Bonn: In a bid to meet the land degradation neutrality goals by 2030, the World today observed the “Desertification and Drought Day”.
Desertification and Drought already affect 3.2 billion people worldwide, according to recent data from the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Every year, tens of millions people lose their livelihoods due to the loss of fertile land. Under the theme “Restore the land. Unlock the opportunities”, the 2025 observance shines a light on a process that is accelerating as much of the world turns its attention to other urgencies.
The commemoration of the day is led by the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification as a unique moment to remind everyone that land degradation neutrality (LDN) is achievable.
Accelerating progress to restore 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land around the world and jumpstarting a trillion-dollar land restoration economy will be the focus of this year’s Desertification and Drought Day on 17 June. The theme of Desertification and Drought Day 2025 is “Restore the Land, Unlock the Opportunities”, underscoring multiple benefits linked to land restoration.
As per UN report up to 40 per cent of the world’s land is already degraded, directly affecting half of humanity, and an estimated 3.2 billion people worldwide are negatively impacted by desertification. By 2050, more than three-quarters of the world’s population is expected to be affected by droughts.
According to the latest financial needs assessment by UNCCD’s Global Mechanism, the world needs US$ 1 billion daily to combat desertification, land degradation and drought between 2025 and 2030. Current investments in land restoration and drought resilience stand at US$ 66 billion annually, with the private sector contributing just six per cent.
Highlighting the importance of the day Union Environment Minister Bhupender Singh said, “On World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, let us renew our pledge for environmental justice. Let’s come together to ensure a sustainable future for Planet Earth”.
On World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, let us renew our pledge for environmental justice.
— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) June 17, 2025
Let's come together to ensure a sustainable future for Planet Earth. pic.twitter.com/jrl9Afdw7Z
Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), said, “Land degradation and drought are major disruptors of our economy, stability, food production, water and quality of life.
He said the amplify climate change, biodiversity loss, poverty, forced migration and conflicts over access to fertile land and water. Land restoration is an opportunity to turn the tide on these alarming trends. A restored land is a land of endless opportunities. It’s time to unlock them now.”
Republic of Colombia host the event :-
The Republic of Colombia will host this year’s global observance of Desertification and Drought Day, highlighting the country’s commitment to tackling land degradation through nature-based solutions.
Taking place in Bogotá, the event also draws global attention to the urgent need to scale up land restoration as a catalyst for sustainability, peace, and inclusive development. The global observance will be part of the Global Land Forum, hosted by the Government of Colombia.
Under the theme “Restore the Land. Unlock the Opportunities” countries have promised to restore one billion hectares of land by 2030, current trends suggest 1.5 billion hectares would need to be restored to meet the 2030 land degradation neutrality goals.
Highlighting the urgent need for sustainable land use and the vital connection between soil and peace, Martha Viviana Carvajalino Villegas, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Colombia, stated, “The protection of agricultural soils and land is an urgent imperative in the face of interconnected crises threatening our survival, biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, hunger, poverty, and displacement.
“We implement comprehensive policies: equitable land redistribution, restitution of rights to historically marginalized communities, and guarantees for sustainable resource management.
In this way, we transform the soil into a shield against hunger, a bridge towards reconciliation, and a legacy of dignity for future generations. Land is not just a resource: it is the foundation of peace”, she added.
