Stories

The Government of Türkiye, under the umbrella of the G20 Global Land Initiative at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), convened G20 members, current and incoming COP presidencies, partner agencies, relevant initiatives and UN entities for the Antalya Dialogue.

Drought does not arrive with sirens. It builds quietly—through drying soils, shrinking water supplies and wilting crops—until its impacts ripple across farms, cities and entire economies. By the time it is fully visible, the damage is often already widespread and costly, affecting everything from food and energy production to transportation and health.With droughts projected to affect three in four people worldwide by 2050, and three quarters of the world’s land already permanently drier due to unsustainable land management and climate change, how should countries act to prevent drought from escalating into crisis?Much like the Human Development Index reshaped how countries understand progress, the new Drought Resilience Index aims to provide a clear, shared benchmark to help governments manage drought risk and prevent irreversible impacts—including lost lives and shattered livelihoods.Now under development through the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) and partners, the index is designed to give decision-makers a clearer picture of where vulnerabilities lie —helping them assess preparedness, create policies and act before drought turns into disaster.A three-day  workshop recently hosted by the European Commission Joint Research Centre in Italy brought together a wide range of international partners—spanning multilateral, scientific, academic, technical, and government institutions—to fine-tune the tool, which is expected to launch as part of a broader AI-powered data visualization platform.We spoke with Edgar Gutiérrez-Espeleta, senior policy consultant at UNCCD advising on the development of the tool, to understand how the Drought Resilience Index works—and why it could reshape how countries prepare for a new drought era. From data overload to clarityThe Drought Resilience Index, part of the broader International Drought Resilience Observatory (IDRO), is designed to turn complex and fragmented data into simple scores that policymakers can use to make decisions. “Drought is one thing. Resilience to drought is another,” says Gutiérrez-Espeleta.  “The aim is to help countries assess their capacity to anticipate, prepare for and adapt to drought, and to highlight where action is most needed so they can use limited resources effectively.”To capture this, the Drought Resilience Index is built around three dimensions: anticipation, preparation and adaptation. These reflect the full lifecycle of drought risk. Each dimension is assessed across four areas that shape resilience: the built environment; the natural environment, including soils, forests and wetlands; communities; and the economy —together offering a multidimensional picture of how well countries manage drought risk.Across each of these areas, experts identify one or two indicators to capture the most critical aspects of resilience, drawing on available, UN-vetted global datasets. These indicators are then standardised and combined into a composite score, enabling countries to assess their capacity to manage drought risk.For example, in anticipation, the health of ecosystems—such as forest cover or watershed integrity—can indicate how well the natural environment buffers drought impacts. In preparation, the efficiency and reach of water supply systems reflect the capacity of the built environment to conserve and distribute scarce resources. In adaptation, the share of livelihoods diversified beyond water-intensive activities shows how well the economy can withstand recurring drought conditions.“Low scores act as warning signals, pointing decision-makers to areas that require urgent attention,” explains Gutiérrez-Espeleta.Built through collaborationThe index is not being developed in isolation. It builds on years of work within the UNCCD’s Science-Policy Interface and has been shaped through consultations with top drought resilience experts from different regions, including the European Union’s Joint Research Centre, the US National Drought Monitor, the World Meteorological Organization and Yale Center for Ecosystems and Architecture.In the lead up to the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD (UNCCD COP17), specialists are refining the selection of indicators, assessing available datasets and ensuring that the index is both scientifically robust and practical for policymakers.One of the key challenges is data availability. Not all countries have the same level of information, and some indicators may only exist for some parts of the world.“We are starting with the best data currently available and building from there,” Gutiérrez-Espeleta says. “As the index evolves, it will also help drive stronger and more comprehensive data collection, as has been the case with the Human Development Index.”A tool shaped by experienceThe idea for the Drought Resilience Index is rooted in experience. In 2015, as Costa Rica’s Minister of Environment, Gutiérrez-Espeleta faced a severe drought that demanded urgent, cross-sector decisions—but without a clear overview, it was difficult to prioritize action. That gap is what the Index is designed to fill. By bringing diverse data into a single framework that everybody can understand, it helps policymakers identify where systems are weakest and where action is most needed—offering, in his words, “a way to quickly see the big picture.”Rather than prescribing solutions, the Index works as a signal, highlighting where problems are most acute and pointing decision-makers towards the areas that require attention.The ambition is simple. When ministers see it at COP17, Gutiérrez-Espeleta hopes their reaction will be immediate: “This is what we needed.” From there, governments can mobilize resources and act—because while drought cannot be prevented, the vulnerability of people, economies and ecosystems can be greatly reduced.Photo : Participants at the IDRO Drought Resilience Index workshop hosted in Italy by the European Commission Joint Research Centre, including representatives of: Yale Center for Ecosystems and Architecture, National Center for Meteorology of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, World Meteorological Organization, United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, Global Water Partnership, US National Drought Mitigation Center, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, CIMA Research Foundation, Sahara and Sahel Observatory, CSIC-CEBAS, Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge of Spain, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Senegal, Center for Hydrometeorology and Remote Sensing, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Deltares, International Rice Research Institute,  IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre, University of Southern Queensland, UNEP-DHI Partnership, Tree Aid.

 随着全球土地、粮食系统和水资源所面临的压力日益加剧，联合国防治荒漠化公约（UNCCD）第十七次缔约方大会（COP17）的筹备工作正进入关键阶段。 在对乌兰巴托进行为期两天的访问期间,UNCCD执行秘书亚斯敏·福阿德会见了蒙古领导人，以推进COP17的筹备工作。该大会将于2026年8月17日至28日在蒙古首都举行，主题为 “恢复土地，重燃希望”。 本次访问正值全球土地和自然资源压力不断加剧之际。全球高达40%的土地已经退化，严重影响粮食生产、水资源供应和人们的生计。与此同时，自2000年以来，干旱事件增加了近三分之一，这给当地社区带来了更大的压力，尤其是在旱地区域，那里的人们直接依赖健康的土地生存。 仅干旱一项每年就给全球经济造成至少3000亿美元的损失，其影响波及粮食系统、供应链和生计等各个方面。 从全球挑战到国家现实 在蒙古，这些挑战并非抽象概念。近77%的土地受到退化影响，而日益频繁的干旱和随之而来的严冬，给牧民的生计带来了越来越大的压力。牧民是蒙古经济的基石，也是其全国约三分之一人口的生活方式。 这些压力反映了更广泛的全球趋势。草原覆盖了地球陆地面积的一半以上，养育着约20亿人口，但气候变化和不可持续的土地利用正日益加剧草原的压力，其中多达一半的草原已经退化或面临退化风险。 土壤肥力下降、保水能力减弱和生态系统退化已经影响到粮食生产、收入和韧性。与此同时，各方正在努力应对。国家层面的土地恢复、牧场管理和可持续畜牧系统等举措正在帮助应对这些挑战，同时也展现了环境可持续性和经济韧性如何能够齐头并进。 聚焦落实的大会 访问期间的讨论不仅集中在 COP17 的组织安排上，也聚焦于确保大会取得具体且可衡量的成果。  这包括加大对土地恢复和抗旱能力建设的投资，加强可持续粮食系统，以及支持处于土地退化前线的社区。  “健康的土地是粮食安全、生计和稳定的基础，”UNCCD执行秘书亚斯敏·福阿德博士表示。“第十七次缔约方大会的筹备工作正进入关键阶段。我们正与蒙古国携手努力，确保大会取得切实成果，包括加大对土地恢复和抗旱能力建设的投资，加强粮食系统，以及暴露于高风险的社区。” 蒙古当局还强调了他们致力于推进绿色发展，并会将COP17 作为加强国家层面和全球行动的机会。 “荒漠化已成为影响我国每一位公民生活环境的问题。因此，蒙古国政府将绿色发展列为国家优先事项。我们将向国家大呼拉尔（议会）提交《气候变化法》。我们将向全球推广绿色发展政策，吸引投资，创造新的机遇。我们还将加快基础设施和项目开发工作。”蒙古国总理尼亚木-奥索尔·乌其日勒表示。 为何当下至关重要 土地退化和干旱日益被视为系统性的风险放大器。它们加剧了对土地和水资源的竞争，破坏了人们的生计，并可能导致流离失所和局势动荡。 在世界许多地区，这些压力已经与日益严重的粮食不安全问题以及不断加剧的社会和经济压力密切相关。当土地无法再维持社区的生存时，其影响将波及整个系统，从当地居民的生计到国家的稳定都将受到影响。 它们的影响远远超出环境范畴，塑造着粮食系统、经济韧性和社会凝聚力，尤其是在已经面临压力的地区。 因此，应对这些挑战不仅是环境方面的优先事项，在发展和经济方面也是如此。同时，这也是对稳定的投资，有助于减轻稀缺资源的压力，增强民生，并支持更具韧性的社区。 展望COP17 COP17 将汇聚各国政府、金融机构、科学家、民间社会和私营部门，以加快土地恢复和抗旱能力建设方面的行动。 重点优先事项包括扩大融资规模、加强抗旱准备、推进可持续土地管理以及提升对草原和牧民社区的关注，尤其是在 2026 年国际草原和牧民年的背景下。 作为2026年里约三公约中首个召开的缔约方大会， COP17正值重要时刻，此时挑战的规模之大以及不作为的代价之高都已显而易见。当前重点是将承诺转化为成果，并确保解决方案真正落地。 在蒙古国，挑战已然显现，这一雄心壮志并非抽象愿景。这关乎接下来的行动议程，以及COP17将带来的改变。 媒体联系 UNCCD 新闻办公室： press@unccd.int   关于《联合国防治荒漠化公约》 《联合国防治荒漠化公约》（UNCCD）是全球土地的共同愿景与声音。我们联合各国政府、科学家、政策制定者、私营部门和社区，共同推动全球行动，恢复和管理地球土地，以实现人类与地球的可持续发展。UNCCD 不仅仅是一份由197个缔约方签署的国际条约，更是减缓当今土地退化影响、推进未来土地治理的多边承诺，旨在为所有人公平和包容地提供食物、水、住所和经济机会。  

UNCCD Executive Secretary Dr. Yasmine Fouad visited the students of TH Köln with a simple message: land belongs to all of us.

Standing on a rocky stretch just outside Riyadh, the land opens out in every direction, sand, stone and dry air, with little to interrupt it. It is a landscape shaped by scarcity, where water is limited and vegetation survives under pressure. That strain is increasing as temperatures rise and rainfall becomes more unpredictable.This pressure is not unique to Saudi Arabia. Globally, land degradation is accelerating. It affects up to 40 per cent of the land globally and puts nearly half of humanity at risk, even as countries have committed to restoring one billion hectares by 2030.In this context, Saudi Arabia, in just four years, has restored its first one million hectares of degraded land under the Saudi Green Initiative, its national programme launched as part of Vision 2030 to scale up land restoration, increase vegetation cover and strengthen ecosystem resilience.What makes this milestone relevant beyond the country are its scale, and where and how it was delivered.The challenges, where restoration is happening and how it is being doneThe restored land is not located in a single area. It spans multiple regions and ecosystems, including the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve, Sharaan Nature Reserve in AlUla and Qassim National Park, among others.These areas vary in their ecological conditions and land-use pressures. They include landscapes under stress and protected areas undergoing active rehabilitation. Working across such varied conditions requires a structured approach. In Saudi Arabia, restoration efforts are guided by ecological assessments that determine what each landscape can sustain. Native species are used to improve survival rates, while water use is carefully managed to reduce pressure on already limited resources.Restoration is supported by complementary measures, including expanding protected areas, improving early warning systems for sand and dust storms, and strengthening climate adaptation tools.Equally important is how results are verified. Satellite monitoring, geographic information systems and field inspections are combined to assess changes in vegetation cover, soil stability and land productivity.This makes it possible to track progress consistently and helps build confidence that restoration efforts are delivering tangible ecological outcomes.Going to scale and linking national action to global targetsThe scale of land degradation has led to global targets that are equally ambitious. Through the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), countries are committed to restoring one billion hectares of degraded land by 2030. To advance these global commitments, the Group of 20 countries (G20) through the Global Land Initiative hosted by UNCCD, is committed to reducing degraded land by 50 per cent by 2040, underscoring the importance of scaling restoration across all ecosystems. Through this initiative, countries are promoting large-scale restoration, exchanging practical experiences across different contexts and engaging the private sector to mobilize the required investments.Saudi Arabia’s progress provides one example of how to restore land at scale across different landscapes, including in environments where water scarcity and climate conditions make recovery more complex. UNCCD Executive Secretary Dr Yasmine Fouad notes: “The priority now is scaling what works. What this experience shows is that restoration can be delivered across vastly different landscapes, including in water-scarce environments, when it is supported by the right policies, science and long-term commitment. This is essential if global targets are to be met.”This work also draws on approaches supported by UNCCD, including monitoring frameworks, tracking land degradation in real time and knowledge-sharing across countries.Restoring land brings a wide range of benefits. Improved land productivity, more stable soils and restored vegetation help communities withstand drought, protect livelihoods and reduce long-term risks linked to land degradation. In many of these areas, restoration is closely linked to livelihoods, particularly in rangelands where land conditions directly affect pastoral communities. By engaging the private sector, there is growing momentum to create new jobs built on a budding restoration industry. Carrying momentum forwardSaudi Arabia hosted the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UNCCD in Riyadh in December 2024, where countries called for scaling up action on land restoration, strengthening drought resilience and increasing investment. Often, the vital role COP hosting plays in mobilizing political will to restore land at country level is often underestimated. The COP16 shift and momentum from commitment to implementation is expected to continue at COP17, which will take place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17 to 28 August 2026.The challenge now is less about identifying solutions and more about applying them at scale across different regions and ecosystems.Restoring land in arid environments is complex. Limited water availability, long recovery periods and the need for sustained monitoring mean that results depend on long-term commitment.What this experience makes clear is that restoration is already moving from commitment to implementation, including in the most constrained environments, and bringing with it multiple benefits – from jobs and livelihoods to resilience, long-term stability and security.

The UNCCD and the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) are launching the Land and Drought Media Reporting Fellowship for six journalists to cover COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (August 17–28, 2026).