17 June marks the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.
The UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was adopted on 17 June 1994. Its 196 Parties and the European Union have jointly committed to achieving land degradation neutrality by 2030.
This year, the theme of the day is “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore”.
Rangelands cover more than half of the world's land surface and play a vital role in climate resilience, food and water security, biodiversity conservation, and the livelihoods of millions of people. At the same time, they are increasingly threatened by climate change, land degradation, and unsustainable land use practices.