Stop ‘vandalising’ Earth: UN Chief Guterres stresses on annual Desertification and Drought Day
The UN Secretary-General shared a strong message on June 17, highlighting that governments, businesses and communities must put stronger efforts together as nearly 40% of land across the planet is degraded and more acres are getting lost every second.
“Every second, around four football fields of healthy land are degraded … The security, prosperity and health of billions of people rely on thriving lands supporting lives, livelihoods and ecosystems, but we are vandalising the Earth that sustains us,” said Antonio Guterres.
Reversing desertification and land loss collectively
The UN said desertification, land degradation and drought are among the most pressing environmental challenges. Healthy land not only brings us almost 95% of food eaten across the globe, but also provides shelter, jobs and livelihoods.
The global theme for this year’s Desertification and Drought Day is “United for Land. Our Legacy. Our Future”. It emphasised the key role sustainable land management can play in addressing today’s global challenges and creating a blueprint to a better future on land for all.
Guterres noted on Monday the need for governments, businesses, academics, communities and more to come together and act. He pointed to building momentum for UNCCD Conference of States Parties (COP16) in Riyadh from December 2 – 13, 2024.
UNCCD COP16 Riyadh 2024
The next UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh is the largest-ever meeting of UN Convention to Combat Desertification’s 197 Parties, the first to be held in the vast Middle East region and the largest multilateral conference ever hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Sustainable sources of energy can help communities reverse desertification and land loss, according to the Executive Secretary of UNCCD. COP16 is set to become a landmark event for accelerating action on green transition, land Restoration and drought resilience.
