World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2025

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is an international observance dedicated to raising awareness about the challenges of desertification, land degradation, and drought. This day emphasizes the importance of sustainable land management practices and global efforts to prevent and reverse the degradation of land. It serves as a call to action to protect and restore ecosystems, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, to ensure food security, biodiversity, and the well-being of communities.

What is World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought?

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is an annual event that highlights the urgent need to address the causes and consequences of desertification and drought. Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert due to factors such as climate change, deforestation, and unsustainable farming practices. This day promotes awareness of these issues and encourages actions that can help restore degraded land, improve resilience to drought, and support sustainable development.

When is World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought?

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed every year on June 17th. This date was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1994, following the adoption of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

How to Get Involved

There are several ways to participate in World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought:

• Raise Awareness: Use social media, community events, or educational programs to share information about desertification, land degradation, and drought. Highlight the importance of sustainable land management and the need to take action to combat these challenges.
• Support Reforestation and Conservation Efforts: Donate to or volunteer with organizations that work to restore degraded land, plant trees, and promote sustainable agriculture. These efforts are essential in preventing desertification and improving land productivity.
• Promote Sustainable Practices: Advocate for and adopt sustainable land use practices, such as agroforestry, water conservation, and soil management, to help prevent land degradation and build resilience to drought.
• Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the causes and impacts of desertification and drought, and share this knowledge with others. Understanding the issues is the first step toward making a difference.
• Participate in Local or Global Events: Join or organize events, such as tree-planting campaigns, seminars, or workshops, that focus on combating desertification and drought. These events can help build community engagement and inspire collective action.

History of the Event

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought was established in 1994 by the United Nations General Assembly to promote global awareness and action to combat desertification, land degradation, and drought. The day marks the anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the only legally binding international agreement that links environment and development to sustainable land management. Since its inception, the observance has been a key platform for encouraging countries and communities to take concrete steps to address the challenges of desertification and to promote sustainable land use practices.

Relevant Hashtags

• #WorldDayToCombatDesertification
• #CombatDesertification
• #StopDrought
• #SustainableLandUse
• #RestoreLand