Press releases

High-level meeting in Bonn highlights land degradation and drought as rising drivers of instability and security risks.

Nairobi / Bonn, 12 December 2025 – The Government of Kenya and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) today announced that Kenya will host the next global observance of Desertification and Drought Day, to be held on 17 June 2026 under the theme “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.” Taking place in Kenya, the 2026 observance will highlight the central role of the world’s rangelands in climate resilience, food and water security, biodiversity conservation and the cultural identity of pastoralist and Indigenous communities. Rangelands cover more than half of the Earth’s land surface and support the lives of two billion people, including 500 million pastoralists, who have stewarded these landscapes for generations Kenya’s decision to host the global observance was formally announced by Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa, who extended a warm invitation to the international community to join Kenya next year:  “On behalf of the Government of Kenya allow me to extend a warm invitation to all. Next year, Kenya has the honour of hosting the Global Observance of the World Desertification and Drought Day. We warmly welcome all Member States, our partners, civil society and young people to join us as we shine a global spotlight on drought resilience, land restoration and the communities whose lives and livelihoods are shaped by these challenges.” She added that “the presence of participants will not only enrich the observance but also reaffirm our shared commitment to safeguarding the world’s drylands and supporting the people who depend on them. As we celebrate the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, we hope the global community will stand with Kenya in recognising the immense value of these landscapes and those who steward them. We look forward to welcoming you to Kenya — as we rally the world to act on drought before drought acts on us.” UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad said: “We thank the Government of Kenya for hosting Desertification and Drought Day 2026 and for shining a spotlight on the world’s rangelands. These landscapes are vital for food, water, biodiversity and climate resilience. Kenya’s leadership comes at a crucial moment, as rangelands face increasing pressure worldwide. By recognising their value, respecting their traditional stewards and restoring rangelands back to health, we can strengthen the livelihoods of two billion people.”   She added that “up to half of the world’s rangelands are degraded, with some disappearing faster than rainforests, placing food security, water availability and pastoralist cultures at risk” Rangelands remain among the planet’s most undervalued ecosystems, despite their vast extent and critical importance. The degradation of these landscapes threatens biodiversity, climate regulation, and the economies of countries that depend heavily on livestock production and grazing systems. UNCCD’s recent technical assessments highlight that investing in rangeland restoration can generate returns of up to USD 35 for every USD 1 invested, due to the combined ecological and socio-economic benefits Coinciding with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, the 2026 Desertification and Drought Day observance will draw global attention to the need to recognise and value rangelands for the critical functions they provide, respect the traditional stewards who have cared for them for generations, and restore degraded landscapes to secure livelihoods and ecosystem services.  Through 2026 Desertification and Drought Day, countries and communities are invited to: Recognize: rangelands’ economic contribution to national and regional economies; their role in sustaining biodiversity and wildlife; and the multiple benefits they provide, from regulating water cycles to storing carbon. Respect: pastoralists, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, whose mobility, customary governance systems and ecological knowledge are essential to maintaining the health and productivity of these landscapes. Restore: rangelands by investing in sustainable land and water management, strengthening governance, improving drought preparedness and supporting community-led restoration efforts. Desertification and Drought Day, marked every year on 17 June, is the United Nations’ global moment to raise awareness of land degradation and drought, and to mobilize action to protect and restore healthy land. Desertification and Drought Day 2026 in Kenya will be the first time in nearly a decade that the African continent will host this important global observance. Previous observances took place in Colombia (2025), Germany (2024), USA (2023), Spain (2022), Costa Rica (2021), Republic of Korea (2020), Türkiye (2019), Ecuador (2018), Burkina Faso (2017) and China (2016). For more information, please contact:   UNCCD Press Office press@unccd.int;   https://www.unccd.int/events/desertification-drought-day/2026 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.  Countries around the world are mobilizing to mark Desertification and Drought Day with an array of educational, cultural and sporting activities.  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.   

The Riyadh Action Agenda moves forward with initiatives like the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership and the Drought Resilience Investment FacilityThe Indigenous Peoples Caucus and the Gender Caucus rise as powerful voices in the UNCCD processNew reports put Small Island Developing States and rangelands on the spotlight in the lead-up to COP17 Bonn/Panama City, 5 December 2025 –  Coinciding with World Soil Day, the meeting marking the halfway point between the United Nations land conferences in Riyadh and Ulaanbaatar came to a close in Panama, after five days of engaged dialogue on progress in addressing the global loss of fertile soils, land degradation and drought. The 197 Parties convening at the 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC23) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) prepared the groundwork for the upcoming land conference that will take place in Mongolia in 2026, where nations will be called to protect the world’s precious land and water resources as the global demand for food and energy continues to soar. As part of the road from Riyadh to Ulaanbaatar, delegates and non-state actors exchanged on how to advance the Action Agenda that emerged from COP16, including the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership and the Drought Resilience Investment Facility. At the center of discussions was how best to leverage new cooperation and financial frameworks to mobilize private and bilateral funding for land and drought action on the ground.  Additionally, they laid the foundation for the resumption of the negotiations of a global drought framework at COP17, which will take place in August 2026. The Tafa’ul process, the first of three informal and voluntary dialogues on the matter led by the COP16 Presidency, made progress in building the trust between the Parties ahead of the talks in Mongolia. CRIC23 also saw progress in the operationalization of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, which approved its governance system and presented an action plan to support around 70 countries in reducing their vulnerability to one of the world’s most deadly and costly hazards.  Other highlights were the meeting of the Gender Caucus, created at COP15 in Abidjan and included in the official agenda for the first time this year as a space for shaping gender-responsive land policy; the Youth Caucus, and the first official meeting of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus, created at COP16, which called for meaningful involvement in land and drought policy and programmes at the multilateral and national levels.  During CRIC23, parties assessed progress on issues like capacity building, reporting, gender, land tenure and the implementation of voluntary Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets. UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad underscored the power of multilateralism and, speaking on behalf of the UNCCD Secretariat, reaffirmed the determination to help countries translate political commitments into clear outcomes forpeople and the planet: “National drought and land degradation neutrality plans without finance remain words on paper.  Our mission now is to unlock financing and investments for protection, restoration and resilience, including from the private sector, so countries can deliver real change on the ground. From Panama to Ulaanbaatar, we must keep the momentum and ensure that commitments translate into action.”   Indigenous and women’s voices Participants in the first meeting of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus emphasized their role as land stewards. Together, representatives from around the world called for a say in decision making, for a recognition of their millennial wisdom, and for access to finance. Meanwhile, work is underway to convene the first Local Communities Caucus, created at COP16. “Indigenous peoples gathered here know what we want from COP17,” said Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Coordinator of the Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad (AFPAT). “We want to be heard in the process —not as observers, but as participants. We want to have direct access to finance to implement COP17 decisions in our territories. We want our ancestral knowledge to be integrated into science discussions. Indigenous people are not a box to check. We are an essential voice in ensuring that the land will continue sustaining humanity in the years to come.”  The Gender Caucus brought attention to the leadership of Indigenous women in sustainable land management and the gendered impacts of sand and dust storms with a view to informing gender-responsive recommendations emerging from UNCCD processes. Additionally, women from developing countries hit by drought received negotiation training in preparation for COP17 through the Women Delegates Fund —a  step forward since women represented only 33 per cent of delegates at the last CRIC session.  All meetings were supported by UN Volunteers, who will also facilitate COP17 as the world marks the 2026 the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026) to recognize their contributions. Small islands, vast rangelands A new UNCCD information brief highlighted that every inch of land is vital for the survival of Small Islands Developing States (SIDS), which are facing growing impacts from drought and the loss of arable land. The SIDS’ land area affected by at least six months of extreme drought per year has increased to 17 per cent in the 2014–2023, up from 2 per cent between 1961–1970. Meanwhile, urbanization, unsustainable agriculture and extractive industries are fueling land degradation in some of the world’s smallest, more isolated and poorest territories, which are among the most vulnerable to climate change.  Another brief revealed that restoring rangelands delivers some of the strongest returns of any ecosystem investment, with benefits reaching up to USD 35 for every dollar invested, according to preliminary findings of a global cost–benefit analysis by the Economics of Land Degradation (ELD) Initiative.  Both reports will be presented in full at COP17 in Mongolia, coinciding with the International Year on Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) and as SIDS are coming together to speak with a unified voice in the UNCCD process about their unique challenges and opportunities. From Riyadh to Mongolia In December 2024, at COP16 in Riyadh, Parties adopted the first major decision on agricultural lands; emphasized the need to engage the private sector through the Business4Land initiative; and mobilized billions for land and drought action in the world’s most vulnerable countries. That legacy is being carried onwards to COP17. The gathering in Panama advanced the FAO-led consultation to develop guidance on COP’s landmark decision on avoiding, reducing and reversing land and soil degradation of agricultural lands. The document, which will target decision-makers and practitioners, will offer nations context-specific pathways to addressing the loss of fertile land ---crucial to achieve LDN goals, since around 60 per cent of degradation occurs in agricultural lands.  H.E. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UNCCD COP16 Presidency, said: “As UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, ‘We live on land and we live off land, but we treat it like dirt.’ It is high time we value it for what it is worth. CRIC23 has been an opportunity to maintain the momentum for land and drought on the road from Riyadh to Ulaanbaatar, and to align efforts on innovation and finance for present and future generations.” Mr. Batmunkh Dondovdorj, Special Advisor to the Minister and Chairman of upcoming COP17 Presidency National Office, declared: “Looking ahead, our goal as the incoming Presidency is to help deliver a COP that is inclusive, balanced, scientifically informed, and oriented toward practical solutions. A COP that reflects regional diversity, strengthens cooperation across sectors, brings together governments, scientists, youth, women, Indigenous Peoples, communities, and partners, and advances tangible progress toward land degradation neutrality and drought resilience.” Notes to Editors Visual assets about CRIC23 and the UNCCD Data Dashboard are available here: https://trello.com/b/zq0kxtkK/unccd-cric23-panama-2025 Additional information on the Convention and CRIC 23 are available on the UNCCD website: https://www.unccd.int/cric23 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 CRIC23 Representatives of 196 countries and the European Union are meeting in Panama from 1-5 December 2025 to review their efforts against desertification, land degradation and drought under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) — one of the three Rio Conventions, alongside biodiversity and climate. The 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 23) to the UNCCD is convening some 500 delegates from governments, civil society, and academia to assess progress in advancing the Convention’s objectives.  

New evidence shows rangelands are degrading faster than rainforests in some regions, despite bringing multiple benefits and sustaining two billion people Bonn/Panama City, 4 December 2025 – Stretching from the drylands of Latin America and Africa to the steppes of Central Asia, rangelands underpin food security, climate stability and centuries-old pastoral cultures. These vast landscapes, covering half the planet, store significant carbon, buffer climate extremes, and regulate water in some of the world’s driest regions.  Yet, despite their immense value, rangelands remain one of the planet’s most overlooked ecosystems. In several regions, they are now deteriorating faster than rainforests--with serious implications for food security, climate resilience, and rural livelihoods. Restoring rangelands delivers some of the strongest returns of any ecosystem investment, with benefits reaching up to USD 35 for every dollar invested.  These new preliminary findings of a global cost–benefit analysis conducted by the Economics of Land Degradation (ELD) Initiative were presented today at this year’s UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) meeting underway in Panama — the 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC23). UNCCD Chief Scientist Barron Joseph Orr explains: “The analysis confirms what many pastoralist communities have long known: rangelands are strategic ecological and economic assets, not marginal lands. These gains come from higher vegetation productivity, deeper carbon storage, stronger water retention, and avoided degradation.” “The urgency is evident. Between 25 and 50 per cent of the world’s rangelands are degraded or at risk, weakening water cycles, livestock productivity, biodiversity and rural livelihoods. In regions such as the Sahel, Central Asia and parts of South America, climate pressures are already shrinking productivity and restricting pastoralist mobility - with knock-on effects for food security,” Orr said. Mark Schauer, Senior Programme Officer with the German Development Cooperation (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, GIZ), which coordinates the ELD Initiative, said: “Rangeland restoration makes economic and ecological sense. By strengthening the evidence base and partnering with pastoralist communities, we can help countries design investments that unlock long-term resilience.” For more than a decade, the ELD Initiative has equipped governments with evidence on the real economic value of healthy land - and the steep losses caused by degradation. Its new discussion paper, The Business Case for Investment in Rangeland Restoration, presented at CRIC23, will be followed by a full assessment at UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia next August.  “A growing body of evidence confirms that rangelands — long dismissed as marginal or ‘empty' spaces — are in fact central to climate action, food and water security and sustainable rural development. With the full economic assessment expected ahead of COP17, CRIC23 has strengthened the technical and political foundations needed to scale up investment in these vast, life-sustaining landscapes,” adds Schauer. Experts stressed that effective rangeland restoration does not depend on costly engineering. It requires secure land and water rights, community-led governance and sustainable, mobility-based grazing. When pastoralists can move with seasonal conditions, vegetation rebounds faster, soils hold more moisture and carbon stocks remain stable. This approach also strengthens the resilience of Indigenous Peoples, women, youth and others whose livelihoods and cultural identities are deeply tied to rangelands. CRIC23 takes place as countries prepare for the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) 2026, declared by the United Nations General Assembly. The IYRP is expected to bring unprecedented visibility to rangelands, pastoralists and their knowledge systems. “Pastoralists have cared for these lands for generations. Their knowledge, mobility and stewardship are essential for restoring rangelands and building resilience. As the world prepares for the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, we must ensure that pastoralist communities are not only heard but also supported as partners in climate and environmental sustainability actions,” said Enrique Michaud, Co-Chair of the IYRP Global Alliance. “Mongolia is a nation shaped by rangelands and pastoral traditions. We know from experience that when rangelands thrive, communities thrive. As we prepare to host COP17, our one of high priorities is to elevate rangelands on the global agenda and ensure that countries have the evidence, partnerships and investment needed to restore these vital ecosystems at scale.” notes Ariuntuya Dorjsuren, Director General for International Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Environment and Climate change, NFP of Mongolia. UNCCD is contributing to IYRP through its Rangeland Flagship Initiative and the Silk Road campaign planned for 2026, which will showcase rangeland landscapes and pastoralist cultures across the 6,000-kilometer journey spanning 10 countries. These efforts build on political momentum from COP16 in Riyadh to COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, aligning recent and upcoming COP Presidencies around elevating rangelands as a global climate and livelihood priority. List of resources GLO Thematic Report on Rangelands and PastoralistsPrioritizing the protection of grasslands and savannahsEconomics of rangeland restoration

Loss of fertile land and severe drought put SIDS on the line as the planet warms The voice of SIDS gains prominence in the lead up to UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia The SIDS land area affected by at least six months of extreme drought per year soars to 17 per cent up from 2 per cent 60 years ago. Almost seven out of ten people in SIDS are now exposed to drought.SIDS must urgently harness sustainable agricultural practices to boost food and water security in the face of climate change.The UNCCD SIDS Forum addresses the SIDS’ unique challenges as the loss of fertile land and severe droughts threaten lives and livelihoods. Bonn/Panama City, 2 December 2025 – Every inch of land is vital for the survival of Small Islands Developing States (SIDS), which are facing growing impacts from harsher droughts and the loss of fertile soils according to an informationbrief launched during the 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 23) in Panama. Prepared by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the brief warns that the SIDS’ land area affected by at least six months of extreme drought per year has increased to 17 per cent in the 2014–2023 period, up from 2 per cent between 1961–1970. Meanwhile, urbanization, unsustainable agriculture and extractive industries are fueling the degradation of precious land in some of the smallest, more isolated and poorest territories on the planet, which are also some of the most vulnerable to climate change. SIDS are home to nearly 74 million people, around 1 per cent of the world’s population, but face unique social, economic, and environmental challenges: the loss of even tiny areas of productive land compromises their food, water and energy security; increases the transmission of infectious diseases; and undermines rural livelihoods, with women and girls being the hardest hit. Given the SIDS’ limited arable land and narrow resource base, every bit of land matters for the resilience of communities, economies and ecosystems; especially, in the face of climate-related hazards. UNCCD Deputy Executive Secretary Andrea Meza said: “Small Island Developing States remind us that taking care of our land is an existential matter. We must urgently transform our food systems and align our policies to harness land as the basis for sustainable development, as a matter of security, and as a climate and biodiversity solution. As the world sees more extreme weather and climate events, it is imperative we invest in healthy land to reduce the vulnerability of our communities in SIDS and beyond.” Growing challenges The brief summarizes information from recent assessments and scientific sources, including the UNCCD data dashboard, to outline the challenges and opportunities of SIDS in relation to land and drought. Globally, SIDS encompass 39 states and 18 territories across the Caribbean, the Pacific, and the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and South China Sea (AIS). Food security: Food security in SIDS is challenged by the amount of arable land, costly food imports, and the triple burden of malnutrition, i.e., undernourishment, micronutrient deficiency, and obesity. In most SIDS, agricultural production is constrained by low soil fertility, high input costs, and exposure to droughts, cyclones, and salinization, which make them unable to meet domestic food demand. Land degradation compounds an already fragile scenario.Land degradation: Unsustainable land and water management are increasing drought vulnerability in SIDS. Many land degradation processes in SIDS have their roots in the legacies of colonialism —particularly, cash crop plantations and forest industries, which displaced indigenous land use practices and led to tenure insecurity.Drought and water scarcity: A growing concern, especially in poorer, smaller or more isolated SIDS like Haiti, Martinique, Comoros, Marshall Islands and Guam.​​Five SIDS are experiencing water scarcity (less than 1,000 m³ per person per year), and an additional three face absolute water scarcity (less than 500 m³ per person per year).Biodiversity: SIDS cover less than 0.5 per cent of the planet’s surface area, but are home to over 20 per cent of global biodiversity. Biodiversity loss reduces soil fertility, pollination, water cycling, and coastal protection. In turn, that undermines ecosystem productivity and resilience, as well as food security and livelihoods.Public policies and data: Local institutions tend to lack enough resources and experts to integrate nature-based solutions into land management efforts. Building and retaining technical expertise and accessing high-resolution land cover data is key to advance sustainable land management and resilience. Eight of the 20 countries that top the Human Flight and Brain Drain Index are SIDS: Jamaica, Haiti, Guyana, Grenada, Cabo Verde, Samoa, Micronesia and Fiji.Finance: Only USD 487 million of the total development finance provided to SIDS between 2016 and 2023 was related to desertification, land degradation, and drought. Even so, this funding was unevenly distributed among SIDS, with five countries (Papua New Guinea, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Solomon Islands, and Fiji) accounting for 65 per cent of the total.  Land use governance Land use governance is a challenge for SIDS. In the Caribbean, for example, tenure insecurity rooted in colonial times discourages investments in sustainable land and water management. That contributes to a vicious cycle of environmental degradation and poverty. In the Pacific, many communities kept the rights to their ancestral territories, but are losing already limited arable land to unplanned urban growth. According to the brief, legal safeguards for traditional governance systems and involving communities in land-use planning and enforcement are key to halting the trend.  “Spatial planning is a powerful tool: it helps protect healthy land, reduces conflict over limited resources, and strengthens resilience to drought and climate change,” said Fred Nicholas, Project Officer for the National Environment Service in the Cook Islands. “But its success depends on government agencies, traditional leaders, and communities working together to sustainably manage land, aquifers, and coastal areas through a true ridge-to-reef approach.” Cost-effective interventions SIDS depend heavily on healthy landscapes to support key economic sectors like agriculture, fisheries and tourism. Today, 26 out of the 39 SIDS that are country Parties to the UNCCD have engaged in the process of setting Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets, including the Dominican Republic, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe and Papua New Guinea. This includes various approaches to protecting land and water resources and to building resilience in SIDS, such as: Integrated land use-planning: facilitates balanced management of limited land resources, while addressing the competing needs for housing, agriculture, nature conservation, and tourism.Indigenous farming and agroforestry practices: they are cost-effective ways to improve the SIDS’ food security, climate adaptation, and sustainable development.  For example, SIDS in all regions have traditional practices that are more resilient to droughts, floods and storms than industrial monocultures. Dual land use systems like agroforestry, agrivoltaics, and urban farming can safeguard ecosystem services and connectivity while meeting the demand for food. Cooperative efforts SIDS have a unified voice in multilateral dialogues, such as climate change negotiations. The UNCCD SIDS Forum Workshop and side event demonstrate how SIDS are prioritizing land degradation and drought as part of their development agenda. Leaders at these meetings called for investments in land restoration, water and waste management, and underscored the need for integrated land-use planning as a matter of resilience and climate adaptation.   “SIDS know first-hand the brutal impacts of climate-related disasters, like the devastation hurricane Melissa recently caused in Jamaica,” said Calvin James, former head of PILSM and now coordinator of the UNCCD SIDS Forum. “We must speed up land and drought action in our territories by exchanging good practices, sharing lessons learned, and raising awareness of our unique challenges and opportunities,” he explained. “We see the SIDS forum as a milestone towards COP17, where we hope that Parties formally recognize Small Island Developing States as a unified voice.” The forthcoming Global Land Outlook on SIDS, which is expected to be published ahead of UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia, will provide a more detailed analysis of the unique land challenges and opportunities for building resilience in SIDS. Notes to editors For inquiries and interview requests with the authors, please contact: press@unccd.int The information brief “Small Island Developing States: Multi-dimensional challenges require integrated approaches to build resilience” is available via the following link: Small Island Developing States: Multi-dimensional challenges require integrated approaches to build resilience | UNCCD Visual assets about CRIC23 and the UNCCD Data Dashboard are available here: https://trello.com/b/zq0kxtkK/unccd-cric23-panama-2025 Additional information and media updates on the Convention and CRIC 23 are available on the UNCCD website: https://www.unccd.int/cric23 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. 

UNCCD's 197 Parties convene to assess progress on the road from Riyadh to UlaanbaatarPanama will restore 100,000 hectares by 2035 as part of a pioneering strategy to advance land, climate and biodiversity goalsPanama City, 1 December 2025 – Addressing global loss of fertile lands and escalating droughts will be the focus of the 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC23), as 197 Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) convene in Panama this week.The meeting comes at a crucial moment. If current trends continue, land almost the size of South America (16 million square kilometres) will show continued degradation by 2050, just as the global demand for food, water and energy continues to soar. Meanwhile, two-thirds of the planet have become permanently drier in the last three decades, and the past two years have seen the most widespread and damaging droughts in recorded history. In Panama, drought disrupted traffic through the Canal, significantly impacting global trade.UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad said: “The resilience of our communities, economies and ecosystems depends on healthy land. Yet, we continue to degrade an area the size of Egypt every year, eroding the land’s ability to produce food, store water, support biodiversity and shield people from droughts, floods and sand and dust storms. Investing in sustainable land management, land restoration and nature-based solutions is not only an environmental necessity; it is a development imperative and a strategic investment in stability, prosperity and peace.”“CRIC23 is a key moment to assess our collective progress, strengthen the bridge between Riyadh and Ulaanbaatar, and recognize land and drought resilience as the red thread connecting the Rio Conventions. Together, we can accelerate the shift toward a more resilient, food-secure and nature-positive future.”From Riyadh to UlaanbaatarCRIC23 will review progress in implementing decisions taken at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to UNCCD in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in December 2024 and discuss the Convention’s post-2030 roadmap. H.E. Osama Faqeeha Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UNCCD COP16 Presidency, said: “In Riyadh, world leaders established new priorities for land and drought action. One year on, this meeting is a crucial opportunity to accelerate the translation of COP16 decisions into concrete policies and practices and to advance the Convention's agenda. Sustainable land management and drought resilience cannot wait: we depend on them to ensure food, water and energy security, as the world will need to produce 50 per cent more food by 2050.”The meeting will hold thematic sessions on land tenure as the basis for investments in healthy land; discuss the growing threat of sand and dust storms; and host the second Gender Caucus to give a voice to women, who are disproportionately affected by land degradation and drought, while supporting the livelihoods of entire communities around the world.Parties will also engage with other key stakeholders including youth, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and see the launch of new reports on Small Island Developing States and rangelands.In addition, the first of three informal and voluntary dialogues on drought resilience will be convened alongside CRIC23, building on the outcomes of COP16 and preparing for the resumption of negotiations at COP17. Led by the COP16 Presidency, the Tafa’ul Process is inspired by the Arabic word تَفَاؤُل (Tafa’ul), meaning constructive optimism and hopeful determination. CRIC23 recommendations will inform decision-making by the Convention’s 196 country Parties and the European Union ahead of the next UNCCD COP17, which will take place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in August 2026.Mr. Batmunkh Dondovdorj, Special Advisor to the Minister and Chairman of upcoming COP17 Presidency National Office,stressed that the road from Riyadh to Ulaanbaatar must be a road of hope for communities and ecosystems that have long been undervalued. COP17 will coincide with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, offering a unique political moment to highlight rangelands, which are disappearing faster than rainforests.“The meeting in Panama is crucial to set the basis for a successful COP17, which will bring to the fore the links between human wellbeing and healthy, productive and resilient landscapes,” said Dondovdorj. “That is particularly true for rangelands, which cover around half of the planet’s land area and are home to two billion people, but are often treated as empty, expendable spaces. For Mongolia—a country whose history, culture and economy are deeply rooted in pastoralism—this is not an abstract issue. It is about dignity, identity and opportunity for people who have been overlooked for far too long.”Panama's Nature PledgeToday, Panama highlighted the centrality of land in its Nature Pledge, a roadmap that unifies national efforts to tackle land degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change to leverage the synergies between the three Rio Conventions and advance all of their interconnected goals, faster.As part of its Nature Pledge, Panama plans to restore 100,000 hectares of degraded land by 2035. H.E. Juan Carlos Navarro, Minister of Environment of Panama, declared: “Nature is the backbone of the global economy. The Panama Nature Pledge shows our commitment to restoring critical watersheds, protecting forests, andincentivizing sustainable agricultural practices as a means to build the resilience of our economy and our communities. The Panama Natural Fund, in turn, guarantees long-term conservation actions across the territory. There is no time to lose: We must urgently take care of nature, so nature can continue taking care of us.” A signatory to UNCCD since 1996, Panama has committed to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality by 2030, identified 31 critical hotspots, and is advancing reforestation and Dry Corridor adaptation programmes — underlining its role as CRIC23 host. This year, Panama became the first country to host meetings of all three Rio Conventions in the same year. Notes to editorsFor inquiries and interview requests, please contact: press@unccd.intVisual assets about CRIC23 and the UNCCD Data Dashboard are available here: https://trello.com/b/zq0kxtkK/unccd-cric23-panama-2025Opportunities for mediaPress Briefings: 12:00–13:00 (local time)1 December: Opening press conferenceThe 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.Speakers:Juan Carlos Navarro, Minister of Environment of PanamaYasmine Fouad, UNCCD Executive SecretaryOsama Ibrahim Faqeeha, Deputy Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture for Environmental Affairs. KSABatbayar Shurenchuluun, State Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia2 December: Launch of Brief on Small Island Developing States (SIDS)A new brief highlighting land and drought impacts and action in SIDS around the world.Speakers: Andrea Meza, UNCCD Deputy Executive Secretary Calvin James, UNCCD SIDS Forum Coordinator  Fred Nicholas, Project Officer for the National Environment Service in the Cook Islands 4 December: Launch of report on the Economics of Rangelands Presentation of a new report on rangelands — vital for food security and climate stability but rapidly disappearing.Speakers: Mark Schauer, Project Lead (Co-Lead), German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) Dr. Barron Orr, Chief Scientist, UNCCDEnrique Michaud, Co-Chair of the IYRP Global Alliance.Ariuntuya Dorjsuren, Director General, International Cooperation Division, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, and National Focal Point (NFP) of Mongolia December will also see the launch of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP), a milestone in the lead up to COP17 in Mongolia in August 2026.5 December – Closing Press Release (World Soil Day)Issued following the CRIC23 closing plenary and coinciding with World Soil Day. It will provide an overview of CRIC23 outcomes and their significance in the lead-up to UNCCD COP17.3 December – Press Trip: 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.Additional information and media updates on the Convention and CRIC 23 are available on the UNCCD website: https://www.unccd.int/cric23About UNCCDThe 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 CRIC23Representatives of 196 countries and the European Union are meeting in Panama from 1-5 December 2025 to review their efforts against desertification, land degradation and drought under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) — one of the three Rio Conventions, alongside biodiversity and climate. The 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 23) to the UNCCD is convening some 500 participants from governments, civil society, and academia to assess progress in advancing the Convention’s objectives. 

Media Advisory - 23rd Committee to Review the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC23) to convene in Panama City, 1-5 December 2025

UNCCD Executive Secretary calls for greater cooperation on land restoration and drought resilience at the Arab Environment Ministers Meeting in Mauritania

A ceremonial tree planting at the Monaghan Peace Campus today marked the official launch of The People’s Peace Forest (PPF)—Ireland’s contribution to the UNCCD Peace Forest Initiative – a global programme that links land restoration with peace-building.

Joint high-level event in New York highlights urgent need for investment, partnerships and private sector engagement on land restoration and drought resilience  New York, 25 September 2025 – The Presidencies of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Conference of the Parties – COP16 (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and COP17 (Mongolia) – joined forces today to sustain political momentum and financial engagement for global land restoration and drought resilience. The joint high-level event, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, convened leaders, ministers, international organizations and private sector partners. Land degradation already affects up to 40 per cent of the world’s land, undermining food and water security and the livelihoods of nearly half of humanity. The single largest driver of this degradation is unsustainable food systems, which account for most deforestation and biodiversity loss worldwide. Droughts –up by nearly one third since 2000– are hitting harder and more often across the globe. Few hazards claim more lives, cause greater economic loss, or affect more sectors of society than drought, which now inflicts more than USD 307 billion in damages each year. If trends continue, three in four people worldwide will be affected by 2050, with developing countries the hardest hit.  Yet, private sector contributions currently account for just 6 per cent of global financing in this space. Closing this gap is essential to translate political commitments into impact on the ground. At COP16 in Riyadh in 2024, countries rallied around a new vision for resilience, launching the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership and mobilizing more than USD 12 billion in pledges.  Looking ahead, COP17 in Ulaanbaatar in 2026 will coincide with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, spotlighting ecosystems that sustain hundreds of millions of people and are central to climate stability. Rangelands cover more than half of the Earth’s surface, support the direct livelihoods of 500 million people and provide one-sixth of the world’s nutrition needs. The COP16 and COP17 Presidencies stressed the importance of continuity, solidarity and ambition.  H.E. Mr. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UNCCD COP16 Presidency, noted: “At COP16 in Riyadh, countries came together to launch a new vision for sustainable land management and to mobilize unprecedented commitments to combat desertification. Today we are building on that momentum, working hand in hand with Mongolia, UNCCD and partners around the world to ensure that these pledges translate into action that protects people, economies and ecosystems from the growing impacts of land degradation and drought.” Echoing this spirit, H.E. Battsetseg Batmunkh, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, emphasized:   “This gathering is our attempt to build a bridge—one that connects our shared ambition to accelerate global action on desertification, land degradation, land restoration and drought resilience. As host of COP17, and as a nation with millennia knowledge living in harmony with nature, Mongolia embraces practices that enhance productivity while preserving ecosystems.” She underscored Mongolia’s leadership in regenerative agriculture, sustainable grazing systems, nature-based solutions, and healthy soils. Looking ahead, Minister Battsetseg emphasized the urgent need to rethink financing models. “Traditional investment instruments are no longer sufficient,” she stated. “We need results-based financial tools that reward measurable outcomes—whether restored rangelands, improved water retention, or reduced drought losses.”  Against this backdrop, the gathering in New York placed a strong emphasis on mobilizing finance and partnerships to scale up solutions –both building drought resilience and supporting pastoralist communities. The private sector is a critical partner in our journey towards drought resilience, providing investment, innovation, and the capacity to scale. Speaking on behalf of the UNCCD Secretariat, Andrea Meza, Deputy Executive Secretary, highlighted the central role of land restoration and resilience:  "Land restoration and drought resilience are not only environmental imperatives; they are building blocks of peace, prosperity, and sustainable development. Restoring rangelands, savannas, and farmlands strengthens food and water security. It creates jobs, supports pastoralists and farmers, and provides hope and dignity to communities on the frontlines of climate change. With the leadership of the COP16 and COP17 Presidencies, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Mongolia, and the engagement of the private sector, we have a unique opportunity to scale solutions that protect our land, our climate, and our future.”   Participants also presented innovative financing mechanisms such as the Drought Resilience Investment Facility (DRIF), alongside blended finance, insurance models and bankable projects. International financial institutions, development banks and the private sector presented tangible solutions for land restoration and strengthening local economies. The DRIF, developed in partnership with Luxembourg, aims to mobilize private-sector investment for drought resilience.  Delivering the keynote address, André Hoffmann, Interim Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum, underlined the urgency of global collaboration: “Nature is not just another resource - it is the foundation of all prosperity. Droughts and land degradation are stark reminders that we have exceeded the limits of this natural capital. The path forward is a new nature of business: an economy where governments, companies and citizens join forces to restore land, safeguard water, and build lasting resilience. This is not only a moral imperative, but also a prerequisite for economic and social stability ‘ Closing the event, leaders reaffirmed that advancing land restoration and drought resilience is a global priority – key to securing food and water, strengthening local economies, and safeguarding the climate for generations to come. For media enquiries, please contact: press@unccd.int 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.