Press releases

On 17 September, in Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Cooperation and Humanitarian Action, Gilles Roth, Minister of Finance, and Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), signed an agreement establishing the Drought Resilience Investment Facility (DRIF). As the first fund created under the Luxembourg Earth Impact Fund (LEIF), the new Drought Resilience Investment Facility marks a major step in sustainable finance. With a target of USD 400 million, it will back sustainable farming, improve water access and promote nature-based solutions. Luxembourg has pledged EUR 2 million as seed funding, reaffirming its commitment to global cooperation and green investment. A global crisis that cannot be ignored Up to 40 per cent of the world’s land is already degraded, threatening food, water, and livelihoods for nearly half of humanity. This degradation is compounded by drought—a silent but escalating disaster that already costs the global economy more than USD 307 billion each year, fueling hunger, forced migration and widening inequalities. Since 1994, the UNCCD has been the only legally binding international treaty focused on sustainable land management. Luxembourg ratified the Convention in 1997 and, with the launch of DRIF, is reaffirming its leadership in the global response to land degradation and drought. Building on global momentum COP16 in Riyadh marked a major turning point for drought resilience — over USD 12 billion was pledged through the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership to support vulnerable countries. Yet, the private sector continues to account for only 6% of global financing in this space. DRIF is designed to bridge that gap by offering structured impact investment pathways. Backed by proven data — every dollar invested in nature-based drought solutions can return up to USD 27 — the Facility aims to unlock scalable, profitable, and sustainable investment for drought-prone communities. “The creation of this fund is not only a financial innovation – it is a lifeline for communities on the frontlines of drought,” said UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad. “It shows what is possible when governments, the UN system and the private sector come together behind a common vision: a more resilient future for people and the planet.”   Luxembourg’s leadership in sustainable finance Luxembourg’s support for the DRIF strengthens its role as a pioneer in sustainable and impact finance. With this initiative, Luxembourg helps open a new chapter in international cooperation on drought resilience – one where public leadership and private investment join forces to protect livelihoods, restore land and secure water for future generations.  

23rd Committee to Review the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC23) to convene in  Panama City, Panama, 1-5 December 2025  CRIC23 emblem highlights Panama’s Nature Pledge on land, climate and biodiversity Bonn/Panama City 15 September 2025 – Representatives of 196 countries and the European Union will convene in Panama from 1-5 December 2025 to review their efforts against desertification, land degradation and drought as Parties to the only legally binding global treaty on the matter —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 United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will bring together around 500 delegates from governments, civil society and academia to assess progress in advancing the Convention’s objectives.  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 regional host. In 2023, the country faced its driest year on record, when water shortages disrupted traffic through the Panama Canal and highlighted how local drought can trigger global consequences.  Juan Carlos Navarro, Minister of Environment of Panama, stated:  “Never before has a country hosted, in the same year, the three major United Nations environmental conventions—on climate action, biodiversity, desertification, and sustainable land management. With this, Panama reaffirms its commitment to conserving nature and advancing sustainable development, while once again calling for the integrated management of these three pillars in order to confront the planetary crisis and build a resilient future for our communities.” UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad said: “Severe droughts and the loss of fertile land are already straining food and energy production, uprooting rural communities and threatening the livelihoods of millions. Nowhere is this more evident than in Latin America and the Caribbean, a region that is experiencing severe land degradation, affecting at least 20 per cent of its total area. By hosting CRIC23, Panama is placing itself at the center of collective response — from its national Nature Pledge to the regional Dry Corridor Initiative — and helping to build the momentum for the urgent need for drought resilience and land restoration worldwide.”This CRIC will also place particular emphasis on gender. Women are among the hardest hit by land degradation, facing the daily consequences of degraded soils and drought, while remaining at the forefront of sustaining families and providing food.Recent UNCCD data show the urgency of taking action: the world is losing nearly 100 million hectares of healthy land annually and over 70 per cent of land area has experienced increased aridity in the past 30 years, undermining the planet’s capacity to sustain a growing population. The world needs USD 1 billion daily between now and 2030 to meet global land restoration targets and combat desertification and drought —a fraction of what is destined to perverse incentives and investments. CRIC23 will be held at the Panama Convention Center, Panama City. Parties will review progress and provide recommendations towards achieving global targets to prevent and reverse land degradation and to build drought resilience by 2030. Additionally, CRIC23 will discuss post-2030 strategic framework and convene key stakeholders, from women and youth to Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The CRIC23 logo is inspired by the Dove flower (Peristeria elata), Panama’s national flower. At its center, the outline of a white dove in flight emerges-a universal symbol of peace and unity. Today, this delicate flower is increasingly threatened by desertification in its natural habitats, underscoring the urgent need to protect biodiversity and restore our soils. The CRIC23 emblem further highlights Panama’s Nature Pledge, which unites the country’s commitments on land, climate and biodiversity in a single vision. The logo also honors Panama’s natural and cultural heritage and reflects the nation’s resolve to build a future that is resilient, sustainable and in harmony with nature. Notes to Editors Accredited media representatives are invited to attend and report on CRIC23 and associated events.  Daily highlights of CRIC23 will be provided by the IISD Earth Negotiations Bulletin Side events schedule is available here: https://www.unccd.int/cric23/side-events Visual assets about CRIC23 and the UNCCD Data Dashboard are available here: https://trello.com/b/zq0kxtkK/unccd-cric23-panama-2025 Online registration for representatives from the media will be available from 15 September 2025 here: https://indico.un.org/e/unccd-cric23 (click on “Media Registration”).  To register, please provide the following documents: One recent passport-sized photograph;A valid press card;A copy (picture and signature pages) of the national passport (for foreign journalists) or national identity card (for local applicants);A letter of introduction on an official letterhead from the bureau chief, media house or publisher.Freelance journalists must submit a letter from the media organization assigning them to cover the conference. After this date, on-site registration will take place at the Accreditation and Registration Centre at the Panama Convention Center (Calle General Juan D. Perón, Amador, Panama City)  during official registration hours. Journalists who register online will be able to collect their accreditation at the Panama Convention 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 Panama please consult: https://es.tourismpanama.com/planea-tus-vacaciones/requisitos-de-viaje/ 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 23 will be 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.

Riyadh, 14 September 2025 – On her first official mission as UNCCD Executive Secretary, Yasmine Fouad met with HE Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture and COP16 President, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh."My visit to Riyadh was an opportunity to reinforce our shared commitment and emphasize the critical leadership of the Saudi COP16 Presidency as we work toward COP17," said Dr. Fouad. "To address the profound impacts of land degradation on food insecurity and economic uncertainty, we must act decisively and collectively. Our partnership is key to mobilizing political will and resources to restore land and hope."Discussions focused on shared priorities, including accelerating efforts toward drought resilience, transforming food systems, and creating new opportunities for private sector engagement in land restoration.On drought resilience, the meeting followed up on the launch of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership at COP16, emphasizing the need for a proactive, global approach to preparedness and response, and for strong policies that support vulnerable communities and ecosystems.On food systems, the two leaders highlighted the crucial link between healthy land and sustainable food production. Building on the landmark COP16 decision on productive agricultural lands, they noted that agriculture remains a major driver of land degradation, deforestation, freshwater extraction and biodiversity loss worldwide, and must be transformed to become part of the solution.On private sector engagement, discussions built on the Business for Land Initiative endorsed by leaders at COP16, concentrating on strategies to unlock financing and innovation, reduce investment risks, and develop a compelling business case for companies to become key partners in achieving Land Degradation Neutrality, supporting sustainable agricultural practices and restoring land.Hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in December 2024, UNCCD COP16 was the largest and most inclusive in the Convention’s history, resulting in 39 decisions adopted by UNCCD’s 197 Parties."I am confident that through the Saudi COP16 Presidency and the upcoming Mongolian COP17 Presidency, we will be able to showcase that we can be united for land, united for people and united with hope," Ms. Fouad added.For more information, please contact: UNCCD Press Office 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. 

Imperative to ‘bend the curve’ of land degradation by reducing food waste, unlocking sustainable ocean-based food potential and  restoring half of degraded lands by 2050  In Nature, 21 leading scientists today prescribe ways to use food systems to halt and reverse land degradation, underlining that doing so must become a top global priority to mitigate climate change and stop biodiversity loss.  The article breaks new ground by quantifying the impact by 2050 of reducing food waste by 75 per cent and maximising sustainable ocean-based food production, measures that alone could spare an area larger than Africa.   According to the paper: “Food systems have not yet been fully incorporated into intergovernmental agreements, nor do they receive sufficient focus in current strategies to address land degradation.  Rapid, integrated reforms focused on global food systems, however, can move land health from crisis to recovery and secure a healthier, more stable planet for all.” The authors underline especially the importance of halting food waste and sustainably managing lands, and suggest an ambitious but achievable target of 50 per cent land restoration for 2050 (currently 30 per cent by 2030).  And, they emphasize, the measures outlined would enormously co-benefit the climate, biodiversity, and global health.   Says lead author Fernando T. Maestre of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia: “This paper presents a bold, integrated set of actions to tackle land degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change together, as well as a clear pathway for implementing them by 2050.”  “By transforming food systems, restoring degraded land, harnessing the potential of sustainable seafood, and fostering cooperation across nations and sectors, we can ‘bend the curve’ and reverse land degradation while advancing towards goals of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and other global agreements.” Adds co-author Barron J. Orr, UNCCD’s Chief Scientist: “Once soils lose fertility, water tables deplete, and biodiversity is lost, restoring the land becomes exponentially more expensive. Ongoing rates of land degradation contribute to a cascade of mounting global challenges, including food and water insecurity, forced relocation and population migration, social unrest, and economic inequality.” “Land degradation isn’t just a rural issue, it affects the food on all our plates, the air we breathe, and the stability of the world we live in. This isn’t about saving the environment, it’s about securing our shared future.” Key recommendations: 1. Restoring 50 per cent of degraded land through sustainable land management practices would correspond to the restoration of 3 Mkm² of cropland and 10 Mkm² of non-cropland, a total of 13 Mkm². Land restoration must involve the people who live on and manage the land — especially Indigenous Peoples, smallholder farmers, women, and other vulnerable people and communities, the article says. To support them, the authors recommend: Support for small farmers: Most of the world’s food is grown by small and family farms. The paper calls for shifting agricultural subsidies from large-scale industrial farms toward sustainable smallholders, incentivizing good land stewardship among the world’s 608 million farms, and fostering their access to technology, secure land rights, and fair marketsLand-based taxes or tariffs: To reward sustainable  farming and penalize pollutersEnvironmental labeling: So consumers can make informed, planet-friendly food choicesBetter data and reporting: To track emissions and land use impacts 2. Reduce food waste by 75 per cent: An estimated 56.5 Mkm² of agricultural land (cropland and rangelands) are used to produce food, and roughly 33 per cent of all food produced is wasted (14 per cent lost post harvest at farms; 19 per cent at the retail, food service and household stages). Reducing food waste by 75 per cent, therefore, could spare roughly 13.4 Mkm² of land. The authors highlight key measures to remedy this, including: Policies to prevent overproduction and spoilageBan food industry rules that reject “ugly” produceEncourage food donations and discounted sales of near-expiry productsEducation campaigns to reduce household wasteSupport small farmers in developing countries to improve storage and transport They note new legislation in Spain requiring stores to donate or sell surplus food, restaurants to offer take-home containers, and all actors across the food supply chain to implement formal food waste reduction plans. 3. Integrate land and marine food systems: Red meat produced in unsustainable ways consumes large amounts of land, water, and feed, and emits significant greenhouse gases. Seafood and seaweed are sustainable, nutritious alternatives. Seaweed, for example, needs no freshwater and absorbs atmospheric carbon. Responsible aquaculture—focusing on low-impact species like mussels and seaweed-derived products—can reduce pressure on land. The authors recommend: Replacing 70 per cent of unsustainably produced red meat to sustainably sourced seafood, such as wild or farmed fish and mollusks. Doing so would spare 17.1 Mkm² of land currently used for pasture and livestock feedUsing sustainably sourced seaweed-derived products as a vegetable substitute—replacing just 10 per cent of global vegetable intake with seaweed-derived products could free up over 0.4 Mkm² of cropland. These changes are especially relevant for wealthier countries with high meat consumption. In some poorer regions, animal products remain crucial for nutrition. Total land spared by food system-related measures 2 and 3: ~30.9 Mkm², an area roughly equal to Africa. The combination of land restoration, food waste reduction,, and dietary shifts, therefore, would spare or restore roughly 43.8 Mkm² in 30 years (2020-2050).   The proposed measures combined would also  Contribute to emission reduction efforts by mitigating roughly 13 Gt of CO2-equivalent per year through 2050.Co-benefit biodiversity by improving habitat quality and ecosystem functioning, and avoiding the conversion of remaining natural ecosystems to cropland, and Help the world community achieve its commitments in several international agreements, including the three Rio Conventions (climate, biodiversity and desertification), the Sustainable Development Goals and others  Coordinated action among the Rio Conventions The authors call for the UN’s three Rio conventions– UNCCD, CBD and UNFCCC–to unite around shared land and food system goals and encourage the exchange of state-of-the-art knowledge, track progress and  streamline science into more effective policies, all to accelerate  action on the ground.  Land and food systems play a key role in advancing towards the goals and targets of the three conventions and the Sustainable Development Goals, they say.  The authors call on Parties to all three Rio conventions to promote multilateral actions on land and food systems in a coordinated and collaborative manner. UNCCD’s 197 Parties, at their most recent Conference of Parties (COP16) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, have already adopted a decision on avoiding, reducing and reversing land and soil degradation of agricultural lands.  Additional comments “Land is more than soil and space. It harbors biodiversity, cycles water, stores carbon, and regulates climate. It gives us food, sustains life, and holds deep roots of ancestry and knowledge. Today, over one-third of Earth’s land is used to grow food - feeding a global population of more than 8 billion people. Yet today, modern farming practices, deforestation, and overuse are degrading soil, polluting water, and destroying vital ecosystems. Food production alone drives nearly 20 per cent of global emissions of greenhouse gases. We need to act. To secure a thriving future - and protect land - we must reimagine how we farm, how we live, and how we relate to nature - and to each other. It’s time for land stewardship: to care for the land as a living ally, no longer as a resource to exploit.” Co-author Elisabeth Huber-Sannwald, Professor, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológiva, San Luis Potosí, Mexico “Land degradation is a key factor in forced migration and conflict over resources. Regions that rely heavily on agriculture for livelihoods, especially smallholder farmers, who feed much of the world, are particularly vulnerable. These pressures could destabilize entire regions and amplify global risks.” C0-author Dolors Armenteras, Professor  of Landscape Ecology – Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá “Integrating land and marine food systems is fundamental to achieve food security, enable the restoration of degraded land and maintain healthy populations” Co-author Carlos M. Duarte, Professor of Marine Science, KAUST ****** By the numbers  56 per cent: Projected increase in food production needed by 2050 if we stay on our current path 34 per cent: Portion of Earth’s ice-free land already used for food production, headed to 42 per cent by 2050 21 per cent: Share of global greenhouse gas emissions produced by food systems 80 per cent: Proportion of deforestation driven by food production 70 per cent: Amount of freshwater consumption that goes to agriculture 33 per cent: Fraction of global food that currently goes to waste US$1 trillion: Estimated annual value of food lost or wasted globally 75 per cent: Ambitious target for global food waste reduction by 2050 50 per cent: Proposed portion of degraded land to be restored by 2050 using sustainable land management US $278 billion: Annual funding gap to achieve UNCCD land restoration goals 608 million: Number of farms on the planet 90 per cent: Percentage of all farms under 2 hectares 35 per cent: Share of the world’s food produced by small farms 6.5 billion tons: Potential biomass yield using 650 million hectares of ocean for seaweed farming 17.5 million km²: Estimated cropland area saved if humanity adopts the proposed Rio+ diet (less unsustainably produced red meat, more sustainably sourced seafood and seaweed-derived food products) 166 million: Number of people who could avoid micronutrient deficiencies with more aquatic foods in their diet ******* Bending the curve of land degradation to achieve global environmental goals: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09365-5 Authors Fernando T. Maestre – King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia (Lead author)Emilio Guirado – King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi ArabiaDolors Armenteras – Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, ColombiaHylke E. Beck – King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi ArabiaMashael bint Saud AlShalan – Aeon Collective, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaNoura bint Turki Al-Saud – Aeon Collective, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaRalph Chami – Blue Green Future LLC, Washington D.C., USABojie Fu – Key Laboratory of Regional and Urban Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences & University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaHelene Gichenje – Independent Consultant, Nairobi, KenyaElisabeth Huber-Sannwald – Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, San Luis Potosí, MexicoChinwe Ifejika Speranza – Institute of Geography, University of Bern, SwitzerlandJaime Martínez-Valderrama – Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas, CSIC, Almería, SpainMatthew F. McCabe – King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi ArabiaBarron J. Orr – United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, Bonn, GermanyTing Tang – King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi ArabiaGraciela Metternicht – Western Sydney University, AustraliaMichael Miess – King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi ArabiaJames F. Reynolds – Nicholas School of the Environment and Department of Biology, Duke University, USALindsay C. Stringer – University of York, UKYoshihide Wada – King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi ArabiaCarlos M. Duarte – King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia ******* About KAUST  Established in 2009, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is a graduate research university devoted to finding solutions for some of the most pressing scientific and technological challenges in the world as well as Saudi Arabia in the areas of food and health, water, energy, environment and the digital domain.  KAUST is a curiosity-driven, interdisciplinary university. It brings together the best minds from around the world to advance research. More than 120 different nationalities live, work and study on campus. KAUST is also a catalyst for innovation, economic development and social prosperity, with research resulting in novel patents and products, enterprising startups, regional and global initiatives, and collaboration with other academic institutions, industries and Saudi agencies. About UNCCD The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is an international agreement on good land stewardship. It helps create wealth, grow economies and secure food, clean water and energy by enabling sustainable land management. The Convention’s 197 parties establish partnerships and robust systems to manage drought promptly and effectively. Good land stewardship based on sound policy and science helps integrate and accelerate achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, builds resilience to climate change and prevents biodiversity loss. The 16th session of UNCCD’s Conference of the Parties (COP16) was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in December 2024. Mongolia will host UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar from 17-28 August 2026, a major event coinciding with the UN’s International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. Delegates from UNCCD Parties, heads of state, ministers, representatives from international organizations, scientific communities, civil society, and the private sector will convene to accelerate action against desertification, land degradation and drought.  

Bonn, Germany, 5 August 2025 – The UNCCD today marks a historic leadership transition as outgoing Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw hands over responsibilities to Yasmine Fouad, former Minister of Environment of Egypt, at the Convention’s secretariat headquarters in Bonn. A Mauritanian national, Thiaw led the UNCCD secretariat since 2019, having served the environment movement for more than 40 years, the last twelve with the United Nations. Under his leadership, the Convention advanced in its mission to protect people and ecosystems by restoring our land and ensuring a safer, just and more sustainable future.  While land degradation and desertification are perceived as insurmountable challenges, the UNCCD has proved that land restoration unlocks multiple solutions. There are few places on earth where this is truer than in Africa’s Sahel, the (greater) Middle East and Central Asia. The UNCCD has thus supported Parties in need develop and carry out large-scale restoration activities, such as the Great Green Wall(s) in Africa or the Middle East Green Initiative. Bringing degraded land back to health generates more food on the table, stabilizes economies and societies, combats climate change and restores water and biodiversity. The G20 Global Land Restoration Initiative also contributes to such effort.  The last four years have seen an awakening in the need for stepped up global efforts to build resilience to increasingly frequent and intense droughts, culminating in the launch of the International Drought Resilience Alliance in 2022 and the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership in 2024, backed by strong political and financial commitments. Human face: The mandate of the UNCCD cut across human wellbeing and ecosystem protection in a context of vulnerability or scarcity. In that context, local communities, small holders, youth women and indigenous people have been at the center of the attention. At UNCCD COP16, UNCCD Parties took bold decisions to ensure meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples, local communities and youth in the Convention’s processes. Advancing women’s land rights has been the focus of the UNCCD’s advocacy work, building on the Convention’s strong record in promoting gender equality. Public-private partnerships:  While commendable progress has been made thanks to public investments, a UNCCD study conducted by the UNCCD in 2024 revealed that investments made by the private sector in land restoration represent just 6 per cent of the total. To mobilize private sector investment in support of land restoration and drought resilience, UNCCD has therefore forged cooperation frameworks with institutions such as the World Economic Forum and launched the Business4Land Initiative. Science-policy dialogue: The UNCCD strives to make decisions and propose policies backed by science. In that context, building a stronger Science-Policy Interface was essential. COP16 gave mandate for a stronger voice of science in decision-making.  Outgoing Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw said: “I’ve witnessed firsthand how degraded land turns into restored landscapes and revived livelihoods—this transformation inspired every step of my journey. I am proud to have led the UNCCD Secretariat in changing the world’s perspective from land as a problem, to land as one of the most powerful solutions for sustainable development. I thank the UNCCD Parties for their support and warmly welcome the next Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad, to whom I entrust a stronger and more inclusive secretariat with renewed momentum.” Yasmine Fouad, who served since 2018 as Egypt’s Environment Minister, brings over more than 25 years of environmental diplomacy experience at the intersection of climate, biodiversity and sustainable development, having chaired CBD COP14 and served as Envoy for UNFCCC COP27, leading negotiations on climate finance and nature-based solutions. Incoming UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad said: “I am deeply honored to take up this mantle and thank my predecessor Ibrahim Thiaw for his invaluable contribution to the Convention and broader sustainable development agenda of the United Nations. Building on UNCCD’s 30-year-strong legacy, I will champion integrated solutions across land, climate and biodiversity and committed to build with all parties and stakeholders ambitious comprehensive post-2030 targets. Together, the UNCCD will deepen partnerships, amplify voices of the most affected and drive bold actions to heal our lands, build resilience to droughts, restore our ecosystems and secure people's futures.” For more information, please contact the UNCCD press office: press@unccd.int – Tel. +49 228 8152859 / +49 173 2680229 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. 

Food, water, energy crises, human tragedies in 2023-2025detailed in sweeping analysis by U.S. National Drought Mitigation Center and the UN Convention to Combat DesertificationFueled by climate change and relentless pressure on land and water resources, some of the most widespread and damaging drought events in recorded history have taken place since 2023, according to a UN-backed report launched today.Prepared by the U.S. National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), with support from the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA), the latest report Drought Hotspots Around the World 2023-2025 provides a comprehensive account of how droughts compound poverty, hunger, energy insecurity, and ecosystem collapse.Says UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw: “Drought is a silent killer. It creeps in, drains resources, and devastates lives in slow motion. Its scars run deep.”“Drought is no longer a distant threat,” he adds. “It is here, escalating, and demands urgent global cooperation. When energy, food, and water all go at once, societies start to unravel. That’s the new normal we need to be ready for.”“This is not a dry spell,” says Dr. Mark Svoboda, report co-author and NDMC Director. "This is a slow-moving global catastrophe, the worst I've ever seen. This report underscores the need for systematic monitoring of how drought affects lives, livelihoods, and the health of the ecosystems that we all depend on."“The Mediterranean countries represent canaries in the coal mine for all modern economies,” he adds. “The struggles experienced by Spain, Morocco and Türkiye to secure water, food, and energy under persistent drought offer a preview of water futures under unchecked global warming. No country, regardless of wealth or capacity, can afford to be complacent.”A wide-ranging crisisThe new report synthesizes information from hundreds of government, scientific and media sources to highlight impacts within the most acute drought hotspots in Africa (Somalia, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, Namibia), the Mediterranean (Spain, Morocco, Türkiye), Latin America (Panama, Amazon Basin), Southeast Asia, and beyond.Africa: Over 90 million people across Eastern and Southern Africa face acute hunger. Some areas have been enduring their worst ever recorded drought.Southern Africa, already drought-prone, was devastated with roughly 1/6th of the population (68 million) needing food aid in August 2024.In Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi, maize and wheat crops have failed repeatedly.  In Zimbabwe alone, the 2024 corn crop was down 70% year on year, and maize prices doubled while 9,000 cattle died of thirst and starvation.In Somalia, the government estimated 43,000 people died in 2022 alone due to drought-linked hunger. As of early 2025, 4.4 million people – a quarter of the population – face crisis-level food insecurity, including 784,000 expected to reach emergency levels.Zambia suffered one of the world's worst energy crises as the Zambezi River in April 2024 plummeted to 20% of its long-term average. The country’s largest hydroelectric plant, the Kariba Dam, fell to 7% generation capacity, causing blackouts of up to 21 hours per day and shuttering hospitals, bakeries, and factories.MediterraneanSpain: Water shortages hit agriculture, tourism, and domestic supply. By September 2023, two years of drought and record heat caused a 50% drop in Spain’s olive crop, causing its olive oil prices to double across the country.Morocco: The sheep population was 38% smaller in 2025 relative to 2016, prompting a royal plea to cancel traditional Eid sacrifices.Türkiye: Drought accelerated groundwater depletion, triggering sinkholes that present hazards to communities and their infrastructure while permanently reducing aquifer storage capacity.Latin AmericaAmazon Basin: Record-low river levels in 2023 and 2024 led to mass deaths of fish and endangered dolphins, and disrupted drinking water and transport for hundreds of thousands. As deforestation and fires intensify, the Amazon risks transitioning from a carbon sink to a carbon source.Panama Canal: Water levels dropped so low that transits were slashed by over one-third (from 38 to 24 ships daily between October 2023 and January 2024), causing major global trade disruptions. Facing multi-week delays, many ships were rerouted to longer, costlier paths via the Suez Canal or South Africa’s infamous Cape of Good Hope. Among the knock-on effects, U.S. soybean exports slowed, and UK grocery stores reported shortages and rising prices of fruits and vegetables.Southeast AsiaDrought disrupted production and supply chains of key crops such as rice, coffee, and sugar. In 2023-2024, dry conditions in Thailand and India, for example, triggered shortages leading to a 8.9% increase in the price of sugar and sweets in the US.“A Perfect Storm” of El Niño and climate changeThe 2023–2024 El Niño event amplified already harsh climate change impacts, triggering dry conditions across major agricultural and ecological zones. Drought’s impacts hit hardest in climate hotspots, regions already suffering from warming trends, population pressures, and fragile infrastructure.“This was a perfect storm,” says report co-author Dr. Kelly Helm Smith, NDMC Assistant Director and drought impacts researcher. “El Niño added fuel to the fire of climate change, compounding the effects for many vulnerable societies and ecosystems past their limits.”Co-author Dr. Cody Knutson, who oversees NDMC drought planning research, underlined a recent OECD estimate that a drought episode today carries an economic cost at least twice as high as in 2000, with a 35% to 110% increase projected by 2035.“Ripple effects can turn regional droughts into global economic shocks,” she adds. “No country is immune when critical water-dependent systems start to collapse.”Women, children among the most affectedMost vulnerable to the effects of drought: Women, children, the elderly, pastoralists, subsistence farmers, and people with chronic illness. Health risks include cholera outbreaks, acute malnutrition, dehydration, and exposure to polluted water.The report highlights in particular the disproportionate toll on women and children.In Eastern Africa, forced child marriages more than doubled as families sought dowries to survive. Though outlawed in Ethiopia, child marriages more than doubled in frequency in the four regions hit hardest by the drought. Young girls who marry can bring their family income in the form of dowry while lessening the financial burden of providing food and other necessities.In Zimbabwe, entire school districts saw mass dropouts due to hunger, costs, and sanitation issues for girls.In the Amazon, the drought upended life for remote Indigenous and rural communities. In some areas, the Amazon River fell to its lowest level ever recorded, leaving residents stranded – including women giving birth – and entire towns without potable water.“The coping mechanisms we saw during this drought grew increasingly desperate,” says lead author Paula Guastello, NDMC drought impacts researcher. “Girls pulled from school and forced into marriage, hospitals going dark, and families digging holes in dry riverbeds just to find contaminated water — these are signs of severe crisis.""As droughts intensify, it is critical that we work together on a global scale to protect the most vulnerable people and ecosystems and re-evaluate whether our current water use practices are sustainable in today's changing world,” Guastello says.Deputy Executive Secretary of UNCCD Andrea Meza says: “The report shows the deep and widespread impacts of drought in an interconnected world: from its rippling effects on price of basic commodities like rice, sugar and oil from Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean; to disruptions in access to drinking water and food in the Amazon due to low river levels, to tens of millions affected by malnutrition and displacement across Africa." “The evidence is clear”, adds Meza. “We must urgently invest in sustainable land and water management, nature-based solutions, adapted crops, and integrated public policies to build our resilience to drought ---or face increasing economic shocks, instability and forced migration.”Wildlife killed en masseBeyond the 200 endangered river dolphins and thousands of fish lost to the Amazon drought, impacts on wildlife include:100 elephants died in Zimbabwe’s Hwange Park due to starvation and limited access to water between August and December 2023.Hippos were stranded in dry riverbeds in Botswana in 2024.Some countries last year culled wild animals (e.g., 200 elephants in Zimbabwe and Namibia) to feed rural communities and protect ecosystems from overgrazing.Lessons and recommendationsThe report calls for urgent investments in drought preparedness, including:Stronger early warning systems and real-time drought and drought impact monitoring, including conditions contributing to food and water insecurity.Nature-based solutions such as watershed restoration and indigenous crop use.Resilient infrastructure, including off-grid energy and alternative water supply technologies.Gender-responsive adaptation, ensuring that women and girls are not further marginalized.Global cooperation, especially in protecting transboundary river basins and trade routes.“Drought is not just a weather event – it can be a social, economic, and environmental emergency,” says Dr. Smith. “The question is not whether this will happen again, but whether we will be better prepared next time.”“Drought has a disproportionate effect on those with few resources. We can act now to reduce the effects of future droughts by working to ensure that everyone has access to food, water, education, health care and economic opportunity.”“The nations of the world have the resources and the knowledge to prevent a lot of suffering,” Dr. Smith adds. “The question is, do we have the will?”Voices from IDRAThe Third Vice-President and Minister for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge of Spain, Sara Aagesen, highlighted the work of IDRA — the Alliance co-chaired by Senegal and Spain — to mobilize political, technical and financial capital in favor of drought resilience, especially among the most vulnerable and affected populations: "At the International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, we are calling for increased mobilization of financial resources. We operate in a complex context, with limited resources, multiple urgencies and many competing priorities, meaning we must act strategically and collaboratively."Professor Daouda Ngom, Senegal's Minister of the Environment and Ecological Transition, declares: "Drought, in all its forms, is a global challenge that calls for joint responses. Strengthening the capacities of communities, countries and regions must be at the heart of international cooperation to ensure equitable and sustainable development. Let's not forget that investing in drought resilience is also a decisive step towards greater climate justice."  About the ReportThe National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and UNCCD sought to document drought’s recent impacts comprehensively to inform global policy and better prepare societies for future droughts.  The Drought Hotspots Around the World 2023-2025 report draws on over 250 peer-reviewed studies, official data sources, and news reports across more than a dozen countries and regions.By the Numbers:68 million: People needing food aid in Southern Africa23 million: People facing acute hunger in Eastern Africa70%: Maize crop lost in Zimbabwe (2024)Up to 21 hours/day: Power outages in Zambia200+: Endangered River dolphins killed by heat in the Amazon (Sept 2023)38: Daily Panama Canal transits before drought; 24 during drought50%: Olive oil production drop in Spain1 million+: People in Somalia displaced due to drought (2022); 4.4 million at crisis-level hunger (early 2025); 1.7 million children suffering acute malnutrition (Apr–Jun 2025)70%: Victoria Falls water level drop compared with 2023 (Zambia side, 2024)100+: Drought-related elephant deaths in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park1,600+: Estimated number of sinkholes in Türkiye due to groundwater depletionNearly doubled: Price increase of maize in Zambia€22.84 billion: Spain's investment in irrigation and water infrastructureAbout the 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 IDRAThe International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) is the first global coalition creating political momentum and mobilizing financial and technical resources for a drought-resilient future. As a growing platform of more than 40 countries and institutions, IDRA draws on the collective strengths of its members to advance policies, actions, and capacity-building for drought preparedness, acknowledging we are only as resilient to drought and climate change as our land is. The work of IDRA is aligned with, and supportive of, the mandate of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which hosts the IDRA Secretariat. For more information: https://idralliance.global. 

Desertification and Drought Day 2025 hosted by ColombiaAfrica and Latin America lead global land restoration commitmentsGlobal losses from land degradation three times the amount of annual ODA$1bn per day needed to restore 1.5 billion hectares of land back to health  Bonn/Bogotá, 17 June 2025 — If we continue business as usual, land almost the size of South America (16 million square kilometres) will show continued degradation by 2050. Yet, bringing 1.5 billion hectares of land back to health could unlock a trillion-dollar restoration economy, the United Nations noted on this year's Desertification and Drought Day, urging world’ leaders to step up action. In his message, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stated: “What’s good for land is good for people and economies. But humanity is degrading land at an alarming rate, costing the global economy nearly $880 billion every year —far more than the investments needed to tackle the problem.” “I urge governments, businesses, and communities to answer the call and accelerate action on our shared global commitments on sustainable land use. We must reverse degradation, and boost finance for restoration — including by unlocking private investment,” he declared. This call for action was highlighted during this year's global observance of Desertification and Drought Day in Bogotá, Colombia, held under the theme ‘Restore the Land. Unlock the Opportunities.’  UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw said: “This year’s observance highlights the enormous benefits of reviving our land ---benefits we can’t afford to overlook as the global population is set to reach 10 billion by 2050. There is much at stake in curbing the competition over shrinking natural resources: without nutritious food, clean water and raw materials there are no livelihoods; and without them, there can be no economic prosperity, political stability, or lasting peace. A restored land is a land of endless opportunities, and it depends on all of us to unlock them.” Unlocking global land restoration potential According to the latest analysis by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), restoring one billion hectares of degraded land worldwide could generate up to US$1.8 trillion annually, with every dollar invested returning between US$7 and US$30 through improved ecosystem services and livelihoods. Already, the combined effects of land degradation and drought cost the global economy US$ 878 billion each year, three times the figure for official development assistance (ODA) in 2023. Sub-Saharan Africa, home to 45 per cent of the world’s degraded lands, leads global land restoration commitments with more than 440 million hectares pledged, which could create up to 10 million decent land-based jobs in sustainable agriculture and forestry sectors in vulnerable areas like the Sahel. Latin America and the Caribbean, which accounts for 14 per cent of the world’s degraded lands, has the second largest restoration target of more than 220 million hectares, showing strong potential and commitment to reviving vast swaths of degraded land.  In Western Asia and Northern Africa, where nearly 90 per cent of land is already degraded and a combination of rising temperatures, water scarcity, and stressed agricultural systems are placing increasing strain on people and ecosystems alike, more than 150 million hectares have been earmarked for restoration. Land degradation is largely driven by deforestation, unsustainable farming, and urban sprawl; it is further exacerbated by climate change and underpinned by the dual challenges of poverty and overconsumption.  Meeting global land restoration targets requires one billion dollars a day between now and 2030, including a much bigger contribution from the private sector, which currently accounts for only six per cent of the global investments to revive the world’s land as the foundation for our societies, economies, and functioning ecosystems. Colombia puts land at the centre of development Colombia, which hosts today’s global observance of Desertification and Drought Day, is one of the countries putting land at the centre of its development, reconciliation, and climate agenda. Land degradation affects nearly 30 per cent of its territory and more than 40 per cent of its soils are vulnerable to salinization, directly impacting the livelihoods of one in ten Colombians. Hence the urgency to conserve, sustainably manage, and revive the land. Today, the country is restoring more than 560,000 hectares of land, expanding agroforestry systems, and advancing land use planning in rural areas. In the past five years, the country has rallied farmers, civil society, and scientists around initiatives to restore critical watersheds, encourage sustainable coffee growing and cattle raising, and improve the quality of productive soils with focus on the Caribbean and Andean regions. The Minister of Agriculture of Colombia, Martha Carvajalino, emphasized the country’s integrated approach to land reform and restoration: “In Colombia, we know that equitable land distribution is not enough; we must also heal our land and soils. Around the world, land restoration lays the foundation for food security and employment, underpins climate and biodiversity action; and is essential to cementing peace and democracy. As we host the global observance of Desertification and Drought Day, we reiterate our commitment to prioritizing land and soil restoration in the spirit of ‘land for life’." UNCCD Deputy Executive Secretary Andrea Meza said: “I commend Colombia for putting healthy lands at the centre of the country’s development, biodiversity, and climate agenda. Restoring the land is not only an environmental necessity, but an environmental justice imperative and a prerequisite for stability and prosperity.” 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.  *** Notes to Editors: Factsheet and Website on Desertification and Drought Day 2025 Access audiovisual materials on the global observance event here. For more information, please contact:  UNCCD Press Office 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. 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).  

On World Football Day, theUNCCDis proud to announce William Troost-Ekong, captain of Nigeria’s national football team and professional player for the Saudi Pro League Al-Kholood FC, as the latest Sport4Land Champion.

Bonn/Bogotá, 14 May 2025 –The Republic of Colombia will host this year’s global observance of Desertification and Drought Day on 17 June, highlighting the country’s commitment to tackling land degradation through nature-based solutions. Taking place in Bogotá, the event will draw global attention to the urgent need to scale up land restoration as a catalyst for sustainability, peace, and inclusive development. The global observance will be part of the Global Land Forum, hosted by the Government of Colombia.   Under the theme “Restore the Land. Unlock the Opportunities,” the 2025 observance will emphasize the critical role of healthy land in providing food, water, jobs, and security. Colombia’s decision to host the global event reflects its determination to restore land at scale and ensure that restoration efforts directly improve livelihoods and ecosystems. Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), said: “Land degradation is more than just an environmental issue — it is a direct threat to our health, food and water security, and the stability of societies. When we lose healthy land, we weaken nutrition, increase the risk of disease, and expose communities to climate and economic shocks. I thank the Republic of Colombia for its invitation to host this year’s observance, which will shine a light on how restoring land can protect nature, improve well-being, and build a more resilient future for all.” Highlighting the urgent need for sustainable land use and the vital connection between soil and peace, Martha Viviana Carvajalino Villegas, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Colombia, stated: “The protection of agricultural soils and land is an urgent imperative in the face of interconnected crises threatening our survival: biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, hunger, poverty, and displacement. In response, we commemorate Desertification and Drought Day to reaffirm that protecting the soil is protecting life. This struggle rests on three pillars: soil conservation and restoration, sustainable, fair and resilient agri-food systems, and improved quality of life in rural and urban areas. Without fertile soil, there is no food; without food, there is no peace.” “We implement comprehensive policies: equitable land redistribution, restitution of rights to historically marginalized communities, and guarantees for sustainable resource management. In this way, we transform the soil into a shield against hunger, a bridge towards reconciliation, and a legacy of dignity for future generations. Land is not just a resource: it is the foundation of peace”, she added.  Faced with the serious challenge of land degradation — affecting nearly 30 per cent of its territory, or 34.39 million hectares — Colombia is stepping up with bold action. By 2030, it aims to restore 100,000 hectares of degraded land, conserve 22,000 hectares of dry forest, expand sustainable agroforestry systems, and support rural communities through targeted restoration and planning initiatives across priority regions. In hosting the observance, the country is also opening a platform for youth, Indigenous peoples, farmers, scientists and civil society to share local solutions that contribute to global goals. Colombia’s efforts reflect a broader global imperative: restoring land is essential to meeting today’s urgent challenges — from climate change and biodiversity loss to food insecurity and forced migration. Despite increasing momentum, including at UNCCD COP16, the true value of healthy land remains underestimated. Land degradation, drought and desertification cost the global economy an estimated US$878 billion each year. Meanwhile, restoring over one billion hectares of degraded land could generate up to US$1.8 trillion annually, with each dollar invested returning between US$7-US$30 in economic benefits. Yet the pace and scale of restoration remain far below what is needed. The economic case for restoration is clear,” Thiaw added. “Each dollar invested can yield up to thirty in returns. But beyond the numbers, restoring land is about protecting the dignity of communities, ensuring long-term access to food and water, and building a more stable and equitable world. Colombia’s leadership underscores what is possible when restoration becomes a national priority.” 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.   In 2025, Colombia will welcome global leaders, experts, youth, and representatives from across society for the official celebration in Bogotá. Countries around the world are mobilizing to mark Desertification and Drought Day with an array of educational, cultural and sporting activities. For more information, please contact:  UNCCD Press Office press@unccd.int;  https://www.unccd.int/events/desertification-drought-day    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 Global Land Forum is hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Colombia, CINEP (Center for Research and Popular Education/Peace Program), the European Union and the International Land Coalition

Bonn, 7 April 2025 – Accelerating progress to restore 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land around the world and jumpstarting a trillion-dollar land restoration economy will be the focus of this year’s Desertification and Drought Day on 17 June. The theme of Desertification and Drought Day 2025 is “Restore the land. Unlock the opportunities”, underscoring multiple benefits linked to land restoration.  Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), said: “Land degradation and drought are major disruptors of our economy, stability, food production, water and quality of life. They amplify climate change, biodiversity loss, poverty, forced migration and conflicts over access to fertile land and water. Land restoration is an opportunity to turn the tide on these alarming trends. A restored land is a land of endless opportunities. It’s time to unlock them now.”  Healthy land underpins thriving economies, with over half of global GDP dependent on nature. Yet we are depleting this natural capital at an alarming rate—some 1 million km2 of healthy and productive lands, equivalent to the size of Egypt, are becoming degraded every year.   As the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030 marks its halfway point, we must accelerate efforts to turn the tide of land degradation into large-scale restoration. If current trends continue, we will need to restore 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030 to achieve a land-degradation neutral world. To date, one billion hectares of degraded land has been pledged for restoration through voluntary commitments, such as the G20 Global Land Restoration Initiative hosted by UNCCD.   Breathing life back into land yields multiple benefits for people and nature. Every dollar invested in restoring degraded lands brings between US$ 7-30 in economic returns. But despite a strong investment case, land restoration is not happening at the scale and pace that are so urgently needed.  According to the latest financial needs assessment by UNCCD’s Global Mechanism, the world needs US$ 1 billion daily to combat desertification, land degradation and drought between 2025 and 2030. Current investments in land restoration and drought resilience stand at US$ 66 billion annually, with the private sector contributing just six per cent.  “We need to scale up ambition and investment by both governments and businesses. While the benefits of restoration far outweigh the costs, initial investments in the magnitude of billions are needed. We need to unlock new sources of finance, create decent land-based jobs and fast-track innovations while making the most of traditional knowledge,” UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw concluded.  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. 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). For more information, please contact: UNCCD Press Office press@unccd.int; https://www.unccd.int/events/desertification-drought-day   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.