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By Tina (35) Egypt via UNICEF Middle East and North Africa Regional Office My name is Tina from Egypt, and if you're reading this, you're probably as eco-curious as I am! Let me take you on a journey from my humble abode in Upper Egypt, where the golden sands meet green fields, and stories of climate change get a little twist! Imagine a farming village with chirping birds and vast green stretches. That's my home. Everyone I know is deep into agriculture. We don’t just live here; we vibe with nature! But, and here's the big BUT – most people are in the dark about climate change. The delicate dance between us and Mother Earth? It's missing a few steps. A few of us eco-warriors decided to stir things up. Composting? Check. Recycling agricultural waste? Double-check. Organic fertilizers? Oh, you bet. We’re talking about sustainable living at its finest. The best part? 300 farmers (yes, you read that right) joined the green brigade. Our baby project even landed us in the top 10 of a national competition with 150 organizations! We wanted to do more than just catch people's attention. We wanted to change our mindsets. So, we brainstormed and launched "Us and Climate Change." The plan was to equip teachers to be climate mentors, giving them the low-down on the climate crisis so they can inspire the next gen. At our recent gallery event, we showcased not just the beauty of recycling, from chic recycled outfits to innovative school tools, but also the power of performance. The spotlight was undeniably on “Al-Barsha Panorama”, our very own theatre group. In Upper Egypt, street theatre isn't just entertainment; it's an educational tool and a heartbeat that resonates deeply with our community. Our ultimate dream? A world where we can freely drink clean water, savor healthy food and take in pure, unadulterated air. With every performance, with every piece of art we create, we're advocating for that pristine environment. And while the goal is clear – an untouched landscape with unblemished access to essentials – we're also proving that blending this mission with art, special forms that connect so deeply with our people, can be both impactful and soul-stirring. Our art is our voice against climate change, and it’s making waves in our community.

I am Mona, a Jordanian residing in the Shouneh region of southern Jordan, near the Dead Sea. I am a young climate advocate specializing in environmental justice and gender equality. I collaborate with UNICEF as a youth skills empowerment trainer. I aim to raise awareness about climate change and the gendered impacts it has on my community.

联合国将于2023年11月13日至17日在乌兹别克斯坦撒马尔罕召开会议，应对土地迅速退化和干旱加剧问题。  波恩/撒马尔罕，2023年9月13日--《联合国防治荒漠化公约》（UNCCD）自成立以来首次在中亚召开正式会议。公约执行情况审查委员会第二十一届会议（CRIC 21）将揭示全球土地退化和干旱的最新趋势，并审查各国在土地恢复方面的进展情况。  这次会议的召开正当全球极端天气事件增多的关键时刻，欧洲和北美洲发生历史性的热浪和野火，非洲之角遭遇反复雨季歉收，亚洲出现了毁灭性的洪水、季风和气旋。土地退化助长了这些气候变化和灾害，同时土地退化也因其而加剧。  《联合国防治荒漠化公约》执行秘书易卜拉欣-蒂奥说： "我们正处于维系陆地生命的关键时刻。我们在世界各地目睹的干旱、野火和热浪是气候和自然危机不断加深和相互关联的表现，而土地则是这两种危机的核心。自2015 年以来，全球已丧失约 400 万平方公里的健康和高产土地，其面积约相当于中亚区域面积的总和。我们必须紧急遏制进一步的土地退化并恢复至少 10 亿公顷的土地，以实现到 2030 年的全球土地目标"。  本次会议将于 2023 年 11 月 13 日至 17 日在乌兹别克斯坦撒马尔罕的丝绸之路撒马尔罕会议中心举行。11 月 15 日将举办关于沙尘暴的高级别活动。乌兹别克斯坦及周边国家和地区是沙尘暴多发区，近年来，沙尘暴发生频率和严重程度更不断加剧。此外，《联合国防治荒漠化公约》性别核心小组将于 11 月 14 日召集国际专家讨论妇女的土地权利，这是全球土地恢复和抗旱努力取得成功的先决条件。  根据联合国的最新数据，2015年至2019年期间，每年至少有1亿公顷健康的生产性土地退化，影响全球的粮食和水安全，直接威胁13亿人的生活。  四年退化土地总和达 4.2 亿公顷，或 420 万平方公里，略高于中亚五国： 哈萨克斯坦、吉尔吉斯斯坦、塔吉克斯坦、土库曼斯坦和乌兹别克斯坦的总面积。如果目前的趋势继续，到 2030 年，需要恢复总面积为15 亿公顷的土地，才能实现土地退化零增长。或者，阻止任何新的土地退化发生，加快兑现现有承诺，恢复 10 亿公顷的土地，也可以超越土地退化零增长目标。  CRIC 21将审查《公约》战略目标的实施进展情况，这些目标包括促进可持续土地管理、建设干旱恢复力、支持妇女在可持续农业中发挥领导作用，以及解决因土地退化和气候变化而造成的被迫移民问题。会议将汇集来自《联合国防治荒漠化公约》196 个缔约国和欧盟的代表，以及民间社会、学术界和国际组织的代表。  编辑须知

Bonn/Vancouver, 28 August 2023 -- The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is launching a new virtual exhibition titled Her Land to showcase the transformative power of women’s leadership in sustainable land management. The exhibition was unveiled at the 7th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility in Vancouver, Canada. Through immersive experiences and rich imagery in the digital realm, Her Land campaign harnesses the creative power of visual artists and musicians who support UNCCD to put the spotlight on the struggles and successes of women living on the frontlines of desertification, drought and climate change.  The campaign calls on governments to deliver policies that guarantee secure land tenure, motivates businesses to invest in gender-focused land restoration projects and invites the public to share stories that illustrate the bond that women share with the land they nurture. The virtual exhibition in support of Her Land campaign is spearheaded and curated by Malian artist and UNCCD Goodwill Ambassador Inna Modja. UNCCD Executive Secretary, Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw, commented on the campaign's ethos, "Her Land initiative transcends being merely a message. It embodies a movement, urging us to venerate the women, the land's true guardians." In the words of Inna Modja: “We must dare to invent the future. I saw that dare come to life in the resilience and bravery of communities, and within them, the fierce strength of women, relentlessly fighting to protect their land, their homes, their communities. The empowerment of women is absolutely necessary in our fight against land degradation and desertification.” Through the creative efforts of Inna Modja and Marco Conti Sikic, the campaign brings together immersive digital experiences, poignant photography and artful videos to engage and unite participants in support of a future in which women's rights to land are recognized and their contributions are celebrated.  Her Land campaign has been made possible through the generous support of the Canadian Government, the European Commission, and the Republic of Korea through the Changwon Initiative. Canada's transformative contribution of $6 million CAD is part of the country’s pioneering International Feminist International Assistance Policy that aims to advance gender equality as the cornerstone of a progressive and harmonious society.  Canada’s contribution supports the implementation of projects under UNCCD Gender Action Plan as well as meetings of the Gender Caucus during the biennial Conferences of the Parties to UNCCD.  The European Commission’s contribution aims to raise awareness on responsible land governance among all stakeholders and to promote more equal access to land and land tenure security for men and women as well as other vulnerable populations, including indigenous peoples and local communities. For its part, the Changwon Initiative, named after the UNCCD COP10 venue and coordinated by the Korea Forest Service, enables the UNCCD to be the global voice for land. The Initiative supports the Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting Programme, through which over 100 countries have set voluntary national targets to restore degraded lands.  

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.  

From potatoes grown in recycled sacks to “more crop per drop” fruit tree varieties, climate-smart and women-led agriculture initiatives became the center of discussions at a recent interregional conference convened by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.   Fertile land is a precious commodity in Tajikistan, where 90% of the country's territory is covered by mountains and 60% of the population directly depend on agriculture for livelihood. Agriculture is a major part of Tajikistan’s economy. Can you spot the colors of one of its best-loved crops in the stripes of the national flag?   As heatwaves, droughts and other extreme climate events become more frequent and severe across the globe, regional cooperation and knowledge sharing are becoming a priority in building drought resilience and fighting land degradation.   In response to these growing challenges, representatives of Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan met in Dushanbe, Tajikistan from 1-2 July 2023 to discuss upscaling and coordinating legislative, educational, scientific and technical cooperation aimed at achieving Land Degradation Neutrality.  Water is so precious in Central Asia, some say it’s worth more than gold. Burrowing deep into the soil, this well in the Gissar Valley carries water that contains trace amounts of the precious metal  “Though we come from different climates and landscapes, we are united in the face of climate-induced drought and land degradation. Women who develop and test climate-smart and cost-effective solutions locally should be the ones spearheading regional and global efforts to grow and protect our food in the times of climactic stress,” participants stated.  Reflecting the theme of this year's Desertification and Drought Day “Her Land. Her Rights”, discussions centered on the key role of civil society organizations, particularly those led by women, in harnessing donor financing and advancing legislative action in support of gender-responsive land restoration projects that provide sustainable rural livelihoods.   Apples are the most popular fruit worldwide, and so are new ways to grow them more efficiently  After attending a training series at the Youth Ecological Center in Dushanbe, Mavluda Akhmedova is using the technology of growing potatoes directly in recycled sacks on her homestead in the Dekhanabod village. This approach has proven particularly effective as more frequent and sudden heatwaves and droughts in Tajikistan raise the risk of harvest loss. Growing potatoes in sacks lets the farmers control the temperature and humidity better and is of particular use on small plots where growing space is at a premium.  Greenhouses at the Agricultural University in Dushanbe use the latest technology, encouraging the students to test new approaches to efficient and sustainable crop production   During a visit to an experimental farm in the Gissar District, participants learned how students from Agricultural University in Dushanbe test classroom knowledge to implement the “more crop per drop” approach on their 800 hectares under tillage, including a fruit orchard, a vineyard and pasture.   Nothing tastes better than bread fresh from the oven! Farm-to-table is the way of life at the experimental farm of the Agricultural University of Dushanbe  The university hopes that new investments and focus on research, smart tech and innovation will bring more female students to the classrooms and labs.   Using compact varieties of fruit trees combined with drip irrigation means less water, less labour and less land are needed to produce comparable crop yields  By the end of 2023, Tajikistan intends to complete the process of joining the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Target-setting programme, bringing the number of countries who set voluntary LDN targets to 130, including all Central Asian nations.  Furthermore, participation in the World Bank’s RESILAND CA+ Initiative will allow Tajikistan to access the knowledge base of other engaged countries – Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan – and train forest management and rangelands biodiversity specialists. Women are expected to become the majority of RESILAND CA+ projects’ participants and beneficiaries.   Photography by Didor Sadulloev via UNDP Tajikistan