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The UNCCD is pleased to announce that the new version of the Performance Review and Assessment of Implementation System (PRAIS), launched in August 2025, is ready for the upcoming 2026 UNCCD national reporting process.    In summary, PRAIS has been streamlined and enhanced through key innovations such as a country overview dashboard, expanded user roles to support teamwork, peer-to-peer chat, improved validation tools, flexible data sourcing and clearer delineation of reporting obligations to enhance the user experience. These updates are in response to requests made by Parties.   Tentative reporting deadlines   Tentative deadlines for submission of national reports are set as follows: November 2026 for Strategic Objective (SO) 1 and February 2027 for the remaining SOs. The CRIC Bureau in consultation with the Executive Secretary will monitor progress and may adjust this timeline, if necessary.  Technical support for Parties   In line with decision 2/COP.16, partner regional institutions will provide technical support to Parties during the reporting process, including the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS), the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC), the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC), the Partnership Initiative on Sustainable Land Management (PISLM), the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) and the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS). Additional partnerships are being explored and consultants will fill any remaining support gaps.    A phased approach   Although the launch of PRAIS marks the beginning of the 2026 UNCCD reporting process, capacity-building and support services will be rolled out in phases, depending on the availability of funding. The phased approach is outlined below:  Phase 1 (ongoing): PRAIS launch with supporting documentation and online help desk (https://support.unccd.int); Phase 2 (December 2025): Training of Trainers in Panama for regional institutions and consultants; Phase 3 (January – April 2026): Regional in-person training for national focal points and reporting officers; Phase 4 (February - March 2026): Release of e-learning video tutorials; Phase 5 (January 2026 – February 2027): Ongoing technical backstopping and quality assurance of national reports before final submission. Following the conclusion of national reporting, the CRIC will review and analyze the submitted information at its twenty-fifth session.  In view of the phases mentioned above, Parties are encouraged to finalize arrangements and begin utilizing enabling environment funds made available by the Global Environment Facility at national level so that stakeholders can be notified and prompted to start collecting necessary data and information for integration into PRAIS.   Reporting team preparation  To begin preparations, Parties are encouraged to assemble their reporting teams under the leadership of the designated reporting officer. Each team member should have a separate PRAIS account, log into https://reporting.unccd.int and familiarize themselves with the system functions and reporting forms and review the supporting documentation.   Unless formally communicated otherwise, the UNCCD secretariat will consider that the national reporting officer from the 2022 reporting process remains in place for the 2026 reporting round. If a change is needed, the National Focal Point should submit either their own expression of interest or the contact details of the nominated individual to the secretariat via email at reporting@unccd.int.  Supporting documents to assist with reporting include:  Available now:  Addendum to the Good Practice Guidance on SDG Indicator 15.3.1 (advanced unedited version)  UNCCD Reporting Manual (updated for the 2026 reporting process and available in all UN languages)  Updated PRAIS 4 User Manual  Coming soon:  Updated e-learning video tutorials (in all UN languages)  Good Practice Guidance for National Reporting on Strategic Objective 5  For any questions regarding the reporting process or modalities, please contact the technical team via the help desk or write directly to reporting@unccd.int.  

In July 2025, Minagi Rupesinghe had the honor of representing Sri Lanka at the World Aquatics Swimming and Open Water Championships in Singapore — a lifelong dream come true.

Across Mexico’s rural and indigenous communities, land is more than a resource – it is central to daily life, food production and cultural identity. Yet for many – especially women and indigenous peoples – secure access to land remains out of reach.Over 70 per cent of Mexico’s land is at risk of degradation. At the same time, women – who produce more than half of the country’s food – own less than 30 per cent of farmland. This growing gap between those who care for the land and those who control it threatens sustainable land use. Without secure land rights, many are excluded from decisions that shape their environment and future.To tackle these challenges, Mexico launched a series of national consultations on land tenure and Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). Designed to improve land governance systems, the consultations emphasized gender equality, indigenous rights and local perspectives as key pillars of the country’s LDN strategy.Held across several regions, they brought together 45 participants – 30 women and 15 men – including indigenous leaders from Chiapas, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Sonora and other states. Almost all of these leaders were women, who shared their experiences managing community lands and protecting ecosystems.The Changwon Initiative: Making inclusion possibleThe consultations were made possible in part by support from the Changwon Initiative – a programme of the Korea Forest Service and UNCCD – with additional backing from international partners. Funding through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) helped cover key logistical costs, ensuring rural and indigenous voices could be heard.This support ensured that traditionally excluded groups – especially indigenous women from ejidos (communal lands) – were not only present, but central to the dialogue. Many shared firsthand stories about barriers to land inheritance, being sidelined in local decision-making and the urgent need to revive degraded soil and ecosystems.“Women living in the countryside are becoming the protagonists of social, political and economic change,” said Dr. Maribel Méndez de Lara, Magistrate of the Superior Agrarian Court. “Land ownership gives women legal protection, autonomy to make decisions and the ability to fully participate in their communities.”From dialogue to actionThe consultations generated concrete proposals, including a Strategic National Programme to regularize land rights for women and indigenous communities, legal guarantees of female representation in ejido decision-making bodies and greater integration of sustainable practices into collective land systems.Participants – particularly rural and indigenous women – gained skills through leadership training, project planning workshops and awareness campaigns that emphasized their right to land and participation in land governance. Government officials and policymakers also benefited, gaining a better understanding of how to design more inclusive land governance systems that truly reflect community needs.“There are 13.6 million women living in rural areas in Mexico,” said Dr. Beatriz Casas Arellanes, Director of Social and Political Participation for Equality of the National Women's Institute (INMUJERES),. “Many of them are already leading community life and preserving biodiversity. What they need is recognition and access to rights.”Innovative tools and approachesThe consultations were guided by a participatory approach developed under the UNCCD–FAO Joint Initiative and based on the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure (VGGT). Adapted to Mexico’s social and political context, this method ensured that rural leaders, women, government officials and international experts all had a voice.Gender-sensitive tools were used not just to include women, but to ensure their perspectives shaped the outcome.The Dialogue opened with a ceremonial offering called a Tlalmanalli, led by indigenous grandmothers. Made of flowers, seeds and traditional medicines, it served as a reminder that the Earth is alive – and its care, a shared responsibility.Participants also shared inspiring examples already underway, such as mobile legal clinics helping women resolve land disputes and forestry programmes advancing gender equality – small but meaningful signs of change.Lessons learned and the path forwardOne of the key lessons from the consultations is that long-term progress on land tenure requires consistent effort, strong coordination and engagement at all levels. Local and regional consultations – alongside national ones – proved essential for identifying the diverse challenges communities face across the country.Just as important was the finding that inclusive participation leads to better, more grounded solutions. When women, indigenous leaders and local actors are part of the process, outcomes are more relevant – and more likely to last.While the broader policy impact is still unfolding, the consultations helped establish a foundation for more inclusive land governance in Mexico. These conversations laid the groundwork for future strategies and reforms that reflect the realities of those who live and work on the land.Shaping the future of land rights and restorationThe Changwon Initiative played a pivotal role in making these consultations possible – not only by providing funding, but by championing inclusion as a core principle of land restoration. Its support helped ensure that rural and indigenous voices, especially those of women, were not just heard but helped shape the conversation.By backing this process, the Changwon Initiative demonstrated how targeted international cooperation can drive national progress – setting a global example for integrating land tenure security into LDN strategies.Thanks to this support, communities across Mexico now have stronger tools – and a stronger voice – to secure their land, protect their environment and build a more sustainable and inclusive future.

A ceremonial tree planting at the Monaghan Peace Campus today marked the official launch of The People’s Peace Forest (PPF)—Ireland’s contribution to the UNCCD Peace Forest Initiative – a global programme that links land restoration with peace-building.

How the Changwon Initiative helped build the UNCCD Drought ToolboxDrought is no longer a rare or distant event. It is becoming one of the most serious and far-reaching challenges of our time. Since 2000, droughts have become 29 percent more frequent and intense. By 2050, as much as three-quarters of the world’s population could be affected.For millions of people, this means more than just dry weather — it means failed harvests, shrinking water supplies, rising food prices and displacement from their homes and livelihoods.But drought, unlike sudden disasters, offers a unique opportunity: it gives us time. And when time is used wisely, it can turn risk into readiness.From crisis to preparedness: The birth of the Drought ToolboxFaced with the growing impact of drought, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) recognized the need for a shift — from reacting to crises after they hit, to preparing before they begin. This led to the creation of the Drought Toolbox: a science-based, globally accessible platform that helps countries and communities assess, monitor and reduce drought risk.Designed as a practical support tool, the Toolbox brings together resources for developing national drought plans, identifying vulnerable areas, setting up early warning systems and learning from real-world examples of drought resilience. Behind this comprehensive platform lies a key driver: the Changwon Initiative.The Changwon Initiative: Turning vision into actionLaunched by the Korea Forest Service in partnership with the UNCCD, the Changwon Initiative was instrumental in transforming the Drought Toolbox from concept to reality. Through targeted funding and technical support, the Initiative helped bring together global experts, institutions and local stakeholders to co-create the platform.Workshops convened with its support became spaces for cross-sector collaboration. Government agencies, scientists and land managers worked side by side to align methodologies, share regional knowledge and design an interface that could speak to both policymakers and practitioners. The result was not just a digital tool, but a living, evolving resource for drought resilience.When Tools Reach People: Global Examples of ImpactAcross the world, the Drought Toolbox is helping countries move from crisis response to long-term resilience — with real results on the ground. In Costa Rica, it became the foundation for a national workshop that brought together ministries, improved coordination and led to drought strategies based on shared data and clear priorities. In Andhra Pradesh, India, local leaders used the Toolbox to identify the most drought-prone areas, translating data into practical action — from installing rainwater harvesting systems to planting drought-resistant crops and training farmers to monitor conditions themselves.In South Africa, the Toolbox supported the integration of early warning systems into land-use and agricultural planning, enabling farmers to adopt more sustainable practices and authorities to act on forecasts before droughts took their toll. Meanwhile, in Central Asia, countries facing similar climate pressures used the platform to harmonize monitoring efforts and coordinate their responses — showing how regional cooperation can strengthen resilience across borders.Collaboration is keyOne of the most important lessons from the Toolbox’s creation is that preparedness is not just technical — it’s collaborative. The platform draws from the expertise of partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), and grounds that knowledge in the real-life experiences of those facing drought on a daily basis.This spirit of collaboration also sparked the development of complementary tools like the Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) Toolbox, recognizing the interconnectedness of climate risks, land degradation and human health.A lasting legacyThe Changwon Initiative did more than fund a product. It helped shape a process that placed accessibility, usability and inclusivity at the heart of drought preparedness. Thanks to this investment, the Drought Toolbox has become a vital global asset — used by countries, institutions and communities to plan ahead and protect what matters most.As droughts grow more frequent and complex, the need for practical, integrated solutions becomes more urgent. The Drought Toolbox — born of international collaboration and local insight — shows us what’s possible when we choose to act before crisis hits.It is a reminder that while we cannot stop the rain from disappearing, we can prepare wisely for its absence — and that preparation begins not with fear, but with the right tools in the right hands.

 纽约高级别联合活动强调亟需投资、伙伴关系以及私营部门在土地恢复和抗旱韧性方面的参与 纽约，2025年9月25日——《联合国防治荒漠化公约》(UNCCD)缔约方会议主席国——COP16（沙特阿拉伯王国）和COP17（蒙古国）——今天携手，共同推动全球土地恢复和抗旱韧性工作的政治势头和资金投入。在纽约联合国大会期间举行的这一高级别联合活动，汇聚了各国领导人、部长、国际组织以及私营部门的合作伙伴。 土地退化已影响全球多达40%的土地，威胁粮食和水安全，并破坏近半数人类的生计。造成土地退化的最大因素是不具可持续性的食品系统，其导致了全球大部分毁林和生物多样性丧失。自2000年以来，干旱发生频率上升了近三分之一，愈加频繁和严重。极少有灾害像干旱一样造成如此多的人员伤亡、经济损失和社会影响。如今，干旱每年造成超过3070亿美元的损失。如果趋势持续，到2050年全球四分之三人口将受到影响，发展中国家受害最深。 然而，目前私营部门在该领域的资金贡献仅占全球总额的6%。弥补这一缺口，对于将政治承诺转化为实际行动至关重要。 在2024年利雅得举行的COP16上，各国围绕新的韧性愿景展开合作，启动了“利雅得全球抗旱韧性伙伴关系”，并动员了超过120亿美元的承诺资金。 展望未来，2026年在乌兰巴托召开的COP17将恰逢“国际牧场和牧民年”，重点关注维系数亿人口生计并对气候稳定至关重要的生态系统。牧场覆盖地球一半以上的陆地，直接支持5亿人的生计，并提供全球六分之一的营养需求。 COP16和COP17主席国强调了延续性、团结和雄心的重要性。 沙特阿拉伯王国环境、水和农业部副部长、COP16主席国代表奥萨马·法基哈阁下指出：“在利雅得举行的COP16上，各国携手提出了土地可持续管理的新愿景，并动员了前所未有的承诺以应对荒漠化。今天，我们在这一势头上继续前进，与UNCCD、蒙古国以及世界各地的伙伴携手合作，确保这些承诺能够转化为切实行动，保护人民、经济和生态系统免受土地退化和干旱日益严重的影响。” 蒙古国外交部长巴特蒙赫·巴特策策格阁下呼应了这一精神：“这次聚会是我们搭建一座桥梁的尝试——一座连接我们共同愿景的桥梁，加快在防治荒漠化、土地退化、土地恢复和抗旱韧性方面的全球行动。作为COP17的东道主，也作为一个拥有与自然和谐共处千年智慧的国家，蒙古国倡导能够提升生产力、同时保护生态系统的实践。” 她强调了蒙古国在再生农业、可持续放牧体系、基于自然的解决方案以及土壤健康方面的领导作用。 展望未来，巴特策策格部长强调必须紧急重新思考融资模式。她表示：“传统的投资工具已不再足够。我们需要以成果为导向的金融工具，以奖励可衡量的成效——无论是牧场修复、提升的水分保持能力，还是减少的干旱损失。” 在此背景下，纽约的会议强烈呼吁动员资金和伙伴关系，以扩大解决方案的规模——既要增强抗旱韧性，也要支持牧民社区。私营部门是我们实现抗旱韧性的重要合作伙伴，提供投资、创新和扩大规模的能力。 代表《联合国防治荒漠化公约》秘书处发言的副执行秘书安德烈娅·梅萨强调了土地恢复和增强韧性的核心作用：“土地恢复和抗旱韧性不仅是环境方面的必然要求，更是和平、繁荣与可持续发展的基石。恢复草原、稀树草原和农田能够增强粮食和水资源安全，创造就业，支持牧民和农民，并为处在气候变化前线的社区带来希望与尊严。在缔约方大会第16届和第17届主席国——沙特阿拉伯王国和蒙古国的领导，以及私营部门的积极参与下，我们拥有一次独特的机遇来扩大保护我们的土地、气候和未来的解决方案。” 与会者还介绍了创新的融资机制，例如“抗旱韧性投资工具(DRIF)”，以及混合融资、保险模式和可融资项目。国际金融机构、开发银行和私营部门提出了土地恢复和加强地方经济的切实方案。DRIF是与卢森堡合作设立的，旨在动员私营部门投资以增强抗旱能力。 在主题演讲中，世界经济论坛临时联合主席安德烈·霍夫曼强调了全球合作的紧迫性：“自然不仅仅是另一种资源——它是所有繁荣的根基。干旱和土地退化清楚地提醒我们，自然资本的界限已经被我们越过。前进的道路是塑造一种新的商业模式：一种政府、企业和公民共同努力恢复土地、保护水资源并建立持久韧性的经济。这不仅是道义上的责任，也是经济和社会稳定的前提条件。” 在会议闭幕时，各国领导人重申，推动土地恢复和抗旱韧性是全球优先事项——这对保障粮食和水安全、加强地方经济以及保护子孙后代的气候至关重要。  媒体垂询，请联系：press@unccd.int 关于UNCCD 《联合国防治荒漠化公约》(UNCCD)是全球土地的共同愿景和声音。我们汇聚各国政府、科学家、决策者、私营部门和社区的力量，共同推动土地恢复与管理的全球行动，造福人类与地球。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的影响，推进未来土地治理多边承诺，旨在以公平和包容的方式为所有人提供食物、水、住所和经济机会。