World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
| World Day to Combat Global warming and Drought | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Also called | DDD |
| Observed by | UN Members |
| Celebrations | United Nations |
| Date | 17 June |
| Next time | 17 June 2025 |
| Frequency | annual |
Desertification and Drought Day was officially declared by the UN General Assembly as “World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought" (Resolution A/RES/49/115). Since 2019, it has been known simply as Desertification and Drought Day and is observed on 17 June to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification.
Each year, a country is selected to host global celebrations for Desertification and Drought Day. The host country works with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Secretariat to organize a programme of activities aimed at policymakers, other key stakeholders, and the public at large in support of the Day’s objectives. In addition to the main global observance event, countries and communities around the world organize activities to mark Desertification and Drought Day.
Previous global Desertification and Drought Day celebrations took place in Colombia (2025), Germany (2024), the USA (2023), Spain (2022), Costa Rica (2021), The Republic of Korea (2020), Türkiye (2019), Ecuador (2018), and Burkina Faso (2017).
We have the power to bring land back to life. A restored land is a land of endless opportunities. It’s time to unlock them now. In 2025, Desertification and Drought Day focuses on one of the most urgent global challenges: restoring 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land and jumpstarting a trillion-dollar land restoration economy by 2030. Under the theme "Restore the land. Unlock the оpportunities," the 2025 observance shines a light on how restoring nature’s foundation—land—can create jobs, boost food and water security, support climate action, and build economic resilience.
Why land restoration matters
More than half of global GDP relies on healthy ecosystems. Yet each year, an area the size of Egypt is degraded, driving biodiversity loss, increasing drought risk, and displacing communities. The ripple effects are global, from rising food prices to instability and migration. But restoring land flips the script. Every dollar invested in restoration generates USD7 to USD30 in returns. Reviving land restores productivity, strengthens water cycles, and supports millions of rural livelihoods. “Land degradation and drought are major disruptors of our economy, stability, food production, water, and quality of life,” said UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw. “Land restoration is our chance to reverse these threats and create new possibilities.”
A turning point for the planet
As we reach the midpoint of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), action is more urgent than ever. To meet global goals, 1.5 billion hectares must be restored by 2030. So far, 1 billion hectares have been pledged through initiatives like the G20 Global Land Restoration Initiative and the G Great Green Wall Initiative.
Now is the time to turn ambition into action.' Scaling up investment. The financial case is clear, but action must follow. According to the UNCCD Global Mechanism, the world needs to invest USD1 billion every day between 2025 and 2030 to stop and reverse land degradation. Current investments fall short at USD66 billion annually, with only 6 per cent coming from the private sector. We need to scale up ambition and investment by both governments and businesses. This means unlocking new finance, creating decent jobs, embracing innovation and making the most of traditional knowledge.
- 2000: Desertification: A Global Threat
- 2001: 7th World Day to Combat Desertification
- 2002: Land degradation
- 2004: Migration and poverty
- 2005: Women and desertification
- 2006: The beauty of deserts - The challenge of desertification
- 2007: Desertification and climate change - one global challenge
- 2008: Combating land degradation for sustainable agriculture
- 2009: Conserving land and water = Securing our common future
- 2010: Enhancing soils anywhere enhances life everywhere
- 2011: Forests keep drylands working
- 2012: Healthy soil sustains your life: Let’s go land degradation neutral
- 2013: Drought and water scarcity
- 2014: Land belongs to the future - Let’s climate-proof it!
- 2015: Attainment of food security for all through sustainable food systems: “No such thing as a free lunch. Invest in healthy soils.”
- 2016: Protect Earth. Restore Land. Engage People
- 2017: Our Land. Our Home. Our Future
- 2018: Land has true value – Invest in it!
- 2019: Let’s grow the future together