World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2017 observed globally

17 June: World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought    

The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought was observed globally on 17 June 2017 with a campaign 'Our land. Our home. Our Future' to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification.

This year, the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought examined the important link between land degradation and migration.

The day reminds everyone that land degradation neutrality is achievable through problem-solving, strong community involvement and co-operation at all levels.

Desertification is the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas. It is caused primarily by human activities and climatic variations.

Over 250 million people are directly affected by desertification, and about one billion people in over one hundred countries are at risk. These people include many of the world‘s poorest, most marginalized and politically weak citizens.

Background
In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 17 as the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought through its resolution to promote public awareness and to implement United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in countries experiencing serious drought and desertification particularly in Africa.