Up to 40 per cent of the world’s land and nearly half the world’s population are affected by land degradation
Photo shared by UNCCD executive secretary Ibrahim Thiaw on his X handle, @ibrahimthiaw
Three decades after the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was adopted, the United Nations on June 17 urged support from all generations for sustainable land stewardship.
The UNCCD was adopted on June 17, 1994, in Paris. The date is now observed as the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. This year’s event commemorating the day was held in Bonn, Germany.
The UN call comes ahead of the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the UNCCD in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“As the focus of this year’s World Day reminds us, we must be “United for Land”. Governments, businesses, academics, communities and more must come together, and act. We know what we need to do: it’s set out clearly in the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. As we mark the thirtieth anniversary of the Convention, the world must dramatically pick up the pace of implementation; Build momentum towards UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh; And ensure young people are heard in the negotiations. Together, let’s sow the seeds for a thriving future — for nature and humanity,” a statement by the UNCCD quoted UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Up to 40 per cent of the world’s land and nearly half the world’s population are affected by land degradation. The highest costs are borne by those who can least afford it: indigenous communities, rural households, smallholder farmers, and especially youth and women.
Over 1 billion young people living in developing countries depend on land and natural resources. The statement noted that engaging youth to restore land could create the estimated 600 million jobs needed in the next 15 years. This, in turn, could contribute to both economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Ten youngsters, who have worked to restore land, boost resilience to drought, develop sustainable agricultural businesses, and harness technology and innovation to tackle global environmental challenges worldwide, were felicitated as ‘Land Heroes’ at the event in Bonn.
“The future of our land is the future of our planet. By 2050, 10 billion people will depend on this vital resource. Yet we are losing the equivalent of four football fields to land degradation every second,” said UNCCD executive secretary Ibrahim Thiaw.
“Healthy soils form the basis of our future. No matter whether we are talking about climate change, biodiversity loss, or food crises — soil quality plays a central role for meeting these global challenges. Soils retain water and allow trees and plants to grow. We will only be able to feed humankind and deal with the climate crisis and its impacts if we have healthy soils,” said Jochen Flasbarth, state secretary in the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
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