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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. 

As the planet continues to warm, harsher droughts, extreme heat and erratic rainfall are eroding the food security and livelihoods of millions – especially the smallholder farmers who produce one third of the world’s food. Over the past three decades, disasters have caused US$3.8 trillion in crop and livestock losses globally. But in regions like Africa, only three per cent of family farmers have agricultural insurance, leaving millions exposed to shocks. Meanwhile, land degradation and drought are pushing rural communities deeper into poverty, jeopardizing the ability to feed a growing world population.  One way to address the challenge is reducing insurance premiums for farmers who manage the land sustainably, as explained by a new report commissioned by UNCCD and funded by the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) This innovative model leverages mobile and satellite technologies, behavioral science and systems thinking to provide financial protection while promoting sustainable land use. The report, called ‘Securing Land and Livelihoods: Insurance for Drought Resilience,’ shows the practical and economic benefits of the model through case studies from Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi and the Horn of Africa. To put it in practice, authors recommend building public-private partnerships, establishing pilot projects and embedding these solutions into national development plans and climate risk strategies. This integrated model reflects UNCCD’s commitment to solutions that align land management, insurance innovation and resilience-building for the communities most affected by land degradation and drought. A pilot project is underway in Namibia, with progress to be shared at UNCCD CRIC23 this December, and the project findings to be presented at a dedicated insurance event during UNCCD COP16 in 2026. 

Food, water, energy crises, human tragedies in 2023-2025detailed in sweeping analysis by U.S. National Drought Mitigation Center and the UN Convention to Combat DesertificationFueled by climate change and relentless pressure on land and water resources, some of the most widespread and damaging drought events in recorded history have taken place since 2023, according to a UN-backed report launched today.Prepared by the U.S. National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), with support from the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA), the latest report Drought Hotspots Around the World 2023-2025 provides a comprehensive account of how droughts compound poverty, hunger, energy insecurity, and ecosystem collapse.Says UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw: “Drought is a silent killer. It creeps in, drains resources, and devastates lives in slow motion. Its scars run deep.”“Drought is no longer a distant threat,” he adds. “It is here, escalating, and demands urgent global cooperation. When energy, food, and water all go at once, societies start to unravel. That’s the new normal we need to be ready for.”“This is not a dry spell,” says Dr. Mark Svoboda, report co-author and NDMC Director. "This is a slow-moving global catastrophe, the worst I've ever seen. This report underscores the need for systematic monitoring of how drought affects lives, livelihoods, and the health of the ecosystems that we all depend on."“The Mediterranean countries represent canaries in the coal mine for all modern economies,” he adds. “The struggles experienced by Spain, Morocco and Türkiye to secure water, food, and energy under persistent drought offer a preview of water futures under unchecked global warming. No country, regardless of wealth or capacity, can afford to be complacent.”A wide-ranging crisisThe new report synthesizes information from hundreds of government, scientific and media sources to highlight impacts within the most acute drought hotspots in Africa (Somalia, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, Namibia), the Mediterranean (Spain, Morocco, Türkiye), Latin America (Panama, Amazon Basin), Southeast Asia, and beyond.Africa: Over 90 million people across Eastern and Southern Africa face acute hunger. Some areas have been enduring their worst ever recorded drought.Southern Africa, already drought-prone, was devastated with roughly 1/6th of the population (68 million) needing food aid in August 2024.In Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi, maize and wheat crops have failed repeatedly.  In Zimbabwe alone, the 2024 corn crop was down 70% year on year, and maize prices doubled while 9,000 cattle died of thirst and starvation.In Somalia, the government estimated 43,000 people died in 2022 alone due to drought-linked hunger. As of early 2025, 4.4 million people – a quarter of the population – face crisis-level food insecurity, including 784,000 expected to reach emergency levels.Zambia suffered one of the world's worst energy crises as the Zambezi River in April 2024 plummeted to 20% of its long-term average. The country’s largest hydroelectric plant, the Kariba Dam, fell to 7% generation capacity, causing blackouts of up to 21 hours per day and shuttering hospitals, bakeries, and factories.MediterraneanSpain: Water shortages hit agriculture, tourism, and domestic supply. By September 2023, two years of drought and record heat caused a 50% drop in Spain’s olive crop, causing its olive oil prices to double across the country.Morocco: The sheep population was 38% smaller in 2025 relative to 2016, prompting a royal plea to cancel traditional Eid sacrifices.Türkiye: Drought accelerated groundwater depletion, triggering sinkholes that present hazards to communities and their infrastructure while permanently reducing aquifer storage capacity.Latin AmericaAmazon Basin: Record-low river levels in 2023 and 2024 led to mass deaths of fish and endangered dolphins, and disrupted drinking water and transport for hundreds of thousands. As deforestation and fires intensify, the Amazon risks transitioning from a carbon sink to a carbon source.Panama Canal: Water levels dropped so low that transits were slashed by over one-third (from 38 to 24 ships daily between October 2023 and January 2024), causing major global trade disruptions. Facing multi-week delays, many ships were rerouted to longer, costlier paths via the Suez Canal or South Africa’s infamous Cape of Good Hope. Among the knock-on effects, U.S. soybean exports slowed, and UK grocery stores reported shortages and rising prices of fruits and vegetables.Southeast AsiaDrought disrupted production and supply chains of key crops such as rice, coffee, and sugar. In 2023-2024, dry conditions in Thailand and India, for example, triggered shortages leading to a 8.9% increase in the price of sugar and sweets in the US.“A Perfect Storm” of El Niño and climate changeThe 2023–2024 El Niño event amplified already harsh climate change impacts, triggering dry conditions across major agricultural and ecological zones. Drought’s impacts hit hardest in climate hotspots, regions already suffering from warming trends, population pressures, and fragile infrastructure.“This was a perfect storm,” says report co-author Dr. Kelly Helm Smith, NDMC Assistant Director and drought impacts researcher. “El Niño added fuel to the fire of climate change, compounding the effects for many vulnerable societies and ecosystems past their limits.”Co-author Dr. Cody Knutson, who oversees NDMC drought planning research, underlined a recent OECD estimate that a drought episode today carries an economic cost at least twice as high as in 2000, with a 35% to 110% increase projected by 2035.“Ripple effects can turn regional droughts into global economic shocks,” she adds. “No country is immune when critical water-dependent systems start to collapse.”Women, children among the most affectedMost vulnerable to the effects of drought: Women, children, the elderly, pastoralists, subsistence farmers, and people with chronic illness. Health risks include cholera outbreaks, acute malnutrition, dehydration, and exposure to polluted water.The report highlights in particular the disproportionate toll on women and children.In Eastern Africa, forced child marriages more than doubled as families sought dowries to survive. Though outlawed in Ethiopia, child marriages more than doubled in frequency in the four regions hit hardest by the drought. Young girls who marry can bring their family income in the form of dowry while lessening the financial burden of providing food and other necessities.In Zimbabwe, entire school districts saw mass dropouts due to hunger, costs, and sanitation issues for girls.In the Amazon, the drought upended life for remote Indigenous and rural communities. In some areas, the Amazon River fell to its lowest level ever recorded, leaving residents stranded – including women giving birth – and entire towns without potable water.“The coping mechanisms we saw during this drought grew increasingly desperate,” says lead author Paula Guastello, NDMC drought impacts researcher. “Girls pulled from school and forced into marriage, hospitals going dark, and families digging holes in dry riverbeds just to find contaminated water — these are signs of severe crisis.""As droughts intensify, it is critical that we work together on a global scale to protect the most vulnerable people and ecosystems and re-evaluate whether our current water use practices are sustainable in today's changing world,” Guastello says.Deputy Executive Secretary of UNCCD Andrea Meza says: “The report shows the deep and widespread impacts of drought in an interconnected world: from its rippling effects on price of basic commodities like rice, sugar and oil from Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean; to disruptions in access to drinking water and food in the Amazon due to low river levels, to tens of millions affected by malnutrition and displacement across Africa." “The evidence is clear”, adds Meza. “We must urgently invest in sustainable land and water management, nature-based solutions, adapted crops, and integrated public policies to build our resilience to drought ---or face increasing economic shocks, instability and forced migration.”Wildlife killed en masseBeyond the 200 endangered river dolphins and thousands of fish lost to the Amazon drought, impacts on wildlife include:100 elephants died in Zimbabwe’s Hwange Park due to starvation and limited access to water between August and December 2023.Hippos were stranded in dry riverbeds in Botswana in 2024.Some countries last year culled wild animals (e.g., 200 elephants in Zimbabwe and Namibia) to feed rural communities and protect ecosystems from overgrazing.Lessons and recommendationsThe report calls for urgent investments in drought preparedness, including:Stronger early warning systems and real-time drought and drought impact monitoring, including conditions contributing to food and water insecurity.Nature-based solutions such as watershed restoration and indigenous crop use.Resilient infrastructure, including off-grid energy and alternative water supply technologies.Gender-responsive adaptation, ensuring that women and girls are not further marginalized.Global cooperation, especially in protecting transboundary river basins and trade routes.“Drought is not just a weather event – it can be a social, economic, and environmental emergency,” says Dr. Smith. “The question is not whether this will happen again, but whether we will be better prepared next time.”“Drought has a disproportionate effect on those with few resources. We can act now to reduce the effects of future droughts by working to ensure that everyone has access to food, water, education, health care and economic opportunity.”“The nations of the world have the resources and the knowledge to prevent a lot of suffering,” Dr. Smith adds. “The question is, do we have the will?”Voices from IDRAThe Third Vice-President and Minister for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge of Spain, Sara Aagesen, highlighted the work of IDRA — the Alliance co-chaired by Senegal and Spain — to mobilize political, technical and financial capital in favor of drought resilience, especially among the most vulnerable and affected populations: "At the International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, we are calling for increased mobilization of financial resources. We operate in a complex context, with limited resources, multiple urgencies and many competing priorities, meaning we must act strategically and collaboratively."Professor Daouda Ngom, Senegal's Minister of the Environment and Ecological Transition, declares: "Drought, in all its forms, is a global challenge that calls for joint responses. Strengthening the capacities of communities, countries and regions must be at the heart of international cooperation to ensure equitable and sustainable development. Let's not forget that investing in drought resilience is also a decisive step towards greater climate justice."  About the ReportThe National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and UNCCD sought to document drought’s recent impacts comprehensively to inform global policy and better prepare societies for future droughts.  The Drought Hotspots Around the World 2023-2025 report draws on over 250 peer-reviewed studies, official data sources, and news reports across more than a dozen countries and regions.By the Numbers:68 million: People needing food aid in Southern Africa23 million: People facing acute hunger in Eastern Africa70%: Maize crop lost in Zimbabwe (2024)Up to 21 hours/day: Power outages in Zambia200+: Endangered River dolphins killed by heat in the Amazon (Sept 2023)38: Daily Panama Canal transits before drought; 24 during drought50%: Olive oil production drop in Spain1 million+: People in Somalia displaced due to drought (2022); 4.4 million at crisis-level hunger (early 2025); 1.7 million children suffering acute malnutrition (Apr–Jun 2025)70%: Victoria Falls water level drop compared with 2023 (Zambia side, 2024)100+: Drought-related elephant deaths in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park1,600+: Estimated number of sinkholes in Türkiye due to groundwater depletionNearly doubled: Price increase of maize in Zambia€22.84 billion: Spain's investment in irrigation and water infrastructureAbout the UNCCDThe 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. About IDRAThe International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) is the first global coalition creating political momentum and mobilizing financial and technical resources for a drought-resilient future. As a growing platform of more than 40 countries and institutions, IDRA draws on the collective strengths of its members to advance policies, actions, and capacity-building for drought preparedness, acknowledging we are only as resilient to drought and climate change as our land is. The work of IDRA is aligned with, and supportive of, the mandate of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which hosts the IDRA Secretariat. For more information: https://idralliance.global. 

The signs are everywhere: cracked earth, dry rivers, failed crops and families forced to abandon their land. What was once seen as a rare natural disaster has become a persistent and intensifying threat. Drought is no longer confined to distant deserts or erratic seasons. It is advancing—slowly, silently—across borders and climate zones, placing unprecedented stress on people and ecosystems alike. Since 2000, the frequency and intensity of droughts have risen by 29 per cent. More than 1.4 billion people have already been affected. Economically, drought can slash a country’s GDP by up to 10 per cent and drag down growth for years. By mid-century, as much as three-quarters of the global population could face its impacts. For millions, it means far more than dry weather—it means food insecurity, water shortages, price spikes and the erosion of homes and livelihoods. And yet, unlike earthquakes or floods, drought gives us one rare advantage: time. Time to anticipate, adapt and build resilience. The challenge is not only to recognize the warning signs, but to act before the emergency unfolds. That imperative brought a wide range of stakeholders to Cologne, Germany, for the Inaugural Conference of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership held on 23-24 June 2025. Over two days of discussion and collaboration, government representatives, UN entities, financing institutions and technical experts worked to transform political intent into practical momentum. “This partnership is not another global fund. It is not just a trust fund. It is not about reacting to drought when it's too late. It is about building integrated, national systems of resilience—rooted in transparency, equity and the voices of local communities. This is how we protect lives, livelihoods and ecosystems before the crisis hits,” said the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw.  “If we wait until drought hits, it’s already too late. The cost—in human lives, in resources, in stability—is simply too high. This initiative is about shifting from reaction to resilience. It’s about building early warning systems, strengthening national drought plans, investing in risk mitigation and creating partnerships that are inclusive, science-based and focused on the communities most at risk. No one actor can do this alone—we need a collective, global response.” said H.E. Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, KSA.  Launched at UNCCD COP16 under the leadership of the host country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnershipwas established to help countries move beyond crisis response toward proactive drought risk reduction. At its core is the belief that resilience is not forged in crisis, but through long-term preparation—by enhancing early warning systems, adopting climate-smart agriculture, managing land and water sustainably and putting financial safeguards in place before disaster strikes. The Riyadh Partnership brings these elements together into a coordinated global framework. It offers countries access to technical assistance and funding through a dual financing model: pooled contributions to a multi-donor trust fund and direct bilateral support aligned with nationally identified priorities. The Partnership draws on existing alliances and tools, including the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA), the Integrated Drought Management Programme and regional initiatives such as the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI).  Moving from vision to action In Cologne, delegates reached consensus on the Riyadh Partnership's core governance structure and began outlining its operational roadmap. Financing featured prominently, with calls to mobilize diverse instruments and align efforts across existing initiatives. Key announcements included a one-billion-dollar commitment from the Islamic Development Bank for drought resilience projects by 2030, and an indication from the Global Environment Facility that its upcoming funding cycle will call for a greater focus on drought. The United Nations Capital Development Fund also proposed a de-risking mechanism to facilitate access to financing. Several partners—including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)—offered technical expertise, while others committed to strengthening synergies with frameworks such as IDRA and MGI to ensure national actions are reinforced by global coordination. Importantly, the first Steering Committee was successfully identified during the Conference, marking a critical milestone in establishing the Partnership’s long-term governance. The agreed governance structure includes a Steering Committee, Secretariat, Fund Trustee, Independent Review function and an Assembly of Partners. The UNCCD will host the Secretariat and the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office will act as Trustee. Work is now underway to finalize the Riyadh Partnership’s governance document—a foundational charter that will define roles, responsibilities and processes. This document, to be completed in the coming months, will reflect the Partnership’s inclusive, regionally representative and institutionally diverse approach. The conference concluded with broad agreement on a shared path forward. In the months ahead, work will focus on finalizing the Steering Committee, launching early flagship projects and putting in place practical financial delivery mechanisms for the most drought-prone countries.  “This is just the beginning,” said Louise Baker, Managing Director of the UNCCD Global Mechanism. “We’ve built strong momentum and now we move to implementation—bringing this partnership to life on the ground.” This energy will carry into UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia next year, where countries are expected to review initial progress, share lessons and formally integrate the Partnership into the Convention’s future work. What began in Riyadh as a bold pledge is now taking shape as a long-term platform for action—helping countries anticipate and withstand one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. 

Following a key decision at COP16 in Riyadh in December 2024, the process to shape the future direction of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is now officially underway. The COP Bureau has approved the Terms of Reference for the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Future Strategic Framework (IWG-FSF), paving the way for nominations. The IWG-FSF will lead the development of a post-2030 strategy for the Convention. Its mandate includes identifying key elements, including possible goals and targets, for the future strategic framework, and conducting a thorough analysis of the current indicators used in national reporting.  Building on the milestones of the 2018–2030 Strategic Framework, the IWG-FSF will also consider lessons from its midterm evaluation, insights from the IWG on Drought and broader UN indicators, such as the Sustainable Development Goals. Each regional annex will nominate three representatives. In addition, the group will include five technical experts: one each from civil society and international organizations and three independent experts. The deadline to nominate civil society representatives is 26 May 2025The deadline to nominate independent science experts is 13 June 2025The deadline to nominate regional representatives is 4 July 2025 Final appointments will be made within two months of the Terms of Reference approval. The approved Terms of Reference will be shared with Parties through the UNCCD national focal points and science and technology correspondents. The IWG-FSF is expected to deliver an interim progress report at the 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 23) in December 2025.