World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

Desertification, along with climate change and the loss of biodiversity, were identified as the greatest challenges to sustainable development during the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed every year on 17 May to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification.

This year’s observance is focused on changing public attitudes to the leading driver of desertification and land degradation: humanity’s relentless production and consumption. The theme of the day is Food. Feed. Fibre.

For more information on how to celebrate the day, visit the official UN web page for the Day and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification website.

The global observance event will be broadcasted via Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.