Bonn, Germany – The Executive Secretary of UNCCD Ms. Monique Barbut and the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Ms. Anne Larigauderie have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between the two organizations. The productive…

This year, UNCCD and its partners have a lot to celebrate: The thirteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD (COP13) held in Ordos, China, from 6 to 16 September 2017adopted 36 decisions and one resolution, including the new UNCCD 2018-2030 Strategic Framework. The Land…

The ongoing dramatic shift from rural towards urban life has considerably affected global land resources and food security. Every year, 19.5 million hectares of agricultural land are converted to accommodate expanding urban centres and industrial developments. With the most rapid rates of urban…

Madam President, Dear Bureau members, It is, as ever, a pleasure to speak to you and work with you, regardless of the distance the pandemic has forced upon us. I hope that everyone is holding up during what has been a long and wearying period for us all. I commend your continued commitment to our…

A statement by the UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw Plants, animals and humans – all forms of life on Earth depend on healthy soil. Soil is the basis of all terrestrial ecosystems, supporting our food and water security while playing an important part in reducing the impacts of climate change…

Two major pieces of research reveal the clear and present danger biodiversity loss and climate change pose to the health, security and well-being of humanity. The reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem…

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres will convene a UN Food Systems Summit (FSS) to raise global awareness and shape global commitments that can transform food systems to resolve hunger, reduce diet-related diseases and restore the planetary health. The Secretary General is calling for…

BONN, Mar 4 2015 (IPS) – Women are not only the world’s primary food producers. They are hardworking and innovative and, they invest far more of their earnings in their families than men. But most lack the single most important asset for accessing investment resources – land rights. Women’s…

For five decades we have failed to check land degradation. Now, extremist groups and criminal gangs are exploiting the situation. They radicalize youth and children, and enslave women and girls for perverted, political ends. When your farm won’t produce, your children have no future. It can lead to…

Changwon City, Republic of Korea, 22 October 2011 – "This session will be remembered as the session that has brought a lot of innovation both in the actions proposed and the way parties interact among themselves. We have brought together the pieces that will enable the engine called science to move…

Arabic ǀ Chinese ǀ French ǀ Spanish ǀ Russian 07:00 to 08:15 GMT/UTC Speakers: Ms. Tina Birmpili – Deputy Executive Secretary of the UNCCD Mr. Shameek Chakravarty - Founder and CEO at Farmizen Mr. Mincheol Jeong - Founder and Director of Tree Planet Ms. Zhang Xin - Founder and CEO, Shandong Xinguan…

Speech by the UNCCD Executive Secretary Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw First, I wish to express my deep gratitude to you, President Carlos Alvarado Quesada, and to Costa Rica, for hosting the global manifestations of the 2021 Desertification and Drought Day. This year, COVID-19 has given our global celebrations…

Ordos, 6 September 2017 Time for the Butterfly to Flap its Wings Friends, Focal Points, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, Welcome to Ordos. Allow me to extend my sincere thanks to the Govt. of the People’s Republic of China for their warm and efficient welcome. When in China and when you want to…

UNCCD relies on the input of expert women in implementing its mandate. In particular, the members of our Science-Policy interface (SPI), which guides the application of world-leading science into meaningful and impactful policy that we, our Parties, and our partners can use on the ground. The SPI…