Land Restoration: A Vital Solution to Desertification and Drought Resilience

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP16

On June 5, 2024, the world will observe World Environment Day, a significant event that raises awareness about pressing environmental issues. This year, the focus is on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience, a timely topic given the increasing threats these pose to our planet.

Our Land, Our Future

The 2024 World Environment Day campaign, titled "Our Land, Our Future," emphasizes the critical role that land restoration plays in addressing the escalating challenges of desertification and drought. Desertification, the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid regions, affects over 250 million people worldwide. Drought, a temporary or permanent lack of water, poses similar risks, threatening livelihoods and exacerbating poverty.

United Nations Leadership

Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Environment Day has been held annually on June 5 since 1973. This year's event will align with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP16, which will take place later in the year.

These events will highlight the importance of land restoration as a key strategy to mitigate the impacts of desertification and drought. By restoring degraded land, we can increase soil fertility, enhance water retention, and promote biodiversity. This not only benefits local communities but also contributes to global climate change mitigation and adaptation.