A seven-part lecture series on interdependence of drought, food security, conflict and migration, organized by UNCCD in cooperation with scientific and development partners, will take place in Bonn between 6 April and 13 July 2017. The series will focus on the role that institutional cooperation and…

17 June 2000 - 6th World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) As part of its campaign to tackle global environmental deterioration, particularly by combatting the degradation of drylands - which cover up to one quarter of the world's surface - the United Nations General Assembly designated 17 June…

7th World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) As part of its campaign to tackle global environmental deterioration in particular by combatting the degradation of drylands -- which cover up to one quarter of the world's land surface - the United Nations General Assembly designated 17 June as "World…

Theme: “Migration and Poverty” The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (WDCD) is commemorated each year on 17 June. In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly designated 17 June as "World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought". Celebrated world-wide, this day marks the anniversary…

Theme: “Land Degradation” 8th World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) As part of its campaign to tackle global environmental deterioration in particular by combatting the degradation of drylands -- which cover up to one quarter of the world's land surface -- the United Nations General Assembly…

"Desertification and Climate Change - One Global Challenge" The World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) is celebrated every year on 17 June all over the world to highlight the urgent need to curb desertification and to strengthen the visibility of drylands’ issues on the international…

The Land for Life Award is dedicated to recognizing individuals, groups, organizations and business corporations for their innovations and efforts of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 15.3 Life on Land. With the theme “Land and Human Security” the 2017 Land for Life…

Women's Empowerment for a Land Degradation Neutral World The UNCCD COP12 Gender Day focused on three dimensions of policy action to ensure women are agents of positive change and that they are able to eradicate poverty and become resilient to climate change. These dimensions are land rights…

In just 15 years, the number of international migrants worldwide has risen from 173 million in 2000 to 244 million in 2015.[1] Environmental degradation, political instability, food insecurity and poverty are causes of migration and development challenges. The 2017 World Day to Combat…

Luc Gnacadja was the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) from 2007 until 2013. Born in Benin, Mr. Gnacadja is an architect by profession, having graduated from the African School of Architecture and Urbanism in Lome. He was also the successful CEO…

It is our great sadness that Mr Hama Arba Diallo has passed away this morning at around 1am in Ougadougou, Burkina Faso. He was the first Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (1993 to 2007). Mr Diallo was born on 23 March 1939 in Dori, a town in northeastern…

In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly declared 17 June "World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought"(WDCD). Since 1995 Country Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), non-governmental organisations and other interested stakeholders celebrate this…

This year, there is double reason to celebrate the World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD), because 2006 is the International Year of Deserts and Desertification (IYDD). Accordingly, the IYDD is the focus of the 2006 WDCD celebrations, and its message is reflected in this year's theme: "The…

This year's World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) has a special significance for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Fifteen years ago on 17 June 1994, the Convention was adopted. The WDCD is observed every year on 17 June. This year the Day's theme is "Conserving…

The World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) is observed every year on 17 June. This year the Day's slogan is "Enhancing soils anywhere enhances life everywhere". The year 2010 is the International Year dedicated to Biodiversity. To this end, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification…

"Forests keep drylands working" World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) is observed every year on 17 June all over the world. The aim of the United Nations in designating a day of observance is to sensitize the public and policy makers to the increasing dangers of desertification, land…

"Healthy soil sustains your life: Let’s go land degradation neutral (LDN)” The World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) is observed every year on 17 June. This year, the Day's slogan is "Healthy soil sustains your life: Let’s go land degradation neutral", said the Executive Secretary, Luc Gnacadja…

Desertif’actions is a non-State actors’ international summit dedicated to land degradation and climate change. The event will take place on 27 and 28 June 2017 in Strasbourg (France). Over 300 stakeholders from more than 50 countries are expected to participate. The two-day event shares concerns…

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) provides an excellent platform for the full participation of civil society organizations (CSOs) not only at the national level as stakeholders responsible for the implementation of the UNCCD, but also at the decision making level…

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) secretariat uses a bottom-up approach to support and emphasize the importance of full participation in its processes by: women civil society the private sector Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change…

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) civil society panel was established by the Conference of the Parties (COP) to bring together the civil society community involved in the Convention. The five members democratically elected by the observer organizations have been…

To celebrate the World Day to Combat Desertification, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH will organize a high-level panel event on 21 June in conjunction with the opening of a special exhibition, “Planet Desert – Our land. Our home. Our future.” The event is…

The international community has long recognized that land degradation/desertification is a major economic, social and environmental problem of concern to many countries in all regions of the world. In 1977 the United Nations Conference on Desertification (UNCOD) adopted a Plan of Action to Combat…

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) launched its first short writing contest this year in order to understand the different ways in which people around the world describe their relationship to land. More than 230 submissions from nearly 50 countries were made by…

We offer a dynamic and international work environment with a multi-cultural workforce, opportunities for professional development and a competitive remuneration package. Around 80 people from over 30 countries are employed at the UNCCD. Our team is made up of culturally diverse professionals coming…