World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2025

Every year, on June 17, the world observes Desertification and Drought Day. This special day, launched by the United Nations in 1994, aims to raise awareness about desertification, land degradation, and drought. It encourages global efforts to reduce their impact on both human societies and biodiversity.

Desertification is the process of land degradation in dry areas, including arid and semi-arid regions. Around 40% of the world’s arable land is already affected by this process. At the same time, droughts are prolonged periods of water shortage that harm animals, plants, and humans.

By 2050, an estimated 75% of the world’s population will face droughts and water shortages. This is a massive increase from the 3.6 billion people already affected today. With such growing challenges, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is working to restore 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land globally.

Each year, the observance of Desertification and Drought Day focuses on a specific theme. For 2025, the theme is: “Restore the Land. Unlock the Opportunities.”

Why restoring land is crucial

Healthy land is essential for thriving economies and communities. It supports agriculture, provides food, and helps with water and climate security. Yet, every minute, land equivalent to four football fields is lost due to degradation. This leads to biodiversity loss, higher risks of droughts, and displacement of communities. The global effects include rising food prices, instability, and forced migration.

Today, 40% of the Earth’s land is degraded. As part of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), we need to restore these damaged lands to prevent further harm to the environment and people. If current trends continue, we will have to restore 1.5 billion hectares by 2030.

Restoring the land not only helps nature but also brings economic benefits. For every dollar spent on land restoration, between $7 and $30 can be earned in return. Investing in land restoration can create jobs, boost food and water security, and promote climate action.

Please also read: Desertification: a threat closer than you think.

Turning ambition into action

This year’s Desertification and Drought Day will be hosted by Colombia in Bogotá. The event will emphasize the urgent need to restore land as a solution for sustainability, peace, and inclusive development. Colombia’s commitment to addressing land degradation through nature-based solutions will be a key highlight.

The global community needs to act now. The UNCCD warns that $1 billion per day is needed between 2025 and 2030 to fight desertification, land degradation, and drought. Unfortunately, current investments are far below this figure.

The struggles of families in drought-affected areas

In countries like Somalia, families face difficult choices because of droughts. After several failed rainy seasons, many families have lost their crops and livestock, forcing them to leave their homes in search of food and aid. In temporary shelters, families are split up. Women and children go to towns for assistance, while men stay behind to protect what’s left of their property.

More than 900,000 people in Somalia have been displaced by the ongoing drought, and the number is expected to increase. However, aid organizations are providing support, including cash transfers, tools, and other resources, to help families stay in their rural communities. This way, they don’t have to migrate to overcrowded urban areas.

Families that choose to stay can receive seeds, tools, and emergency cash to help them prepare for future rains and rebuild their livelihoods. Investing in rural livelihoods is not only more efficient but also much cheaper in the long run. For every $1 spent on supporting rural families, $10 can be saved in food-related assistance for displaced families.

Please also read: World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 

European Wilderness Society role

The European Wilderness Society is collaborating on the HORIZON project ALFAwetlands, which focuses on restoring wetlands through rewetting. Wetland restoration plays a crucial role in environmental conservation, helping to mitigate climate change, support biodiversity, and provide other ecological benefits.

Conclusion

Land restoration is more than just a solution to environmental problems. It is an opportunity to unlock numerous benefits, including job creation, improved food and water security, and a more resilient economy. As we approach 2030, the need for large-scale land restoration is critical. Restoring the land means creating a future where economies are strong, ecosystems thrive, and communities are secure.

On Desertification and Drought Day, we must commit to action. By investing in land restoration, we can unlock the opportunities needed for a sustainable, resilient future. Let’s restore the land—and unlock a world of possibilities.