Live updates: UN tackles desertification, drought and land restoration
December 2, 2024, 12:00 PM EST
The United Nations is holding a high-level conference on desertification, drought and land restoration in Madrid, Spain. The conference is aimed at raising awareness of the challenges posed by these issues and to develop solutions to address them.
- 12:00 PM EST: The conference opened with a keynote address by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Guterres warned that desertification, drought and land degradation are “a major threat to our planet and our future.” He called for urgent action to address these issues.
- 12:30 PM EST: The conference heard from a panel of experts on the causes and consequences of desertification, drought and land degradation. The experts discussed the role of climate change, deforestation and unsustainable agriculture in causing these problems.
- 1:00 PM EST: The conference participants broke into working groups to discuss solutions to desertification, drought and land degradation. The working groups will focus on a range of issues, including sustainable land management, afforestation and reforestation, and water conservation.
- 3:00 PM EST: The conference participants will reconvene in plenary to hear the recommendations of the working groups. The recommendations will be used to develop a global action plan to address desertification, drought and land degradation.
The conference is expected to conclude with the adoption of a declaration calling for urgent action to address desertification, drought and land degradation. The declaration will be presented to the UN General Assembly for approval.
Background:
Desertification, drought and land degradation are major threats to the planet and its people. Desertification is the process by which land becomes desert-like, due to a combination of factors including climate change, deforestation and unsustainable agriculture. Drought is a period of prolonged water shortage, which can cause widespread crop failures and water shortages. Land degradation is the deterioration of the land’s ability to support life, due to factors such as erosion, pollution and overgrazing.
These issues are particularly severe in developing countries, where they can contribute to poverty, food insecurity and conflict. Desertification, drought and land degradation can also have a negative impact on the global climate, as they can lead to the release of greenhouse gases.
The UN is committed to addressing desertification, drought and land degradation. The UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the international treaty that addresses these issues. The UNCCD was adopted in 1994 and has been ratified by 197 countries.
The UNCCD’s goal is to promote sustainable land management practices and to combat desertification, drought and land degradation. The UNCCD provides a framework for cooperation between countries and organizations to address these issues.
The UNCCD is working to achieve its goal through a variety of initiatives, including:
- Promoting sustainable land management practices: The UNCCD promotes the adoption of sustainable land management practices, such as agroforestry, rainwater harvesting and conservation tillage. These practices can help to improve soil fertility, reduce erosion and increase water retention.
- Combating desertification and drought: The UNCCD supports countries in their efforts to combat desertification and drought. The UNCCD provides financial and technical assistance to countries to implement projects that address these issues.
- Raising awareness of desertification, drought and land degradation: The UNCCD raises awareness of the challenges posed by desertification, drought and land degradation. The UNCCD publishes reports, organizes conferences and events, and works with the media to raise awareness of these issues.
The UNCCD is making a significant contribution to the fight against desertification, drought and land degradation. The UNCCD’s work is helping to protect the planet and its people from these devastating threats.
Live updates: UN tackles desertification, drought and land restoration
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