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Mesdames, messieurs, Bienvenue à la COP15 ! Avec la permission du Président Ouattara, je vous dis AKWABA. Bienvenue à Abidjan. De San Pedro à Korogho, de Man à Boundoukou, de Aboisso à Odienne : la Côte d’Ivoire dispose de ce magnétisme extraordinaire, cette hospitalité exceptionnelle qui explique pourquoi ce pays attire autant de talents et de touristes. AKWABA, au pays de la plus grande basilique au monde. Au pays des mystérieux ponts de liane dont on attribue la construction aux génies de la forêt. AKWABA, au pays des diversités culturelle et cultuelle, dans l’unicité. Au pays de l’inclusion dont on admire la tolérance et le vivre-ensemble, ancrés dans la culture de la parenté à plaisanterie. Peu importe qu’on l’appella Tu-pké, Sanakouya ou Rakiré, cette tradition, remontant pourtant à 1235, décrispe les tensions entre communautés et caractérise la tolérance, la diplomatie, et la réconciliation sociale. Monsieur le Président, Majesté, Excellences, Mesdames et messieurs, Nous sommes réunis dans le cadre de la Convention des Nations Unies sur la Lutte contre la Désertification, un traité universel, fort de 197 Parties. Au cœur des préoccupations de cet Accord de la génération de Rio, se posent les problématiques de la sécheresse et de la dégradation des terres. Les cycles de sécheresse sont observés depuis des siècles. Cependant, les fréquence et intensité notées ces dernières années ont une corrélation désormais avérée avec le changement climatique. La sécheresse a ceci de vicieux qu’elle érode l’économie et désagrège les sociétés. La sécheresse n’est pas seulement un déficit pluviométrique. La sécheresse porte un visage humain affectant les plus vulnérables, y compris les éleveurs, les petits producteurs, les femmes et les enfants. Lorsqu’elle se manifeste sous forme de feux de brousse ou de forêt, la sécheresse laisse des traces indélébiles : la nature est défigurée. Aucune région du monde, aucun pays n’est immunisé contre la sécheresse. Mais tous les pays ne sont pas logés à la même enseigne. On le sait trop bien désormais : lorsque survient une épidémie, les sujets immuno-déficitaires demeurent les plus vulnérables aux virus. Par analogie, les pays les plus démunis sont toujours les plus vulnérables aux sécheresses. Quant à la dégradation des terres, nos études les plus récentes ont révélé qu’un habitant sur deux dans le monde est affecté par la perte de la productivité des terres. Jusqu’à 40% de la superficie du globe connaît une forme de dégradation des milieux terrestres. Les risques économiques sont sévères : jusqu’à la moitié du PIB mondial pourrait être affecté. Au-delà, nos études ont aussi démontré que les pertes de terres fertiles entraînent des conséquences sur la santé humaine. La perte des terres productives amplifient les migrations ; elle provoque pauvreté, troubles sociaux et insécurité. La dégradation des terres émet du carbone, exacerbe le changement climatique et la perte de la biodiversité. Enfin, les pertes de terres productives exacerbent les inégalités : les petits producteurs étant étouffés économiquement et socialement. Les femmes rurales productrices sont généralement reléguées au bout de la chaîne ; elles sont souvent dépossédées des petits lopins de terre où elles étaient confinées. Nos études ont révélé que même en ce 21ème siècle, les femmes sont privées de l’héritage de leur époux décédé dans plus de cent de pays dans le monde. Majesté, Excellences, Il est maintenant établi qu’un leader qui perd ses terres productives est assimilable à un pilote qui connaît une soudaine perte d’altitude, voire une perte de contrôle de son aéronef. C’est à ce titre que nous saluons vivement la présence à cette Conférence, de Chefs d’Etat et de Gouvernement, qui saisissent toute la centralité de ces questions. La gestion des terres concerne autant l’agriculture que l’économie, la sécurité que l’environnement, la diplomatie que l’administration territoriale; autant la forêt que la recherche scientifique ; autant la société civile que les communes rurales. La terre nous nourrit. La terre nous vétit. Elle nous fournit l’eau que nous buvons, autant que l’air que nous respirons. De la santé de nos sols, dépend notre économie ainsi que notre propre santé. Mais il y a espoir. Et vous me permettrez de conclure par ce point. La dégradation des terres n’est pas une fatalité. La réparation est possible. En effet, la restauration des terres dégradées est réalisable à moindre coût. Investir dans la réparation des terres dégradées est donc économiquement rentable ; techniquement faisable ;  socialement souhaitable et bien entendu, écologiquement profitable. Chaque unité monétaire investie dans la restauration des terres peut générer jusqu’à 30 fois sa valeur. Au niveau mondial, jusqu’à 50 points de PIB pourraient ainsi être gagnés d’ici 2050. Pourvu qu’on prenne le virage maintenant. Et de manière décisive. Une sagesse africaine ne dit-elle pas : «quand la tête est là, le genou ne doit pas prétendre porter le chapeau».  Je vous remercie.

The UN Convention to Combat Desertification convenes the 15th session of its Conference of the Parties in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from 9-20 May 2022 Heads of State Summit hosted by President Alassane Ouattara on 9 May will address multiple crises linked to land degradation Countries to decide on future actions to mitigate escalating drought risk 5 May 2022, Abidjan – The 15th session of the Conference of Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), opens on Monday, 9 May 2022 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The COP15 theme, ‘Land. Life. Legacy: From scarcity to prosperity', is a call to action to ensure land, which is the lifeline on this planet, will also benefit present and future generations. The Conference will start with a Heads of State summit and high-level segment held back-to-back on 9-10 May to create political momentum and raise ambition in particular in meeting the 2030 global commitments on restoration and robust actions that build the resilience of communities that are vulnerable to drought. Leaders are meeting in Abidjan against the backdrop of a stark warning issued by the UNCCD that up to 40% of all ice-free land is already degraded, with dire consequences for climate, biodiversity and livelihoods. The Conference will focus on the restoration of one billion hectares of degraded land between now and 2030, future-proofing land use against the impacts of climate change, and tackling escalating disaster risks such as droughts, sand and dust storms, and wildfires. More than a dozen heads of state and government, ministers and at least 2,000 delegates from 196 countries and the European Union are expected to be at the two-week Conference that ends Friday, 20 May 2022. High-level delegates include: Alassane Ouattara, President of Côte d’Ivoire Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Abdulla Shahid, President of the United Nations General Assembly Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Elizabeth Mrema, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, Chief Executive Officer, Global Environment Facility Inger Andersen, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme UNCCD Land Ambassadors Tarja Halonen, Ricky Kej, Byong Hyon Kwon, Baaba Maal, and Inna Modja UNCCD Land Heroes David Chapoloko, Musa Ibrahim, Patricia Kombo and Moses Mulindwa UNCCD COP15 is the first of the three Rio Conventions meetings to be held in 2022, with Biodiversity COP15 and Climate change COP27 convening later on in Kunming, China and Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, respectively. Among the programme highlights: Announcement of the Abidjan Legacy Programme on 9 May by the President of Côte d’Ivoire Alassane Ouattara, focusing on job creation and the restoration of degrading land in Côte d’Ivoire; Gender Caucus on 9 May chaired by the First Lady of Côte d’Ivoire Dominique Ouattara, which will include the launch of a new report on the differentiated impacts of desertification, land degradation and drought on men and women; Green Business Forum on 10-11 May that will focus on private sector commitments to take care of the land, among other things. Launch of Droughtland, a global campaign to rally action on drought on 11 May Launch of the regional Global Land Outlook reports on 18 May Launch of the Sahel uplink challenge to enable communities growing the Great Green Wall to use technology to monitor progress, create jobs and commercialize their produce. The press events planned during the session include: Opening press conference on Monday, 18:00-18:45 UTC (Press Conference Room) Prime Minister and/or Minister of Foreign Affairs, Côte d’Ivoire Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary, UNCCD The panel will present the host-country ambition and legacy initiative, COP15 expected outcomes and  findings of the study on gender, among other issues. Press Briefing on Tuesday, 10 May (time and location to be determined) Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary, UNCCD Abdulla Shahid, President of the General Assembly of the United Nations Mr. Jochem Flasbarth, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany Press Conference, Wednesday, 11 May, 13:00-13:30 Press Conference room Ibrahim Thiaw, UNCCD Executive Secretary Representative of Spain, country hosting the global observance of Desertification and Drought Day 2022 Civil Society Representative Launch of Droughtland, a global campaign to rally drought action globally Press Conference, Friday, 20 May, 13:00-13:45 UTC Mr Abou Bamba COP15 President Ibrahim Thiaw, UNCCD Executive Secretary Present the outcomes of the 15th Session of the Conference of Parties Media representatives are welcome to participate. Apply via this link: https://www.unccd.int/cop15/registration to receive accreditation. Press conferences will be conducted with interpretation in English, French and Spanish but webcast in the floor language. Off-site journalists may submit their questions to the panelists via email to press@unccd.int, but must identify themselves and the media organization they are reporting for. Detailed information about the Conference is available from the online Press Kit. Background documents and information on COP15 are available online: at: https://www.unccd.int/cop15 Social media for the Conference can be found on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unccd/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNCCD/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/UNCCD #LandLifeLegacy        #UNCCDCOP15          #United4Land             @unccd For further information, please contact: Xenya Scanlon, xscanlon@unccd.int Chief of Communications Ms. Wagaki Wischnewski, wwischnewski@unccd.int Head of Press and Media For interview requests, contact: press@unccd.int Use these links to request for the use of the press conference room or recording studio facilities: Interview/Recording studio: https://koalendar.com/e/interview-studio-cop15 Press conference room: https://koalendar.com/e/press-conference-cop-15

Drought, with a focus on early action to prevent disastrous outcomes, is the theme of the Desertification and Drought Day marked on 17 June 2022. The global observance of the event will take place in Madrid, Spain, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has announced. Announcing the theme of 2022 Desertification and Drought Day “Rising up from drought together”, Ibrahim Thiaw, UNCCD Executive Secretary, said: “Droughts have been part of human and natural systems, but what we are experiencing now is much worse, largely due to human activity. Recent droughts point at a precarious future for the world. Food and water shortages as well as wildfires caused by the severe drought have all intensified in recent years.” Between 1900 and 2019, droughts impacted 2.7 billion people in the world, and caused 11.7 million deaths. Currently, forecasts estimate that by 2050 droughts may affect over three-quarters of the world’s population. “Spain is honoured to be hosting this year’s Desertification and Drought Day that puts the global spotlight on the urgent issue of drought. Drought is not just the absence of rain; it is often fueled by land degradation and climate change. Together, we can overcome its devastating effects on people and nature around the world and start preparing now to drought-proof our future,” said Teresa Ribera Rodríguez, Vice-President of the Government of Spain and Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge. The latest scientific assessments projecting more frequent and more severe droughts in the future and evidence of their increasing impacts has prompted governments to focus on more robust and predictable international commitment and action. Since 2017, the UNCCD and its partners supported about 70 drought-prone countries to develop national action plans to reduce drought disasters. Among the top priorities of the fifteenth session of the Conference of the Parties of the UNCCD (COP15) taking place from 9-20 May 2022 Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Parties will  discuss on  the way forward for drought preparedness and resilience globally. Officially declared by the UN General Assembly in 1997 (Resolution A/RES/49/115), the annual Desertification and Drought Day has three objectives. First, to promote public awareness about desertification and drought. Second, to let people know that desertification and drought can be effectively tackled, that solutions are possible, and that key tools to this aim lay in strengthened community participation and cooperation at all levels. Lastly, to strengthen implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa.  Download campaign assets here. Share your DDDay event with us by sending a brief one paragraph description with an event photo or a poster to communications@unccd.int For more information about Desertification and Drought Day 2022, visit: https://www.unccd.int/events/desertification-drought-day or contact: Xenya Scanlon, UNCCD Chief of Communications Email: xscanlon@unccd.int

Dr. Muralee Thummarukudy of India has been appointed as the Director of the Coordination Office of the G20 Global Initiative on Reducing Land Degradation and Enhancing Conservation of Terrestrial Habitats based at UNCCD headquarters in Bonn, Germany. Dr. Thummarukudy brings to this position over three decades of progressive senior management experience and technical expertise in land restoration issues. He has most recently served as the acting Head of the Disasters and Conflicts Programme at the United Nations Environment Programme, where he implemented a portfolio of over 100 million USD, focusing on ecosystem-based disaster reduction and partnership development. An internationally renowned expert in disaster response, he played a key role in addressing the environmental aftermath of many major conflicts and disasters, implementing projects in over 35 countries. Prior to joining the United Nations, Dr. Thummarukudy served as Environmental Advisor to Shell Group in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. He has a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. He was also a Beahr’s fellow at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Thummarukudy is also a well-known author in his native Malayalam language.

Healthy land is an integral part of planetary well-being, which supports and sustains societies and ecosystems. Loss of healthy land threatens our health, security and prosperity, driving the interconnected crises of desertification, drought, biodiversity collapse and climate change. Land restoration offers a effective and efficient nature-based solution to address the world’s biggest challenges and achieve Sustainable Development Goals. The Changwon Initiative, launched at UNCCD COP10 in Changwon, the Republic of Korea, aims to assist countries in linking policy and action to protect and restore degraded lands. To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Initiative, UNCCD and the Korea Forest Service are launching a global virtual choir competition to promote land and forest restoration. The application deadline is 17 April 2022. Winners will be announced at the anniversary ceremony of the Initiative in the sidelines of UNCCD COP15 in May 2022 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, and will receive cash and other prizes. Learn more: How to apply UNCCD COP15

Requested in The COP 13 as part of the Drought Initiative, the toolbox is being designed to provide drought stakeholders with easy access to tools, case studies and other resources to support the design of National Drought Policy Plan with the aim to boost the resilience of people and ecosystems to drought. The Drought Toolbox is currently being developed as part of the Drought Initiative through the close partnership among UNCCD, WMO, FAO, GWP, the Joint Research Centre of the European Union, the National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) of the University of Nebraska, and UNEP-DHI.