Press releases

Ikki milliard tonna qum va chang og'irligi bo'yicha 350 ta Giza piramidalariga teng. har yili atmosferaga kirib keladi; BMTning Choʻllanish va qurgʻoqchilikka qarshi kurash Konvensiyasi ekspertlari muammoning 25% dan ortig'ini inson faoliyati bilan bog'laydi. Shimoliy va Markaziy Osiyodan Sahroi Kabirdan janubiy Afrikagacha vayronagarchiliklar keltirib chiqaradi; Natijada, inson salomatligiga salbiy ta’sir ko’rsatadi. Birlashgan Millatlar Tashkilotining Cho'llanishga qarshi kurash to'g'risidagi Konvensiyasiga (UNCCD) ma’lumotlariga ko'ra, qum va chang bo'ronlari hozirda dunyoning ba'zi joylarida "keskin" tez-tez uchraydigan muammo bo'lib, buning kamida 25% inson faoliyati bilan bog'liq. Siyosiy tavsiyalar bilan birga ushbu ogohlantirish Konvensiyani amalga oshirishdagi global yutuqlarni sarhisob qilish uchun O'zbekistonning Samarqand shahrida besh kunlik yig'ilish o'tkazilayotgan paytda e'lon qilindi. BMTning Choʻllanish va qurgʻoqchilikka qarshi kurash Konvensiyasi 1992-yilda Rio-de-Janeyroda bo'lib o'tgan Yer sammitida qabul qilingan uchta konvensiyadan biridir. Qolgan ikkitasi esa iqlim o'zgarishi (UNFCCC) va biologik xilma-xillik (UN CBD) Konvensiyalaridir. 13-17 noyabr kunlari (https://www.unccd.int/cric21) o‘tkaziladigan sessiyalar 15-noyabr kuni O‘zbekiston hukumati tomonidan mezbonlik qilinadigan qum va chang bo‘ronlarining sanoat, transport, suv, havo sifati va inson salomatligi va qishloq xo‘jaligiga ta’sirini bartaraf etish yo‘llariga bag‘ishlangan yuqori darajadagi sessiyani o‘z ichiga oladi.  “Qum va changdan iborat qora bulutlar va kunni tunga aylantirayotgan tasvirlar – bu tabiatning eng qo'rqinchli tomoshalaridan biridir. Bu Shimoliy va Markaziy Osiyodan Sahroi Kabirdan janubiy Afrikagacha bo‘lgan hamma joyda vayronagarchiliklarga olib keladigan salbiy hodisadir”, - ta’kidlaydi BMTning Choʻllanish va qurgʻoqchilikka qarshi kurash Konvensiyasi Ijrochi kotibi Ibrohim Tiau. “Qum va chang bo'ronlari barqaror rivojlanishga erishish uchun katta qiyinchilik tug'diradi. Biroq, qum va chang bo'ronlari inson faoliyati orqali kuchayganidek, ular ham inson harakatlari orqali kamayishi mumkin”, - deya qo'shimcha qiladi Tiau. Qum va chang bo'ronlari mintaqaviy darajada keng tarqalgan va mavsumiy tabiat hodisasi bo'lsa-da, BMTning Choʻllanish va qurgʻoqchilikka qarshi kurash Konvensiyasi ekspertlarining fikriga ko'ra, muammo yer va suvni noto'g'ri boshqarish, qurg'oqchilik va iqlim o'zgarishi bilan yanada kuchaymoqda. Qum va chang bo’ronlarining intensivligi, kattaligi yoki davomiyligidagi o'zgarishlar yanada katta xavf tug’dirishi mumkin". Kuzatilayotgan salbiy ta'sirlar manbalari  mintaqalaridan uzoqroqda bo'lgan holda, hozirda har yili atmosferaga taxminan 2 milliard tonna qum va chang kiradi, bu og'irligi bo'yicha Gizaning 350 ta Buyuk Piramidalariga teng. Ba'zi hududlarda o'tgan asrda cho'l changi ikki baravarga ko'paydi. “Qum va chang bo'ronlari tobora tez-tez va jiddiy tus olib, transchegaraviy ta'sirga ega bo'lib, atrof-muhit, iqlim, sog'liq, qishloq xo'jaligi, turmush sharoiti va odamlarning ijtimoiy-iqtisodiy farovonligiga ta'sir qiladi. Qum va chang bo'ronlari ta'sirining to'planishi inson salomatligi uchun sezilarli darajada bo'lishi mumkin", - deydi BMTning Oziq-ovqat va qishloq xo'jaligi tashkiloti (FAO) texnik xodimi, BMTning qum va chang bo'ronlariga qarshi kurash bo'yicha koalitsiyasi raisi Feras Ziadat. “Ba’zi hududlarda qum va chang bo'ronlari ekinlarga zarar yetkazadi, chorva mollariga ta’sir qiladi va tuproqning yuqori qatlamini yo‘q qiladi. Cho'kma joylarida atmosfera changi, ayniqsa mahalliy sanoat ifloslanishi bilan birgalikda, nafas olish kasalliklari kabi inson salomatligi muammolarini keltirib chiqarishi yoki yomonlashishi mumkin. Aloqa, elektr energiyasi ishlab chiqarish, transport va ta'minot zanjirlari ham past ko'rinish va changdan kelib chiqqan mexanik nosozliklar tufayli buzilishi mumkin. Birlashgan Millatlar Tashkilotining Qum va chang bo'ronlariga qarshi kurash bo'yicha koalitsiyasi, hozirda FAO raisligida 2019-yilda qum va chang bo’ronlari bilan kurashish bo'yicha global sa'y-harakatlarga rahbarlik qilish uchun tuzilgan.” Choʻllanish va qurgʻoqchilikka qarshi kurash Konvensiyasi, FAO va boshqa hamkorlar o'zlarining Qum va chang bo'ronlari to'plamida (https://www.unccd.int/land-and-life/sand-and-dust-storms/toolbox) qum va chang bo'ronlari bo’yicha ma'lumotlarini to'plash va baholash, monitoring va erta ogohlantirish, ta'sirni yumshatish va tayyorgarlik choralarini ko’rish, shuningdek, manbalarni xaritalash, milliy, mintaqaviy va global darajada antropogen manbalarni yumshatish borasidagi yondashuvlar va metodologiyalar bo'yicha ko'rsatmalar bilan bo’lishadilar.. Qum va chang bo’ronlar muhokamasi Choʻllanish va qurgʻoqchilikka qarshi kurash Konvensiyasi (CRIC 21) bajarilishini ko'rib chiqish qo'mitasining O'zbekistonda bo'lib o'tadigan bu yilgi yig'ilishining kun tartibining bir qismini va Konvensiyaning strategik maqsadlarini amalga oshirishdagi global taraqqiyotni tashkil etadi. Bu Birlashgan Millatlar Tashkiloti Komissiyasi tashkil etilganidan buyon birinchi marta Markaziy Osiyodagi eng muhim uchrashuvlaridan birini o’tqazdi. Yig‘ilish muhim pallaga to‘g‘ri keladi, chunki Choʻllanish va qurgʻoqchilikka qarshi kurash Konvensiyasi ning yangi ma’lumotlar platformasi (https://data.unccd.int/) orqali e’lon qilingan so‘nggi statistik ma’lumotlar shuni ko‘rsatadiki, dunyo har yili deyarli 1 million kvadrat kilometr sog‘lom va unumdor yerlarni yo‘qotmoqda – 4,2 million kvadrat kilometr: taxminan 2015-2019 yillar oralig'idagi Markaziy Osiyoning beshta davlati: Qozog'iston, Qirg'iziston, Tojikiston, Turkmaniston va O'zbekistonning umumiy maydoni. Uchrashuv davomida Choʻllanish va qurgʻoqchilikka qarshi kurash Konvensiyasi va FAO ekspertlari uchta hisobotni taqdim etishlari rejalashtirilmoqda: Qum va chang bo'ronlari. Qishloq xo'jaligida ta’sirni yumshatish, moslashish, siyosiy yondashuv va xavflarni boshqarish choralari bo'yicha qo'llanma. Eron Islom Respublikasi qishloq xoʻjaligida qum va chang boʻronlariga chidamlilikni oshirish boʻyicha investitsiyalar va harakatlarni oshirish uchun favqulodda vaziyatlarni rejalashtirish jarayoni va Ko’chmanchi jamiyatlar bilan qum va chang bo'roni bo'yicha favqulodda vaziyatlarni rejalashtirishga tayyorgarlik: Mo'g'uliston misolida CRIC 21 kun tartibining boshqa masalalari barqaror yer boshqaruvini rag'batlantirish, ayollar uchun adolatli yer huquqlarini ta'minlash, iqlim o'zgarishi va atrof-muhit degradatsiyasi natijasida kuchaygan qurg'oqchilik va o'rmon yong'inlariga qarshi kurashni o'z ichiga oladi. * * * * * Qo’shimcha ma’lumot: Qum va chang bo’ronlar Qum va chang bo'ronlari ko'plab mahalliy nomlar bilan tanilgan: sirokko, xabub, sariq chang, oq bo'ronlar yohud harmattan. Qum va chang bo'ronlari ham quruqlik, ham dengiz ekotizimlarini urug'lantirishi mumkin bo'lsa-da, ular inson salomatligi, tirikchilik va atrof-muhit uchun bir qator xavflarni keltirib chiqaradi. Qum va chang bo'ronlari hodisalari odatda past kenglikdagi quruq yerlarda va o'simlik qoplami siyrak yoki mavjud bo'lmagan nam joylarda yuzaga keladi. Qum va chang bo'ronlari  boshqa muhitlarda, jumladan, nam mintaqalarda qishloq xo'jaligi va yuqori kengliklarda, o'ziga xos shamol va atmosfera sharoitlariga to'g'ri kelganda ham paydo bo'lishi mumkin. Qum va chang bo'ronlari minglab kilometrlardan ortiq hududlarga  ta'sir ko'rsatishi mumkin. Yagona va izchil global va mintaqaviy choralar va yondashuvlar,  ayniqsa qum va chang bo'ronlari  manbalarni yumshatish, erta ogohlantirish tizimlari va monitoringni hal qilish uchun zarur. Qum va chang bo'ronlari odatda sezilarli iqtisodiy ta'sir ko'rsatadi: masalan, ular Quvaytdagi neft sektoriga yiliga taxminan 190 million AQSh dollari miqdorida zarar etkazgan bo'lsa, 2009 yilda bitta qum va chang bo'ron hodisasi Avstraliyada 229-243 million AQSh dollari miqdoridagi zararga olib keldi. Mineral changning asosiy global manbalari Shimoliy Afrika, Yaqin Sharq va Sharqiy Osiyo bo'ylab shimoliy yarim sharda joylashgan. Janubiy yarimsharda Avstraliya, Janubiy Amerika va Janubiy Afrika asosiy chang manbalari hisoblanadi.  Markaziy Osiyoning 80% dan hududini choʻl va dashtlar egallaydi, ular iqlim oʻzgarishi va uzoq davom etayotgan qurgʻoqchilik bilan birgalikda qum va chang boʻronlarining asosiy tabiiy manbai hisoblanadi. Qurigan Orol dengizi tubi qum va chang bo'ronlarning asosiy manbai bo'lib, har yili 100 million tonnadan ortiq chang va zaharli tuzlarni chiqaradi, bu nafaqat yaqin atrofda, balki undan uzoqda yashaydigan insonlarning sog'lig'iga ta'sir qiladi va har yili 44 mln. AQSh dollari miqdorida yo'qotishlarni keltirib chiqaradi. Qum va chang bo'ronlarni tabiiy ofat xavfi sifatida tan olish Shimoliy-Sharqiy Osiyo, G'arbiy Osiyo va Shimoliy Amerikaning ba'zi qismlarida yuqori, ammo boshqa joylarda kamroq seziladi Qum va chang bo'ronlarini tabiiy ofat xavfi sifatida yetarlicha tan olinmasligi, ehtimol, (ko'p hollarda) bevosita insonlarning o'limi yoki alohida qum va chang bo'ronlari hodisalari natijasidagi jarohatlarning yo'qligi va ularning sog'lig'iga, iqtisodiy yoki boshqa uzoq muddatli ta'siri bo'yicha  ma’lumotlarni yetarlicha mavjud emasligi bilan bog’liq bo’lishi mumkin.  Qum va chang bo'ronlarini  sog'liqqa ta’siri Qum va chang bo'ronlari sog'lig'i yomon bo'lgan insonlar hayoti uchun xavfli bo'lishi mumkin. Mayda chang zarralari yuqori troposfera darajalariga (balandligi bir necha kilometrgacha) ko'tariladi, bu erda shamol ularni uzoq masofalarga tarqatishi mumkin. Qum va chang bo'ronlarining sog'liqqa ta'siri o'nlab yillar davomida o'rganilib kelinmoqda, aksariyat tadqiqotlar Sharqiy Osiyo, Yevropa va Yaqin Sharqda o'tkazilgan. G'arbiy Afrikada ushbu tadqiqotlar o’tqazilmagan. Ushbu tadqiqotlarning alohida yo'nalishi qum va chang bo'ronlarini havo ifloslanishining o’zgarishiga qaratilgan. Atmosferadagi qum va changni kelib chiqish sababi va ta'siri, sog’liqqa ta'sir qilishi  noaniq bo'lib qolmoqda va chuqur o'rganishni talab qiladi. Aytish mumkinki, sog’ligi zaif va xavf ostida bo'lgan vakillari, ayniqsa, ilgari yurak-o'pka kasalliklari, jumladan, bolalikdan astmasi bo'lganlar, chang bo'roni paytida o'lim yoki kasallanish darajasi yuqori bo'lishi mumkin.  Qum va chang bo'ronlarining, shuningdek, ekinlarning nobud bo'lishi yoki hosildorlikning pasayishi, hayvonlarning nobud bo'lishi,  sut va go'sht mahsulotlarini kam mahsuldorligi va infratuzilmaga zarar etkazish orqali qishloq xo'jaligi sektoriga katta xarajatlarni keltirib chiqarishi mumkin. Bir yillik ekinlar uchun nobud bo’lish holatlari  ko'chatlar yoki ekinlarning qum ostida ko'milishi, o'simlik to'qimalarining yo'qolishi va qum bilan tozalash natijasida fotosintez faolligining pasayishi bilan bog'liq. Bu mintaqada hosilning to'liq yo'qolishiga yoki hosilning pasayishiga olib kelishi mumkin. Ba'zi ko'p yillik ekinlarga daraxt yoki ekinlarning shikastlanishi (masalan, beda/beda tojlari shikastlangani kabi) uzoq muddatli ta'sir ko'rsatishi mumkin. Ushbu masalani ba’zi bir ijobiy tomonlari ham mavjud.  Qum va chang bo'ronlarining changida azot, fosfor va kaliy kabi tuproq uchun ozuqa moddalari, shuningdek, organik uglerod bo'lishi mumkin. Ba'zi hududlar quruqlikda, mineral va ozuqa moddalarining suvda, xususan, okean jismlarida to'planishidan foyda oladi va shamol ostidagi ekin yoki yaylov maydonlarini oziq moddalar bilan ta'minlashi mumkin. Biroq, bu cheklangan ba’zi bir foydali jihatlarni ta’siri etkazilgan zararlar ta’siri bilan taqqoslanganda ancha ahamiyatsizdir. Dunyo miqyosida asosiy mavjud bo’gan katta chang manbalari qurigan ko'llardir; mahalliy manbalarga muzliklarni yuvib tashlaydigan tekisliklar, vulqon kul zonalari va yaqinda shudgorlangan dalalar kiradi. Qum va chang bo'ronlarining tarmoqlararo va transmilliy ta'siri 17 Barqaror rivojlanish maqsadlaridan 11 tasiga bevosita ta'sir qiladi, ammo qum va chang bo'ronlarining xavf sifatida global tan olinishi qisman ularning murakkabligi va mavsumiy jami ta'siri, shuningdek cheklangan ma'lumotlar tufayli odatda past bo'ladi. Qum va chang bo'ronlarini ta'sirni baholash va ma'lumotlarn kamligi, samarali qarorlar qabul qilish va rejalashtirishga to'sqinlik qiladi. BMTning Choʻllanish va qurgʻoqchilikka qarshi kurash Konvensiyasi hukumatlarga yerni barqaror boshqarish amaliyotlarini kengaytirishga qaratilgan yondashuvlarni ishlab chiqishda va amalga oshirishda ilm-fanning eng so'nggi yutuqlarini aniqlash va ulardan foydalanishda yordam beradi. Markaziy Osiyo mintaqaviy ekologik markazi bilan hamkorlikda BMTning Choʻllanish va qurgʻoqchilikka qarshi kurash Konvensiyasi Markaziy Osiyodagi qurg'oqchilik va qum va chang bo'ronlari ta'sirida zaif bo'lgan mamlakatlarga milliy va mintaqaviy darajada xavflarni kamaytirish strategiyalarini ishlab chiqish va amalga oshirishda yordam beradi. BMTning Choʻllanish va qurgʻoqchilikka qarshi kurash Konvensiyasi mamlakatlarni ushbu ekologik ofatlarga tayyorlik va chidamlilikni oshirish uchun monitoring va erta ogohlantirish tizimiimlari bilan keng qamrovli xavflarni kamaytirish strategiyasini qabul qilishga undaydi.  Eng zarur choralar quyidagilardan iboratdir Axborot almashish, qisqa va uzoq muddatli choralar, ko'plab manfaatdor tomonlarni jalb qilish va Qum va chang bo'ronlar haqida xabardorlikni oshirish orqali ko'p tarmoqli yondashuvni kuchaytirish. Tuproqlarni himoya qilish va o'simlik qoplamini ko'paytirish uchun tuproq va suvni boshqarish usullaridan foydalangan holda yerni qayta tiklash, bu manba maydonlarining ko'lami va zaifligini sezilarli darajada kamaytirish, qum va chang bo'ronlari hodisalarini ta’sirini  kamaytirish. Ogohlantirishlar oʻz vaqtida va maqsadli tarzda berilishini taʼminlash uchun barcha manfaatdor tomonlar (jumladan, xavf ostida boʻlgan aholi vakillari) ishtirok etgan holda, erta ogohlantirish va monitoring, xavf haqidagi dolzarb bilimlarga asoslanish va tahmin qilish. Zaiflikni kamaytirish, chidamlilikni oshirish va qum va chang bo'ronlar  hodisalariga o'z vaqtida samarali javob berishga tayyor bo'lish orqali salbiy ta'sirni yumshatish. * * * * *

New UN data warns land is degrading faster than we can restore it Healthy land the size of Central Asia degraded since 2015 around the world UNCCD meets in Uzbekistan to review global progress towards ending land loss Samarkand, 13 November 2023 – At the opening of its first-ever meeting held in Central Asia, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) unveils new data showing land degradation rapidly advancing in the region and around the world. Between 2015 and 2019, the world lost at least 100 million hectares of healthy and productive land each year. This adds up to 420 million hectares, or 4.2 million square kilometres, slightly over the combined area of five Central Asian nations: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. These statistics underscore the need for urgent action, as escalating land degradation continues to destabilize markets, communities, and ecosystems around the globe. According to the latest UN data, over 20 per cent of the total land area in Central Asia is degraded, equivalent to roughly 80 million hectares, an area almost four times the size of Kyrgyzstan. This affects an estimated 30 per cent of the region’s combined population. The UNCCD Data Dashboard launch comes at a critical juncture as world leaders and experts are gathering in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 13-17 November 2023 for the 21st session of the UNCCD Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 21). For the first time, an open Data Dashboard compiles national reporting figures from 126 countries, allowing users to explore the trends in their own regions and countries. UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw said: “The first-ever UNCCD Data Dashboard offers an eye-opening insight into rapid loss of healthy and productive land around the world, with dire consequences for billions of people. At the same time, we are seeing some ‘brightspots’—countries effectively tackling desertification, land degradation and drought. As we gather in Uzbekistan this week to review global progress towards ending land loss, the message is clear: land degradation demands immediate attention.” Land restoration ‘brightspots’ Despite a bleak global picture, there are examples of countries effectively tackling desertification, land degradation and drought. While Uzbekistan reported the highest proportion of degraded land in the Central Asia region, it also saw the largest decrease – from 30 per cent to 26 per cent – compared to 2015. A total of 3 million hectares of land in Uzbekistan have been degraded due to the drying of the Aral Sea. Between 2018-2022, Uzbekistan carried out saxaul planting on an area of 1.6 million ha to eliminate salt and dust emissions from the drained bottom of the Aral Sea. Kazakhstan increased irrigated lands by 40 per cent, expanding the total irrigated area to 2 million hectares. In Kyrgyzstan, some 120,000 hectares of pastures and forests are now under sustainable land management, including a pasture rotation system. Turkmenistan committed to restoring 160,000 hectares under its national ‘greening the desert’ initiative by 2025. Land Degradation Neutrality goal still within reach Although land degradation varies by region, UNCCD data warns that if current trends persist a staggering 1.5 billion hectares of land will need to be restored globally by 2030 to reach targets enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Barron Orr, UNCCD Chief Scientist, said: “Although global trends are going in the wrong direction, it is still possible to not only meet but exceed land degradation neutrality goals. This can be done by stopping further degradation while accelerating efforts on existing commitments to restore one billion hectares of land by 2030 with funding and action hand-in-hand.” Around the world, approximately USD$ 5 billion in bilateral and multilateral funding flowed into global efforts to combat desertification, land degradation and drought between 2016 and 2019. This helped 124 nations roll out a wide range of projects aimed at addressing these challenges. All Central Asian nations have joined the LDN target-setting programme under UNCCD, bringing the total number of participating countries to 131. Half of the LDN targets set by countries in Central Asia have already been achieved, with projects to deliver on the rest of the commitments currently underway. Notes to editors For interviews and enquires please contact: press@unccd.int and/or unccd@portland-communications.com To access the UNCCD’s Data Dashboard please click here: https://data.unccd.int/ For any enquires on data and methodology, please write to reporting@unccd.int. The data related to land degradation (i.e. SDG indicator 15.3.1) is compiled in global and aggregate form from 115 country reports and 52 country-estimates drawn from global data sources.  For other indicators, the data is compiled in global and aggregate form "as received" from 126 Parties in their 2022 UNCCD national reports. Therefore, the facts present a partial estimate of progress at the global and regional level, in terms of the status and trends in these indicators/metrics, as not all Parties have reported all indicators. The information presented should in no way be interpreted as a comprehensive global or regional assessment of status and trends in the indicators/metrics. More information about the 21st session of the UNCCD Committee on the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC21): https://www.unccd.int/cric21 Accredited media representatives are invited to attend and report on CRIC21 and associated events. Field visits where journalists can see land restoration and drought resilience projects will take place immediately prior to CRIC21. Online registration for media representatives is available at the following link: www.unccd.int/cric-21-online-registration. About UNCCD The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the global vision and voice for land. We unite governments, scientists, policymakers, private sector and communities around a shared vision and global action to restore and manage the world’s land for the sustainability of humanity and the planet. Much more than an international treaty signed by 197 parties, UNCCD is a multilateral commitment to mitigating today’s impacts of land degradation and advancing tomorrow’s land stewardship in order to provide food, water, shelter and economic opportunity to all people in an equitable and inclusive manner.

Abidjan, Beijing, Cairo, November 3, 2023  – For the first time ever, the Presidents of the last Conference of Parties (COP) of each of the three Rio Conventions have decided to join forces. With three weeks to go before the opening of COP28 in Dubai, the Presidents: Underlined the urgency of the situation and the inextricable links between climate change, desertification and loss of biodiversity; Called for a coordinated approach both at international and national levels to tackle these issues in a holistic way; Pleaded for more cooperation between the three COPs and their secretariats; And asked for urgent, concrete, measures to protect the world population, environment, lands and biodiversity to ensure a sustainable future for new generations. They did so in a historic joint declaration released today, signed by: Alain-Richard Donwahi, former Minister of Water and Forestry of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and President of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification’s COP15 (UNCCD) Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt and President of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s COP27 (UNFCCC) Huang Runqiu, Minister of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China and President of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s COP15 (CBD) At the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio in 1992, the international community decided to create three different conventions to fight climate change, halt desertification and prevent loss of biodiversity. However, as these three phenomena accelerate, the interconnections between them amplify, creating a vicious circle. Breaking this vicious circle requires a holistic vision and a coordinated approach. With this common declaration, the three Presidents hope to open a new chapter in the fight against climate change, desertification and biodiversity loss, one of coordinated efforts to face the urgency. About UNCCD’s COP15 The Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) brings together leaders from the Convention's signatory countries, the private sector, NGOs and civil society. It aims to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought, promote sustainable land management, rehabilitate and restore degraded lands and ecosystems, mobilize financial resources, develop technologies to support affected countries, and strengthen international cooperation and partnerships to address these phenomena. Like the COP on biodiversity, the COP on desertification meets every two years. Its last major meeting was held in May 2022 in Abidjan. From the previous summit until the next held in Riyadh for December 2024, the COP on Desertification has been chaired by the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, represented by Alain-Richard Donwahi. Media contacts: Emilie Villemin +33 6 81 11 68 06  COP15Desertification(at)apcoworldwide.com

New UN data warns land is degrading faster than we can restore itLand degradation accelerates across Africa, Asia and Latin AmericaGlobal progress towards ending land loss to be reviewed next month in UzbekistanBonn, 24 October 2023 – The UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) announces the launch of its first-ever Data Dashboard compiling national reporting figures from 126 countries, which shows that land degradation is advancing at an astonishing rate across all regions.Between 2015 and 2019, the world lost at least 100 million hectares of healthy and productive land each year, adding up to twice the size of Greenland. These statistics underscore the need for urgent action, as escalating land degradation continues to destabilize markets, communities and ecosystems around the globe.The UNCCD Data Dashboard launch comes at a critical juncture as world leaders and experts will soon gather in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 13-17 November 2023 for the 21st session of the UNCCD Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 21). Delegates will review global progress made toward land degradation neutrality (LDN) and confront pressing issues like enhancing drought resilience, promoting women's land rights and combating sand and dust storms.UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw said: “The first-ever UNCCD Data Dashboard offers an eye-opening insight into rapid loss of healthy and productive land around the world, with dire consequences for billions of people. At the same time, we are seeing some ‘brightspots’—countries effectively tackling desertification, land degradation and drought. As we gather in Uzbekistan next month to review global progress towards ending land loss, the message is clear: land degradation demands immediate attention.”Regional disparitiesThe UNCCD Data Dashboard reflects an alarming reality across the globe and reveals significant disparities when it comes to the proportion of degraded land per region.Eastern and Central Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean regions experience the most severe degradation, affecting at least 20 per cent of their total land area. Meanwhile, sub-Saharan Africa, Western and Southern Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean experienced land degradation at rates faster than the global average. Notably, in sub-Saharan Africa and in Latin America and the Caribbean, 163 million hectares and 108 million hectares, respectively, have succumbed to land degradation since 2015.Land restoration “brightspots”Despite a bleak global picture, there are examples of countries effectively tackling desertification, land degradation and drought. In sub-Saharan Africa, Botswana reduced land degradation from 36 per cent to 17 per cent of its territory. The country has committed a total of 45.3 million hectares to land degradation neutrality, including both measures to avoid further degradation as well as restoration interventions in selected land degradation hotspots. Botswana also reported 1.42 million hectares as “brightspot” areas, or areas that have been rehabilitated by implementing appropriate remediation activities. In the Dominican Republic, the proportion of degraded land has decreased from 49 per cent to 31per cent between 2015 and 2019, with ongoing efforts to restore 240 000 hectares in the Yaque del Norte River basin and in cocoa production areas in San Franscisco de Macoris province.While Uzbekistan reported the highest proportion of degraded land (26.1 per cent) in the Central Asia region, it also saw the largest decrease – from 30 per cent to 26 per cent -- compared to 2015. A total of 3 million hectares of land in Uzbekistan have been degraded due to the drying of the Aral Sea. Between 2018-2022, Uzbekistan carried out saxaul planting on an area of 1.6 million ha to eliminate salt and dust emissions from the drained bottom of the Aral Sea. Land degradation neutrality goal still within reachAlthough land degradation trends vary by region, UNCCD data warns that, if current trends persist, the world will need to restore a staggering 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land by 2030 to reach LDN targets enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Barron Orr, UNCCD Chief Scientist, said: “Although global trends are going in the wrong direction, it is still possible to not only meet but exceed land degradation neutrality goals. This can be done by stopping further degradation while accelerating efforts on existing commitments to restore one billion hectares of land by 2030 with funding and action hand-in-hand.”In a promising commitment towards building a more resilient future, 109 countries have set voluntary LDN targets for 2030, with another 21 in the process of doing so. Between 2016 and 2019, approximately USD$ 5 billion in bilateral and multilateral sources flowed into global efforts to combat desertification, land degradation and drought. This helped 124 nations roll out a wide range of projects aimed at achieving land degradation neutrality and addressing the challenges posed by desertification, land degradation and drought.Notes to editorsFor interviews and enquires please contact: press@unccd.int and/or unccd@portland-communications.comTo access the UNCCD’s Data Dashboard please click here: https://data.unccd.int/ For any enquires on data and methodology, please write to reporting@unccd.int.The data is compiled in global and aggregate form "as received" from 126 Parties in their 2022 UNCCD national reports. Therefore, the facts present a partial estimate of progress at the global and regional level, in terms of the status and trends in these indicators/metrics, as not all Parties have reported all indicators. The information presented should in no way be interpreted as a comprehensive global or regional assessment of status and trends in the indicators/metrics.More information about the 21st session of the UNCCD Committee on the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC21): https://www.unccd.int/cric21Accredited media representatives are invited to attend and report on CRIC21 and associated events. Field visits where journalists can see land restoration and drought resilience projects will take place immediately prior to CRIC21.Online registration for media representatives is available at the following link: www.unccd.int/cric-21-online-registration.About UNCCDThe United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the global vision and voice for land. We unite governments, scientists, policymakers, private sector and communities around a shared vision and global action to restore and manage the world’s land for the sustainability of humanity and the planet. Much more than an international treaty signed by 197 parties, UNCCD is a multilateral commitment to mitigating today’s impacts of land degradation and advancing tomorrow’s land stewardship in order to provide food, water, shelter and economic opportunity to all people in an equitable and inclusive manner.

Acknowledging that severe drought affects Africa more than any other continent, leaders at the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi have put forward a common vision for drought resilience in the run up to the next climate and desertification summits — UNFCCC COP28 in November 2023 and UNCCD COP16 in December 2024. The objective is to reduce the costs of future droughts for societies and economies through strategic investments in sustainable land and water management.

UN conference to tackle rapid land degradation and worsening droughts to take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 13-17 November 2023 Bonn/Samarkand, 13 September 2023 – For the first time since its inception, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will convene one of its official meetings in Central Asia. The twenty-first session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 21) will reveal the latest global trends in land degradation and drought, and review how countries are progressing with land restoration. It comes at a vital moment, when the world is witnessing an uptick in extreme weather events, with historic heatwaves and wildfires across Europe and North America, several failed rainy seasons in the Horn of Africa, and devastating floods, monsoons and cyclones in Asia. Land degradation contributes to these climatic changes and events and is simultaneously made worse by them. Ibrahim Thiaw, UNCCD Executive Secretary, said: “We are at a crucial juncture in our efforts to sustain life on land. Droughts, wildfires and heatwaves we have witnessed around the world are the symptoms of the deepening and interlinked climate and nature crises, with land at the heart of both. Since 2015, some 4 million square kilometres of healthy and productive lands have been lost—an area roughly the size of Central Asia. We must urgently stop further land degradation and restore at least 1 billion hectares to meet global land targets by 2030.” The meeting will be held at the Silk Road Samarkand Congress Centre in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 13 to 17 November 2023. On 15 November, there will be a high-level event on sand and dust storms, many of which have occurred in Uzbekistan and surrounding countries and regions with increasing frequency and severity in recent years. In addition, the UNCCD Gender Caucus on 14 November will convene international experts to discuss women’s land rights as a prerequisite to the success of global land restoration and drought resilience efforts. According to the latest UN data, between 2015 and 2019, at least 100 million hectares of healthy and productive land were degraded every year, affecting food and water security globally and directly impacting the lives of 1.3 billion people. This adds up to 420 million hectares, or 4.2 million square kilometres, slightly over the combined area of five Central Asian nations: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. If current trends continue, restoring 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030 will be necessary to achieve a land-degradation-neutral world. Alternatively, halting any new land degradation and accelerating existing commitments to restore 1 billion hectares can surpass the neutrality target. CRIC21 will review progress in implementing the Convention’s strategic objectives on promoting sustainable land management, building drought resilience, supporting women's leadership in sustainable agriculture, and addressing forced migration due to land degradation and climate change. It will bring together representatives from 196 countries and the European Union which are signatories to the UNCCD, as well as civil society, academia and international organizations. Notes to editors  Accredited media representatives are invited to attend and report on CRIC21 and associated events. Field visits where journalists can see land restoration and drought resilience projects will take place immediately prior to CRIC21. Online registration for media representatives is available at the following link: www.unccd.int/cric-21-online-registration. To register, please provide the following documents: One recent passport-sized photograph A valid press card A copy (picture and signature pages) of your passport (for foreign journalists) or national identity card (for local applicants) A letter of introduction from the bureau chief or company sponsoring your travel to the session. For freelance journalists, a letter is required from the media organization assigning you to cover the conference A duly completed accreditation form Journalists who register online will be able to collect their accreditation at the Silk Road Samarkand Congress Center on presentation of a valid press card and an identity document. For more information on the regulations governing visa applications and the introduction of reporting material into Uzbekistan, please consult the following link: https://e-visa.gov.uz/main_ For inquiries about media accreditation or coverage of the event, please contact: press@unccd.int A dedicated press and media working space will be available at the conference venue.  Additional information and media updates on the Convention and CRIC 21 will be available on the host country CRIC 21 website and the UNCCD website. About UNCCD The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the global vision and voice for land. We unite governments, scientists, policymakers, private sector and communities around a shared vision and global action to restore and manage the world’s land for the sustainability of humanity and the planet. Much more than an international treaty signed by 197 Parties, UNCCD is a multilateral commitment to mitigating today’s impacts of land degradation and advancing tomorrow’s land stewardship in order to provide food, water, shelter and economic opportunity to all people in an equitable and inclusive manner. Image: (c) Asia Development Bank

Innovative finance imperative to unlock the social, economic, environmental, and risk-reduction benefits of drought preparedness  Bonn/Stockholm, 22 August 2023 – Preparing for droughts, instead of waiting until they strike, saves lives and livelihoods. Building drought resilience comes with an array of social and environmental co-benefits, and the economic returns are between 2 and 10 times bigger than the initial investment, according to new analysis by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).  The policy brief ‘Investing in resilience: Innovative finance for drought preparedness’, demonstrates that enhancing resilience is one of the most cost-effective actions countries can take, and is typically far less expensive than interventions focused on responding to the impacts of droughts. But innovative financing mechanisms such as insurance schemes, risk pools, and government issued bonds are essential to fund the necessary long-term investments.  The Spanish Deputy Prime Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, H.E. Teresa Ribera, said: “As we know too well in Mediterranean countries, drought can devastate vital economic sectors such as agriculture and tourism. Our planet reached the hottest month on record in July: a reminder that investing in early warning systems and better land and water management is not a choice, but an existential imperative.”    The Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry of Kenya, H.E Soipan Tuya, noted: “With the Africa Climate Summit just days away, the need to invest in drought resilience becomes both urgent and clearer. By building our preparedness to drought, we also pave the way for a resilient tomorrow that echoes our commitment to combat climate challenges and chart a course toward prosperity for Africa and the world.”   Mobilizing investments in drought resilience is a key pillar of the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA), a growing coalition of more than 30 countries and 20 institutions driving drought resilience in the face of climate change that is hosted by UNCCD.   Benefits beyond mitigating risk  Investing in drought resilience comes with a triple dividend: it helps avoid future losses; reduces risk, boosting productivity and innovation; and can improve human health, rural livelihoods, soil and water quality and climate change adaptation, among other benefits. For example, improving early warning systems and weather forecasts could save 23,000 lives and up to USD2 billion in developing countries every year.   According to the brief, sound economic evidence is essential for decision- and policy-making. An investment of USD 1.8 trillion in resilience and adaptation, focused on five priority areas from 2020 to 2030, could generate USD 7.1 trillion in total net benefits. Also, for every USD 1 spent in building resilience there could be up to USD 3 in benefits from reduced need for humanitarian aid and avoided losses.  Innovative finance solutions  Despite all multiple benefits, the costs of drought to societies and economies are often underestimated and investments in drought resilience are insufficient. Over the past decade, for instance, the official development assistance linked to disasters reached USD 141 billion, but only 5 per cent was allocated to preparedness.   The public sector will continue to be a major source of finance for drought resilience, meaning that governments must both make a more effective use of existing resources and increase available funding through innovative finance options.   The policy brief encourages governments to incorporate drought preparedness into existing financing plans, and to leverage a mix of financial strategies such as national disaster funds, credit lines, social protection programmes and weather-indexed insurances.   Policies, regulations and environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards can make it easier for private actors to invest in adaptation and resilience while staying competitive, and blended finance arrangements can draw on public resources to de-risk private investment.  UNCCD’s Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw said: “Droughts are one of the world’s costliest and deadliest natural hazards, and they are hitting harder and faster because of climate change. Decision-makers must urgently leverage innovative financing mechanisms to boost resilience and deliver new economic opportunities for their countries, communities and companies.”  Notes to editors  Access the policy brief and its recommendations for governments, development partners, financial institutions and businesses here.  For media related inquires please contact the UNCCD Press Office: press@unccd.int  About UNCCD   The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the global vision and voice for land. We unite governments, scientists, policymakers, private sector and communities around a shared vision and global action to restore and manage the world’s land for the sustainability of humanity and the planet. Much more than an international treaty signed by 197 parties, UNCCD is a multilateral commitment to mitigating today’s impacts of land degradation and advancing tomorrow’s land stewardship in order to provide food, water, shelter and economic opportunity to all people in an equitable and inclusive manner.  About IDRA  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. 

24 July 2023 – HEALV3RSE,a groundbreaking new game promoting real-world action for the planet, launches today on Metaverse.   HEALV3RSE, which brings together the worlds of gaming and sustainability, invites players to become the heroes our planet desperately needs. It takes players on an epic journey through captivating realms, each representing a vital element of our planet's wellbeing. From the fiery depths of the Fire Kingdom to the enchanting expanses of the Oceanic Realm, players will face challenges, solve puzzles, and embark on missions to heal the planet. As the players advance through the game, they discover facts about drylands and the challenges of desertification, making educated choices to restore these unique and vulnerable ecosystems by planting trees.  What sets HEALV3RSE apart is the unique integration of player avatars actually performing healing actions within the game, such as planting trees, conducting ocean cleanups, or installing solar panels. This interactive feature, which the creators call ‘Play to Heal’, brings a sense of empowerment to the gameplay experience.  The Game, which launches with an accompanying digital Avatar collection, was created by Code Green in support of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). It was developed in partnership with The Sandbox and , designed in collaboration with Interactive Studio.  "HEALV3RSE's innovative approach is a game-changer. By merging gaming with sustainability, it amplifies the urgency of combating land loss and inspires action. This aligns with UNCCD's goals and proves that everyone can contribute to the health of our planet in their own unique ways," - said Ibrahim Thiaw, UNCCD Executive Secretary.  "We are thrilled to present HEALV3RSE to the world," said Inna Modja, Code Green’s CEO and UNCCD Goodwill Ambassador. "Our goal is to inspire players to take action and make a positive impact on the planet. Through immersive gameplay and the captivating artworks, we aim to ignite a global movement of healers who understand the urgency of healing our Earth."  The Sandbox said: ‘’The Sandbox is proud to announce its partnership with Code Green, a Web3 non-profit foundation supporting social, climate, and gender justice causes. Code Green’s origins go back to the worldʼs largest land restoration movement — Africa's Great Green Wall. ‘’  A portion of the proceeds from the digital avatar collection will be used to deliver free inspiration sessions with experts, activists and artists for anyone who wants to learn more about desertification, climate action and web3 technology.   Those who support the new HEALV3RSE by purchasing special avatars will be also generating funds for one of the projects along the Great Green Wall — a game-changing African-led initiative to restore the continent’s degraded landscapes and transform millions of lives in the Sahel.    HEALV3RSE is available to access via The Sandbox metaverse.  Trailer for HEALV3RSE in The Sandbox  For more information press@unccd.int About the UN Convention to Combat Desertification  The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the global vision and voice for land. We unite governments, scientists, policymakers, private sector and communities around a shared vision and global action to restore and manage the world’s land for the sustainability of humanity and the planet. Much more than an international treaty signed by 197 parties, UNCCD is a multilateral commitment to mitigating today’s impacts of land degradation and advancing tomorrow’s land stewardship in order to provide food, water, shelter and economic opportunity to all people in an equitable and inclusive manner.  Goodwill Ambassadors inspire the public and decision-makers to take practical actions and drive policies to achieve the Convention’s mission to promote sustainable land stewardship. They also help advance efforts to reduce poverty and promote gender equality, especially among climate-vulnerable, land-dependent populations  About Code Green  Code Green is a mission-driven web3 organization, harnessing the power of art and blockchain technology to spark a healing revolution for the planet.   Inna Modja, CEO of Code Green, is a Malian actress, singer and environmental activist, and Goodwill Ambassador for the UNCCD. www.codegreen.earth @codegreen_nft  About The Sandbox  The Sandbox is a leading decentralized gaming platform where players can create, own, and monetize virtual worlds and gaming experiences.   About Interactive Studio  Interactive Studio offers comprehensive support to help brands establish themselves in the ever-changing world of Web3 and gaming.  

United Nations General Assembly event to mark Desertification and Drought Day brings together leaders to advance gender equality and land restoration goals.New York, 17 June 2023 – Women leaders from around the world took centre stage at the United Nations General Assembly calling for women’s land rights at a music-filled event to mark Desertification and Drought Day.Speakers from countries as diverse as Canada to Chad, Iceland to Lesotho, shared their experiences and explained how droughts, land degradation and desertification are disproportionately impacting the women and girls in their communities.United Nations Secretary General António Guterres said: “We depend on land for our survival. Yet, we treat it like dirt.” He blamed unsustainable farming for eroding soil 100 times faster than natural processes can restore them and said 40% of land is now degraded.Speaking passionately about the generations of farmers in his family, Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, said: “The data could not be clearer. When women farmers have access to own land, they grow more and so do their children and nations. Together, these positive shifts in women’s empowerment have a ripple effect on income, and children’s welfare.”United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed said: “On this Desertification and Drought Day, our message is simple: we must finally recognize and value women as owners, managers of our lands and of our resources, and we must invest in the fight against climate change. Women make up the majority of rural farmers, but less than 15% of agricultural landholders are women, and their right to inherit property continues to be denied under customary and traditional laws in over 100 countries.”UNCCD Goodwill Ambassador, Malian artist and singer Inna Modja, was joined onstage by her daughter Valentina Conti, aged three, to read out a powerful call to action, urging world leaders to remove the legal barriers that prevent women owning and inheriting land. Together with fellow UNCCD Goodwill Ambassadors, Senegalese musician and singer Baaba Maal and Indian producer and singer Ricky Kej, Ms Modja performed a new song ‘Her Land’.Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, an Indigenous leader from Chad, delivered a stark warning: “Despite our innovation, despite the determination of the women of my community to preserve ecosystems to block the desert, despite our collective efforts to save and share water, our land is dying.” She said women are calling on CEOs, ministers, presidents, and philanthropists to “stop pledging and start putting cash on the table to help us win the most important battle of our life”.Less than a third of all UN Member States have ever had a female Head of State or Government. Several of them participated in the high-level event in New York in person or virtually.Tarja Halonen, former President of Finland and UNCCD Land Ambassador, said: “Achieving land degradation neutrality requires everyone’s efforts. And women and girls are half of the world’s population. Empowering women and girls is one of the most impactful things that we can do to achieve environmental sustainability and the health of the land.”The first-ever female Prime Minister of Namibia, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, spoke about what Namibia is doing to go above and beyond on women’s land rights. And there were also video messages from the Prime Minister of Iceland Katrín Jakobsdóttir and Vice-President of Spain Teresa Riberа Rodríguez.Sonia Guajajara, Brazil’s first-ever Minister of Indigenous Peoples, delivered an impassioned plea in support of Indigenous women leaders in her country. Jennifer Littlejohn, Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, represented the United States, highlighting its government’s commitment to gender equity and equality.The event was jointly organized by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), UN-Women, UN Food and Agriculture Organization, UN Human Rights and the UN Development Programme to mark the annual Desertification and Drought Day, which falls on June 17th.UN-Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous said: “For many people around the world, land represents power and identity. Women’s control over land is therefore fundamental to the achievement of gender equality and also the economic independence of women… We must break down barriers to women’s rights to land.”UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw said: “Investing in women's equal access to land is not just an act of justice. It is an investment in our future, a commitment to the prosperity of our planet. It is an affirmation that we value not only the land beneath our feet, but the hands that work on it.”Other speakers advocating for women’s land rights were: Alain-Richard Donwahi, President of UNCCD’s 15th Conference of the Parties, Côte d’Ivoire, Kehkashan Basu, a climate activist and UN Human Rights Champion based in Canada; Rex Molapo, Co-Founder of Conservation Music Lesotho; and Solange Bandiaky-Badji, Coordinator of the Rights and Resources Initiative.ENDSNotes to editorsFor interviews or media enquiries, please email unccd@portland-communications.comFor hi-res photos of the event please visit: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KjnA5jC1apDJEldPWGuujPsAWnhLINo-?usp=sharingTo watch a recording of the event please visit: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1i/k1ix8i8j1z‘Her Land. Her Rights’ policy brief is available here: https://www.unccd.int/resources/brief/her-land-her-rights-advancing-gender-equality-restore-land-and-build-resilienceHer Land Call to Action is available here.About UNCCDThe United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the global vision and voice for land. We unite governments, scientists, policymakers, private sector and communities around a shared vision and global action to restore and manage the world’s land for the sustainability of humanity and the planet. Much more than an international treaty signed by 197 parties, UNCCD is a multilateral commitment to mitigating today’s impacts of land degradation and advancing tomorrow’s land stewardship in order to provide food, water, shelter and economic opportunity to all people in an equitable and inclusive manner.Photo: UNDP/Tom Pietrasik 

Bonn/New York, 16 June 2023 – Women facing worsening droughts, raging wildfires and other climate change impacts will deliver an urgent message to the international community at the United Nations in New York, calling for better land rights for women and girls everywhere.  Drought, land degradation and desertification – all of which are becoming more frequent – are impacting women and girls first and worst, world leaders will hear at an event in the United Nations General Assembly on 16th June to mark Desertification and Drought Day.  The theme of this year’s global observance, led by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), is ‘Her Land. Her Rights.’  Women make up around half of agricultural workers in developing countries and produce 60-80 per cent of food grown in these regions yet own less than one-fifth of all land worldwide. When land degrades and water and other resources become scarce, women and girls are exposed to poverty, hunger, displacement and violence.  Among the leaders and gender equality champions advocating for women’s full land rights will be the Prime Ministers of Iceland Katrín Jakobsdóttir and of Namibia Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, and the Vice-President of the Government of Spain Teresa Ribero Rodríguez. They will be joined by Finland’s first female President Tarja Halonen, UNCCD Goodwill Ambassadors and musicians Baaba Maal, Inna Modja and Ricky Kej, as well as indigenous and youth activists from countries as diverse as Canada and Chad.   In a shared call to action, they will show there is a solution: women. They will say that when legal barriers to women owning and inheriting land are removed, women are able to make decisions on how to manage land, and both soil health and agricultural yields improve. Women are also more likely to invest in their family’s nutrition, health and education which benefits the whole of society.  UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw said: “Investing in women's equal access to land is not just an act of justice. It is an investment in our future, a commitment to the prosperity of our planet. It is an affirmation that we value not only the land beneath our feet, but the hands that work it.”   To coincide with the event, UNCCD is launching a new analysis, which shows:  Despite comprising nearly half the world's agricultural workforce and producing up to 80 per cent of food in developing countries, women’s rights to inherit their husband’s property continue to be denied in over 100 countries.  Discriminatory practices related to land tenure, credit access, equal pay and decision-making often impede their active participation in sustaining land health. Today, less than one-in-five landholders worldwide are women.  If women had equal rights to land, agricultural production in the poorest regions would increase by up to 4 per cent and malnourishment would decline by 12–17 per cent, resulting in 150m fewer hungry people globally.   Countries with more women parliamentarians prioritize women and girls’ role in land protection and are more likely to ratify relevant treaties and set aside land for conservation. Meanwhile, only 12 per cent of the 881 national environment-related ministries run by elected officials are led by women.   The event will continue to build on UNCCD’s ‘Her Land. Her Rights.’ campaign, which was launched on International Women’s Day in March 2023.    Organized jointly by the UNCCD with UN Women, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the UN Human Rights Office, and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the high-level event “Her Land. Her Rights: Advancing Gender Equality and Land Restoration Goals” will include debates and discussions on a woman’s role in sustainable land management.    A digital photo exhibition entitled ‘Her Land’ created and curated by Inna Modja will offer an immersive experience of the daily realities facing women and girls living on the frontlines of desertification, land degradation and drought. She will also be joined by fellow Goodwill Ambassadors Baaba Maal and Ricky Kej in a live musical performance.   In addition to New York, other events to mark Desertification and Drought Day – which officially falls every year on June 17th – will take place in all parts of the world, including China, Fiji, Hungary, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Serbia, Türkiye, and Vietnam.  ENDS  Notes to editors  For interviews and enquires please contact: unccd@portland-communications.com or press@unccd.int About UNCCD  The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the global vision and voice for land. We unite governments, scientists, policymakers, private sector and communities around a shared vision and global action to restore and manage the world’s land for the sustainability of humanity and the planet. Much more than an international treaty signed by 197 parties, UNCCD is a multilateral commitment to mitigating today’s impacts of land degradation and advancing tomorrow’s land stewardship in order to provide food, water, shelter and economic opportunity to all people in an equitable and inclusive manner.