Since 1994, June 17th has been the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought to draw public attention to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and it has been celebrated ever since.
Desertification is an increasing ecological problem. It occurs when previously fertile land becomes desert through deforestation, drought or improper agriculture. The Convention specifically covers the areas of the planet which are the most at risk of desertification. These areas are often home to some of the most vulnerable people and eco-systems. Each June 17th, the World Day to Combat Desertification is promoted worldwide to raise public awareness of, and support for, international efforts in combating desertification and the effects of drought.
The 196 parties to the convention try to improve living conditions for people in these areas by restoring and maintaining the soil fertility and by mitigating the effects of drought. The parties encourage participation by local people on schemes to fight desertification and land degradation such as tree planting. They firmly believe that land degradation neutrality is possible though strong community involvement and cooperation at all levels.
The UNCCD Secretariat, the country parties to the convention and its stakeholders try to educate the public about effective methods to work the land without causing degradation. The invested organisations celebrate the day by organising outreach programmes and by holding awareness raising events.
Date: Friday, 17 June 2022; 28th Anniversary.
Sponsor: United Nations
Objectives:
The World Day to Combat Desertification & Drought is annually observed for the following purposes:
- to raise awareness of the presence of desertification and drought,
- to promote actions for preventing desertification and recovering from drought, and
- to strengthen implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in those countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification.
Background
Desertification and drought are global problems. In recent decades, desertification has been greatly facilitated by human activities such as over-cropping, over-grazing, improper irrigation, deforestation, and poor land management. These activities have made some of the earth’s surface or land no longer productive. The loss of more and more productive land causes serious problems – resulting in biodiversity loss, creating irreversible damage to land, and affecting our food and our daily lives. World Day to Combat Desertification & Drought is a unique moment to remind everyone that land degradation and desertification should be avoided and recovered through problem-solving, strong community involvement and co-operation at all levels.
Inception: It was held for the first time on 17 June 1995.
On 30 January 1995, the United Nations General Assembly officially declared 17 June of each year as World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, by its resolution A/RES/49/115. The date was chosen because it is the day when the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification was signed in 1994.
How to celebrate the Day
Learn, share, and actions!
Since 1995, states and nations were invited to devote to promoting awareness of the need for international cooperation to combat desertification and drought. Since then, different parties, non-governmental organizations and interested stakeholders celebrated this day with outreach activities worldwide on June 17 each year.
On the Day every year, many organizations and communities hosted a range of educational and promotional activities, including seminars, lectures, conferences, forums, and social media campaigns, to raise and spread awareness of the issues relating to desertification and drought.
Each year’s global celebration of the World Day to Combat Desertification & Drought has a unique, novel emphasis. The theme is proposed by the United Nations, aiming to raise awareness of most relevant issues and promote innovative actions at all levels.
Annual theme in recent years:
2022 theme: “Rising Up from Drought Together”
Celebrations will be done through different platforms e.g, social media i.e whatsup, facebook, radios,etc
Financial status
Due to lack of finances, the event will not be celebrated as part of Provincial awareness campaigns, but districts can celebrate it with no funding.