UNCCD workshop on Land degradation in Central and Eastern Europe

Land degradation, one of the world’s most pressing environmental problems affects 16.5 percent of the land in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), according to the latest UNCCD baseline assessment; equivalent to one out of every eight acres or hectares of the land in the region.

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UNCCD: 2022 Desertification and Drought Day

Drought is one of the most destructive natural disasters in terms of the loss of life, arising from impacts, such as widescale crop failure, wildfires and water stress. Exacerbated by land degradation and climate change, droughts are increasing in frequency and severity, up 29% since 2000, with 55 million people affected every year. By 2050, droughts may affect an estimated three-quarters of the world’s population. It’s a global and urgent issue.

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Leaders’ summit in Côte d’Ivoire kicks off major UN conference on the future of land stewardship

  • The UN Convention to Combat Desertification convenes the 15th session of its Conference of the Parties in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from 9-20 May 2022
  • Heads of State Summit hosted by President Alassane Ouattara on 9 May will address multiple crises linked to land degradation
  • Countries to decide on future actions to mitigate escalating drought risk

The 15th session of the Conference of Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), opens today, 9 May 2022 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

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Chronic land degradation: UN offers stark warnings and practical remedies in Global Land Outlook 2

Up to 40 % of the planet’s land is degraded, directly affects half of humanity, threatens roughly half of global GDP (US$44 trillion)

If business as usual continued through 2050, report projects additional degradation of an area almost the size of South America

Nations’ current pledge to restore 1 billion degraded hectares by 2030 requires $US 1.6 trillion this decade – a fraction of annual $700 billion in fossil fuel and agricultural subsidies

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World changemakers to gather in Côte d’Ivoire for a major land stewardship conference

One month ahead of its 15th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) taking place from 9-20 May 2022 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has unveiled the highlights of the event’s programme and high-level participation.

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Five facts on drought risk, from the UNU Lead Author of GAR Special Report on Drought 2021

Droughts affect millions of people and many domains, and incur costs that are mostly laid on the shoulders of the most vulnerable. Impacts are widespread, ranging from agricultural and energy production to human health and biodiversity, and even tourism. Climate change is aggravating the issue by increasing temperature and disrupting rainfall patterns, leading to more severe and frequent droughts in many regions in the world. As the world inches closer to getting 2°C above pre-industrial levels, we must better manage drought risks, understand root causes and take preventive action.

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Call for submissions: Images of women-led solutions to desertification

Ahead of UNCCD COP15, the UNCCD Secretariat seeks to collect original and exceptional photos to showcase promising practices which demonstrate women’s leadership and innovation in adapting to land degradation, desertification and drought. 

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UNCCD 15th session of the Conference of the Parties

The fifteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will take place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from 9 to 20 May 2022.

The COP15 theme, ‘Land. Life. Legacy: From scarcity to prosperity', is a call to action to ensure land, the lifeline on this planet, continues to benefit present and future generations.  ​

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Healthy soils for a healthy planet: Nations call for reversal of soil degradation

The Ministerial Global Forum on Food and Agriculture, hosted by Germany, concluded today with a call from 68 nations across the globe to prevent and reverse soil degradation. While 90 per cent of our food production depend on soil, which is also one of the earth’s most important carbon sinks, its quality is increasingly deteriorating, and fertile land is becoming more scarce. To stop this trend, countries must unite in their efforts to bring life back to degraded soils.

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New Podcast Episode: UNCCD – Land Ambassador Inna Modja on the Great Green Wall

The final podcast episode of 'Inside UN Bonn' was published today. It explores the work of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, which is headquartered on the UN Campus in Bonn.

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