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On 17 September, in Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Cooperation and Humanitarian Action, Gilles Roth, Minister of Finance, and Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), signed an agreement establishing the Drought Resilience Investment Facility (DRIF). As the first fund created under the Luxembourg Earth Impact Fund (LEIF), the new Drought Resilience Investment Facility marks a major step in sustainable finance. With a target of USD 400 million, it will back sustainable farming, improve water access and promote nature-based solutions. Luxembourg has pledged EUR 2 million as seed funding, reaffirming its commitment to global cooperation and green investment. A global crisis that cannot be ignored Up to 40 per cent of the world’s land is already degraded, threatening food, water, and livelihoods for nearly half of humanity. This degradation is compounded by drought—a silent but escalating disaster that already costs the global economy more than USD 307 billion each year, fueling hunger, forced migration and widening inequalities. Since 1994, the UNCCD has been the only legally binding international treaty focused on sustainable land management. Luxembourg ratified the Convention in 1997 and, with the launch of DRIF, is reaffirming its leadership in the global response to land degradation and drought. Building on global momentum COP16 in Riyadh marked a major turning point for drought resilience — over USD 12 billion was pledged through the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership to support vulnerable countries. Yet, the private sector continues to account for only 6% of global financing in this space. DRIF is designed to bridge that gap by offering structured impact investment pathways. Backed by proven data — every dollar invested in nature-based drought solutions can return up to USD 27 — the Facility aims to unlock scalable, profitable, and sustainable investment for drought-prone communities. “The creation of this fund is not only a financial innovation – it is a lifeline for communities on the frontlines of drought,” said UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad. “It shows what is possible when governments, the UN system and the private sector come together behind a common vision: a more resilient future for people and the planet.”   Luxembourg’s leadership in sustainable finance Luxembourg’s support for the DRIF strengthens its role as a pioneer in sustainable and impact finance. With this initiative, Luxembourg helps open a new chapter in international cooperation on drought resilience – one where public leadership and private investment join forces to protect livelihoods, restore land and secure water for future generations.  

三十多年前，库布其沙漠因流动沙丘和频繁的沙尘暴，被称为中国的“死亡之海”。如今，它已经发生了翻天覆地的变化。本周，第十届库布其国际沙漠论坛在内蒙古鄂尔多斯举行。论坛由联合国防治荒漠化公约（UNCCD）、联合国环境规划署（UNEP）、中国国家林业和草原局及内蒙古自治区政府共同主办，汇聚了国际组织、政府官员、专家学者和企业家，围绕“科学治沙 绿色发展”主题，共同探讨土地恢复的解决方案。 全球挑战，刻不容缓 全球土地退化正在加速。如今，全球已有40%的土地退化，直接影响近一半人口。每年因不可持续的土地利用和气候变化，至少有1亿公顷健康土地流失，相当于一个埃及的面积。经济损失严重：每年因荒漠化、土地退化和干旱损失近9000亿美元。 自2000年以来，干旱发生频率和强度增加了三分之一，每年造成超过3000亿美元损失。预计到2050年，全球四分之三的人口将受到影响。但解决方案是存在的。UNCCD数据显示，每投资1美元在土地修复上，可产生高达27美元的回报，既能增强粮食系统，又能创造就业，还能帮助社区抵御气候冲击。 从“死亡之海”到富饶之地 库布其沙漠展示了科学、政策与社区行动结合所能带来的奇迹。如今，超过50万公顷沙地得到修复，大片沙丘长满植被，减少了沙尘暴，稳定了土壤，也阻止了大量泥沙流入黄河。 可再生能源的引入发挥了重要作用。在退化土地上建立的光伏电站，不仅生产清洁能源，还改善了植被生长条件。这种“光伏+治沙”模式创造了新的就业机会，提高了家庭收入，也证明了治理土地退化能带来繁荣。在内蒙古部分地区，农民如今靠林业和果业获得主要收入，显示健康的生态系统能够支撑可持续经济。 “恢复土地，就是恢复尊严” 在论坛的视频致辞中，UNCCD执行秘书雅斯敏·福阿德强调： “库布其模式告诉我们一个基本真理：恢复土地，就是恢复人的尊严。它创造了逾10万个就业岗位，孕育了支撑家庭的新兴产业，让社区不再把沙漠视为敌人，而是视为共创未来的伙伴。这一转变并非单一部门之功，而是政府、企业和社区并肩携手、同心协力的结晶。” 共享经验，共创未来 论坛不仅关注内蒙古，也汇聚了来自蒙古国、非洲萨赫勒地区、拉丁美洲等受荒漠化严重影响地区的声音。蒙古国林业官员介绍了“十亿棵树”计划，非洲和拉美代表分享了从火灾监测到可持续牧业的经验。 论坛还展示了“UNCCD土地英雄”青年代表的经验。来自马里的企业家罗基娅图·特拉奥雷创立了Herou联盟，通过可持续辣木种植赋能妇女和青年。她说：“中国向世界证明了，只要有政治承诺和社区参与，就能把沙漠变成绿洲。种树不仅保护环境，还能增加GDP和社区收入。科学和技术是我们恢复土地、改善经济的最佳伙伴。” 来自津巴布韦的塔库德扎·阿什利·姆兰博则强调科技的重要性：“论坛让我看到无人机、卫星和物联网等创新方案，以及光伏与动植物结合的模式。如果能在撒哈拉以南非洲推广，我相信我们能够实现土地退化零增长的目标。” 从地方成功到全球目标 库布其的经验对全球具有重要意义。各国已承诺到2030年恢复10亿公顷退化土地，其中近一半是在UNCCD框架下作出的。要实现这一目标，未来五年每天至少需投入10亿美元。但收获的韧性、粮食安全和生计改善，将足以证明这一投资是值得的。 在土地恢复过程中，当地社区、农民和牧民发挥了核心作用：他们植树种草，成立合作社，发展小企业，证明了土地恢复能够带来社会和经济双重收益。 论坛的结论很明确：土地可以恢复，而当它恢复时，人类与自然都会受益。  

The leaders of the three Rio Conventions recently met in Bonn to chart the next stage of their collaboration. Yasmine Fouad, the new UNCCD Executive Secretary, chaired the meeting of the Joint Liaison Group, welcoming her counterparts Simon Stiell of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Astrid Schomaker of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Together, they discussed priority actions for 2025–2026 and pledged to strengthen cooperation to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation. One immediate outcome of the meeting is the launch of the Rio Synergies platform, unveiled to showcase how the three conventions are stepping up joint action. The new website highlights the benefits of integrated approaches and provides a window into how countries, communities and institutions can work across climate, biodiversity and land agendas.Some 30 years ago, at the Rio Earth Summit, the world agreed on three landmark treaties to protect the planet: the UNCCD, the CBD and the UNFCCC. Each tackles a different piece of the environmental puzzle—but all share one truth: climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation are deeply connected, and solving one equals tackling them together.The rationale for closer cooperation is clear: Humanity is on track to reach ten billion people by 2050, just as nature’s life-support systems are reaching breaking point. Almost one million species are at risk of extinction. Three-quarters of the planet’s land has been transformed by human activity. And if greenhouse gas emissions continue unchecked, the world is set to overshoot the 1.5°C warming limit within decades.At the heart of cooperation is a shared conviction: when climate, land and biodiversity goals are pursued together, the results are stronger, more cost-effective and longer lasting. By linking their mandates, the Rio conventions are committed to turning overlapping challenges into shared opportunities—delivering solutions that benefit people, economies and ecosystems alike.The new platform demonstrates how this can work in practice. It showcases key areas for action, such as sustainable land use planning, nature-positive food production, renewable energy transition and gender-responsive action. It also highlights country case studies where integrated projects are already making a difference: Rwanda’s nationwide restoration strategy combining reforestation, agroforestry and land recovery; Central Asia’s efforts to restore vast degraded steppes as carbon sinks; and Panama’s “Nature Pledge,” which unites its climate, biodiversity and land commitments under a single national framework, among others.The Rio synergies approach is centered around three pillars. First is country support: helping governments strengthen policies, develop integrated plans and build negotiation skills through joint capacity-building. Second is coherence and complementarity: aligning work on shared themes like food systems, forests and water, and engaging Indigenous Peoples and youth. Third is outreach and visibility: speaking with one voice at global events, promoting a joint narrative and sharing inspiring examples of synergy in action.As the three Executive Secretaries agreed, climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation are not separate challenges—they are different symptoms of one planetary crisis. By strengthening synergies, the Rio Conventions aim to help humanity heal its relationship with nature and build a more resilient, sustainable future for all. The Rio journey now leads to 2026 — the triple COP year when all three conventions will hold their governing conferences— a pivotal convergence to align national commitments, showcase joint solutions and generate the political momentum needed to translate promises into action on the ground.Join the Rio journey at https://rioconventions.org

《联合国防治荒漠化公约》履约审查委员会第二十三届会议（CRIC23）将于2025年12月1日至5日在巴拿马城召开 CRIC23 会徽凸显巴拿马在土地、气候和生物多样性方面的自然承诺 波恩/巴拿马城 2025年9月15日——来自196个国家和欧盟的代表将于2025年12月1日至5日在巴拿马召开会议，作为唯一在该领域具有法律约束力的全球条约缔约方，审查其在防治荒漠化、土地退化和干旱方面的努力——这是与生物多样性和气候并列的三大《里约公约》之一。 联合国防治荒漠化公约（UNCCD）履约审查委员会第二十三届会议（CRIC23）将汇聚来自各国政府、民间社会和学术界的大约500名代表，共同评估推进公约目标的进展。 自1996年成为 UNCCD 签署国以来，巴拿马承诺到2030年实现“土地退化零增长”，确定了31个关键热点，并推动再造林和干旱走廊适应项目——凸显其作为区域东道国的角色。2023年，该国经历了有记录以来最干旱的一年，水资源短缺扰乱了巴拿马运河的通航，凸显了地方干旱如何引发全球性后果。 巴拿马环境部长胡安·卡洛斯·纳瓦罗表示：“从来没有一个国家在同一年主办联合国三大环境公约——气候行动、生物多样性、荒漠化和可持续土地管理。巴拿马借此重申其保护自然和推进可持续发展的承诺，同时再次呼吁统筹管理这三大支柱，以应对地球危机，为我们的社区建设一个富有韧性的未来。” UNCCD 执行秘书亚斯敏·福阿德（Yasmine Fouad）表示：“严重的干旱和肥沃土地的流失正在加剧粮食和能源生产压力，迫使农村社区流离失所，并威胁着数百万人的生计。在拉丁美洲和加勒比地区，这一现象尤为明显——该地区至少20%的土地正遭受严重退化。通过主办 CRIC23，巴拿马将自身置于集体应对行动的中心——从国家层面的“自然承诺”到区域性的“干旱走廊倡议”——并为全球加强抗旱能力和恢复土地的紧迫需求注入新的动力。。” 本次履约审查委员会会议还将特别关注性别问题。妇女是受土地退化影响最严重的群体之一，她们日复一日地承受着土壤退化和干旱带来的后果，却仍坚守在维系家庭、保障粮食供给的最前线。 最新的 UNCCD 数据显示，采取行动刻不容缓：全球每年流失近1亿公顷健康土地，过去30年中超过70%的土地面积经历了干旱化加剧，削弱了地球养活不断增长人口的能力。从现在到2030年，全球每天需要10亿美元来实现土地恢复目标并防治荒漠化和干旱——这笔钱仅为流向“有害激励与投资”的零头。 CRIC23 将在巴拿马城巴拿马会展中心举行。缔约方将审查进展，并提出防止和扭转土地退化、到2030年增强抗旱韧性的建议。此外，CRIC23 还将讨论2030年后的战略框架，并汇聚包括妇女、青年、土著人民和当地社区在内的关键利益相关方。 CRIC23 的标志灵感来自鸽子花（Peristeria elata），即巴拿马的国花。在其中心，一只飞翔的白鸽轮廓跃然呈现——这是和平与团结的普世象征。如今，这种娇嫩的花朵在其自然栖息地中日益受到荒漠化的威胁，凸显了保护生物多样性和恢复土壤的紧迫性。CRIC23 会徽进一步强调了巴拿马的“自然承诺”，将该国在土地、气候和生物多样性方面的承诺统一于一个愿景之下。该标志也致敬了巴拿马的自然与文化遗产，体现了该国建设一个具有韧性、可持续、与自然和谐共处未来的决心。 编辑须知 持有正式记者证件的媒体代表受邀参加并报道 CRIC23 及相关活动。 CRIC23 每日要点将由 IISD《地球谈判简报》提供。 边会日程请见：https://www.unccd.int/cric23/side-events 关于 CRIC23 的视觉素材和 UNCCD 数据仪表盘请见：https://trello.com/b/zq0kxtkK/unccd-cric23-panama-2025 媒体代表的在线注册将于2025年9月15日起开放，请访问：https://indico.un.org/e/unccd-cric2310 （点击“Media Registration”）。 注册需提交以下文件： 一张近期护照尺寸照片； 有效记者证； 护照复印件（照片页和签名页，适用于外国记者）或身份证（适用于本地申请者）； 由编辑部主任、媒体机构或出版商出具的正式抬头推荐信。 自由记者必须提交由媒体机构出具的委派函，确认其被指派报道本次会议。 逾期未注册者，可在会议现场的认证与注册中心（地址：Panama Convention Center, Calle General Juan D. Perón, Amador, Panama City）在官方注册时间内办理注册。 已在线注册的记者，凭有效记者证和身份证件，可在巴拿马会展中心领取证件。 有关签证申请规定及新闻设备携带入境巴拿马的更多信息，请参阅：https://es.tourismpanama.com/planea-tus-vacaciones/requisitos-de-viaje/ 有关媒体认证或报道活动的咨询，请联系：press@unccd.int 会议场地将提供专门的媒体与新闻工作区。 关于公约和 CRIC23 的更多信息和媒体更新，请访问 UNCCD 官网：https://www.unccd.int/cric23 关于 UNCCD 《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。 

In the past decade, the world has made a historic push to prepare for drought before it strikes, unlocking solutions in policy, practice, and finance. Humanity has never been better equipped to face this growing challenge. The next step, experts say, is using all the available knowledge and expertise to build drought resilience for everyone, everywhere. At World Water Week, held in Stockholm from 24 to 28 August, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), co-convened leading experts to highlight success cases and new initiatives for drought resilience.Here are five takeaways from the session ‘Accelerating Drought Resilience in a Changing Climate:’Systemic measures for a systemic riskFar from only affecting agriculture, drought can have long-lasting impacts on all sectors of society, the economy and ecosystems —-uprooting people from their lands, stunting the development of entire generations, and causing GDPs to plummet by up to 10 per cent. Drought is a systemic risk, but too often, it is addressed with piecemeal measures.“Water crosses so many boundaries as it moves from the tops of mountains through ecosystems towards the ocean: administrative, legal, cultural, ecological boundaries,” said Global Director of Freshwater Outcomes at TNC Nicole Silk. “That is why we need to work across systems, sectors, borders, and scales to build drought resilience”.In that spirit, the nonprofit is supporting the implementation of nature-based solutions across entire watersheds in collaboration with communities, the private sector, and governments. Protecting key ecological functions is a nature-based solution, as are financial innovations.One example is TNC's work in the Tana River in Kenya, which supplies 95% of the water for Nairobi’s 4 million residents, feeds one of the country’s main agricultural areas, and provides half of the country’s hydropower output. In the past 50 years, the substitution of agricultural fields for forests and wetlands had reduced the ability of the land to store runoff water and hold the soil, compromising the water security of millions.Enter the Upper Tana-Nairobi Water Fund. The mechanism, which TNC kickstarted in 2015 as is now an independent Kenyan-registered entity, has public and private donors and major water consumers downstream contribute resources to support water and soil conservation measures upstream, which is improving water quality and supply.No-regret investments Protecting ecosystems, managing land and water resources sustainably, and restoring degraded land are some of the most effective and sustainable ways of building drought resilience. But the benefits of nature-based solutions go way beyond drought.Every dollar invested in nature-based solutions (NbS) can generate up to US$27 in improved ecosystem services and livelihoods —-a no-regret investment, according to a recent report launched at UNCCD COP16 and as evidenced by the Economics of Land Degradation (ELD) Initiative.“More intense and frequent droughts are the new normal,” said Senior Policy Officer at BMZ Mario Lootz-Petersen. “Our goal is to make nature-based solutions a new normal, as well. The evidence and the tools are definitely there.” For the expert, one of the keys is continuing to build robust business cases and models around sustainable land and water management with a view to scaling up the many successful initiatives around the world.Tailored approaches While the pillars of drought resilience are universal, each context requires its own tailored solutions. Hence the importance of adapting drought resilience approaches to different realities.“A key question is how we can localize drought resilience solutions such as climate-smart agriculture, drought insurance, and water-storage innovation,” said Giriraj Amarnath, Principal Researcher on Disaster Risk Management and Climate Resilience at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).Through the Drought Action Catalyst, experts, decision-makers, and communities can come together to co-design and scale solutions for drought. The IWMI-led platform, launched at UNCCD COP16, also promotes South-South learning; an integrated action across sectors like agriculture, health, and infrastructure, and even an AI-based chatbot to help farmers tackle drought.From policies to practice With support from UNCCD, more than 70 countries have put in place national plans to manage drought risk, up from three only a decade ago. In parallel, the convention is hosting two major initiatives on drought resilience and is collaborating with academic, research and civil society organizations to bridge policy and practice.One of the UNCCD-hosted initiatives is the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA), which is building political momentum and developing tools to help countries anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to drought —for example, the International Drought Resilience Observatory (IDRO). The other is the Riyadh Drought Resilience Partnership (RDRP), which will financially support 74 vulnerable countries in implementing their national drought plans from early 2026, as explained by Policy Officer with the UNCCD Daniel Tsegai. The idea is to invest in people, land, and ecosystems today, so that communities can thrive tomorrow.Additionally, the Convention and the Global Water Partnership (GWP) have launched a series of regional and global  Communities of Learning and Practice (CLP) —an agora where practitioners, decision-makers and scientists can learn from each other, ask for advice, and share new developments on drought-related matters.“I cannot overstate how important peer-to-peer learning is when it comes to accelerating drought action on the ground,” said Tsegai, who stressed the importance of sustainable land and water management. “Together, we can go further, faster —and the CLPs provide a safe space to do just that.”Beyond early warningIn Africa, UNCCD teamed up with the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) —an IDRA partner— and the National Drought Mitigation Center/ University of Nebraska-Lincoln (NDMC/UNL) to create a drought impact tracker for countries in the region. The tool looks to empower farmers to report on drought signs and impacts using their phones, contributing to improve drought management.A project led by the GWP is now integrating the impact tracker into efforts to improve early warning systems in Eastern Africa. For GWP specialist Anjali Lohani, the move shows the importance of integrating existing tools and insights, instead of trying to reinvent the wheel.“So much knowledge already exists, so a priority is to make it available and accessible to those who need it,” said Lohani, who also noted the importance of building the capacity of communities to act on early warning messages. “Knowing that drought is coming is not enough; you need to have preparedness and response capabilities in place.”

Riyadh, 14 September 2025 – On her first official mission as UNCCD Executive Secretary, Yasmine Fouad met with HE Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture and COP16 President, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh."My visit to Riyadh was an opportunity to reinforce our shared commitment and emphasize the critical leadership of the Saudi COP16 Presidency as we work toward COP17," said Dr. Fouad. "To address the profound impacts of land degradation on food insecurity and economic uncertainty, we must act decisively and collectively. Our partnership is key to mobilizing political will and resources to restore land and hope."Discussions focused on shared priorities, including accelerating efforts toward drought resilience, transforming food systems, and creating new opportunities for private sector engagement in land restoration.On drought resilience, the meeting followed up on the launch of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership at COP16, emphasizing the need for a proactive, global approach to preparedness and response, and for strong policies that support vulnerable communities and ecosystems.On food systems, the two leaders highlighted the crucial link between healthy land and sustainable food production. Building on the landmark COP16 decision on productive agricultural lands, they noted that agriculture remains a major driver of land degradation, deforestation, freshwater extraction and biodiversity loss worldwide, and must be transformed to become part of the solution.On private sector engagement, discussions built on the Business for Land Initiative endorsed by leaders at COP16, concentrating on strategies to unlock financing and innovation, reduce investment risks, and develop a compelling business case for companies to become key partners in achieving Land Degradation Neutrality, supporting sustainable agricultural practices and restoring land.Hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in December 2024, UNCCD COP16 was the largest and most inclusive in the Convention’s history, resulting in 39 decisions adopted by UNCCD’s 197 Parties."I am confident that through the Saudi COP16 Presidency and the upcoming Mongolian COP17 Presidency, we will be able to showcase that we can be united for land, united for people and united with hope," Ms. Fouad added.For more information, please contact: 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.