World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
Date/Time
Date(s) - 17/06/2022
All Day
Categories
17 June is World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. The aims of the day are
- To promote public awareness about desertification and drought.
- To let people know that desertification and drought can be effectively tackled, that solutions are possible
- That key tools to this aim lay in strengthened community participation and cooperation at all levels.
- To strengthen implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa.
In 2022, Spain will host activities to focus attention on the day.
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has announced 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 fuelled 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.
Find out more
More about World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought: https://www.unccd.int/events/desertification-drought-day
UNCCD Press Release 2022: https://www.unccd.int/news-stories/press-releases/spain-host-desertification-and-drought-day-2022
Download Campaign Assets: https://trello.com/b/0gIgBV68/desertification-and-drought-day-2022