United Nations Launches
International Year of Deserts and Desertification 2006
to Profile Desertification as a Major Threat to Humanity
One of the most alarming processes of environmental degradation is desertification. Each year, desertification and drought cause an estimated $42 billion in lost agricultural production. It contributes to food insecurity, famine and poverty, and can give rise to social, economic and political tensions that can cause conflicts, further poverty and land degradation. In this regard, in its resolution A/Res/58/211 of 23.12.2003 United Nations General Assembly declared 2006 as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification (IYDD) in order to raise public awareness of the issue and protect the biological diversity of deserts as well as the traditional knowledge of those communities affected by desertification.
The prior objective of the 2006-year is to profile desertification as a major threat to humanity, especially taking into consideration scenarios of climate change and loss of biological diversity. Dry lands constitute about 41 per cent of the Earth's surface and are used by more than 2 billion people. Between 10 and 20 per cent of dry lands are degraded or unproductive and affect one third of the planet's land surface. It also threatens the health and livelihoods of more than one billion people in over one hundred countries.
The Convention to Combat Desertification is the only internationally recognized, legally binding instrument that addresses the problem of land degradation in dry land rural areas that joins 191 parties. Through the Global Environment Facility as its funding mechanism, it is able to channel needed resources to projects aimed at combating the problem, particularly in Africa. "UNCCD plays a key role in the world's efforts to eradicate poverty, achieve sustainable development and reach the MDGs." said Kofi Annan in his message on the World Day to Combat Desertification
"It is widely recognized that environmental degradation has a role to play in considerations of national security as well as international stability. Therefore, desertification has been seen as a threat to human security," says UNCCD Executive Secretary Hama Arba Diallo
The IYDD provides a major opportunity for strengthening the visibility and importance of the dry lands issue on the international environmental agenda and for highlighting the truly global nature of the problem. So all countries and civil society organizations have been encouraged to undertake special events to mark the Year.
“We want to raise awareness at the international, regional, national and local level about the deserts," said Chérif Rahmani, "Desertification is a transnational issue and a global problem."
Also Cherif Rahmani noted the necessity to use the opportunity presented by IYDD to "protect the biological diversity, knowledge and traditions of affected communities living in the desert"
The International Year is very important and each country, each organization, each one of us has their own unique contribution to make their own calendar. Certain days are earmarked for special attention, including the 17th of June, the World Day to Combat Desertification, which will be one of the highlights of the Year to be celebrated worldwide.
Throughout the Year, activities are being organized at local, national and international level and everyone is encouraged to participate. The rich and varied nature of events being organized is guaranteed to appeal to a wide audience.
Conferences, workshops and seminars on the theme of deserts and Desertification will also address the important link between land degradation, poverty and migration. In addition, a number of cultural events are planned which aim to raise awareness of the social and cultural dimensions of Deserts and Desertification
We encourage people not only to participate, but also to come up with ideas for organizing events of their own.
More details on the web site: www.iydd.org
This photo is the winner of the first UNCCD photo contest from 2005.