Media advisories
Closing DayOn Friday, 28 August, delegates gather as the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification concludes with the adoption of final decisions and reports, bringing the two-week conference to a close.KEY EVENTS FOR MEDIACOP17 Closing Press ConferenceWhen: 17:00Where: Press Conference RoomSpeakers:Yasmine Fouad (UNCCD Executive Secretary)Battsetseg Batmunkh (COP17 President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia)Journalists are invited to attend the final press conference, where leadership present the main outcomes and reflections on COP17, outlining key decisions adopted by the Parties at the close of the session.Side EventsSide events throughout the day will cover rangelands and pastoralism, finance, drought resilience, land tenure, healthy soils and the land-water nexus.Journalists are encouraged to consult the official COP17 programme for the full schedule and latest updates : https://www.unccd.int/cop17/programmeMEDIA RESOURCESCOP17 programmeUNCCD COP17 websiteHost country websiteUNCCD Action Dome websiteUN WebTV – Live broadcast of key plenary sessions with live interpretation in all six UN languagesUNCCD COP17 Visual Assets and Branding ResourcesEarth Negotiations Bulletin – daily coverage, photographs and analysisFor media enquiries and interview requests: UNCCD Press Office: press@unccd.int
UNCCD COP17: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia | 17–28 August 2026: Media accreditation is open
Accreditation for media is now available for the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The conference will take place from 17 to 28 August 2026 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Journalists are invited to apply for accreditation via Indico. Please note that Indico is the only platform through which media accreditation and authorization to cover COP17 can be obtained. The UNCCD secretariat does not process accreditation requests submitted via email or post. Any materials sent outside the ORS will not be processed.Please ensure that all documents comply with the specified requirements and that applicant details are consistent throughout the application process. Kindly note that participation is subject to approval and that all registrations must be approved.Please monitor your email regularly for any additional documentation or information requests that may be required to confirm your application. Once your registration has been confirmed, you will receive a Registration Acknowledgement Letter. Information on accreditation requirements, visas, visual materials and access to the visa portal is available here: Media InformationShould you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us via your online registration account or at press@unccd.int.Further details will be made available on the official COP17 website in due course.
Final Press Release – CRIC23 A closing press release will be issued summarizing the outcomes of CRIC23. It will be published on the UNCCD website and shared with all accredited media. NO CLOSING PRESS CONFERENCE There will be no closing press conference. Journalists may contact UNCCD Communications for interviews or clarifications. Comunicado Final – CRIC23 Se emitirá un comunicado de prensa final que resumirá los resultados de CRIC23. Será publicado en el sitio web de la CNULD y compartido con todos los medios acreditados. SIN CONFERENCIA DE PRENSA DE CLAUSURA No habrá conferencia de prensa de clausura. Los periodistas pueden contactar a la Oficina de Comunicación de la CNULD para entrevistas o aclaraciones.
CRIC23 Examines Land Tenure and Launches the Economics of Rangelands ReportThe fourth day of CRIC23 turns to the policy foundations that determine whether land restoration succeeds, with discussions focused on strengthening land tenure systems, improving enabling conditions for sustainable land management, and reviewing new economic findings that will shape global thinking on dryland resilience ahead of COP17.Key eventEconomics of Rangelands – Key Findings Ahead of COP17Please note: Key findings and early messages from the upcoming Economics of Rangelands report will be made available to the media, highlighting the economic value of rangelands and the costs of their ongoing degradation. There will be no formal press briefing, but the following experts will be available for media interviews upon request:Mark Schauer, Project Lead (Co-Lead), Sector Programme Resilient Rural Areas, GIZDr. Barron Orr, UNCCD Chief ScientistAriuntuya Dorjsuren, Director General, International Cooperation Division, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, MongoliaEnrique Michaud, Co-Chair, IYRP Global AllianceFor interview arrangements, please contact: press@unccd.intHost country event of notePanama Side Event: “The Nature Pledge Journey”When: 13:15–14:45Where: CARIBE 4Led by the Government of Panama, this session will present the country’s progress under the Panama Nature Pledge, including work to achieve LDN by 2030, restore priority hotspots, and integrate land, climate and biodiversity policies.This event may interest journalists following Panama’s national leadership and regional positioning during CRIC23.Additional Themes Covered Today How land tenure security supports land restoration and climate resilienceNational experiences in achieving LDN targetsEconomic and policy considerations emerging from dryland and rangelands assessmentsRegional cooperation, lessons and priorities on land governanceSide events organised by partners take place throughout the day.Full schedule: https://www.unccd.int/cric23/side-events
CRIC23 Highlights Gender Equality, Indigenous Leadership, and the Post-2030 Strategic FrameworkToday’s CRIC23 discussions focus on gender equality, Indigenous women’s leadership, and the Interim Report of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Future Strategic Framework (IWG-FSF).Key event 10:00–13:00 | Field Visit to the Panama Canal (Miraflores Visitors Center)Journalists are invited to a field visit organized by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) at the Miraflores Visitors Center. The visit will offer insights into how the ACP integrates sustainability and watershed protection into its long-term strategy to safeguard the Canal’s water resources.The programme includes:Welcome and transfer to Salón Río GrandePresentation: Sustainable Development Strategy of the Panama CanalRaúl Martínez, Manager for Socio-Environmental Sustainability (ACP)Testimony: Experience of coffee producer Jim Mariscal with ACP-supported projectsQ&A with ACP representatives and community partnersGuided visit to key viewpoints and facilities of the Panama CanalTransport departs at 10:00 from the Panama Convention Center.Return to hotel expected at 13:00.Other CRIC23 highlights — Gender Caucus sessionsTwo sessions of the UNCCD Gender Caucus will take place on 3 December at the Panama Convention Centre. Journalists with CRIC23 accreditation may attend.10:00–11:30 | Gender Caucus — Session 1Leadership and worldviews of Indigenous women for sustainable land managementThis session brings together Indigenous women leaders to discuss land governance, ancestral knowledge systems, and current land-related challenges.11:30–13:00 | Gender Caucus — Session 2Gender dimensions of sand and dust stormsThis session explores how sand and dust storms affect men and women differently, adaptation strategies, and data gaps that inform future policy guidance.Launch eventStrengthening the Capacities of Latin American and Caribbean Countries for Sustainable Land Management and Ecosystem Restoration within the Framework of the UNCCDWhen: 3 December 2025Time: 19:00 – 21:30Where: Hotel Aloft Panama, Vía Israel y Calle 76, San Francisco, Panama CityOrganized by: CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean -& UNCCDThis launch event presents a new CAF–UNCCD collaboration to strengthen the capacities of Latin American and Caribbean countries in sustainable land management and ecosystem restoration. As land degradation and drought intensify vulnerabilities across the region, the initiative supports countries in advancing effective land and water management while helping mobilize the financing needed to meet UNCCD objectives.
UNCCD CRIC23 Opens in Panama: Countries Review Global Progress on Land Restoration and Drought Resilience Media representatives are invited to the opening day of the 23rd session of the UNCCD Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC23), held from 1–5 December 2025 at the Panama Convention Center. CRIC23 brings together representatives from 196 countries and the European Union to assess global progress on land restoration, drought resilience, land tenure, reporting systems, capacity-building and gender equality, and to inform the post-2030 strategic framework ahead of the 17th UNCCD Conference of the Parties (COP17), taking place in Mongolia from 17 to 26 August 2026. Panama will also highlight its Panama Nature Pledge, already introduced in national processes, which outlines the country’s commitment to achieving Land Degradation Neutrality by 2030, restoring priority hotspots and strengthening drought resilience across the Dry Corridor. KEY EVENTS Opening Plenary When: 10:00–13:00 Where: Plenary Hall The opening plenary will outline the goals of CRIC23, including the review of reporting improvements, progress on thematic frameworks (land tenure, gender, sand and dust storms), and a presentation by Panama on its Panama Nature Pledge, which has already been introduced in national processes. Photographers: assemble at 09:15 at the Media Center. Opening Press Conference When: 12:00–13:00 Where: Press Conference Room Speakers: Juan Carlos Navarro, Minister of Environment of Panama Yasmine Fouad, UNCCD Executive Secretary Osama Ibrahim Faqeeha, Deputy Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture for Environmental Affairs. KSABatmunkh Dondovdorj, Special Advisor to the Minister and Chairman of upcoming COP17 Presidency National Office The press conference will present the key expectations for CRIC23, highlight Panama’s leadership — including a reference to its Nature Pledge — and provide reflections from the UNCCD COP16 and COP17 Presidencies. Media Accreditation Accredited journalists may access all open press events. Accreditation can be completed at the venue’s Media Registration Desk during opening hours. Side events organized by partners take place throughout the day. Full schedule: https://www.unccd.int/cric23/side-events
Leaders to call for global land restoration as basis of peace On 17 June, leaders, civil society organizations, and Indigenous representatives will convene in Bogotá, Colombia to advocate for global land restoration as a foundation of food security, sustainable development, and lasting peace. As the world’s population is projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, the growing demand for nutritious food and clean water means that restoring degraded land is no longer optional—it is an existential imperative. This year’s global observance of Desertification and Drought Day, hosted by Colombia and led by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) under the theme ‘Restore the Land. Unlock the Opportunities will spotlight the undeniable economic, social, and environmental benefits of land restoration for people and the planet. Every US$1 used to restore land yields a return of US$7 to US$30 through enhanced ecosystem services and livelihoods, making for an investment case that the world cannot afford to overlook. Nations need to invest US$1 billion per day by 2030 to bring some 1.5 billion hectares of land back to health in support of human security and dignity, according to UNCCD. Journalists, policymakers, and stakeholders are invited to attend and cover this high-level event. What: Global Observance event of Desertification and Drought Day 2025 When: 18:30 -19:30 hours (Bogota time), 17 June 2025 Where: Cra. 10 #26-21, Bogotá, Colombia Key Speakers: Gustavo Petro Urrego, President of the Republic of Colombia Martha Carvajalino, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Colombia. Lena Estrada, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia Andrea Meza, Deputy Executive Secretary of UNCCD Ayman Ghulam, representative of the UNCCD COP16 Presidency Pallab Chakma, representative of the Global Land Forum Notes How to cover the global observance event: Register here to attend the event in Bogotá; and access the press kit with audiovisual materials on the event. Follow the livestreaming link to the opening and high-level segments on the UNCCD Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@THEUNCCD For media enquiries and interviews requests, please contact: UNCCD Press Office press@unccd.int For more information: Website of Desertification and Drought Day 2025 About the global observance of Desertification and Drought Day in Bogota The global observance is part of the Global Land Forum, hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Colombia, the Center for Research and Popular Education/Peace Program (CINEP) as lead for a National Organizing Committee of civil society actors, the European Union and the International Land Coalition. About UNCCD The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the global vision and voice for land. We unite governments, scientists, policymakers, private sector and communities around a shared vision and global action to restore and manage the world’s land for the sustainability of humanity and the planet. Much more than an international treaty signed by 197 parties, UNCCD is a multilateral commitment to mitigating today’s impacts of land degradation and advancing tomorrow’s land stewardship in order to provide food, water, shelter and economic opportunity to all people in an equitable and inclusive manner. About Desertification and Drought Day Officially declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1994 (A/RES/49/115), Desertification and Drought Day, marked annually on 17 June, is a unique occasion to highlight practical solutions to combating desertification, land degradation and drought. The theme of Desertification and Drought Day 2025 is “Restore the Land. Unlock the Opportunities,” underscoring multiple benefits linked to land restoration. The global observance of Desertification and Drought Day 2025 is hosted by Colombia. The observance was held as part of the Global Land Forum, organized by the Government of Colombia in partnership with the International Land Coalition. Countries and communities around the world organize activities to mark the Day. Previous global Desertification and Drought Day celebrations took place in Germany (2024), USA (2023), Spain (2022), Costa Rica (2021), Republic of Korea (2020), Türkiye (2019), Ecuador (2018), Burkina Faso (2017) and China (2016).
Media Advisory 21st Committee to Review the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC21) meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 13-17 November 2023. Bonn/Samarkand, 09/11/2023 - The twenty-first session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 21) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan from 13-17 November 2023. CRIC21 will bring together an estimated 500 delegates from 196 countries and the European Union, civil society, and academia to reflect on progress in delivering the Convention’s strategic objectives. It marks the first time UNCCD convenes one of its most significant meetings in Central Asia, since its establishment. This meeting comes at a critical juncture, as recent data launched by UNCCD shows that the world is losing nearly 100 million hectares of healthy and productive land every year. If current trends continue, 1.5 billion hectares of land will need to be restored by 2030 to achieve land degradation neutrality around the globe. But, halting additional degradation and accelerating existing commitments alone could surpass the neutrality target. UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw said: “Droughts, wildfires and heatwaves we have witnessed around the world are the symptoms of the deepening and interlinked climate and nature crises, with land at the heart of both. Since 2015, some 4 million square kilometres of healthy and productive lands have been lost—an area roughly the size of Central Asia. We must urgently stop further land degradation and restore at least 1 billion hectares to meet global land targets by 2030.” CRIC21 will be held at the Silk Road Samarkand Congress Centre. Parties will have the opportunity to review progress and provide recommendations towards achieving global targets to prevent and reverse land degradation, in line with the 2018-2030 UNCCD strategic and implementation frameworks. Among the highlights of the CRIC21 programme: Opening plenary on 13 November from 10:00-13:00 with introductory statements from the Chair of the CRIC, the UNCCD Executive Secretary and the representative of the Government of Uzbekistan. UNCCD Gender Caucus on 14 and 16 November from 13:00-15:00 will convene international experts to discuss women’s land rights as a prerequisite to the success of global land restoration and drought resilience efforts. A high-level political event on Sand and Dust Storms hosted by the government of Uzbekistan will be held on 15 November from 10:00-13:00. In recent years, sand and dust storms have increased in both frequency and severity in both Uzbekistan and surrounding countries. For the first time, more than 30 side events will be organized at CRIC21. These events provide the informal opportunity for parties and accredited observer organizations to exchange information and experiences on diverse issues related to the objectives of the Convention. Press briefings will be held throughout CRIC21 between 13:00-15:00 local time, including: 13 November: Focus on Central Asia: global and regional trends on desertification, land degradation and drought with UNCCD Chief Scientist, Dr Barron Orr, and Programme Officer, Science, Technology and Innovation Unit, Ms Olga Andreeva (TBC). 14 November: Her Land. Her Rights: global and regional efforts to advance women’s land rights and their engagement in land restoration and drought resilience efforts with UNCCD and regional experts (TBC). 15 November: Sand and Dust Storms: the latest data on this growing phenomenon with UNCCD and regional experts, as well as the outcomes of the high-level event hosted by the Government of Uzbekistan. 17 November: Closing press conference: an overview of the key outcomes of CRIC21 with Mr Ibrahim Thiaw, UNCCD Executive Secretary, Ms. Biljana Kilibarda, Chair of the CRIC, and Mr Aziz Abdukhakimov, Uzbek Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change. Notes to Editors Accredited media representatives are invited to attend and report on CRIC21 and associated events. Field visits where journalists can see land restoration and drought resilience projects will take place immediately before and after CRIC21. Daily highlights of CRIC21 will be provided by the IISD Earth Negotiations Bulletin: https://enb.iisd.org/unccd-committee-review-implementation-convention-cric21 Side events schedule is available here: https://www.unccd.int/sites/default/files/2023-10/Side%20Events%20CRIC21.pdf Visual assets about CRIC21 and the UNCCD Data Dashboard are available here: https://trello.com/b/zq0kxtkK/unccd-cric21-samarkand-uzb-2023 Online registration for media representatives is available at the following link: www.unccd.int/cric-21-online-registration. To register, please provide the following documents: One recent passport-sized photograph A valid press card A copy (picture and signature pages) of your passport (for foreign journalists) or national identity card (for local applicants) A letter of introduction from the bureau chief or company sponsoring your travel to the session. For freelance journalists, a letter is required from the media organization assigning you to cover the conference A duly completed accreditation form Journalists who register online will be able to collect their accreditation at the Silk Road Samarkand Congress Center on presentation of a valid press card and an identity document. For more information on the regulations governing visa applications and the introduction of reporting material into Uzbekistan, please consult the following link: https://e-visa.gov.uz/main_ For inquiries about media accreditation or coverage of the event, please contact: press@unccd.int A dedicated press and media working space will be available at the conference venue. Additional information and media updates on the Convention and CRIC 21 will be available on the UNCCD website: https://www.unccd.int/cric21 About UNCCD The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the global vision and voice for land. We unite governments, scientists, policymakers, private sector and communities around a shared vision and global action to restore and manage the world’s land for the sustainability of humanity and the planet. Much more than an international treaty signed by 197 Parties, UNCCD is a multilateral commitment to mitigating today’s impacts of land degradation and advancing tomorrow’s land stewardship in order to provide food, water, shelter and economic opportunity to all people in an equitable and inclusive manner.
MEDIA ADVISORY Rising up from drought together is Spain’s call for Desertification and Drought Day on 17 June Bonn/Madrid, 13 June 2022 - Spain, one of the European countries most vulnerable to drought and water shortages linked to climate change, is hosting this year’s global observance of Desertification and Drought Day on 17 June. The event titled, “Rising up from drought together,” will take place at the Auditorio Museo Nacional Reina Sofia in Madrid. Drought is the theme for the Day this year. Media are invited to participate at the event organized by the Government of Spain and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), where renown scientists, issue experts, youth representatives and high-level policymakers from Spain and around the world will speak about: the role of science based on the drought risks identified for different climate change scenarios success stories of drought mitigation and adaptation in Spain and other countries. viable drought policies and their components Pedro Sánchez, President of the Government of Spain, Alain-Richard Donwahi, President of UNCCD COP15, Côte d'Ivoire, Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary, UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and Patricia Kombo, UNCCD Land Hero from Kenya are among the notable speakers (see full list below). Droughts are increasing in frequency and severity up 29 percent since 2000 and affecting an estimated 55 million people every year, according to the latest Drought in Numbers report from UNCCD. By 2050, drylands may cover between 50 to 60 percent of all land, with an estimated three-quarters of the world’s population living in these areas under conditions of severe water scarcity. The Horn of Africa, for example, is in its fourth year of drought. A similar drought in Southern Africa five years ago put 20 million people on the verge of starvation. This year Chile marked a record-breaking 13th year of drought. A prolonged drought in the United States that started in 2000 is the country’s driest period in over 1200 years. In the lead up to the 2022 Desertification and Drought Day, UNCCD launched Droughtland, a public awareness campaign featuring a fictional drought-stricken nation, to showcase solutions and rally global action to boost drought resilience. Detailed information, which includes the programme, media resources and background documents to facilitate coverage of the event, is provided below. Venue Auditorio Museo Nacional Reina Sofia, Rondo de Atocha, Madrid, Spain. Webcast Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/theUNCCD (in the floor language) Streaming through Twitter and Facebook: @unccd Time Friday, 17 June 2022 11:00-14:00 hrs (CEST) /09:00-12:00 (GMT/UTC) Invited speakers Mr. Pedro Sánchez, President of the Government of Spain (Prime Minister) Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations Mr. Alain-Richard Donwahi, President of UNCCD COP15, Côte d'Ivoire Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary, UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Mr Virginijus Sinkevičius, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Ms. Teresa Ribera, Third Vice-President of the government and Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Spain Ms. Maria Helena Semedo, Deputy Director, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Ms. Skumsa Ntshanga, Ag. Deputy Director-General, Biodiversity and Conservation Branch, Ministry of Forests, Fisheries and Environment, South Africa Ms. Patricia Kombo, founder of the PaTree Initiative and UNCCD Land Hero Ms. María Jesús Rodríguez de Sancho, General Director of Biodiversity, Forestry and Desertification, Spain Mr. Pilar Paneque, leader of the Spanish Citizen Observatory of Drought and Professor of Human Geography, Pablo de Olavide University of Seville, Spain Ms. Attia Rafla, Director for Soil Resources. Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries of Tunisia. Ms. Elena López Gunn, Chief Executive Officer, ICATALIST. Associate professor at IE Business School and collaborator of the Water Observatory, the Botín Foundation and the Basque Center for Climate Change, Spain Mr. Mark Svoboda, Director of the National Center for Drought Monitoring in the United States Background Drought in Numbers, released on 11 May at the fifteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP15) calls for making a full global commitment to drought preparedness and resilience in all global regions a top priority. The report was issued just days before The State of the Global Climate 2021 report released May 2022 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). According to the report, the past seven years have been the warmest seven years on record, and drought affected many parts of the world, including the Horn of Africa, Canada, the western United States, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Türkiye. Drought resilience was a top agenda item at UNCCD COP15. Countries agreed to boost drought resilience, and identified some of the key actions. They will identify the areas that could turn into drylands, improve national policies, including on early warning, monitoring and assessment, learn and share knowledge, build partnerships and coordinate action, and mobilize drought finance. In addition, they will set up an Intergovernmental Working Group on Drought for 2022-2024 to look into possible options, including global policy instruments and regional policy frameworks, to support a shift from reactive to proactive drought management. The Working Group reports released earlier this year by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as part of the Sixth Assessment Report warn that we have up to 2030 to take actions to get us on track to staying within a temperature rise of no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. Warming above that level would have catastrophic impacts on both people and the planet. Notes to Editors International journalists travelling to Spain to cover the event need be registered, and should email: bzn-prensa@miteco.es and copy wwischnewski@unccd.int. A copy of your valid press card and passport will be required to pick your access card. Download various materials here (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1z1FnAIFZ44rMX93xO8tZ-iFmiFDzsM6j?usp=sharing): b-roll on the drought in Eastern Africa (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pE-gBN0M-hTS4dP3V9T19eePLBm7jzW2?usp=sharing). Credit UNCCD. human interest stories gathered in March 2022 in Turkana County, Kenya (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XswUXoxcn7RT0ppN586KmC3QIdzD9Gb0/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=112078920839857133524&rtpof=true&sd=true). Credit UNCCD. Images of drought impacts in Northern Kenya (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RYzm0BS8Jf91KUupvlkmCRttPH19eClv?usp=sharing). Credit UNCCD. Videos and assets from the Droughtland campaign (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15IOrKLNq5ibD0SmFPiL23xN7j08iiM_R?usp=sharing) Credit UNCCD Images of the event in Spain will be uploaded here (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1YteZpHTbAY3HGgJw6xycavlTxjEqobHN?usp=sharing). Social Media Twitter: @TourDroughtland Instagram: @TourDroughtland Hashtags: #Nodroughtland #UNited4Land Download social media assets, including banners, infographics, cartoons and postcards: https://trello.com/b/0gIgBV68/desertification-and-drought-day-2022 Learn more about the campaign: droughtland.com For information about Desertification and Drought Day visit: /events/desertification-drought-day/2022 For information about Desertification and Drought Day events in Spain and around the world, contact Xenya Scanlon, Chief of Communications, UNCCD: xscanlon@unccd.int For media related inquires: On site contact: Alejandro Gomez, argomez@miteco.es Virtually: Wagaki Wischnewski, wwischnewski@unccd.int, +49 173 268 7593 (m) About UNCCD The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the global vision and voice for land. We unite governments, scientists, policymakers, private sector and communities around a shared vision and global action to restore and manage the world’s land for the sustainability of humanity and the planet. Much more than an international treaty signed by 197 parties, UNCCD is a multilateral commitment to mitigating today’s impacts of land degradation and advancing tomorrow’s land stewardship in order to provide food, water, shelter and economic opportunity to all people in an equitable and inclusive manner.