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The United Nations Secretary-General, following consultation with the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), announced the appointment of Yasmine Fouad of Egypt as the next Executive Secretary of the UNCCD.  Serving as Minister of Environment of Egypt since 2018, Yasmine Fouad is an expert in environmental diplomacy with over 25 years of experience in environmental governance, global environmental themes and international climate diplomacy. She has a proven track record in designing and implementing institutional and systemic reforms for sustainable development. She holds a Ph.D. in Euro-Mediterranean Studies, Cairo University, and an M.Sc. in Environmental Science, Ain Shams University. She is fluent in English and Arabic.Welcoming the announcement made yesterday in New York, UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw said: “Yasmine Fouad brings with her a wealth of experience and deep commitment to the environment and sustainable development. I warmly congratulate her on her appointment and have full confidence that she will bring new energy and vision to the role.”Ms. Fouad will be the fifth UNCCD Executive Secretary, succeeding Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw of Mauritania, Ms. Monique Barbut of France, Mr. Luc Gnacadja of Benin and Mr. Hama Arba Diallo of Burkina Faso. The Secretary-General expressed his deep gratitude to Mr. Thiaw "for his dedicated service and outstanding commitment to the Organization".Ms. Fouad will commence her first three-year term in office later this year.

Land degradation is a global crisis—one that is reshaping landscapes, livelihoods and futures. Each year, vast areas of productive lands are lost, affecting nearly half of humanity and costing the global economy an estimated US$878 billion. In Latin America, over 20 per cent of arable land is already degraded due to deforestation, overgrazing and other types of unsustainable land use. At the heart of the UNCCD is the belief that land is not only a natural resource—it is a source of life, identity and resilience. But while policies and data help define the challenge, it is the stories from the ground that bring its true scale and urgency into focus. Here is where ReVerde plays a crucial role. The documentary-style television programme gives voice to the people behind the headlines—those living with and responding to the impacts of land degradation. From Indigenous communities to small-scale farmers, from urban collectives to rural cooperatives, the programme captures the diverse efforts underway to restore ecosystems, protect local resources and create sustainable alternatives. Aligned with the UNCCD’s vision for sustainable land stewardship, ReVerde explores both the challenges and the solutions. It highlights community-led restoration, the importance of ancestral knowledge and the risks posed by unregulated development. Ahead of this year's Desertification and Drought Day on 17 June 2025, hosted in Bogotá, Colombia, with the theme— “Restore the Land. Unlock the Opportunities.”— ReVerde stories remind us that restoration is not an abstract goal, but a daily effort being led by communities on the ground. The benefits are clear: land restoration can reverse more than US$1 trillion in agricultural productivity losses, strengthen food security for over a billion people and create millions of sustainable jobs. But to meet global targets, a significant funding gap—currently US$278 billion per year—must be closed. In telling the stories of land and those who care for it, ReVerde does more than inform—it inspires, builds understanding, sparks dialogue  and brings us closer to a future where land is restored, protected and valued for generations to come. In its next chapter, ReVerde turns its lens to the global observance of Desertification and Drought Day—continuing its mission to spotlight the people and places at the heart of our planet’s most pressing challenges. 

The Great Green Wall, an African-led initiative to grow an 8,000km belt of restored land across the Sahel, is now featured in Google Arts & Culture’s Trees Project. More than a reforestation effort, the Wall is a symbol of resilience—tackling land degradation, poverty, hunger, and climate change while empowering communities.Since its launch in 2007, the initiative has revitalized landscapes, improved food security, and created jobs. Women, often most affected by climate change, play a crucial role in its success, especially in land regeneration and food systems. By ensuring inclusive, gender-sensitive approaches, the Great Green Wall is shaping a greener, more equitable future.Once completed, it will be the largest living structure on Earth—three times the size of the Great Barrier Reef. Learn more. 

The UNCCD is forming an Intergovernmental Working Group on the Future Strategic Framework (IWG-FSF), as mandated by Decision 4/COP.16. This group will develop proposals for a post-2030 strategy, including potential goals and targets, and will review existing indicators to enhance national reporting on progress. In line with the Convention’s commitment to inclusive decision-making, civil society organizations (CSOs) will play a vital role in this process. The IWG-FSF will bring together three representatives from each regional group and five technical experts, one of whom will be a CSO representative. The UNCCD Secretariat, in collaboration with the CSO Panel, will oversee the selection of the CSO representative through a call for expressions of interest, ensuring compliance with the Terms of Reference and representativity criteria established by the Conference of the Parties. CSOs have long been integral to the work of the Convention, contributing to policy development, implementation and monitoring. At the recent UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh, CSOs actively engaged in discussions on land tenure, sustainable land stewardship and drought resilience, highlighting the importance of grassroots engagement in combating desertification and land degradation. The CSO Panel, elected by accredited organizations, serves as a liaison between civil society and the UNCCD, ensuring that diverse voices inform decision-making processes.  The IWG-FSF is expected to present an interim report on its progress at the 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 23) in December 2025. This initiative underscores the UNCCD commitment to collaborative and inclusive approaches in addressing desertification, land degradation and drought. Photo: (c) IISD ENB/Anastasia Rodopoulou

Bonn/Bogotá, le 14 mai 2025 – La République de Colombie accueillera, le 17 juin prochain, la célébration mondiale de la Journée de la lutte contre la désertification et la sécheresse, témoignant de son engagement à lutter contre la dégradation des terres grâce à des solutions fondées sur la nature. Organisé à Bogotá, l’événement attirera l’attention du monde entier sur la nécessité urgente d’intensifier les efforts de restauration des terres, en tant que levier de durabilité, de paix et de développement inclusif. Cette célébration s’inscrira dans le cadre du Forum mondial des terres, accueilli par le gouvernement colombien. Placée sous le thème « Restaurer les terres. Libérer les opportunités », l’édition 2025 mettra en lumière le rôle essentiel des terres saines dans l’approvisionnement en nourriture, en eau, ainsi que dans la création d’emplois et le renforcement de la sécurité. Le choix de la Colombie pour accueillir cette célébration mondiale reflète sa volonté de restaurer les terres à grande échelle et de faire en sorte que ces efforts aient un impact concret sur les moyens de subsistance et les écosystèmes. Ibrahim Thiaw, Secrétaire exécutif de la Convention des Nations Unies sur la lutte contre la désertification (CNULCD), a déclaré : « La dégradation des terres est bien plus qu’un problème environnemental, elle représente une menace directe pour notre santé, notre sécurité alimentaire et hydrique, ainsi que pour la stabilité des sociétés. Perdre des terres saines, c’est affaiblir la nutrition, accroître le risque de maladies et exposer les communautés aux chocs climatiques et économiques. Je remercie la République de Colombie pour son invitation à accueillir la célébration de cette année, qui mettra en lumière comment la restauration des terres peut protéger la nature, améliorer le bien-être et construire un avenir plus résilient pour tous. » Mettant en lumière l’urgence d’une utilisation durable des terres et le lien vital entre les terres et la paix, Martha Viviana Carvajalino Villegas, ministre de l’Agriculture et du développement rural de Colombie, a déclaré : « La protection des sols et terres agricoles est un impératif urgent face aux crises interconnectées qui menacent notre survie : perte de biodiversité, dégradation des écosystèmes, faim, pauvreté et déplacements. En réponse, nous commémorons la Journée de la lutte contre la désertification et la sécheresse pour réaffirmer que protéger le sol, c’est protéger la vie. Ce combat repose sur trois piliers : la conservation et la restauration des terres, des systèmes agroalimentaires durables, équitables et résilients, et l’amélioration de la qualité de vie dans les zones rurales et urbaines. Sans les terres fertiles, il n’y a pas de nourriture ; sans nourriture, il n’y a pas de paix. »  « Nous mettons en œuvre des politiques globales : redistribution équitable des terres, restitution des droits aux communautés historiquement marginalisées, et garanties pour une gestion durable des ressources. Ainsi, nous transformons les terres en un bouclier contre la faim, un pont vers la réconciliation et un héritage de dignité pour les générations futures. La terre n’est pas qu’une ressource : elle est le fondement même de la paix », a-t-elle précisé.  Face au défi majeur de la dégradation des terres, qui affecte près de 30 % du territoire colombien, soit 34,39 millions d’hectares, la Colombie passe à l’action. D’ici à 2030, elle prévoit de restaurer 100 000 hectares de terres dégradées, de conserver 22 000 hectares de forêts sèches, de développer des systèmes agroforestiers durables et de soutenir les communautés rurales à travers des initiatives ciblées de restauration et de planification dans les régions prioritaires. En accueillant cette journée, le pays offre également une plateforme d’échange à la jeunesse, aux peuples autochtones, aux agriculteurs, aux scientifiques et à la société civile, afin de faire connaître des solutions locales aux enjeux mondiaux. Les efforts de la Colombie s’inscrivent dans une dynamique mondiale : restaurer les terres est essentiel pour relever les défis urgents de notre époque, du changement climatique et de la perte de biodiversité à l’insécurité alimentaire et aux migrations forcées. Malgré une mobilisation croissante, notamment lors de la COP16 de la CNULCD, la véritable valeur des terres saines reste largement sous-estimée. La dégradation des terres, la sécheresse et la désertification coûtent à l’économie mondiale environ 878 milliards de dollars américains chaque année. À l’inverse, restaurer plus d’un milliard d’hectares pourrait générer jusqu’à 1 800 milliards de dollars américains par an, avec un retour estimé entre 7 et 30 dollars pour chaque dollar investi. « Le raisonnement économique en faveur de la restauration est limpide, » a déclaré Ibrahim Thiaw. « Chaque dollar investi peut générer jusqu’à trente dollars de bénéfices. Mais au-delà des chiffres, restaurer les terres, c’est protéger la dignité des communautés, garantir un accès durable à la nourriture et à l’eau, et bâtir un monde plus stable et plus équitable. Le leadership de la Colombie montre ce qu’il est possible d’accomplir lorsque la restauration devient une priorité nationale. » À propos de la Journée mondiale de la lutte contre la désertification et la sécheresse Proclamée officiellement par l’Assemblée générale des Nations unies en 1994 (A/RES/49/115), la Journée mondiale de la lutte contre la désertification et la sécheresse, célébrée chaque année le 17 juin, est une occasion unique de mettre en valeur les solutions concrètes pour combattre la désertification, la dégradation des terres et la sécheresse. En 2025, la Colombie accueillera à Bogotá les dirigeants mondiaux, les experts, la jeunesse et les représentants de toute la société pour la célébration officielle. Des pays du monde entier organiseront également des activités éducatives, culturelles et sportives pour marquer cette journée. Pour plus d’informations, veuillez contacter : Service de presse de la CNULCD : press@unccd.int https://www.unccd.int/events/desertification-drought-day À propos de la CNULCD La Convention des Nations Unies sur la lutte contre la désertification (CNULCD) est la voix et la vision mondiale pour les terres. Elle réunit gouvernements, scientifiques, décideurs politiques, secteur privé et communautés autour d’une action mondiale partagée pour restaurer et gérer durablement les terres de la planète au bénéfice de l’humanité et de la nature. Bien plus qu’un traité international signé par 197 parties, la CNULCD est un engagement multilatéral pour atténuer les impacts actuels de la dégradation des terres et promouvoir une gestion responsable afin de garantir à tous l’accès à la nourriture, à l’eau, à un abri et à des opportunités économiques, dans un esprit d’équité et d’inclusion. Le Forum mondial des terres est organisé par le ministère de l’Agriculture et du Développement rural de la Colombie, le CINEP (Centre de recherche et d’éducation populaire / Programme Paix), l’Union européenne et la Coalition internationale pour la terre.

Update to the nomination process for regional representatives to the IWG FSFDuring the recent meeting of the COP Bureau held on 26 June 2025 in Bonn, Germany, Bureau members decided to grant a 7-day extension for Regional Chairs to submit their nominations of regional representatives to the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Future Strategic Framework (IWG FSF).This decision follows interventions by three Bureau members who requested such an extension.As per the approved Terms of Reference for the IWG FSF, each Regional Chair is to nominate three regional representatives from their respective region. This will result in a total of 15 regional representatives, out of the 20 members that constitute the IWG FSF.In place of the original deadline of 27 June 2025, Regional Chairs are kindly requested to submit their nominations no later than 4 July 2025 following the COP Bureau decision, if they have not done so yet. This notification serves as an update to the previous message published 13 May 2025.Thank you for your continued cooperation. The sixteenth session of the UNCCD Conference of the Parties (COP 16) decided in decision 4/COP.16 to establish through the Bureau of the COP an Intergovernmental Working Group on the Future Strategic Framework of the Convention (IWG FSF), within the scope and mandate of the Convention. In line with this decision, the Bureau of the COP endorsed during its meeting held 28 April 2025, the Terms of Reference of this group and entrusted the secretariat in consultation with the CRIC and CST Bureaux to ensure that the nomination process be completed by the end of June 2025. This notification is to inform all Parties to the UNCCD of the nomination process related to the IWG FSF, as presented below, and the need for the nomination of three members within each regional group. Interested Parties may communicate their desire to participate in the IWG FSF to the chair of their regional group, copy to the respective UNCCD liaison officer (contact information is contained in the attachment) by Monday 16 June 2025. In line with the TOR attached to this notification, the respective chairs are then called upon to select the final three IWG members from their regional group on the basis of the criteria listed in the TOR i.e. adhering to the request to ensure gender balance and have the policy, scientific and technical aspects of the Convention reflected as part of the expertise provided to the IWG from each region. Their submission should be sent to the secretariat no later than 27 June 2025. Upon receiving the names and contact details of the selected representatives from each regional group chair, the secretariat will contact the IWG members and post their names on the IWG FSF webpage. IWG members will then also be briefed on the next steps and timeline of the work of the IWG FSF. Please note that the IWG FSF will work in English only (documents and meetings). In line with the TOR of the IWG FSF as attached to this notification, IWG FSF will be composed as follows: Three representatives from each regional group (Three representatives from each the Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, Central and Eastern Europe, Western European and Other Countries group)One representative from civil society organizationsOne representative from international organizationsThree independent expertsPlease also note that this notification only deals with the nomination process of the regional representatives while the members from the civil society organizations, international organizations and the independent experts will be selected inter alia through an open call that will be published on the UNCCD website. Unless otherwise agreed by the IWG FSF, and depending on the availability of resources, the group will have three in-person meetings: one at the beginning of its work, another one immediately after the intersessional CRIC session, and one at the end for finalizing its report. The first meeting is tentatively planned to take place during the third quarter of 2025. Since the TOR specifies that membership of the IWG is done on the basis of UN regional groups, a list of membership of individual countries that belong to each group can be obtained through the website of the United Nations for ease of reference. Please also find attached the TOR as approved by the COP Bureau on 28 April 2025. In order to facilitate the nomination process, the regional chairs of the corresponding Convention’s implementation annexes, as listed below, will be requested to forward the final list of nominated members to the secretariat. Where we do not have an annex that corresponds with the composition of the UN regional group, the respective COP Bureau members/representatives, as listed below, will be approached, for providing the same service.