Mobilizing all generations in assist of sustainable land stewardship is the main focus of Desertification and Drought Day 2024, celebrated on 17 June, marking a pivotal second within the international effort to fight land degradation and drought.
Hosted by the Federal Republic of Germany by means of the Federal Ministry for Financial Cooperation and Improvement (BMZ) in Bonn, the occasion introduced collectively changemakers from world wide below the theme “United for Land: Our Legacy. Our Future”.
This 12 months’s occasion coincides with the thirtieth anniversary of the United Nations Conference to Fight Desertification (UNCCD), the only international settlement devoted to sustainable land administration ratified by 196 international locations and the European Union.
United Nations Secretary-Basic António Guterres stated: “As the main focus of this 12 months’s World Day reminds us, we should be “United for Land”. Governments, companies, lecturers, communities and extra should come collectively, and act. We all know what we have to do: it’s set out clearly within the United Nations Conference to Fight Desertification. As we mark the thirtieth anniversary of the Conference, the world should dramatically choose up the tempo of implementation; Construct momentum in the direction of UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh; And guarantee younger persons are heard within the negotiations. Collectively, let’s sow the seeds for a thriving future – for nature and humanity.”
President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier stated: “Right now, we’re not solely commemorating the annual “Desertification and Drought Day”, however we’re additionally celebrating 30 years of the UN Conference to Fight Desertification. There’s nothing extra vital, extra primary, than good soil, protected meals, and clear water. So let ‘s work collectively! And let ‘s usher in younger folks to guarantee that our choices at this time guarantee their good future tomorrow.
2024 is a decisive 12 months: What’s mentioned, negotiated and determined this 12 months will form our world and the lives of our youngsters.”
UNCCD Govt Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw stated: “The way forward for our land is the way forward for our planet. By 2050, 10 billion folks will depend upon this very important useful resource. But we’re shedding the equal of 4 soccer fields to land degradation each second.”
State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth stated: “Wholesome soils type the premise of our future. Regardless of whether or not we’re speaking about local weather change, biodiversity loss, or meals crises – soil high quality performs a central position for assembly these international challenges. Soils retain water and permit bushes and crops to develop. We’ll solely be capable to feed humankind and take care of the local weather disaster and its impacts if we’ve wholesome soils.”
Land degradation impacts as much as 40% of the world’s land and practically half the world’s inhabitants, with the very best prices borne by those that can least afford it: indigenous communities, rural households, smallholder farmers, and particularly youth and ladies.
Greater than a billion younger individuals who stay in growing international locations depend upon land and pure assets. Partaking youth in land restoration can create the estimated 600 million jobs wanted within the subsequent 15 years, contributing to each financial progress and environmental sustainability.
“For too lengthy, desertification and drought have been seen as issues particular to the South. Nevertheless, these phenomena are spreading globally and have an effect on us all. The previous 12 months has been marked by many occasions that remind us of the urgency of motion. This Desertification and Drought Day and the forthcoming COP16 in December should enable us to prepare and combat in opposition to desertification and its penalties. There isn’t a time to lose,” careworn COP15 President Alain-Richard Donwahi.
Ten Land Heroes had been introduced by UNCCD on the international observance occasion. These younger changemakers from world wide are working to revive land, increase resilience to drought, develop sustainable agricultural companies, and harness know-how and innovation to deal with international environmental challenges.
“UNCCD acknowledges the abilities of younger folks as entrepreneurs and brokers of change. They’re key to reworking their communities and driving innovation in sustainable land administration. From Brazil to Mali, from Philippines to Moldova, younger leaders are dedicated to restoring land. We’d like their voices to form the way forward for our planet,” Thiaw added.
The occasion culminated in a sequence of bulletins and commitments to advertise sustainable land administration. A brand new programme to coach youth negotiators to develop into future decision-makers on land and drought points was launched. In its first 12 months, youth negotiators from greater than 30 international locations will obtain coaching forward of the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UNCCD, to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in December 2024.
Bonn Mayor Katja Dörner, in cooperation with UNCCD, inaugurated the town’s first “land-friendly” college. This distinctive programme provides college students the chance to study natural farming by means of each instructional and sensible classes on the college’s farmland.
International locations world wide additionally organized Desertification and Drought Day occasions. Italy issued a commemorative stamp, and the Belgian EU Presidency hosted a documentary screening and panel dialogue on land restoration in Burkina Faso. Kenya planted over 120,000 seedlings as a part of a tree planting and consciousness marketing campaign. Nigeria hosted a webinar on sustainable practices, whereas Tunisia held a web-based occasion on land degradation neutrality. India mentioned sustainable land administration in Chennai; Myanmar launched a web-based marketing campaign and held a high-level occasion in Naypyidaw; and the Philippines organized tree planting actions and stakeholder workshops. Sri Lanka held an awareness-raising marketing campaign, Guatemala linked sustainable growth and land administration, and Moldova held an interregional assembly on drought and land degradation neutrality.
