World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2023: Check Theme, Campaign, Objectives, and History

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2023 is being celebrated on June 17th 2023. This day was established by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness about the dangers of desertification and drought. It also promotes sustainable land management practices.

Desertification and drought are major global environmental challenges that threaten the livelihoods of millions of people, particularly those living in arid and semi-arid regions. This day serves as a reminder of the urgent need to take action to protect our planet’s precious natural resources and ensure a sustainable future for all.

Overview of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

Name of the day	World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
Abbreviation	WDCDD
Established by	United Nations
Observed In	All United Nations Member Countries
Date	17th June
Frequency	Annual

Objectives and Significance of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

Here are some of the objectives and significance of this day.

• To promote public awareness of the risks and effects of desertification and drought, and to encourage people to take action to combat these issues.
• To mobilize political will and resources to address desertification and drought, and to promote sustainable land use practices.
• Another aim of WDCDD is to showcase the progress made in combating desertification and drought and to highlight the challenges that remain.

#HerLand campaign and Desertification and Drought Day Theme 2023

This year the theme of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is “Her Land. Her Rights”.  The focus is on raising awareness of the disproportionate impact of desertification, land degradation, and drought on women and girls. Check out the objectives of this year’s theme as per UNCCD.

• Firstly, it aims to raise awareness of the challenges that women and girls face due to desertification, land degradation, and drought.
• The theme also seeks to highlight the contributions of women to sustainable land management and broader sustainable development goals.
• Finally, it aims to mobilize global support to advance land rights for women and girls around the world.

Previous Year’s Theme

Year	Theme
WDCDD 2022	Rising up from drought together
WDCDD 2021	Restoration, land and recovery. We build back better with healthy land
WDCDD 2020	Food. Feed. Fibre – the links between consumption and land
WDCDD 2019	Let’s Grow the Future
WDCDD 2018	Land has true value. Invest in it
WDCDD 2017	Link between land degradation and migration
WDCDD 2016	Protect Earth. Restore Land. Engage People
WDCDD 2015	Attainment of food security for all through sustainable food systems
WDCDD 2009	Conserving land and energy, Securing our common future
WDCDD 2008	Combating land degradation for sustainable agriculture
WDCDD 2007	Desertification and Climate Change – One Global Challenge
WDCDD 2006	The Beauty of Deserts – The Challenge of Desertification
WDCDD 2005	Women and Desertification
WDCDD 2004	Social Dimensions of Desertification: Migration and Poverty
WDCDD 2003	International Year of Deserts and Desertification (IYDD)
WDCDD 2002	Land Degradation

History

Desertification (the process of land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid regions) was identified as one of the greatest problems in sustainable development during the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.

Two years later, in 1994, the United Nations established the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) to address this issue. As a part of this effort, 17th June was declared as World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.

In recognition of the importance of this issue, the UN General Assembly declared the period between 2010 and 2020 as the United Nations Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification. This initiative aimed to promote sustainable land management practices and to raise awareness about the importance of combating desertification.

Ways to Celebrate World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

Check out a few different ways by which you can observe this special day.

1. Conserve Water: Water is a precious resource, and conserving it is essential to combatting drought. Simple actions like turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, fixing leaky faucets, etc. can help to conserve water.
2. Educate Yourself: Educating yourself about the causes and effects of desertification and drought is an important step in combatting these issues. There are many resources available online and in your community that can help you learn more.
3. Plant Trees: Trees are an important part of combating desertification and drought. They help to stabilize soil and prevent erosion, and they also provide shade and shelter for animals. Planting trees is a simple and effective way to make a difference.
4. Volunteer or Donate – Whether it’s volunteering with a local conservation group, donating to a charity that supports sustainable agriculture, or simply making small changes in your own life, every action counts.

Important Days in June 2024: National and International Special Days List

Some Facts about Drought and Desertification

All of us should know the following facts and figures about Droughts around the world.

• Droughts can occur anywhere in the world and can last for months or even years.
• Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of droughts in many regions of the world.
• According to the United Nations, over 1 billion people worldwide are currently affected by droughts with many facing food and water shortages.
• The effects of droughts can be felt for years after the drought has ended, as water supplies are slow to recover and ecosystems are slow to regenerate.
• Droughts can lead to an increase in wildfires, as dry conditions make it easier for fires to start and spread.

Frequently Asked Questions