International Drought Resilience Alliance
No country is immune to drought and its impacts on food, water, and energy security, forced migration and natural resource conflicts. Europe, the western United States, Chile, Australia, and the Horn of Africa have all suffered extreme droughts in recent years. These unprecedented droughts have far-reaching impacts on agriculture, energy, transportation, tourism, and human health.
From 1998 to 2017, drought generated economic losses of about US$124 billion across the world, not to mention the cost in human suffering and lives.
Drought frequency, severity, and duration are projected to increase in the short term due to climate change, which is expected to cause to a large displacement of people from affected areas in the long run.
The overwhelming evidence points to the need to shift from crises management to drought preparedness and adaptation measures that significantly reduce vulnerability and exposure at all levels. World leaders recognize the need for a global collaborative platform, with political engagement at the highest level and a network of implementing partners to support countries and communities considering their different circumstances.
Responding to these needs, the International Drought Resilience Alliance was first announced by Spain at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in September 2022 to be officially launched at the UNFCCC COP27 in November 2022. The alliance is jointly convened by President of Senegal Macky Sall and President of the Government of Spain Pedro Sánchez. Interested members of the Alliance see the urgent need to pivot from emergency response to increasing drought resilience through a more coordinated and effective response.
When: Tuesday, 24 June 2025
Where: Bonn
As the UNCCD Sport4Land Champion for Inclusion, Jitske Visser leads the charge at the powerful intersection of healthy land, social inclusion and the rights of persons with disabilities. Globally, persons with disabilities face mortality rates up to four times higher than those without disabilities during natural disasters. Yet despite making up 15 per cent of the world’s population, they remain routinely excluded from environmental governance and decision-making.This session will bring the issue to the forefront, with insights from a diverse panel of partners and speakers, including representatives from UNDRR and OHCHR, as we work to drive more inclusive approaches to land restoration and environmental action.Join us online — register here. For on-site participation, please RSVP by writing to communications@unccd.int
When: Thursday, 26 June 2025
Where: Bonn
The Bureau of COP16 will meet on UN Campus in Bonn, Germany, to discuss the organization of CRIC23 and COP17, intersessional processes, budgetary matters and other business. The meeting will open with remarks from the UNCCD Executive Secretary and COP16 President.