Press releases

Bonn, 21 February 2025 – The Government of Mongolia and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) have signed an agreement paving the way for the 17th session of the Convention’s Conference of the Parties (COP17) in Ulaanbaatar in 2026.COP17 will bring together UNCCD’s 197 Parties in a crucial global forum to accelerate action against desertification, land degradation and drought. As one of the most affected countries by desertification, with nearly 77 per cent of its land degraded, Mongolia will leverage COP17 to drive solutions for land restoration, sustainable land management and resilience-building across the world.At the signing ceremony in Bonn, Her Excellency Odontuya Saldan, Mongolia’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, said: "Mongolia is committed to combating desertification and restoring degraded lands. Through initiatives like the 'Billion Trees' campaign, we are taking decisive steps to protect our environment and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come."UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw said: "The urgency of addressing desertification and drought cannot be overstated. COP17 in Mongolia will build on the momentum from COP16 in Riyadh to enhance global commitments, strengthen financial mechanisms and foster cross-sector partnerships."According to UNCCD data, up to 40 percent of the world’s land is degraded, affecting nearly half of humanity and threatening climate stability, biodiversity and livelihoods. Addressing land degradation is essential for food security, water availability and resilience to climate change.COP17, set for 2026 during the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) — declared by the United Nations General Assembly and championed by Mongolia — will build on efforts to promote the sustainable management, restoration and conservation of rangelands. These vast grazing ecosystems are vital for the economy, food security, biodiversity and climate resilience, yet more than 50 per cent are facing alarming degradation. Rangelands not only support smallholder herders, farmers and indigenous communities but also play a crucial role in stabilizing soil, regulating water cycles, enhancing biodiversity and storing carbon. Strengthening their management is essential for the economy of the estimated 500 million pastoralists, making COP17 a key moment for Indigenous Peoples and local communities.With 60 percent of Central Asia and Mongolia’s land used as grazing rangelands, supporting nearly one-third of the region’s population, sustainable land management is a national priority. Despite their value, they have historically received less attention and funding than forests and wetlands. COP17 and the IYRP will provide a vital platform to advance sustainable land management and reinforce global commitments to rangeland restoration.The two-week conference will feature a high-level segment, thematic dialogues and forums, including the Gender Caucus and the first-ever Indigenous Peoples Caucus. In addition, Youth Forum and the Business4Land Forum will engage youth and the private sector in sustainable land management solutions.COP17 in Mongolia will serve as a global platform to address climate challenges, with a focus on desertification, drought and renewable energy transition. Strengthening international cooperation will be key to boosting climate investment, creating green jobs and fostering sustainable development. Mongolia faces serious environmental threats, including soil degradation, sand and dust storms and desertification, making environmental protection and green growth national priorities.In line with its Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets, Mongolia aims to reduce deforestation and forest degradation to maintain forest cover at 9 per cent of the total area by 2030, promote sustainable grassland management to halt further degradation, increase agricultural yields and ensure no net loss of wetlands by 2030.Building on the progress made at UNCCD COP16 held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in December 2024, nations will work towards finalizing a comprehensive global drought regime to enhance preparedness and resilience against increasing drought risks.For more information, please contact:UNCCD Press Office, press@unccd.int,  https://www.unccd.int/, @unccdAbout UNCCD The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is an international agreement on good land stewardship. It helps people, communities and countries create wealth, grow economies and secure enough food, clean water and energy by ensuring land users an enabling environment for sustainable land management. Through partnerships, the Convention’s 197 parties set up 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. About the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists On the initiative of Mongolia, the United Nations General Assembly has designated 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026) to enhance rangeland management and the lives of pastoralists. With this declaration, UN Member States are called upon to invest in sustainable rangeland management, to restore degraded lands, to improve market access by pastoralists, to enhance livestock extension services and to fill knowledge gaps on rangelands and pastoralism. The IYRP 2026 will coincide with the UNCCD COP17 to be hosted by Mongolia. https://iyrp.info 

Munich, Germany, 16 February, 2025 – As global leaders convene at the Munich Security Conference 2025 (MSC2025) to address pressing security challenges, land restoration is emerging as a crucial strategy for conflict prevention and long-term stability. At the MSC 2025 session Conversation on Land Restoration and Security, hosted by UNCCD in partnership with Adelphi research, experts and decision-makers explored the role of land restoration in fostering resilience, security and transboundary cooperation.  UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw said: “Land degradation is not merely an environmental crisis — it is a critical security challenge. Over 3 billion people depend on land for survival, yet up to 40 per cent of global land is already degraded, exacerbating food and water scarcity, economic instability and displacement. Governments, security organizations and financial institutions must recognize that restoring land is restoring peace. Without urgent action, competition over shrinking resources will continue to drive instability and displacement.” The significance of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification today extends far beyond its original goal of combating desertification. As fertile soils become increasingly scarce and land rights are challenged globally, these issues threaten food security, biodiversity and climate stability, said Jochen Flasbarth, the State Secretary in the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), adding that “Ultimately, they pose a serious risk to global peace and security. To effectively respond, the agenda on land, peace and security must be elevated on the global stage, with a strong emphasis on integrated cooperation at international, regional and national levels."Land degradation: A global security threat As climate change accelerates desertification and depletes essential resources, competition over dwindling land intensifies, increasing the risks of conflict and forced migration. It is estimated that climate change could lead millions of people moving within their own borders by 2050. The Ground for Peace report highlights: Land degradation exacerbates conflict, intensifying competition over food, water and resources60 per cent of ecosystem services in conflict-affected regions have already been degraded, making recovery even more challengingOnly 10 per cent of global climate finance (2015-2024) has been allocated to land restoration, despite its role in reducing conflict risksThe economic cost of land degradation is estimated at $6.3 trillion annually, significantly impacting global stabilityEnvironmental peacebuilding initiatives, such as transboundary land restoration, create shared incentives for cooperation and long-term stabilityStrengthened governance and land tenure rights are essential to ensuring that land restoration contributes to lasting peace and resilience“The Ground for Peace report presents compelling evidence from global research and real-world initiatives that restoring land and ecosystems is not just an environmental necessity — it is a strategic pathway to peace and security,” says Dr Beatrice Mosello, Senior Advisor at adelphi research. “By demonstrating how sustainable land management reduces competition over resources and fosters cooperation, the report makes a strong case for integrating land restoration into global security policies. Urgent action is needed to scale up financing and policy support, ensuring that land restoration becomes a key tool for peacebuilding worldwide.” The role of land restoration in global security Transboundary land restoration presents a critical opportunity for mitigating and resolving disputes over shared natural resources. By fostering cross-border collaboration, sustainable land management can serve as a confidence-building measure, equipping governments and marginalized communities with the tools needed for cooperative decision-making. One such initiative is the Peace Forest Initiative (PFI), launched by the UNCCD in partnership with the Korea Forest Service. The PFI promotes cross-border cooperation in fragile and conflict-affected regions by restoring degraded lands and forests, reducing tensions and fostering trust through shared environmental efforts. Successful large-scale restoration projects further demonstrate the potential of land rehabilitation to strengthen regional cooperation and economic resilience. The Great Green Wall, which stretches across the Sahel, has shown how combating desertification can also enhance stability and livelihoods. Similarly, the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) — one of the world's largest conservation zones — exemplifies how joint resource management can protect biodiversity while easing tensions over land and water access across Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In Latin America, the Cordillera del Cóndor Transboundary Conservation Corridor, established as part of a peace agreement between Ecuador and Peru, underscores the role of environmental restoration in reconciliation and long-term stability. However, the success of these initiatives depends on strong governance frameworks and sustained financial commitments to ensure their long-term viability and impact.  Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Affairs Minister of State Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir emphasized the far-reaching consequences of land degradation, stating: “Land degradation leads to conflicts, leads to violence, leads to extremism, leads to terrorism, leads to migration, leads to political instability and leads to all of us paying an extremely high price to deal with the consequences of an issue that, had we paid attention to at the outset, would have cost us a fraction of the resources.” The Ground for Peace report calls for immediate investments in land restoration as a fundamental pillar of conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Scalable solutions—such as agroforestry, reforestation and water conservation—must be expanded to stabilize fragile regions, reduce resource-driven conflicts and foster economic resilience. Media contact: press@unccd.int The full report, Ground for Peace: Land Restoration for International Peace and Security report is available here.About UNCCD  The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is an international agreement on good land stewardship. It helps people, communities and countries create wealth, grow economies and secure enough food, clean water and energy by ensuring land users an enabling environment for sustainable land management. Through partnerships, the Convention’s 197 Parties set up 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. About adelphiAdelphi research is an independent think tank and public policy consultancy focused on climate, environment and sustainable development. It supports policymakers and stakeholders in achieving sustainable solutions to global challenges. About the Peace Forest Initiative The Peace Forest Initiative (PFI) is a UNCCD flagship program linking land, peace and security by restoring ecosystems in fragile, conflict-affected areas. Launched in 2019, it fosters transboundary cooperation by uniting communities across borders to co-manage shared land resources. Inspired by early environmental peace-building successes at the 2018 Global LDN Forum, PFI provides an inclusive platform for stakeholders to restore land, soil, water and forests, strengthening resilience, peace and sustainable development. You can watch the recording here.Photo (c): MSC / Thomas Niedermueller

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 14 December — After two weeks of intense negotiations on how to tackle land degradation, desertification and drought, the largest and most inclusive United Nations land conference wrapped up in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.The nearly 200 countries convening at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) committed to prioritize land restoration and drought resilience in national policies and international cooperation as an essential strategy for food security and climate adaptation. Nations also made significant progress in laying the groundwork for  a future global drought regime, which they intend to complete at COP17 in Mongolia in 2026. In the meanwhile, more than USD 12 billion were pledged to tackle desertification, land degradation and drought around the world, especially in the most vulnerable countries.Among the main agreements reached at COP16 were the creation of a Caucus for Indigenous Peoples and a Caucus for Local Communities to ensure that their unique perspectives and challenges are adequately represented; a continuation of the Convention’s Science-Policy Interface to strengthen science-based decision-making, and the mobilization of private sector engagement under the Business4Land initiative.COP16 was the largest and most inclusive UNCCD COP to date: it attracted more than 20,000 participants, around 3,500 of them from civil society, and featured more than 600 events as part of the first Action Agenda to involve non-state actors in the work of the Convention.In a prepared statement, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed emphasized “Our work does not end with the closing of COP16. We must continue to tackle the climate crisis—it is a call to action for all of us to embrace inclusivity, innovation, and resilience. Youth and Indigenous peoples must be at the heart of these conversations. Their wisdom, their voices, and their creativity are indispensable as we craft a sustainable future with renewed hope for generations to come.”In his closing remarks, COP16 President, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Alfadley, said the meeting marked a turning point in raising international awareness of the pressing need to accelerate land restoration and drought resilience.“The Kingdom’s hosting of this important conference reflects its ongoing commitment to environmental issues and sustainable development. It reaffirms its dedication to working with all parties to preserve ecosystems, enhance international cooperation to combat desertification and land degradation, and address drought. We hope the outcomes of this session will lead to a significant shift that strengthens efforts to preserve land, reduce its degradation, build capacities to address drought, and contribute to the wellbeing of communities around the world.”Addressing COP16 closing plenary, Under-Secretary-General and UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw stated: “As we have discussed and witnessed, the solutions are within our grasp. The actions we took today will shape not only the future of our planet but also the lives, livelihoods, and opportunities of those who depend on it.”He further emphasized a significant shift in the global approach to land and drought issues, highlighting the interconnected challenges with broader global issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, food security, forced migration, and global stability.Financial needs and pledgesDuring the Conference, participants heard that UNCCD estimates that at least USD 2.6 trillion in total investments are needed by 2030 to restore more than one billion hectares of degraded land and build resilience to drought. This equals USD 1 billion in daily investments between now and 2030 to meet global land restoration targets and combat desertification and drought.New pledges for large-scale land restoration and drought preparedness were announced, such as the  Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership which attracted USD 12.15 billion to support 80 of the world’s most vulnerable countries in building their resilience to drought, including a USD 10 billion pledge from the Arab Coordination Group.The Great Green Wall (GGW), an African-led initiative to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land, also mobilized EUR 11 million from the Italian Government for landscape restoration in the Sahel and EUR 3.6 million from the Austrian Government to strengthen the coordination and implementation of the initiative across 22 African countries. The drive is part of the GGW Accelerator, a UNCCD-supported effort to achieve the ambitions for a greener, more prosperous Sahel.Additionally, the United States and several partner countries and organizations announced total investments of nearly USD 70 million to advance the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS). The initiative looks to build resilient food systems grounded in diverse, nutritious, and climate-adapted crops grown in healthy soils.The first-ever UNCCD COP in the Middle East and North Africa provided an opportunity to shine a light on the specific challenges facing the region and bring to the fore innovative solutions to land degradation and drought.The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced five new projects valued at USD 60 million to ramp up climate and environmental efforts as part of the Saudi Green Initiative. The UNCCD COP16 Presidency also announced the launch of an international sand and dust storm monitoring initiative. This effort, part of a regional early warning system, aims to complement existing efforts overseen by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).The International Drought Resilience Observatory (IDRO), the first global AI-driven platform to help countries assess, and enhance, their capacity to cope with harsher droughts. This innovative tool is an initiative of the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA), which Saudi Arabia joined earlier this year. Greater voice for Indigenous Peoples and other non-state actorsIn a landmark decision, Parties requested the creation of a Caucus for Indigenous Peoples and a Caucus for Local Communities. The objective is to ensure that their unique perspectives and priorities are adequately represented in the work of the Convention. The declaration ‘Sacred Lands’, presented during the inaugural Indigenous Peoples’ Forum at a UNCCD COP, underscored the role of Indigenous Peoples in sustainable resource management and called for greater involvement in global land and drought governance, including through participation in land restoration efforts.“Today, history has been made”, said Indigenous People representative Oliver Tester from Australia. “We look forward to championing our commitment to protect Mother Earth through a dedicated Caucus, and leave this space trusting that our voices be heard.”COP16 also saw the biggest youth participation to date, building on the UNCCD Youth Engagement Strategy and Action Plan, that seeks to give youth a more prominent role in land and drought negotiations and  action, and provide technical and financial support for youth-led initiatives.On the gender front, countries underscored the need to pay special attention to all forms of discrimination faced by women and girls when designing and implementing policy and programmes related to land degradation and drought.In recognition of the important role of the  private sector, which currently contributes only 6% of financing towards land restoration and drought resilience, Parties have mandated the UNCCD Secretariat and the Global Mechanism to mobilize private sector engagement under the Business4Land initiative. The decision emphasizes the critical role of private sector advocacy, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies, and sustainable finance in addressing DLDD challenges. The decision comes after the Business4Land Forum, which brought together the largest-ever number of private sector participants at a UNCCD COP — more than 400— from industries like finance, fashion, agri-food, and pharmaceuticals.Stronger science on land and droughtAcknowledging the role of science as the foundation for sound policies, the Parties agreed on the continuation of UNCCD’s Science-Policy Interface (SPI), which was created at COP11 in 2013 to translate scientific findings into recommendations for decision-makers. At COP16, for instance, the SPI presented definitive evidence that three quarters of the Earth’s ice-free surface have become permanently drier in the past 30 years, with a predicted five billion people living in drylands by 2100, showing the urgency to take action.A new UNCCD report, The Global Threat of Drying Lands: Regional and global aridity trends and future projections, revealed that some 77.6% of Earth’s land has experienced drier conditions since the 1990s compared to the previous 30-year period. Over the same period, drylands — an arid area with low rainfall— expanded by about 4.3 million km2 equal to an area nearly a third larger than India, the world’s 7th largest country. Drylands now cover 40.6% of all land on Earth excluding Antarctica.Seven of nine planetary boundaries are negatively impacted by unsustainable land use, highlighted the UNCCD report Stepping back from the precipice: Transforming land management to stay within planetary boundaries, produced in collaboration with the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, which explains how land degradation is undermining Earth’s capacity to sustain a growing human population. The report reiterates that agriculture accounts for 23% of greenhouse gas emissions, 80% of deforestation, and 70% of freshwater use, and calls for an urgent land use transition to step away from the precipice.According to UNCCD’s newly released World Drought Atlas and Economics of Drought Resilience reports, droughts affect the livelihoods of 1.8 billion people worldwide, pushing already vulnerable communities to the brink. They also cost an estimated USD 300 billion per year, threatening key economic sectors such as agriculture, energy and water.From Riyadh to MongoliaFor the first time, UNCCD Parties made a decision encouraging the sustainable management, restoration and conservation of rangelands — vast ecosystems used for grazing — ahead of COP17, to be hosted by Mongolia in 2026 during the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. These ecosystems cover half of the Earth’s terrestrial surface and are the dominant land use in the world’s drylands, but have long been overlooked and are disappearing faster than rainforests.The degradation of rangelands threatens one-sixth of global food supplies, potentially depleting one-third of the Earth's carbon reserves. Some two billion people who live in pastoral areas are among the world’s most vulnerable in the face of desertification, land degradation and drought.ENDNOTESMedia inquiries:For media enquiries, please contact the UNCCD Press Office at press@unccd.int or unccd@portland-communications.comCOP16 decisions are available here: https://www.unccd.int/cop16/official-documentsAbout UNCCDThe United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is an international agreement on good land stewardship. It helps people, communities and countries create wealth, grow economies and secure enough food, clean water and energy by ensuring land users an enabling environment for sustainable land management. Through partnerships, the Convention’s 197 Parties set up 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.About COP16The Conference of the Parties (COP) was established by the Convention as its main decision-making body. It is made up of UNCCD’s 197 Parties (196 countries and the European Union) and is responsible for guiding the Convention so that it can respond to global challenges and national needs.  UNCCD COP16 will be a landmark event to raise global ambition and accelerate action on land and drought resilience through a people-centred approach. Coinciding with the Convention’s 30th anniversary, UNCCD COP16 was the first major UN conference hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was also the first time a UNCCD COP was held in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which knows firsthand the impacts of desertification, land degradation and drought.

Aridity: The ‘existential crisis’ redefining life on EarthFive billion people could be affected by 2100Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Even as dramatic water-related disasters such as floods and storms intensified in some parts of the world, more than three-quarters of Earth’s land became permanently drier in recent decades, UN scientists warned today in a stark new analysis.Some 77.6% of Earth’s land experienced drier conditions during the three decades leading up to 2020 compared to the previous 30-year period, according to the landmark report from the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).Over the same period, drylands expanded by about 4.3 million km2 – an area nearly a third larger than India, the world’s 7th largest country – and now cover 40.6% of all land on Earth (excluding Antarctica).In recent decades some 7.6% of global lands – an area larger than Canada – were pushed across aridity thresholds (i.e. from non-drylands to drylands, or from less arid dryland classes to more arid classes).Most of these areas have transitioned from humid landscapes to drylands, with dire implications for agriculture, ecosystems, and the people living there. And the research warns that, if the world fails to curb greenhouse gas emissions, another 3% of the world’s humid areas will become drylands by the end of this century. In high greenhouse gas emissions scenarios, expanding drylands are forecast across the Midwestern United States, central Mexico, northern Venezuela, north-eastern Brazil, south-eastern Argentina, the entire Mediterranean Region, the Black Sea coast, large parts of southern Africa, and southern Australia.The report, The Global Threat of Drying Lands: Regional and global aridity trends and future projections, was launched at the 16th conference of UNCCD’s nearly 200 Parties in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (COP16), the largest UN land conference to date, and the first UNCCD COP to be held in the Middle East, a region profoundly affected by impacts from aridity.“This analysis finally dispels an uncertainty that has long surrounded global drying trends,” says Ibrahim Thiaw, UNCCD Executive Secretary. “For the first time, the aridity crisis has been documented with scientific clarity, revealing an existential threat affecting billions around the globe.” “Unlike droughts—temporary periods of low rainfall—aridity represents a permanent, unrelenting transformation,” he adds. “Droughts end. When an area’s climate becomes drier, however, the ability to return to previous conditions is lost.  The drier climates now affecting vast lands across the globe will not return to how they were and this change is redefining life on Earth.”The report by UNCCD Science-Policy Interface (SPI) — the UN body for assessing the science of land degradation and drought — points to human-caused climate change as the primary driver of this shift. Greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation, transport, industry and land use changes warm the planet and other human activities warm the planet and affect rainfall, evaporation and plant life, creating the conditions that increase aridity.Global aridity index (AI) data track these conditions and reveal widespread change over the decades. Aridification hotspotsAreas particularly hard-hit by the drying trend include almost all of Europe (95.9% of its land), parts of the western United States, Brazil, parts of Asia (notably eastern Asia), and central Africa.Parts of the Western United States and Brazil: Significant drying trends, with water scarcity and wildfires becoming perennial hazards.Mediterranean and Southern Europe: Once considered agricultural breadbaskets, these areas face a stark future as semi-arid conditions expand.Central Africa and parts of Asia: Biologically megadiverse areas are experiencing ecosystem degradation and desertification, endangering countless species.By contrast, less than a quarter of the planet’s land (22.4%) experienced wetter conditions, with areas in the central United States, Angola’s Atlantic coast, and parts of Southeast Asia showing some gains in moisture.The overarching trend, however, is clear: drylands are expanding, pushing ecosystems and societies to suffer from aridity's life-threatening impacts.The report names South Sudan and Tanzania as nations with the largest percentage of land transitioning to drylands, and China as the country experiencing the largest total area shifting from non-drylands into drylands.For the 2.3 billion people – well over 25% of the world’s population – living in the expanding drylands, this new normal requires lasting, adaptive solutions. Aridity-related land degradation, known as desertification, represents a dire threat to human well-being and ecological stability. And as the planet continues to warm, report projections in the worst-case scenario suggest up to 5 billion people could live in drylands by the century’s end, grappling with depleted soils, dwindling water resources, and the diminishment or collapse of once-thriving ecosystems.Forced migration is one of aridity’s most visible consequences. As land becomes uninhabitable, families and entire communities facing water scarcity and agricultural collapse often have no choice but to abandon their homes, leading to social and political challenges worldwide. From the Middle East to Africa and South Asia, millions are already on the move—a trend set to intensify in coming decades.Aridity’s devastating impactThe effects of rising aridity are cascading and multifaceted, touching nearly every aspect of life and society, the report says.It warns that one fifth of all land could experience abrupt ecosystem transformations from rising aridity by the end of the century, causing dramatic shifts (such as forests becoming grasslands and other changes) and leading to extinctions among many of the world’s plants, animals and other life.Aridity is considered the world’s largest single driver behind the degradation of agricultural systems, affecting 40% of Earth’s arable landsRising aridity has been blamed for a 12% decline in gross domestic product (GDP) recorded for African countries between 1990–2015More than two thirds of all land on the planet (excluding Greenland and Antarctica) is projected to store less water by the end of the century, if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise even modestlyAridity is considered one of the world’s five most important causes of land degradation (along with land erosion, salinization, organic carbon loss and vegetation degradation)Rising aridity in the Middle East has been linked to the region’s more frequent and larger sand and dust stormsIncreasing aridity is expected to play a role in larger and more intense wildfires in the climate-altered future—not least because of its impacts on tree deaths in semi-arid forests and the consequent growing availability of dry biomass for burningRising aridity’s impacts on poverty, water scarcity, land degradation and insufficient food production have been linked to increasing rates of sickness and death globally —especially among children and womenRising aridity and drought play a key role in increasing human migration around the world—particularly in the hyper-arid and arid areas of southern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa and southern Asia. Report marks a turning pointFor years, documenting the rise of aridity proved a challenge, the report states. Its long-term nature and the intricate interplay of factors such as rainfall, evaporation, and plant transpiration made analysis difficult. Early studies produced conflicting results, often muddied by scientific caution.The new report marks a turning point, leveraging advanced climate models and standardized methodologies to deliver a definitive assessment of global drying trends, confirming the inexorable rise of aridity, while providing critical insights into its underlying drivers and potential future trajectory.RecommendationsThe report offers a comprehensive roadmap for tackling aridity, emphasizing both mitigation and adaptation. Among its recommendations:Strengthen aridity monitoringIntegrate aridity metrics into existing drought monitoring systems. This approach would enable early detection of changes and help guide interventions before conditions worsen. Platforms like the new Aridity Visual Information Tool provide policymakers and researchers with valuable data, allowing for early warnings and timely interventions. Standardized assessments can enhance global cooperation and inform local adaptation strategies.Improve land use practicesIncentivizing sustainable land use systems can mitigate the impacts of rising aridity, particularly in vulnerable regions. Innovative, holistic, sustainable approaches to land management are the focus of another new UNCCD SPI report, Sustainable Land Use Systems: The path to collectively achieving Land Degradation Neutrality, available at /resources/reports/sustainable-land-use-systems-path-forward-collectively-achieve-land-degradation. It considers how land-use at one location affect others elsewhere, makes resilience to climate change or other shocks a priority, and encourages participation and buy-in by Indigenous and local communities as well as all levels of government. Projects like the Great Green Wall—a land restoration initiative spanning Africa—demonstrate the potential for large-scale, holistic efforts to combat aridity and restore ecosystems, while creating jobs and stabilizing economies.Invest in water efficiencyTechnologies such as rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, and wastewater recycling offer practical solutions for managing scarce water resources in dry regions.Build resilience in vulnerable communitiesLocal knowledge, capacity building, social justice and holistic thinking  are vital to resilience. Sustainable land use systems encourage decision makers to apply responsible governance, protect human rights (including secure land access) and ensure accountability and transparency. Capacity-building programmes, financial support, education programmes, climate information services and community-driven initiatives empower those most affected by aridity to adapt to changing conditions. Farmers switching to drought-resistant crops or pastoralists adopting more arid-tolerant livestock exemplify incremental adaptation.Develop international frameworks and cooperationThe UNCCD’s Land Degradation Neutrality framework provides a model for aligning national policies with international goals, ensuring a unified response to the crisis. National Adaptation Plans must incorporate aridity alongside drought planning to create cohesive strategies that address water and land management challenges. Cross-sectoral collaboration at the global level, facilitated by frameworks like the UNCCD, is essential for scaling solutions.Comments“For decades, the world’s scientists have signalled that our growing greenhouse gas emissions are behind global warming. Now, for the first time, a UN scientific body is warning that burning fossil fuels is causing permanent drying across much of the world, too—with potentially catastrophic impacts affecting access to water that could push people and nature even closer to disastrous tipping points.  As large tracts of the world’s land become more arid, the consequences of inaction grow increasingly dire and adaptation is no longer optional—it is imperative.” – UNCCD Chief Scientist Barron Orr“Without concerted efforts, billions face a future marked by hunger, displacement, and economic decline. Yet, by embracing innovative solutions and fostering global solidarity, humanity can rise to meet this challenge. The question is not whether we have the tools to respond—it is whether we have the will to act.” –  Nichole Barger, Chair, UNCCD Science-Policy Interface“The report’s clarity is a wake-up call for policymakers: tackling aridity demands more than just science—it requires a diversity of perspectives and knowledge systems. By weaving Indigenous and local knowledge with cutting-edge data, we can craft stronger, smarter strategies to slow aridity’s advance, mitigate its impacts and thrive in a drying world.” – Sergio Vicente-Serrano, co-lead author of the report and an aridity expert with Spain’s Pyrenean Institute of Ecology“This report underscores the critical need to address aridity as a defining global challenge of our time. By uniting diverse expertise and leveraging breakthrough technologies, we are not just measuring change—we are crafting a roadmap for resilience. Tackling aridity demands a collaborative vision that integrates innovation, adaptive solutions, and a commitment to securing a sustainable future for all." – Narcisa Pricope, co-lead author, professor of geosciences and associate vice president for research at Mississippi State University, USA.“The timeliness of this report cannot be overstated.  Rising aridity will reshape the global landscape, challenging traditional ways of life and forcing societies to reimagine their relationship with land and water.  As with climate change and biodiversity loss, addressing aridity requires coordinated international action and an unwavering commitment to sustainable development.” – Andrea Toreti, co-lead author and senior scientist, European Commission’s Joint Research CentreBy the Numbers: Key global trends / projections77.6%: Proportion of Earth's land that experienced drier climates from 1990–2020 compared to the previous 30 years.40.6%: Global land mass (excluding Antarctica) classified as drylands, up from 37.5% over the last 30 years.4.3 million km²: Humid lands transformed into drylands in the last three decades, an area one-third larger than India40%: Global arable land affected by aridity—the leading driver of agricultural degradation.30.9%: Global population living in drylands in 2020, up from 22.5% in 19902.3 billion: People living in drylands in 2020, a doubling from 1990, projected to more than double again by 2100 under a worst-case climate change scenario.1.35 billion: Dryland inhabitants in Asia—more than half the global total.620 million: Dryland inhabitants in Africa—nearly half of the continent’s population.9.1%: Portion of Earth’s land classified as hyperarid, including the Atacama (Chile), Sahara (Africa), Namib (Africa), and Gobi (China/Mongolia) deserts.23%: Increase in global land at "moderate" to "very high" desertification risk by 2100 under the worst-case emissions scenario+8% at "very high" risk+5% at "high" risk+10% at "moderate" riskEnvironmental degradation5: Key drivers of land degradation: Rising aridity, land erosion, salinization, organic carbon loss, and vegetation degradation20%: Global land at risk of abrupt ecosystem transformations by 2100 due to rising aridity55%: Species (mammals, reptiles, fish, amphibians, and birds) at risk of habitat loss from aridity. Hotspots: (Arid regions): West Africa, Western Australia, Iberian Peninsula; (Humid regions): Southern Mexico, northern Amazon rainforestEconomics12%: African GDP decline attributed to aridity, 1990–201516% / 6.7%: Projected GDP losses in Africa / Asia by 2079 under a moderate emissions scenario20M tons maize, 21M tons wheat, 19M tons rice: Expected losses in global crop yields by 2040 due to expanding aridity50%: Projected drop in maize yields in Kenya by 2050 under a high emissions scenarioWater 90%: Rainfall in drylands that evaporates back into the atmosphere, leaving 10% for plant growth67%: Global land expected to store less water by 2100, even under moderate emission scenarios75%: Decline in water availability in the Middle East and North Africa since the 1950s40%: Predicted Andean runoff decline by 2100 under a high emissions scenario, threatening water supplies in South AmericaHealth55%: Increase in severe child stunting in sub-Saharan Africa under a medium emissions scenario due to combined effects of aridity and climate warmingUp to 12.5%: Estimated rise in mortality risks during sand and dust storms in China, 2013–201857% / 38%: Increases in fine and coarse atmospheric dust levels, respectively, in the southwestern U.S. by 2100 under worst case climate scenarios220%: Projected increase in premature deaths due to airborne dust in the southwestern United States by 2100 under the high-emissions scenario160%: Expected rise in hospitalizations linked to airborne dust in the same regionWildfires and forests74%: Expected increase in wildfire-burned areas in California by 2100 under high emission scenarios40: Additional annual high fire danger days in Greece by 2100 compared to late 20th century levelsNotes to editors:Aridity versus droughtHighly arid regions are places in which a persistent, long-term climatic condition lacks available moisture to support most forms of life and atmospheric evaporative demand significantly exceeds rainfall. Drought, on the other hand, is an anomalous, shorter-term period of water shortage affecting ecosystems and people and often attributed to low precipitation, high temperatures, low air humidity and/or anomalies in wind. While drought is part of natural climate variability and can occur in almost any climatic regime, aridity is a stable condition for which changes occur over extremely long-time scales under significant forcing. Media contacts: press@unccd.intFragkiska Megaloudi, +30 6945547877 (WhatsApp) fmegaloudi@unccd.int   Gloria Pallares, +34 606 93 1460 gpallares@unccd.intTerry Collins, +1-416-878-8712 tc@tca.tcAuthors and other experts are available for advance interviews.  The full report, The Global Threat of Drying Lands: Regional and global aridity trends and future projections, is available for media preview at https://www.unccd.int/resources/reports/global-threat-drying-lands-regional-and-global-aridity-trends-and-future

High-profile athletes Naomi Akakpo, Asmaa Niang, Jitske Visser and Franck Kessié unite in support of healthy land and drought resilience at UNCCD COP16Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 7 December 2024 – The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) today unveiled its first-ever Sport4Land Champions at COP16, the largest United Nations land conference in the Middle East region to date. Launched at the Paris Olympics earlier this year, the Sport4Land campaign aims to leverage the universal appeal of sports to avert the global land crisis, marked by the loss of a staggering four football fields of productive land every second. The four Sport4Land Champions will join UNCCD, one of the three Rio Conventions alongside climate and biodiversity, in the urgent mission to restore degraded land and build resilience to drought, and to inspire communities worldwide to take collective action.Naomi Akakpo, Olympic hurdler from Togo emphasized the fundamental connection between land health, food security and human well-being. "Land is more than a resource—it is our foundation," she said. "When we restore degraded land, we restore life and opportunity for countless communities." Inspired by her motto, "Beyond Limits," Naomi’s advocacy embodies bold, innovative actions for land restoration.Asmaa Niang, six-time African judo champion from Morocco, drew parallels between the discipline required in her sport and the strategies needed to combat desertification. "Judo has taught me resilience and strategy," she explained. "These are the same tools we need to fight desertification. It’s not just a fight for land; it’s a fight for every family and community that depends on it." Leveraging her multicultural background and nomadic spirit, Asmaa works with the Yzza Slaoui Foundation to empower rural girls and women in Morocco’s regions most affected by desertification.Paralympic wheelchair basketball gold medalist Jitske Visser from the Netherlands underscored the disproportionate impact of land degradation and drought on marginalized populations. "People with disabilities are often excluded from environmental solutions, even though we’re among the most vulnerable to its effects," she said. "This campaign is about breaking down barriers, ensuring that no one is left behind, and demonstrating that inclusion is essential for success."Footballer Franck Kessié from Côte d’Ivoire, who is currently playing for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, highlighted youth engagement in support of healthy land, noting that “Sport teaches us resilience, teamwork, and the power of unity. These are exactly the values we need to tackle the land crisis.”UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw said: "Congratulations to our new champions leading the fight against desertification, land degradation, drought and food insecurity. Your determination to raise awareness of these critical issues brings hope to countless communities, including youth and those most vulnerable, including people with disabilities."At the announcement event held at COP16, the newly appointed champions shared their personal journeys and reflected on how their sporting careers connect to the global fight against land degradation. According to UNCCD data, 100 million hectares – an area equivalent to the size of Egypt–become degraded every year. The impact jeopardizes the livelihoods of more than one billion young people in developing countries who depend on the land for their survival. Among those affected, people with disabilities–16% of the world's population–face unique challenges, from limited access to resources to exclusion from decision-making and recovery efforts. About Sport4LandSport4Land is a global campaign by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) to unite the sports community in the fight against land degradation, desertification and drought. With climate change accelerating droughts, heatwaves, and land degradation, the impact is being felt not only on playing fields but also on the food we eat, the livelihoods we depend on, and the environment we share.Launched at the Paris Olympics 2024, the campaign engages sportsmen and women and fans worldwide to take action for land restoration. High-profile athletes like Asmaa Niang, Naomi Akakpo, Jitske Visser, and Franck Kessié will champion this initiative to highlight the critical connection between healthy land and thriving communities.

Largest private sector participation at a UNCCD COP to date builds momentum for sustainable land management UNCCD’s Business4Land (B4L) Initiative releases a guide to help the private sector assess land degradation risks and report on mitigation actions5 December (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) — On Wednesday 4th December, hundreds of private sector representatives from finance, fashion, agri-food to pharmaceuticals, convened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to discuss their role in ensuring sustainable land, soil and water management. They responded to a call to action launched by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) at the 16th Conference of the Parties.The Business 4 Land Forum brought together high-level decision makers and CEOs from companies that are particularly land-and-water-dependent, including firms in the agrifood, pharma, energy, textiles, ICT, and finance and insurance sectors. Land degradation and drought pose serious risks for businesses and investors, meaning it is in their best interest to mitigate them by contributing to global efforts for healthy lands and drought resilience.The event was part of  Business 4 Land (B4L), an initiative launched by UNCCD earlier this year in Davos with InTent - a platform that can quickly mobilize an influential and diverse group of decision-makers for change - to engage and support private actors in sustainable land management. It is supported by the COP16 Presidency, the World Economic Forum, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, ChangeNOW, the Sustainable Fibre Alliance, the International Chamber of Commerce, the UN Global Compact, and the Saudi Environment Fund. “COP16 has attracted the largest-ever participation of the private sector to a UNCCD COP to date, providing a critical momentum to make sustainable land management a core part of corporate and financial strategies,” said the Executive Secretary of UNCCD Ibrahim Thiaw. “Shifting towards nature-positive operations, supply chains, and investments, is not only about environmental sustainability, but about the long-term profitability and resilience of businesses.”The B4L Forum brought together 60 high-level speakers and 400 guests; among them, more than 40 corporations that recognize the urgent need to address land degradation and drought, and acknowledge their responsibility in ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources as a business and social imperative.  B4L’s call to action urges companies to contribute to one or more of the Business 4 Land (B4L) initiative's pillars: promoting sustainable practices across business operations; supporting finance solutions; and advocating for better land and water management policies. “$44 trillion, over half of global GDP, is at risk from nature loss. It is imperative for business to explore innovations that can halt and reverse land degradation while unlocking opportunities for business growth,” said Gim Huay Neo, Managing Director at 1T.org, World Economic Forum. “Through collaboration with governments and other stakeholders, business can accelerate progress on land restoration for a more resilient future for all.”André Hoffmann, member of the high-level advisory committee of COP16 and founder of InTent and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors said: "The private sector, which can play vital role in the sustainable transition we urgently need, must see nature not as a resource to exploit but as our life-support system. The B4L Forum was an opportunity to forge new coalitions to restore land and build resilience. By shifting from extraction to collaboration, we can drive investments in nature-based solutions that secure human prosperity and planetary health."The forum highlighted the need to align business, policies, and finance to protect land as a critical asset. Participants discussed how to account for the corporate impacts on land, how to mitigate the risks of land degradation - for example, by setting measurable targets both in direct operations and across supply chains - and by reporting on progress.New guidance for the private sectorThe Business 4 Land initiative launched a guide to help corporate actors navigate land-related disclosures and target-setting and align their strategies with national policies and global goals for a fair land transition. "Corporate disclosures are essential for land-positive businesses. Today, many companies still lack a clear understanding of their land-related impacts and dependencies, leaving them vulnerable to significant risks”, said Razan Al Mubarak, Co-Chair of the Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and President of IUCN. The report, ‘Corporate Disclosures and Target-Setting on Land Guide’, was developed together with the (TNFD) and the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN), in consultation with actors like the WEF and the COP16 Presidency.  The costs of land degradation and drought are steep. For example, U.S. farmers may face short-term costs of up to USD 40 per acre for regenerative agriculture practices, but long-term profits can increase by up to 120%. B4L's guide supports companies in harnessing these opportunities.“In a context of rising nature risks, businesses have a key role to plan in taking action for land and reversing the trend of degradation, water scarcity and biodiversity loss impacting our societies and economies, across value chains and industries,” concluded a member of the Executive Committee of the World Economic Forum Nicole Schwab.***COMMENTSPhilippe Zaouati, CEO of the MIROVA sustainable investment fund, said: “Companies stand to gain significantly by transforming their value chains to incorporate sustainable practices, not only to reduce their impact on nature but also to seize the economic opportunities that arise. Mobilizing funding for land restoration requires a concerted effort by the public and private sectors. By working together, we can create an enabling environment for restoration, which is essential to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050 and a sustainable future.”Henri Bruxelles, CSO of Danone, said: “The livelihoods of more than 2.5 billion people, many of them smallholder farmers, depend on agriculture, which is both a significant contributor to climate change and one of the most impacted by its impacts. Collaborating across sectors of society is vital to address the intertwined climate and water challenges; guarantee food security and nutrition; and secure the livelihoods of the communities that feed the world; and build a sustainable food system.”Erin Billman, Co-lead of SBTN’s Land Hub & Executive Director of the Science Based Targets Network: “Connecting corporate actions and their science-based targets to party commitments under the UN conventions is an important lever in delivering the promise of global targets.”Maryanne Gichanga, CEO of AgriTech Analytics Ltd, who won a USD 50,000 grant provided by InTent as part of the Land of Opportunities Pitch Competition on 4 December at COP16: “Having our start up, AgriTech Analytics being spotlighted in such a global stage during Land Day has been such an incredible opportunity, spearheading collaborations and partnerships. Receiving the generous prize of 50k USD the Land of Opportunities Pitch competition will enable us to scale and help more farmers in the farming communities in Kenya. We are very grateful for UNCCD for inviting us to join COP16 and for the pitch competition partners for their contributions.”NOTES Media enquiries: Please contact contact UNCCD Press Office at press@unccd.int  or unccd@portland-communications.comSocial media: @UNCCD #COP16Riyadh #UNited4Land #Business4LandAbout UNCCDThe United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the only legally binding international agreement on good land stewardship. It supports communities and countries in creating wealth and securing nutritious food, clean water and energy through sustainable land management. Through partnerships, the Convention’s 197 parties also set up robust systems to proactively manage drought risks. 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.About Bussiness 4 Land (B4L)B4L is the UNCCD’s main initiative to engage the private sector in sustainable land and water management. It helps companies and financial institutions manage risks and seize opportunities tied to land degradation and drought. B4L aims to restore 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030, contributing to Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), a global commitment to achieve net zero land degradation by 2030, as well as enhancing drought resilience.

Sustainable land and water management for drought pays off, says new reportRiyadh, Saudi Arabia — As droughts fuelled by human destruction of the environment are projected to affect 3 in 4 people by 2050, investing in sustainable land and water management is essential to reduce their costs, which already exceed $ 307 billion per year globally, according to a new report launched at  the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) earlier today.Drawing on a wealth of evidence and case studies from countries all around the world —like Chile, India, Jordan, Kenya, Spain, and Tunisia— the report makes the economic and business case for nature-based solutions (NbS) to drought. That is, for practices that restore ecosystem functions and soil health to enhance water flow, storage, and supply in support of human wellbeing —for example, reforestation, grazing management, and the management, restoration and conservation of watersheds.The report, ‘Economics of drought: Investing in nature-based solutions for drought resilience – proaction pays,’ is co-authored by the Economics of Land Degradation Initiative (ELD), the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and financially supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) and the European Union.“Managing our land and water sustainably is essential to unlock economic growth and build resilience for communities that are becoming locked into cycles of drought around the world,” said UNCCD Deputy Executive Secretary Andrea Meza. “As talks for a landmark COP decision on drought are underway, the report calls on world leaders to recognize the outsized, and preventable, costs of drought, and to leverage proactive and nature-based solutions to secure human development within planetary boundaries.”Urbanization, deforestation, surface water and groundwater overdraft, and climate change are altering land cover and depleting freshwater reserves, meaning that drought is not only caused by the lack of rain, but also by the way we treat our land and water resources. Thus, the risk of water shortages as well as cyclical droughts and floods can be managed through adequate policies, incentives, and investments in our natural capital.The publication underscores that the long-term economic costs associated with droughts and related disasters are greatly underestimated. Especially, because costs typically escalate within and across borders due to the knock-on effects of drought on sectors like energy and health, as well as the wider economy.The estimated costs of implementing measures as set out by countries in their national drought and related plans amount to a fraction of the costs of drought every year.The triple dividend of natural-based solutions An economy that respects natural systems instead of undermining them could generate up to US$10.1 trillion annually in business value and create up to 395 million jobs by 2030. Tripling investment in Nature-based Solutions up to 2030 could generate 20 million additional jobs.“Proactive drought management is an ecological and societal imperative. It is also a significant economic opportunity”, said German Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Niels Annen. “Every dollar invested in nature-based solutions not only reduces drought impacts, but can generate benefits of up to US$27 - including higher farmer incomes, value chain resilience, and reduced long-term economic costs. We must urgently act to rethink how we value land and relearn how to manage land sustainably.”Nature-based solutions to drought yield a triple dividend: they reduce loss and damage from drought; increase the income of land and water users, and generate co-benefits for climate, nature and sustainable development more broadly. Most of these dividends –including food and water security— can be enjoyed regardless of the occurrence of drought, making nature-based solutions a no-regret option. RecommendationsThe report offers a series of recommendations to realize the potential of sustainable land and water management at landscape scales. For example, it points out the need to embed nature-based solutions in national drought management plans; ensure land tenure and water rights; and strengthen local governance, which is essential to implement changes on the ground.“The economic cost of drought extends beyond immediate agricultural losses. It affects entire supply chains, reduces GDP, impacts livelihoods, and leads to hunger, unemployment, migration, and long-term human security challenges; effective management and investment in nature are crucial to mitigate these effects,” said the Director of UNU-INWEH and one of the lead authors of the report Kaveh Madani. "The report provides invaluable insights into an opportunity sector that has been generally overlooked by public and private investors. Investment in natural capital is one of the most effective strategies for creating sustainable livelihoods and economic prosperity in harmony with nature while mitigating the impacts of droughts and climate change, especially in the developing economies of the Global South,” noted Madani.In terms of finance, the report highlights the potential of public-private partnerships; the need to repurpose harmful subsidies; as well as the role of impact data collection and monitoring in attracting investments from the private sector.Finally, it calls for a whole-of-society approach to proactive drought management, whereby authorities work hand-in-hand with farmers, landowners, businesses, civil society, and academia, to build the resilience of communities, economies and ecosystems to drought. “Unsustainable land and water management practices and other human actions that increase the frequency and intensity of droughts must be replaced by pre-emptive, anticipatory action in favour of our survival. Well-planned, timely investments in such actions are imperative,” says the report. QUOTESGovernmental entitiesKenya Drought Coordinator at National Drought Management Agency (NDMA) Henry Parkolwa: “Nature-based solutions are the most efficient and effective approaches to drought risk management in addressing crises of desertification, land degradation, drought, ecosystem services and biodiversity loss and to create a sustainable and equitable future for humanity.” Australia’s Minister for the Environment The Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP“Nature needs to be factored into economic and business decisions. To make good decisions, we need to understand, measure and report on our economic dependence on nature, our impacts on nature and the value of ecosystems services that our communities and economies rely upon.”  Non-profits CEO of the Nature Conservancy Jennifer Morris"We celebrate the visionary leaders in cities around the world like Cape Town and São Paulo who have embraced Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to enhance resilience to drought in cost-effective ways that deliver multiple benefits. For instance, Cape Town is restoring its unique fynbos ecosystem, creating jobs, and securing the equivalent of two months’ water supply for the system—at just one-tenth the cost of conventional engineering solutions."CEO of India Climate Collaborative, a council of philanthropies for climate, Shloka Nath"Investing in land restoration and nature-based solutions to combat drought is critical. The climate crisis is intertwined with the biodiversity and water crises, and is aggravating socio-economic risks faced by farmers. This is a critical opportunity to acknowledge the interconnected risks vulnerable groups deal with, and support holistic, community-driven solutions. Through this, we can collectively enhance agricultural resilience, protect water resources, and foster sustainable economic growth. We call on stakeholders across India and beyond, including philanthropists, to prioritise these solutions for an equitable, sustainable future."CompaniesPablo García, CEO Almendrehesa, SpainDrought is one of the greatest threats to the productive systems of our territory, and of the entire Mediterranean basin, especially for agricultural systems, and even more so for rainfed crops. However, I believe that, like any challenge, it is also an incentive for new holistic landscape restoration approaches, which will allow us to respond to a demand for sustainable products that is undoubtedly growing in European markets and around the world. Regenerative agriculture is the new commitment of many companies to contribute to the society challenges through their supply chains.Ryan Gellert, CEO, Patagonia The 4 Returns Framework, contributing to the Ecoomics of Drought report, offers a science-based, long-term initiative for restoring healthy landscapes. If all sectors of society can support and adopt this framework, we will protect intact ecosystems vital for a healthy planet and thriving communities.  Jay Albany, CEO, Dirty Clean Food Pty Ltd, Perth, AustraliaIn Western Australia, we’ve experienced firsthand the drastic impacts from drought conditions.   Perth has just experienced its hottest summer on record.  Rainfall in Australia’s the Southwest – one of 34 internationally recognised biodiversity hotspots, where half of our 8,000 plant species are found nowhere else – has fallen by 20% since 1970 during the critical May -July period.   We believe it is vital to shift agricultural practices to build organic matter in our soils to improve water and nutrient retention, mitigating future drought risk.  For every 1% increase in organic matter, our soil can hold up to 30,000 more liters of water per hectare.***NOTES Launch: In Riyadh: 3 December 2024, 8:45 AM Riyadh time (GMT+3), Action DomeOnline: UN Web TVSide-event ‘The Economics of Drought – presentation of the UNCCD Flagship Report:In Riyadh: 3 December 2024, 15:30h Riyadh (GMT+3), MET-05: 275  Download the full Economics of Drought Report (available in English): https://www.unccd.int/resources/publications/economics-drought-investing-nature-based-solutions-drought-resilienceMedia enquiries:                                                                                                                    Please contact UNCCD Press Office at press@unccd.intSocial media:@UNCCD @ELD@UNUINWEH #COP16Riyadh    #UNCCDCOP16    #Economics4LandAbout UNCCD The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the only legally binding international agreement on good land stewardship. It supports communities and countries in creating wealth and securing nutritious food, clean water and energy through sustainable land management. Through partnerships, the Convention’s 197 parties also set up robust systems to proactively manage drought risks. 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.  About ELD:The Economics of Land Degradation (ELD) Initiative is a global initiative that makes the values of land and its ecosystem services count in decisions with the aim to inform, promote, and scale land solutions for transformative change. Established in 2011 between the UNCCD, EU and Germany, and hosted by GIZ, ELD informed better land decisions with +40 case studies in +30 countries and raised global awareness with numerous flagship reports. In working at the science-policy-practice interface, ELD connects science with policy and business aiming to support decision maker in transforming existing pledges for land to real policy and business action.About UNU-INWEHThe United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) is one of 13 institutions that form the United Nations University (UNU), the academic arm of the United Nations. Hosted by the Government of Canada, UNU-INWEH focuses on major sustainability challenges, addressing critical water, environmental, and health issues worldwide. Through research, training, capacity building, and knowledge dissemination, UNU-INWEH is dedicated to resolving pressing global challenges that are of concern to the United Nations and its member states.About IDRA The International Drought Resilence 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 30 countries and 20 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.

World needs US$ 1 billion daily to combat desertification, land degradation and drought between 2025 and 2030Total Investment Required Equals Annual Spending on Environmentally Harmful SubsidiesFirst-ever financial needs assessment for UNCCD launched at COP16 in RiyadhBonn/Riyadh 3 December 2024: At least USD 2.6 trillion in total investments are needed by 2030 to restore over one billion hectares of degraded land and build resilience to drought, according to the latest report from the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The " Investing in Land’s Future: Financial needs assessment for UNCCD" report, launched today at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to UNCCD in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia calls for US$1 billion in daily investments between now and 2030 to meet the world’s land restoration targets and combat desertification and drought.Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the UNCCD, said: "To protect lives and livelihoods, we must significantly increase investments in land restoration. The returns—both financial and societal—are undeniable. Every dollar invested in healthy land is a dollar invested in biodiversity, climate, and food security. The good news is that the world could save billions annually and earn trillions more by restoring land back to health and building resilience to drought”. Up to 40% of the world’s land is degraded, affecting over 3.2 billion people, with the highest costs borne by those who can least afford it: indigenous communities, rural households, smallholder farmers, and especially youth and women.The situation is compounded by the sharp rise in droughts—up by 29% since 2000—with projections showing that by 2050, three in four people worldwide could be affected. Yet, despite this escalating crisis, global investments needed to meet the world’s land restoration and drought resilience goals are falling short by $278 billion each year. Key Report FindingsFinancing is increasing but large gaps remain: Global investments to combat desertification and land degradation rose from $37 billion in 2016 to $66 billion by 2022. However, $355 billion per year is needed between 2025 and 2030 to close the financing gap, resulting in a $278 billion shortfall.Losses outstrip investments needed: Desertification, land degradation, and drought already cost the global economy $878 billion every year—far more than the investments needed to tackle these issues. These costs include reduced agricultural productivity and ecosystem services, the social costs of carbon losses, and damages caused by drought.Investing wisely: The total amount of investment needed between now and 2030 to reach land and drought resilience targets–US$ 2.6 trillion–is equivalent to what the world wastes each year on harmful environmental subsidies, according to the recent report by Earthtrack. High returns on investment: Investing in land restoration delivers significant benefits, generating an estimated $1.8 trillion in annual returns. This represents a return on investment of up to $8 in social, environmental, and economic gains for every dollar invested.. This includes improved agricultural productivity, increased drought and climate resilience, and improved ecosystem services.Unlocking private investment: Private sector currently contributes only 6% of necessary funding towards land restoration and drought resilience. Public-private partnerships, blended finance models, and green bonds are key strategies to mobilize capital. Unlocking private investment could accelerate land restoration, creating economic opportunities and environmental benefits, particularly in the hardest-hit regions.Africa’s urgent needs: Africa faces the largest financing gap, needing $191 billion annually to restore 600 million hectares of degraded land. This reflects not only significant challenges but also the continent’s unmatched land restoration ambition—the highest globally. Losing over 100 football pitches of healthy land every minute threatens livelihoods, food and water security, and public health, with potential to disrupt regional economies and global trade.The staggering cost of inaction      Without urgent financial support, the socio-economic impacts of land degradation will deepen, driving instability and forced migration. Crop yields could decline by up to 50% in some regions by 2050, driving food prices up by 30% and intensifying food insecurity, particularly in vulnerable areas. For communities already struggling with limited resources, these pressures will exacerbate poverty, strain livelihoods, and increase the risk of resource-driven conflicts. Africa stands at a critical crossroads. Bridging financing for a sustainable future There is real potential to close the $278 billion annual funding gap through innovative financial solutions. Repurposing harmful agricultural and forestry subsidies can unlock billions for sustainable land management, transforming restoration efforts. With increased private sector involvement, alongside public investments, the $355 billion needed each year can be mobilized more effectively.Africa, facing the largest shortfall, can significantly benefit from these efforts. Immediate commitments to restore 600 million hectares are critical, and tools like sustainability bonds provide fresh opportunities for financing. Leveraging the benefits of restorationInvesting in land restoration offers far-reaching benefits. Restoring over one billion hectares will enhance ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and water management, playing a crucial role in mitigating climate change. The economic, social, and environmental returns of these investments support progress on key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty reduction, zero hunger, and climate action."This report highlights the critical urgency of addressing the massive financing gap for land restoration," said Louise Baker, Managing Director of UNCCD’s Global Mechanism. "Achieving global restoration targets by 2030 demands unprecedented collaboration between governments, the private sector, and international organizations. With escalating threats from climate change and land degradation, scaling up investments is essential—not just to meet targets but to secure the planet's future and improve the well-being of billions worldwide. The Global Mechanism is actively supporting countries in securing diverse funding sources, ensuring that no opportunity for investment in sustainable land restoration and restoration is left untapped."Download the full report The full report Investing in Land’s Future: Financial needs assessment for UNCCD is available in English:  https://www.unccd.int/resources/publications/investing-lands-future-financial-needs-assessment-unccdMedia enquiriesFor media enquiries please contact UNCCD Press Office at  press@unccd.int or Portland Communications at unccd@portland-communications.comSocial media assets are available here.About UNCCDThe United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is an international agreement on good land stewardship. It helps people, communities and countries create wealth, grow economies and secure enough food, clean water and energy by ensuring land users an enabling environment for sustainable land management. Through partnerships, the Convention’s 197 Parties set up 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. About the Global MechanismEstablished in 1994 under Article 21 of the UNCCD, the Global Mechanism (GM) facilitates the mobilization of financial resources to combat desertification, land degradation, and drought. It offers advisory services and collaborates with developing countries, donors, and the private sector to secure the funding necessary for implementing the Convention’s goals. About COP16 The Conference of the Parties (COP) was established by the Convention as its main decision-making body. It is made up of UNCCD’s 197 Parties (196 countries and the European Union) and is responsible for guiding the Convention so that it can respond to global challenges and national needs.  UNCCD COP16 will be a landmark event to raise global ambition and accelerate action on land and drought resilience through a people-centred approach. It will coincide with the Convention’s 30th anniversary. UNCCD COP16 is the first major UN conference hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It will also be the first time a UNCCD COP is held in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which knows firsthand the impacts of desertification, land degradation and drought. 

Negotiations on a future global drought regime get underway at UNCCD COP16US$ 2.15 billion pledged for the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience PartnershipWorld Drought Atlas highlights global drought impacts and resilience solutionsInternational Drought Resilience Observatory will provide first global, AI-driven data platform to assess drought resilience globallyRiyadh, Saudi Arabia, 3 December 2024 — Negotiations on a global drought regime are set to dominate the 16thConference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16) as 197 Parties gather to address one of the world’s deadliest and costliest disasters. The conference opened on Monday, 2 December with major political and financial commitments to strengthen drought resilience worldwide. Drought, intensified by climate change and unsustainable land practices, has surged by nearly 30 per cent in frequency and intensity since 2000, threatening agriculture, water security, and the livelihoods of 1.8 billion people, with the poorest nations bearing the brunt.In his opening remarks, Ibrahim Thiaw, UNCCD Executive Secretary, said: “We are all gathered here to make COP16 a historic moment. The world expects Parties to adopt a bold decision that can help turn the tide on the most pervasive and the most disruptive environmental disaster: drought.” In a video message to delegates at UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed emphasized the growing challenges posed by land degradation and drought: “Never before have so many people been affected by land degradation and drought. 40 per cent of fertile land is now degraded. And the results are dire: rising inequalities, people hungry, people displaced. Livelihoods and businesses threatened, environments destroyed, and the foundation of peace, stability and security rocked. On the basis of current trends, by 2050, three in four people, will be affected by drought worldwide. But you are in Riyadh to turn the tide.”  Newly elected COP16 President Abdulrahman Alfadley, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, echoed these concerns, noting that degraded land already affects three billion people globally and will “increase levels of migration, stability, and insecurity among many communities.”COP16 will focus on establishing the first global regime for drought resilience, addressing the systemic risks of drought highlighted in multiple articles of the UNCCD and decisions from the past seven COPs.  Governments are expected to negotiate commitments to enhance resilience at all levels, building on recommendations from the Intergovernmental Working Group on Drought established at COP15.Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership Secures $2.15 Billion in CommitmentsThe Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, announced today by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as UNCCD COP16 host, will leverage public and private finance to support 80 of the most vulnerable and drought-hit countries around the world. An initial US $2.15 billion have been pledged towards the Riyadh Partnership by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (US$150 million), the Islamic Development Bank (US$1 billion) and the OPEC Fund for International Development (US$1 billion).  The Arab Coordination Group, which encompasses 10 institutions headquartered in five countries, is expected announce its pledge on day two of COP16.“The Riyadh Drought Resilience Partnership will serve as a global facilitator for drought resilience, promoting the shift from reactive relief response to proactive preparedness. We also seek to amplify global resources to save lives and livelihoods around the world,” said Dr Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister for Environment, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture of Saudia Arabia and Advisor to the UNCCD COP16 Presidency. The Partnership will work to source additional funding through voluntary contributions by countries, financial institutions, and philanthropic organizations, among others. The financial and in-kind contributions help least developed countries (LDCs) and lower middle-income countries to unlock access to additional financing through blended financing such as concessional loans, commercial loans, equity participation, savings, insurance and other financial schemes.State Secretary of Environment of Spain Hugo Morán, said: “For Spain and Senegal, the co-chairs the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA), promoting international cooperation is a key priority. We are working very hard to mobilize political momentum and resources for drought resilience all over the world. However, much remains to be done. This is why we welcome the Riyadh Partnership and its potential to mobilize additional resources for drought resilience with a focus on the least developed countries and the lower middle-income countries. We look forward to collaborating with Saudi Arabia and the UNCCD Secretariat to leverage synergies between IDRA and this new partnership.” Negotiations on drought underwayA major focus of COP16 will be negotiations on a future global regime on drought resilience, the first of its kind. Multiple articles of the Convention text refer to drought and the last seven UNCCD COPs also have decisions related to drought. The Drought Resilience + 10 Conference, held in Geneva from 30 September to 2 October 2024, concluded that “the increasingly systemic nature of drought requires new approaches, policy instruments and the operationalization of national drought plans along the lines of proactive and integrated drought management.”It is expected that the negotiations among governments, culminating at UNCCD COP16, will result in robust commitments to strengthen community, national and international resilience to anticipate, respond to and recover from the impacts of impending or ongoing droughts, building on the policy options presented by the Intergovernmental Working Group on Drought established at COP 15.“After 30 years of deliberations, including six consecutive years of intergovernmental working groups, all eyes are on us. This is a lot of pressure, but we must seize this pivotal moment in Riyadh. Together, we can reverse the trends of land degradation and build a more resilient world to drought,” said UNCCD’s Thiaw. World Drought Atlas and International Drought Resilience ObservatoryAmid escalating global drought crises, the UNCCD, in collaboration with the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) and partners, launched the World Drought Atlas, highlighting the systemic risks of drought across critical sectors like energy, agriculture, river transport and trade, using maps, infographics and case studies to showcase its cascading impacts on inequality, conflict and public health.  In addition, the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) introduced the prototype International Drought Resilience Observatory (IDRO) — an AI-powered global platform designed to empower diverse stakeholders, from policymakers to communities, with actionable insights for building drought resilience. The full version of IDRO will debut at UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia in 2026, marking a shift towards proactive drought management worldwide. Anna Dyson, Founding Director of Yale Center for Ecosystems + Architecture, explained: “Although a wealth of knowledge is emerging on drought resilience globally, it tends to be scattered and difficult to access. The Observatory will enable quick access to diverse expertise and tools needed to anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to drought challenges. Connecting insights with powerful analytics, it delivers timely, actionable information while addressing critical gaps in risk and adaptive strategies.Media inquiries:For media enquiries please contact the UNCCD Press Office at press@unccd.intAbout UNCCDThe United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is an international agreement on good land stewardship. It helps people, communities and countries create wealth, grow economies and secure enough food, clean water and energy by ensuring land users an enabling environment for sustainable land management. Through partnerships, the Convention’s 197 Parties set up 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. About COP16 The Conference of the Parties (COP) was established by the Convention as its main decision-making body. It is made up of UNCCD’s 197 Parties (196 countries and the European Union) and is responsible for guiding the Convention so that it can respond to global challenges and national needs.  UNCCD COP16 will be a landmark event to raise global ambition and accelerate action on land and drought resilience through a people-centred approach. It will coincide with the Convention’s 30th anniversary. UNCCD COP16 is the first major UN conference hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It will also be the first time a UNCCD COP is held in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which knows firsthand the impacts of desertification, land degradation and drought. 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 70 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.Photo: (c) IISD-ENB Anastasia Rodopoulou

Atlas launched as UNCCD Member States, meeting in Riyadh, negotiate drought resilience effortsRiyadh, Saudi Arabia — As record-breaking droughts are becoming a new normal around the globe, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) launch the most comprehensive global publication on drought risks and solutions as an urgent wake-up call for world leaders and citizens.The World Drought Atlas depicts the systemic nature of drought risks for both specialist and non-specialist audiences. Through dozens of maps, infographics, and case studies, it illustrates how drought risks are interconnected across sectors like energy, agriculture, river transport, and international trade and how they can trigger cascading effects, fueling inequalities and conflicts and threatening public health.Co-produced with Cima Research Foundation (Italy), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (The Netherlands), and the UN University Institute for Environment and Human Security (Germany), its publication comes as UNCCD’s 197 member states, meeting in Riyadh, negotiate how to build humanity’s resilience to harsher droughts. Droughts are one of the world’s most costly and deadly hazards and are on track to affect 3 in 4 people globally by 2050. However, many countries and sectors are still failing to prepare for them through the right actions, policies, investments, and incentives.“The World Drought Atlas challenges governments, business leaders, and policy makers at all levels to radically rethink how they make decisions and manage drought risk,” said UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw. “I call on all nations, and in particular the Parties to the UNCCD, to take the findings of the Atlas seriously. At UNCCD COP16, Parties could change the course of history towards drought resilience. Let us seize the moment with the knowledge that the Atlas provides a path for a more resilient future for all.” The Atlas underscores the need for national drought plans and international cooperation to keep communities, economies, and ecosystems afloat in the face of harsher events. Additionally, it offers guidance for proactive and prospective drought management and adaptation across sectors and governance levels.Drought impacts are typically less visible, and attract less attention, than sudden events like floods and earthquakes. That is particularly true for the effects on ecosystems, which tend to be neglected in national drought plans despite their crippling impacts on economies and communities. But fast-onset droughts, known as flash droughts, more intense droughts—and more readily apparent impacts—are also becoming commonplace.HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ATLASImpacts of human-made droughtsThe World Drought Atlas explains how worsening drought risks are linked to human activities and then delves into the impacts of drought in five key areas—water supply, agriculture, hydropower, inland navigation, and ecosystems. Droughts can reduce hydropower generation, leading to higher energy prices or power outages, and can disrupt international trade due to low water levels that hinder inland waterway transportation, as seen with the Panama Canal. On the nature front, the Atlas notes that while droughts pose a threat to ecosystems, greater biodiversity can mitigate drought impacts, meaning that promoting biodiversity is important to build drought resilience and vice versa.The food-land-water nexus is another major focus of the Atlas, since agriculture accounts for around 70% of freshwater use globally, and is also seriously impacted by drought. The publication explores how the agricultural products that reach our plates through global supply chains can worsen the effects of droughts and create water-stress in the countries where they are produced through virtual water transfers. Small-scale farmers and marginalized groups are particularly vulnerable due to disparities in water access and resources needed to build resilience to drought.The Atlas also shows how drought risks are interconnected and why their effects span across sectors. Countries reliant on hydropower for electricity, for instance, may face power outages during droughts. If this happens during a heatwave, it can result in hospitalizations and deaths as people cannot use fans or air conditioning to cool their homes.Lessons from recent droughtsThe Atlas features 21 case studies from around the world, underscoring that no country—whatever its size, GDP, or latitude—is immune to drought and all can better prepare for it. For example, the publication highlights impacts and lessons learned from recent droughts on the Great Plains of the US, in the city of Barcelona in Spain, and in the Yangtze River basin in China and explores drought impacts across the Central American Dry Corridor, the Indian subcontinent, and the Horn of Africa. Other case studies highlight the particular needs, resources, and perspectives of Indigenous communities when it comes to preparing for drought.Droughts have increased by 29% since the year 2000 due to climate change and the unsustainable management of land and water resources. The UN considers human-made drought an emergency on a planetary scale, but notes that drought risks can be tackled with the right actions, policies and investments.How to build drought resilienceThe Atlas describes concrete measures and pathways to manage, reduce, and adapt to systemic drought risks; underscores the co-benefits of these actions for different sectors; and showcases best practices from different regions.  The measures highlighted in the Atlas fall into three categories: governance (e.g. early warning systems, microinsurance for smallholder farmers, pricing schemes for water usage); land-use management (e.g. land restoration and agroforestry); and the management of water supply and use (e.g. wastewater reuse, managed groundwater recharge and conservation.)As highlighted by the Atlas, the Secretariat of the UNCCD, its Communities of Learning and Practice, the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA), the European Commission Joint Research Centre, the regional and global networks and partner institutions listed in the publication, and communities themselves can develop and provide the necessary knowledge, tools, and support to transform science into policy and policy into drought resilience action today“The Atlas is a powerful new resource to build political momentum for proactive drought risk management ahead of UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh. We already have the knowledge and tools to build our resilience to harsher droughts. It is now our collective responsibility, and in our best interest, to take action for a drought-resilient future,” sums up the Secretary of State of Environment of Spain, which co-chairs the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) together with Senegal.***QUOTES:CIMA Research Foundation: “The World Drought Atlas brings together experts and practitioners across disciplines and borders to create a comprehensive tool for understanding and visualizing drought’s multifaceted impacts while proposing sustainable solutions. This collaborative effort serves as a model for political action, underscoring that collective engagement is crucial for building resilient and adaptive societies”, said Lauro Rossi,  Program Director at CIMA Research Foundation, one of the coordinators of the Atlas. Marthe Wens, senior drought researcher at the Institute for Environmental Studies of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam: “Human activities are driving or exacerbating droughts and their impacts on society. This is clearly depicted in the Atlas, and based on scientific literature and using examples from around the world. It also means that through our management of land and water we have the ability to reduce drought impacts and increase our systems' resilience.”Shen Xiaomeng, Director of UNU-EHS: “The World Drought Atlas underscores the urgent need to rethink how we perceive and address drought risks in our interconnected world. It challenges us to go beyond temporary fixes and imagine systemic and dynamic solutions that not only reduce risks comprehensively, but also prioritize the most vulnerable.”Hugo Morán, State Secretary of Environment of Spain, which co-chairs the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA): Droughts are one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. Climate change and the unsustainable management of land and water resources has made them more frequent and intens,  affecting communities and ecosystems. UNCCD COP16 is a unique opportunity to strengthen the technical, political and financial conditions to address droughts and the World Drought Atlas represents a key instrument to support these efforts.’NOTESLaunch:In Riyadh: ‘Ministerial Dialogue on drought resilience: From Geneva to Riyadh and beyond, enhancing global and national policy instruments for a proactive drought management approach’. 15 h Riyadh (GMT+3), Main Committee RoomOnline: UN WebTVFull Global Drought Atlas available soon in English on the UNCCD website:https://www.unccd.int/resources/publications/world-drought-atlasMedia enquiries: press@unccd.int, cc gpallares@unccd.int and terrycollins1@gmail.comSocial media:@UNCCD    #UNCCDCOP16  (Primary)#COP16Riyadh (Secondary)About UNCCD The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the only legally binding international agreement on good land stewardship. It supports communities and countries in creating wealth and securing nutritious food, clean water and energy through sustainable land management. Through partnerships, the Convention’s 197 parties also set up robust systems to proactively manage drought risks. 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.  About the European Commission's Joint Research Centre:The Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission plays a key role at multiple stages of the EU policy cycle by providing independent, evidence-based science and knowledge, supporting EU policies to positively impact society. The JRC works closely with other Commission departments, EU institutions and agencies, as well as with scientific partners and policy organisations in Europe and internationally, offering scientific expertise and competences from a wide range of scientific disciplines. About CIMA Research FoundationCIMA Research Foundation is an international center of excellence dedicated to the study and management of weather-related risks. Founded in Italy in 2007, CIMA is a research organization that combines scientific research, applied technology, and capacity development into disaster risk reduction. Widely recognized for its innovative contributions to early warning systems and risk assessment, CIMA collaborates with international organizations like the UN system, the World Bank, the European Commission, and national governments, providing scientific and technical support for projects in vulnerable regions, including Africa, South America and the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and the Mediterranean. Through its interdisciplinary approach that integrates technical and social sciences, CIMA bridges the gap between research and practical application. Its scientifically grounded and actionable solutions address real-world challenges with evidence-based strategies.About Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam:Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam is a unique university in the Netherlands with faculties in the humanities, STEM, social sciences, and medical sciences. The Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) is part of VU. IVM is the oldest environmental research institute in the Netherlands (est. 1971), and currently one of the world's leading institutes in sustainability science. IVM works at the forefront of current scientific and societal debates to contribute to a more sustainable planet. Through multi-, inter- and transdisciplinary solution-oriented research, IVM researchers aim to understand the world’s complexity and provide ways forward. They study hydrological and climate processes, and how these processes lead to risks and opportunities for society, the economy, and the environment. The Drought Risk group of IVM is developing new methodologies and policy-relevant results on the topics of drought risk analysis and drought adaptation.About UNU-EHS:United Nations University is the global think tank of the United Nations. The Institute for Environment and Human Security (Bonn, Germany) focuses on advancing human security and well-being by reducing current and future risks from environmental hazards and climate change. Its main areas of work are risk & adaptation and transformation. https://unu.edu/ehsAbout IDRA The 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 30 countries and 20 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.The Atlas is available for media preview at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VBI_LlGzt8jhKZSIKO2vjzX9dBIMR-Xh/view?usp=sharingSelected maps: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Br9wC41FR_4og-uIpSvu4r2csihXDlZ3?usp=sharing