World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed on 17\nJune each year. Land desertification is a global issue with serious\nimplications worldwide for biodiversity, ecological security, poverty\neradication, socio-economic stability and sustainable development.<\/p>\n
Desertification is the persistent degradation of dryland ecosystems\ndue to climate change and, primarily, human activities: unsustainable\nfarming that depletes soil nutrients, mining, overgrazing (animals\nconsuming grasses and eroding topsoil with their hooves) and large-scale\ndeforestation, when trees and plants that bind the soil are removed.\nThis occurs when trees and shrubs are cut down for fuelwood and timber,\nor to clear land for cultivation.<\/p>\n
Land desertification, alongside climate change and biodiversity loss,\nwas identified as one of the greatest challenges to sustainable\ndevelopment during the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. Subsequently, in 1994, the\nGeneral Assembly established the United Nations Convention to Combat\nDesertification (UNCCD), the sole legally binding international\nagreement linking environment and development with sustainable land\nmanagement, and declared 17 June as \u2018World Day to Combat Desertification\nand Drought\u2019 through resolution A\/RES\/49\/115.<\/p>\n
Later, in 2007, the UN General Assembly declared 2010-2020 as the\nUnited Nations Decade for Deserts and the Fight Against Desertification\nto mobilise global action in combating land degradation, again led by\nthe UNCCD Secretariat. A total of 197 UNCCD member countries (169 of\nwhich are affected by desertification) work together to maintain and\nrestore land and soil productivity, and to mitigate the impacts of\ndrought in drylands \u2014 arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, where\nsome of the most vulnerable ecosystems and communities exist.<\/p>\n
Rangelands are among the world\u2019s largest ecosystems, yet they are\nmost frequently overlooked. Covering more than half of the Earth\u2019s land\nsurface, rangelands play a vital role in food security, water cycles,\nbiodiversity conservation and climate resilience. Rangelands sustain the\nlivelihoods of around two billion people worldwide, including many\npastoralists and indigenous communities whose knowledge and stewardship\nhave preserved these landscapes for generations. In 2026, World Day to\nCombat Desertification and Drought places grazing lands at the centre of\nglobal attention.<\/p>\n
Held under the theme \u2018Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.\u2019, this\nyear\u2019s observance calls for greater recognition of the economic,\necological and cultural value of grazing lands, respect for their\ntraditional custodians, and stronger investment in restoring degraded\nrangelands. Up to half of the world\u2019s rangelands are degraded or at risk\nof degradation, with serious consequences for food and water security,\nbiodiversity, climate resilience and rural livelihoods. Investing in\nsustainable land and water management, improved drought preparedness and\ncommunity-led restoration can help secure these landscapes and the\npeople who depend on them. Now is the time to recognise the value of\nrangelands, honour their traditional custodians, and restore these\nlandscapes for future generations.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/all-about-world-day-to-combat-desertification-and-drought-2026-1781423511", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }