 300.

Land degradation neutrality (LDN) is included in Sustainable Development Goal 15.3 Life on Land. The Soil Leadership Academy (SLA) project, in synergy with other UNCCD initiatives, aims to be a front runner in providing support for achieving LDN. It will provide practical and pragmatic skills and knowledge, leverage on the experience of the SLA partners, to support decision makers, public or private in achieving LDN. As a platform for sharing knowledge and experience, SLA would like to establish partnerships with other initiatives and organizations that can bring a positive contribution to supporting the achievement of LDN. The Nexus Conference brings together various organizations and government agencies, to build a collaborative nexus approach to the sustainable management of soil, water and waste. It integrates environmental management and governance across many sectors and scales.  At the Nexus Conference, we raised awareness about the future opportunities of the SLA platform, and invited contributions on the curriculum from conference participants. Alexandru Marchis, SLA project manager, was a speaker at Session 11: Nexus Monitoring Strategies & Management of Environmental Resources. Discussions during the conference and contacts made with potential SLA partners have contributed to the project's further development.

During the UNCCD’s 3rd Scientific Conference, the Soil Leadership Academy (SLA) held a side-event to consult on its land degradation neutrality (LDN) policy cycle approach and its curriculum. Conference participants were invited to further develop the curriculum, by identifying possible gaps and setting priority topics. Participants’ feedback at this side-event assisted in fine-tuning the Academy’s approach, ensuring it meets the rigorous scientific standards required. UNCCD Executive-Secretary Monique Barbut opened the event with inspiring comments about the social, economic and environmental benefits that flow from achieving LDN. A panel debate then commenced, where international experts led discussions about the major components of the policy cycle. Finally, the debate was opened up to the 80 side-event participants, who suggested solutions to potential bottlenecks when implementing sustainable land management (SLM), and made valuable suggestions to improve the SLA's curriculum and LDN policy cycle concept. 

It is our great sadness that Mr Hama Arba Diallo has passed away this morning at around 1am in Ougadougou, Burkina Faso.  He was the first Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (1993 to 2007).  Mr Diallo was born on 23 March 1939 in Dori, a town in northeastern Burkina Faso. He was a leading negotiator in the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) process.  He served as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the UNCED from 1990 to 1992. Prior to this, he served 24 years as a top official in the state and foreign ministries of Burkina Faso - as Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1983 and as Ambassador of Burkina Faso to China, India and Japan between 1988-89. He was the Director of the UN Sudano-Sahelian Office (1979-1983). After he left the UNCCD in 2007, he served his country as a National Assembly parliamentarian and Mayor of Dori. He once said, “Success is never granted and there is always a reason to it” referring to global environmental challenges and the need of more intensified international cooperation to fight against desertification. He was a man of conviction. Mr Diallo will be remembered by all who knew and worked with him with respect and appreciation. His burial will take place on Friday, 3 October in Dori. For those of you who would like to send a condolence to his family, please send it to secretariat@unccd.int   Message from Monique Barbut, the current UNCCD Executive Secretary Dear Colleagues, It is with profound sadness that I have to inform you of the passing away of Mr. Hama Arba Diallo, early this morning in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.  He was the first Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. His death is a great loss to all of us. He was a leader and a visionary who truly inspired the UNCCD from its inception. At this very sad moment, I would like to offer on behalf of the UNCCD our profound sympathy and condolences to the family of Hama Arba Diallo, a remarkable human being indeed that we are going to miss sorely. May Arba rest in peace. Sincerely, Monique Barbut Executive Secretary