Other meetings & events

Theme: "The Beauty of Deserts - The Challenge of Desertification"In 2006, there was double reason to celebrate the World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD), because 2006 is the International Year of Deserts and Desertification (IYDD). Accordingly, the IYDD is the focus of the 2006 WDCD celebrations, and its message is reflected in the year's theme: "The Beauty of Deserts - The Challenge of Desertification".The WDCD is celebrated every year on 17 June all over the world in order to highlight the fact that desertification is of global concern and to strengthen the visibility and importance of the drylands issue on the international environmental agenda.That year attention was given - in addition to the world's deserts - to magnificent ecosystems, which have been home to ancient civilizations. The WDCD therefore also celebrated the fragile beauty and unique heritage of our deserts.2006 marks the tenth anniversary of the ratification of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the only internationally recognized, legally binding instrument that addresses the problem of land degradation in drylands and which enjoys a truly universal membership of 191 Parties in 2006. The Convention plays a key role in global efforts to eradicate poverty, achieve sustainable development and reach the Millennium Development Goals.17 June represents an opportunity to remind everyone that desertification can be effectively tackled through strengthened community participation and co-operation at all levels.Country Parties and civil society organizations were invited to organize events to celebrate this special WDCD to help raise awareness and galvanize action to meet this important challenge.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 .

The theme of this year’s celebration is "Women and Desertification" to recognize and support the unique role women play in regions affected by desertification and drought, particularly in rural areas of developing countries.

Theme: “Migration and Poverty”The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (WDCD) is commemorated each year on 17 June. In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly designated 17 June as "World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought". Celebrated world-wide, this day marks the anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).2004 celebration carried special significance as marked the tenth anniversary of the Convention’s implementation. Its theme also highlights the social dimensions of desertification “Migration and Poverty”.Celebrations took place worldwide. In Bonn, Germany, the home of the UNCCD Secretariat, a ceremony marking the anniversary was hold with local authorities and civil society at the Bonn City Hall on 17 June 2004.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. 

8th World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD). This year, it will be celebrated in Osnabrueck, Germany, at the kind invitation of the city of Osnabrueck. The theme this year is “Land Degradation”.

7th World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD)As part of its campaign to tackle global environmental deterioration in particular by combatting the degradation of drylands -- which cover up to one quarter of the world's land surface - the United Nations General Assembly designated 17 June as "World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought". Celebrated world-wide, this day marks the anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).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 .