#Desertification and #Drought Day 2026
June 17, 2026
#Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. #Restore.
"This year, #Kenya hosts the global observance of Desertification and Drought Day in partnership with #UNCCD under the theme 'Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.'
"The global observance will highlight the central role of the world’s rangelands in #ClimateResilience, food and water security, #biodiversity conservation and the cultural identity of #pastoralist and #IndigenousCommunities. Kenya’s leadership reflects its ongoing efforts to address #LandDegradation, strengthen drought resilience and support communities living in #dryland and rangeland areas.
"UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad said: 'We thank the Government of Kenya for hosting Desertification and Drought Day 2026 and for shining a spotlight on the world’s rangelands. These landscapes are vital for food, water, biodiversity and climate resilience. Kenya’s leadership comes at a crucial moment, as rangelands face increasing pressure worldwide. By recognising their value, respecting their traditional stewards and restoring rangelands back to health, we can strengthen the livelihoods of two billion people.'
"Rangelands cover more than half of the world’s land surface yet remain among the most undervalued ecosystems. They face increasing pressures from climate change, land degradation and competing land uses. Up to half of all rangelands are already degraded or at risk, jeopardizing food and water security, climate resilience and rural livelihoods.
"Coinciding with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, the 2026 global observance will draw attention to the need to recognize and value rangelands for the critical functions they provide, respect the traditional stewards who have cared for them for generations and restore degraded landscapes to secure livelihoods and ecosystem services.
"Through Desertification and Drought Day 2026, countries and communities are invited to:
- Recognize rangelands’ economic contribution to national and regional economies, their role in sustaining biodiversity and wildlife and the multiple benefits they provide, from regulating water cycles to storing carbon
- Respect pastoralists, #IndigenousPeoples and local communities, whose mobility, customary governance systems and ecological knowledge are essential to maintaining the health and productivity of these landscapes
- Restore rangelands by investing in sustainable land and water management, strengthening governance, improving drought preparedness and supporting community-led restoration efforts
Marked every year on 17 June, Desertification and Drought Day is the United Nations’ global moment to raise awareness of land degradation and drought and to mobilize action to protect and restore healthy land. Desertification and Drought Day 2026 in Kenya will be the first time in nearly a decade that the African continent hosts the global observance. Previous observances took place in Colombia (2025), Germany (2024), USA (2023), Spain (2022), Costa Rica (2021), Republic of Korea (2020), Türkiye (2019), Ecuador (2018), Burkina Faso (2017) and China (2016)."
Source:
https://www.unccd.int/events/desertification-drought-day/2026
#SolarPunkSunday #FoodSecurity #WaterSecurity #LandRestoration #Sustainability #TraditionalStewards #CulturalPreservation #DesertificationAndDroughtDay
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