Other meetings & events

During the UNCCD’s 3rd Scientific Conference, the Soil Leadership Academy (SLA) held a side-event to consult on its land degradation neutrality (LDN) policy cycle approach and its curriculum. Conference participants were invited to further develop the curriculum, by identifying possible gaps and setting priority topics. Participants’ feedback at this side-event assisted in fine-tuning the Academy’s approach, ensuring it meets the rigorous scientific standards required. UNCCD Executive-Secretary Monique Barbut opened the event with inspiring comments about the social, economic and environmental benefits that flow from achieving LDN. A panel debate then commenced, where international experts led discussions about the major components of the policy cycle. Finally, the debate was opened up to the 80 side-event participants, who suggested solutions to potential bottlenecks when implementing sustainable land management (SLM), and made valuable suggestions to improve the SLA's curriculum and LDN policy cycle concept. 

It is our great sadness that Mr Hama Arba Diallo has passed away this morning at around 1am in Ougadougou, Burkina Faso.  He was the first Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (1993 to 2007).  Mr Diallo was born on 23 March 1939 in Dori, a town in northeastern Burkina Faso. He was a leading negotiator in the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) process.  He served as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the UNCED from 1990 to 1992. Prior to this, he served 24 years as a top official in the state and foreign ministries of Burkina Faso - as Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1983 and as Ambassador of Burkina Faso to China, India and Japan between 1988-89. He was the Director of the UN Sudano-Sahelian Office (1979-1983). After he left the UNCCD in 2007, he served his country as a National Assembly parliamentarian and Mayor of Dori. He once said, “Success is never granted and there is always a reason to it” referring to global environmental challenges and the need of more intensified international cooperation to fight against desertification. He was a man of conviction. Mr Diallo will be remembered by all who knew and worked with him with respect and appreciation. His burial will take place on Friday, 3 October in Dori. For those of you who would like to send a condolence to his family, please send it to secretariat@unccd.int   Message from Monique Barbut, the current UNCCD Executive Secretary Dear Colleagues, It is with profound sadness that I have to inform you of the passing away of Mr. Hama Arba Diallo, early this morning in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.  He was the first Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. His death is a great loss to all of us. He was a leader and a visionary who truly inspired the UNCCD from its inception. At this very sad moment, I would like to offer on behalf of the UNCCD our profound sympathy and condolences to the family of Hama Arba Diallo, a remarkable human being indeed that we are going to miss sorely. May Arba rest in peace. Sincerely, Monique Barbut Executive Secretary

With the slogan ‘Land Belongs to the Future, Let’s Climate Proof It’, the 2014 WDCD highlights the benefits of mainstreaming sustainable land management (SLM) policies and practices into our collective response to climate change. 

The theme of the 2013 World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) is drought and water scarcity. This year’s slogan, “Don’t let our future dry up” calls for everyone to take action to promote preparedness and resilience to water scarcity, desertification and drought.

This year, the Day's slogan is "Healthy soil sustains your life: Let’s go land degradation neutral"